Sci Fi Channel announces intentions for Dresden pilot

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:
…
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”

  1. Hmm, I hadn’t thought about Peter Wingfield, but now that you mention it, he’d be great. He even looks almost exactly like the poster version of Harry (I refuse to call him Erik in hopes the the Sci-Fi Channel will regain it’s sanity!).
    On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind seeing James play it either. Decisions…
    Really, the casting I’m the most worried about is Murphy. It could be done very badly. If the casting director gets it in his or her head that Murphy is a piece of eyecandy that plays an obvious attraction to Harry, the fans (myself included) will revolt.

  2. Like many other people, I found out about the books because of James Marsters. But that wasn’t the reason I started to read them and liked them. I’ve always been a fantasy fan. I love Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and I also like the Harry Potter books.
    I was really happy to find the Dresden books and love they way they’re written. I love the use of metaphors in the descriptions and the humour.
    I’m feeling a bit nervous about this TV series. It can be great but if they’re already changing the name of the character what else are they going to change?
    I’d love to see a tv show of the books but I just hope that it’s done right.
    As for James Marsters in the role, he said recently he was going to audition for the role but that didn’t mean anything in Hollywood. So he hasn’t been offered the role, just asked to read for it.
    Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

  3. I still am in the vast majority that thinks JM is HD/ED. Peter Wingfield is a great actor (loved him as Methos) but he seems to mature for the character (I don’t mean old)and while I am a fan of his I do not see him as Dresdon. James Marsters is the only reason I even started reading the books. I picture him in these stories and will accept no substitute!

  4. Here’s hoping that JM gets this part. Except does Nick Cage have a lock on it?
    If he gets it I will certainly watch it. And probably end up buying all the books.

  5. Murphy… eyecandy for Harry… must kill…
    We already know who most people want Erik as, but I’m wondering about the voice of Bob and who’ll act Thomas. They are putting them in right? *Must kill someone if they don’t*

  7. All Dresden fans who would like to see James Marsters cast as Harry or Erik (whomever) I think it may help if we bombarded SCI FI’s programming dept with our opinions.
    program@www.scifi.com
    Never know…could help.

  8. dear all,
    me and my gf love the books and are eager to see how the transition from book to screen takes place. all i can say is congrats to Mr.Butcher.
    Peace, lane

  9. I think this is great news . While I was reading “Full Moon” I kept thinkning what a fantastic movie it would make. My biggest concern is that as a t.v series would it have a good enough budget to pull off the effects needed to create Harry’s world?. I’m not crazy about the name change but it wouldn’t put me off watching, I have all my male friends hooked as they claim Harry is very addictive. The studios need to be careful that when they get someone to write and direct it , it is someone who loves the books as much as the fans so as not to “butcher” the stories. Still….. fantastic news, I wait with bated breath, if done well this could easily replace Buff/Angel for all those heartbroken fans who have nothing left to watch. Bring it on, soon.

  10. Obviously, this is good news. I’m excited about seeing a HD miniseries, but it could also be really painful if they mess it up. The name change definitely irks me, expecially after everything in the books about how names are so important… I really can’t see our Harry as “Erik.” I’m also kind of scared as to what they’ll do with Marcone… Here’s hoping they’re very careful with the casting. Good luck Jim!

  11. A comment was made earlier that they thought Bruce Campbell would make a great Harry. oops, “Erik”. I agree. Bruce Campbell has the ability to have the same smart-alecky self-deprecating humor going on with his characters that I have always loved about Harry. The humor that is used in the series is one of the things that I really love about it. I will be very happy if this series actually comes to fruition and stays true to the books!!!!

  12. James Marsters is the only actor I see as Harry. Nothing against Bruce Campbell, but he is not a leading man!

  13. Ashe vs. Spike?
    Hhmmm…..
    Interesting.
    Both have qualities that make me thing either should be able to do a good job.
    But I can’t see Marsters being a dork, and Campell having a love scene where he doesn’t go “Gimme some sugar…” would be odd too.
    Ah well,
    I’ll wish it all good luck and SciFi channel doesn’t screw up a good thing.

  14. Hi all, remember me? I was the one heading a small campaign to get The Dresden Files in my local bookstores. It worked! I now own all titles up to date. However, my campaign is not done. I want the audio tapes. Just and update. Also, I reread my post from April 15, and made an error, I ment to state that the Buffy movie was aweful (sorry to those who loved it). More to the subject, still on the look for the SciFi edition of The Dresden Files. And hoping to see my idol, James Marsters as ‘Erik’. LYLP (love ya like pancakes) all.

  16. James Marsten as Harry? No way! He’s too old (42)
    and too short (5’10”) and in danger of killing his
    career if he should take the job!
    Name me one actor who has broken out of the
    sf/fantasy/horror genre ghetto in the last 40 years
    and has achieved superstardom (other than Harrison Ford)! Sarah Michelle Gellar does not count…she is a long way from superstardom!
    JM has played Spike for years and he was also
    Scott “Cyclops” Summers in X-MEN/X2 and now all
    of you people want him to take on the role of
    HARRY DRESDEN! He will be type cast and locked
    into the sf/f/h ghetto and will never be able to
    get a part of any significance in a mainstream
    project. Some bunch of fan-friends you guys are!
    Let the casting directors EARN their loot…they did
    good with Shatner, Nimoy, Sorbo, Jayne Heitmeyer, Lisa Ryder, and numerous others so
    let’s just see how close they can actually come to
    the real HARRY.
    Think it might be better to bombard Sci-Fi channel
    with letters of protest about the name change to
    ERIK (how disgusting).
    Looking forward to BLOOD RITES and hoping that
    all those who got turned on to the DRESDEN FILES
    will investigate other authors in the genre…
    GLENN COOK’s series dealing with GARRETT and
    the city of TUN FAIRE (read St. Louis)…
    P.N. ELROD’s VAMPIRE FILES… and SIMON R. GREEN’s novels of the NIGHTSIDE…as well as
    RANDALL GARRET’s series about the best of them
    all…LORD DARCY!

  17. JM looks young. He is the only one I picture when I read the books. And there is no use me watching it with another actor because no matter who it is they will never measure up to what I picture in my head!

  18. I have no problem with JM playing Dresden. He’ll do an excellent job with the character. After all, having done the audios, JM has some experience with just who Dresden is.
    Congrats Jim. I’m looking forward to reading all 20 of those Dresden Files you have tucked away someplace. Now, on to the new series.

  19. Man. I knew I should be checking up on this like any true fan. I’m a huge supporter of Marsters as Dresden, despite the height difference. And btw, James was not Cyclops. Anyway, I would also love to see Morena Baccarin as Susan. I have a list of my dream cast, but honestly, this would be wonderful. Gotta disagree with the name change, but I’ll go wherever the name Dresden follows. 🙂

  20. Has anyone eard more about the future of Harry/Erik I can not fing anything elsebut qhat is here and the Sci-Fi website does not say much.

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