Here are some exciting excerpts of a press release from Sci Fi!
SCI FI’S Upcoming Television Events Shatter the Boundaries of Imagination
NEW YORK, April 5 /PRNewswire/ — SCI FI Channel, responsible for almost single-handedly reviving the miniseries format in the past few years, has established itself as the industry’s leading producer of original movies and awe-inspiring television events. Continuing to attract Hollywood’s hottest filmmakers, SCI FI has partnered with DreamWorks and Steven Spielberg for a second miniseries (the first was the Emmy Award-winning Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN) entitled Nine Lives, and has signed deals in recent months with Martin Scorsese, Bryan Singer, Dean Devlin, Joel Silver and Gale Anne Hurd, among others. Oscar(R)-caliber actors such as Timothy Hutton, Randy Quaid and Isabella Rossellini lead the casts of SCI FI’s upcoming 2004 miniseries, while other stars have signed on for future epics.
Following is a list of projects that lead SCI FI’s development slate, with a number of luminaries making the Channel their creative home:
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Dresden Files (working title)
Based on the best-selling “Dresden Files” novels by Jim Butcher, this 2-hour backdoor pilot film will be executive produced by Academy Award(R) winner Nicolas Cage and Norm Golightly of Saturn Films. Erik Dresden is a detective with extraordinary powers, the kind that could belong only to the descendant of a long line of wizards. Where others see the typical crimes of assault, kidnapping and serial killings, Erik sees otherworldly forces at work — which only he knows how to combat. Whether consulting for the police on inexplicable crimes or following his own cases, Erik has a unique outlook on the world, and wields a wry sense of humor as one of his most potent weapons. The project is produced by Lions Gate Television and Cage’s Saturn Films (The Life of David Gale, Shadow of the Vampire), with Morgan Gendel (Law & Order, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Next Generation) writing; Gendel and Anthony Peckham (Don’t Say a Word, 5 Days to Midnight) are executive producers.
141 thoughts on “Sci Fi Channel announces intentions for Dresden pilot”
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This is the best news!!! Made my day to hear that there is a possibility for quality TV! After reading the books and hearing James Marsters incredible reading of the first two books – I can only hope he is first in line for the part! He would bring such intelligence and passion to the role! Not to mention, the man can ACT! With him in the part I WILL watch! I’m not crazy about the name change, but I understand why they went there. Just have to say YIPPE SKIPPY!
This is just fabulous news! Congrats to Jim Butcher – the books deserve to be told in a series, and I, for one, will watch faithfully. Also, I do hope that James Marsters will get snapped up to play Harry… er, Erik, I guess. I love his reading of “Storm Front” and “Fool Moon”, so if anyone is to play Harry, James Marsters is the one to do it! He would be perfect for the role! Plus he has expressed interest in the part – so, Saturn Films and Lions Gate, take note, please!
Think there are a lot of Marsters fans around here? Sheesh. Nothing against him but who knows what TPTB have in mind. Jim Butcher has no say in casting. Apparently he has little to say in naming the character. Still, it would be nice to see Marsters in the role. He sure aced the audio books.
Great going Jim!! You kept hope (along with us) all along that this would happen and I will always support you (as long as you keep us in Dresden/Codex books!)
I think it’s also fate that AtS was cancelled and now James is kinda free… *wink*
well since every studio cares about ratings then James is the best because he has the buffy/angle fans which would easily bring like 3 million ppl or 5 as in the first few angel eps. and sci fi highest rated hsow is Stargate sg1 whihc brings in 2 million ppl. soo umm its like a gold minde. and James is probably all the readers first choice anyways so he should do it.
yay im soooooo happy
Please have James play Eric, after reading the books and listening to the audio I think the part was written just for James.
Hey guys, don’t forget, you’re preaching to the choir, here, but this is just Jim Butcher’s site — there’s hardly any chance that calls for James posted here will make it to the folks making the judgement calls at sci fi. You’ll have to investigate alternate routes for that…!
Believe me, all the major JM forums are gearing up for a new campaign! Whether JM gets cast or not, it’s a great way to promote him and the Dresden Files.
I would be over the moon to see JM as Harry. And no, I don’t care for the name change either. Erik is not a lovable name the way Harry is. I can understand wanting to distance themselves from that other magical Harry, but jeez. I want my Harry Dresden!
This is so amazing! Oh I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.
I bought the first book/CD that James Marsters read. I immediately bought the books. It is a great, great story and the character is intriguing and endearing.
I think James Marsters should play Harry Dresden. He fit the character very, very well.
this is such great news!! wooohoooo!!! although i have to agree that i don’t “feel” the name change… best of luck and not it is definite that i am getting cable… i have to watch this!
James Marsters was the reason I started reading the Dresden Files. As I’m reading the books I’m always picturing the main character as him. I couldn’t imagine anyone else portraying Harry! Marsters would be perfect in the role. Please consider him.
Congratulations, Jim.
I read about this in April (and Iago’s) journal and I just wanted to say I’m very proud and happy for you.
Wishing you all the best.
As much I like JM and think he did a great job with audio books (and on Buffy and Angel), I just don’t picture him as Harry. (Of course, maybe this “Erik” Dresden will be a different character, though the name change thing really bugs me.) He doesn’t have the right build (Harry in the books has about a foot of height on him) and he can’t really pass for a 20-something anymore.
Someone earlier mentioned the name change thing for Highlander, but the TV series was about a different character than the movies, hence the change.
That being said, this is great news and I anxiously look forward to seeing this.
Yeah! I’m so excited. I too started reading Jim Butcher’s books because of James Marsters. I think he would do a wonderful job portraying Harry/Erik. None the less if he doesn’t get it Good Luck Jim!
WOO HOO!! Congratulations Jim! Awesome news! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
I love the idea of JM in the role, though would watch regardless of who plays. Regarding the post above – I thought Harry was in his mid-30s?
he is in his mid 30s and besides james lookes really young so he would be perfect
CONGRATULATIONS, JIM!! terrific news! you will have to get writing the rest of the Dresden Files now… i await your next book with great anticipation, i have loved all the others. i too was brought to your books by James Marsters and was delighted to hear him read ALL the book, not some abridged readers digest version. He made your stories come alive and count the books translated so far as treasured possessions. Here’s hoping James will eventually read them all!!
Don’t understand the proposed name change but as long as it gets made, i’ll be happy. Perfect time to do the pilot/series or whatever, technology has progressed to the point where it will do the Dresden Files justice and i can’t wait! i can only hope the producers are smart enough to ask James Marsters to play the part – here’s hoping.
Good luck, Jim and more power to your writing arm!! xxxx
Congradulations!
And what I would like to see actor wise would be a guest appearance by Darren McGavin as fellow Chicagoan Karl Kolchak… just a cameo, but… I think he’d understand Harry.
The Auld Grump