HBO develops adaptation of David Cronenberg sci-fi horror Scanners

HBO is developing a TV adaptation of 1981 sci-fi horror film Scanners from Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg.

David Cronenberg (photo: www.ficg via CC)

Black Mirror scribe William Bridges is attached as showrunner and writer, while Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country) is on board to direct.

The adaptation is a coproduction between HBO, Media Res Studio and Wayward Films

The original film is set in a world inhabited by scanners, who are men and women born with telepathic and telekinetic powers. Some use their gifts in a safe manner, while a group of renegade scanners hatch a plan to create a race that will rule the world.

It garnered mainstream attention when it was released in 1981 but was largely overlooked by critics. In the time since, the film has been re-evaluated and become a cult classic, among Cronenberg’s most important films.

Media Res, led by former HBO drama head, optioned the rights to Scanners five years ago. The adaptation, set in the world of the original, follows two women who are pursued by relentless agents with unimaginable powers.

Cronenberg will serve as executive producer alongside Bridges and Demange. Also executive producing are Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer of Media Res Studio and Meredith Duff and Sarah Sullivan of Wayward Films.