Syfy Orders George R R Martin’s Nightflyers to Pilot
Syfy has ordered a pilot based on the Game of Thrones author’s sci-fi novella Nightflyers, according to Variety. The cable network revealed plans to develop the series back in May.
The story centres on eight scientists and a powerful telepath who travel to the edge of the solar system in hopes of contacting alien life. They travel on the Nightflyers, a ship with a small crew and a reclusive captain. But when horrifying and violent things start happening, they all begin to question each other and realise that survival might be more difficult than they thought.
The novella was previously adapted into a 1987 movie of the same name. Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train) wrote Syfy’s version and Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, The Bourne Identity) will executive produce.
“We are looking forward to diving deeper into George R.R. Martin’s chilling world of Nightflyers,” said Bill McGoldrick, executive vice president of scripted development for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “The script that Jeff delivered encapsulates this classic sci-fi horror story and adapts it to a platform where we can truly explore the depths of madness.”
Syfy is in the midst of an effort to re-brand. The network also picked up the Superman prequel Krypton and an adaptation of the graphic novel Happy! starring Christopher Meloni.
Game of Thrones Spin-offs?
Meanwhile, Martin is also working with writers on a batch of potential Game of Thrones prequel spinoffs.
There is a possibility that his science fiction/superhero shared universe anthology series Wild Cards, which are stories from a collection of thirty authors referred to as the Wild Cards Trust that is edited by George R. R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass, may make its way to TV – or that one of his stand-alone novels like Fevre Dream or his science fiction novel Dying of the Light might be in development.
Watch this space for more news on future George R.R. Martin projects and potential Game of Thrones spin offs.
Game of Thrones season 7 returns to HBO on July 16th and will be simulcast on Sky Atlantic and Now TV in the UK at 2am.
