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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I’ve never heard of this character or these books but I’m very interested. I love to watch things like Buffy and Angel and now that Angel is cancelled (still hoping for a miracle) this sounds like something I’d be very interested in checking out, especially if James Marsters is in it. Not to mention all the Buffy/Angel fans that will be looking for something to fill the void and if JM gets the part, I can see a following taking place.
This is great….just great! The books are more than worthy of being turned into a series, and I look forward with the greatest pleasure to viewing The Dresden Files.
And may I suggest that James Marsters would be the perfect Eric? I am a fan of the audio book(s) narrated by James…as far as I am concerned, he IS Harry/Eric. I cannot see anyone else in the role, James has made it so much his, already.
Add to this the fact that James Marsters has a HUGE fan base from BtVS and Angel already in existance and willing to follow him ANYWHERE, and what more could SciFi channel ask?
Here’s looking forward to seeing The Dresden Files AND James Marsters.
Oh, wow…dying…hyperventilating…wow! I so cannot wait. I have to admit, I am a huge James Marsters fan, and he is the only reason I got into the Dresden Files. Since then though, I have been getting more and more into the books. Unfortunately, my mum’s a bit of a nazi when it comes to ordering things online, so I have to buy them from stores which…well, so far, no store will carry the books. So I’m currently heading a very small campaign where I get everyone I can to call the book stores around here once a weekish requesting the books. Sooner or later, they should start carrying the publisher (here’s to hoping). Jim, congrats! Me also, not crazy about the name change, but I totally understand it and have no problems excepting it. But don’t fall into the same problem as Joss Whedon! Don’t let the big-wigs take over your vision. Be a part. Ever wondered why Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie was so much better than the show? Joss Whedon (creator) had little say in the movie, but was there all the way for the show. STAY THERE JIM! AND GOOD LUCK! You have me hooked weather James Marsters plays or not!
oh my gods! lol not only am i relly really looking forward to it i know mom will be! i got her hooked onto this series so she’ll looooove to see it as a mini series!
is there any more news on this? like when do they think maybe it would show?? i dunno how long it takes to make a mini series….hrm….
also-who’s james marster? did i get that right?? dunno him.dont watch buffy or angel…sorry…don’t beat me up okay???
My gut tells me that we won’t see the movie for another 6-12 months. They’ve *just* started in on this project, after all. Even fast-tracked, I wouldn’t expect to see it until the fall.
Love the Dresden series. The news is wonderful. As a huge fan of James Marsters and his audio recordings of the series, it is my belief that he would be a great asset to the production. Not only are his acting skills over the top and complelling,but he also brings a huge and devoted fan base to everything. IMHO it would be a win/win for the series to have him.
James Marsters’ audio of STORM FRONT got me interested in the books, but the books were marvelous. I cannot picture any other actor other then James Marsters to play the lead. He has captivated fans on both BTVS and ATS and has an incredible fanbase. To everyone involved in this project, JM is the perfect choice and a definite win for you who want to make this movies and possible series a success. Where JM goes…we will follow.
Congratulations James Butcher!!!
I can’t wait!! I have been hooked on this series. However Jim what’s his is name would not be my first pick for the title role. He doesn’t look anything like Harry is described in the books, and whoever says his acting skills are great is a moron. Also I’m not happy about the name change, but if it’s necessary I’ll accept it just to see this happen.
I have just gotten into the Dresdon File books. I became interested when I heard James Marsters name linked to them. Now I have just finished the 5th book and am hooked. I love the idea of there being a movie and having James Marsters in the lead role of Eric (don’t call me Harry) Dresdon. I already picture him as I am reading the books.
You know, I was really kinda skeptical when I heard that Jim was pushing J.M. for Harry’s part. I never was a fan of Buffy, but I dont watch a lot of TV. But I suppose I’ll go and pick up the audio for Storm Front before I really decide its a bad idea.
Otherwise I love the books and always will. Harry is my hero. ^_^ I’s so excited about seeing it come to love. The name change was like “eh” but I understand and support anything Jim supports (its his story after all and he knows whats best) to see it on screen.
Cant wait!
I don’t know that Jim is “pushing” James as the guy to play Eric Dresden, but it was certainly James’ experience with the audio books that helped the series to take off, and Morgan Gendel learned about the books from James when he was doing guest voice work for the MTV Spider-Man series. So if Jim’s saying “hey, James would work”, if anything it’s gratitude. 🙂
James Marsters is the only actor to play this role. He is such a great actor and can play anything! Plus so many of us already picture him in the role, as we read the books. I’m not sure I would bother to watch a movie about this character if another actor played the lead part, because they couldn’t measure up to the picture of Harry/Eric that I have in my head! Also the name change is not necessary since Dresdon is nothing like Potter!
I am very excited about “The Dresden Files” pilot, and I really want to see this succeed! Congratulations to Jim Butcher – he must be on cloud nine over this. Just hope this gets fast-tracked so we see it sometime next season. I’ve been writing to Saturn Films, Lions Gate, and SciFi Channel to express my support for the project.
I’m enjoying “Grave Peril” very much, as well, and looking forward to the new book this summer too!
I love this series of books, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Hollywood will be able to do it justice. However, the name change really doesn’t bode well, in my opinion. Changing someone’s name is a huge departure, and ‘Erik’ Dresden just doesn’t do it for me. Just one more example of clueless Tinseltown arrogance. If they’ll change something as basic as his name, they’ll change anything, and I’m afraid they will lose Harry’s brave, cranky, quirky, bullheaded, and brilliant voice in the process.
amber, your comments joss wheaton creating “buffy” the movie are totally incorrect. wheaton only created the television series, which was far better than the movie. as for james marsters being a lousy actor, well i would have to disagree. he is one of the main reasons that “buffy” the series has become a cult classic.
Joss Whedon did create the movie of BTVS but 20th century fox did a hack job on it , which is why Joss was so greatful to get a chance to do the series his way! Also JM is a great actor. A recent critic said that the reason that he gets the best lines on Angel is because he delivers them like Shakespeare and not a Hallmark card (this was also a shot at DB(Angel) who the same critic says needs to know that there is more to acting then furrowing his brow and glowering).James would make a perfect Dresdon ( no matter what the first name is- although I still think that they should just use the name Harry)!
As a Chicagoan who has been reading the Dresden files for a few years, I am thrilled. Hopefully they won’t change the city, in addition to the name. Wait a minute, hopefully they’ll actually FILM it here instead of in Vancouver or Toronto. Nothing against those cities, but I’d like to see some actual lakefront and skyline.
I would really love to see this series made, however, James Marsten would not be my first choice in actors. I have never “heard” any of his Dresden book renditions, but have read all of the books so far. My vision of Harry is of a tall, lanky, dark haired, bumbling guy, who is heroic in spite of himself. Whoever ends up playing Harry/Eric will have big shoes to fill. I will look forward to seeing this series no matter who ends up in the starring role.
Josh Duhamel has alot of the ‘right stuff’ to be good casting for the role of Harry/Eric. He’s got the height (6’2″, bout the closest we can probably get), the coloring, the acting range *IMO* and he’s in his early 30’s.
I was a James Marsters fan before I became a Harry Dresden fan but I can’t think of a better actor to play Harry than James. The reading of the audio books proves that he is perfect for the part. Let’s just pray that they keep the name Harry instead of Erik.