Heroes: Origins: Gone
I can confirm that the plug got pulled on the six Heroes: Origins episodes, one of which I was slated to write and direct. The possiblity of a WGA strike1 made NBC hesitant to prep a series they might never be able to shoot.
I had literally just hit “Print” on my revised outline when I got the call from Tim Kring. So, yeah. I’m bummed. But I get it: It was a lot of money to spend in a very uncertain time. And if the labor situation resolves in an orderly fashion, the series could find itself out of the deep freeze for next season.2
In case we never get to shoot it, my episode is/was called “Rehab.” Not everyone is good with their powers. Not everyone is good, period.
- I’m bucking convention by not saying “looming” in reference to the strike. ↩
- One favorite topic of conversation is what will happen to this TV season if there is a prolonged break. It’s not unlikely we’ll get a second, shorter season to finish up the year. ↩
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:31 pm
double negatives confuse me so. “it’s not unlikely…” so to quote the great jim carrey in dumb and dumber… so you’re saying there’s a chance?!?
October 31st, 2007 at 10:37 pm
“Not unlikely” is a slightly more optimistic version of “possible.”
October 31st, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Sorry to hear the news. If as you mentioned the “labor situation” resolves itself quickly, are all deals still on the table? Meaning, can you pick up where you left off and actually send that revised outline…or, will there be a restructuring, and if so, would you be able to post said outline on the site?
Hope it all goes well…I would actually rather “see” your episode than read it, but I guess that would be the next best thing.
Bon chance, RTA
October 31st, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Bad luck on that, I was really looking forward to Origins, even though the current season of Heroes has less then impressed me.
Is it possibly you might be allowed to release the script for us to read at some point?
October 31st, 2007 at 11:19 pm
This would appear to be a time for optimism. Sorry to hear about the plug pulling.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:14 am
Noooooooooooo! I am sooo sorry!
November 1st, 2007 at 1:44 am
Sorry to hear about the plug – the idea for your Ep. sounded great!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:08 am
That really sucks. I was looking forward to your episode. I guess we’ll have to cross our fingers and wait for next season then.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:27 am
John,
Here’s a tv idea: take the writers and directors from HEROES:ORIGINS, grab a few more interested, talented parties and start up a series of singular stories within the context of a greater, fictional world. Has it been done before? Yes, but not necessarily with well-known, large fan-based talents.
Do it, man… after the strike…. I know you can. TV, or a New Media equivalent, is the future!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:33 am
BTW:
HEROES:ORIGINS was the only reason why I was watching HEROES this season. Damn. I feel for you and I feel for us… entertainment is going to suck for the next little while isn’t it?
November 1st, 2007 at 3:37 am
Well that… sucks. Any chance we’ll see the script on here?
November 1st, 2007 at 6:27 am
That whole striking nowadays is far more shocking than Halloween. Does anybody outside Germany know what’s going on within our railwork network right now? Nothing but strikes in this world!
November 1st, 2007 at 8:32 am
Aw crap, I was exited about seeing that. Maybe it’ll happen next year?
November 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am
Darn, double darn. Not surprising, really, but still a disappointment. Let’s hope there’s no strike and that Heroes Origins comes back around.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am
I wonder if it’s really the strike, or if it has anything to do with the ratings decline, critical thrashing, and fan-apathy that “Heroes” has produced this season. Oh well.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:58 am
Most people have to twist their mothers arm to read their scripts and you’ve got script vultures. We’re all so jealous. Your episodes dark bent is very appealing. I join the masses in hoping for an opportunity to view your installment on TV. If you eventually post the script here also, that’d be swell.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Oh no! I was waiting so much for the spin-off to see your episode. “Rehab” sounds cool and I think it would be an incredible episode. Like Oli said, if the show is really cancelled, could we see the script here?
November 1st, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I don’t think he’s allowed to publish the script on here. The show isn’t entirely dead, — yet.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Your optimism was entirely unfounded, unfortunately.
We got the word on set about 8 pm that the strike is indeed on.
[insert name of chosen deity here] help us all and that the producers come to their senses sooner rather than later.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I’d like to apologize because that last comment makes absolutely no sense.
I’ve had two martinis after a 14 hour day at work.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:04 am
There are those who think the (say it with me: looming) strike was a convenient excuse for the network to lessen their exposure to a show that has lost a considerable amount of steam in its second season. That, given the plummeting ratings and critic drubbing, Heroes was no longer the network darling that warranted this sort of spinoff.
I figure NBC recognizes the problems they are having with the show, but they also had to know that this was a good chance to reinvigorate it. New writers, new characters, new lease on life.
Any thoughts on how much the ratings slide factored into this decision?
RED
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Big bummer about Origins. Looks like I wasn’t the only one looking forward to this more than I now look forward to the original series. I LOVE the concept of using some of the same characters in a kind of repertory fashion, but keeping a series timeslot and title. Always thought Twin Peaks could’ve been saved and extended by moving Agent Cooper to a new town and new murder mystery. The new characters could’ve still been played by some of the same actors, and some of the same overall themes could have (should have?) remained… but we’d have been spared the endless dragging out of the Laura Palmer mystery.