Syfy has picked up pilots for three potential series: “Haunted,” “Happy!” and “The Machine,” based on the 2013 movie of the same name. All three dramas originate from NBCUniversal’s in-house studio, Universal Cable Productions.
“The Machine,” based on the cult film that starred Caity Lotz and Toby Stephens, is set in a world that is being transformed by the emergence of artificial intelligence and explores the epic conflict between man and technology through the lives and motivations of six interwoven characters — each of whom holds the key to humanity’s victory or its destruction. The TV project will be exec produced by the film’s director Caradog James with Red & Black Films, and John Giwa-Amu, who also produced the original film, will serve as an EP on the pilot.
“The Haunted” is a supernatural horror-drama that follows four siblings who reunite after their parents’ deaths. As they try to overcome their fractured personal relationships, they learned they must also face the actual ghosts from their past in order to survive. Noga Landau (“The Magicians”) penned the pilot and will serve as co-executive producer. Executive producers are author James Frey and Todd Cohen of Full Fathom Five.
“Happy!” is based on the graphic novel of the same name from Grant Morrison (“Batman,” “The Invisibles”) and Brian Taylor (“Crank,” “Gamer”). The duo will write and exec produce the pilot with Taylor directing. “Happy!” follows Nick Sax, an intoxicated and corrupt ex-cop turned hit man who is adrift in a world of casual murder, soulless sex and betrayal. After a hit gone wrong, his inebriated life is forever changed by a tiny, relentlessly positive, imaginary blue winged horse. Original Film’s Neal Moritz, Pavun Shetty and Toby Jaffe of Original Film are also exec producers on the pilot.
The three projects join Syfy’s pilot slate, which includes the Superman prequel “Krypton.”
