Starz Developing Space War, Vampire Shows

Starz has had big success with its epic blood, muscle, and sex series, Spartacus; but its ambitious forays into sci-fi/fantasy, Camelot and Torchwood, have not been roaring successes. What to do? Talk to the Spartacus folks about blood, muscle, and sex in space.

Steven S. DeKnight, the tattoo-bedecked industry veteran who created the two linked Spartacus series, and whose name might also be ringing a bell for those who paid attention to the credits on Dollhouse, Smallville, and Angel, is now working with Starz Media on a new series called Incursion, a sci-fi action thriller about a group of soldiers involved in a dangerous war against an alien race. Each season of the proposed series will be fought on a new, exotic planet as humanity goes deeper into enemy territory. The series aims to feature "grittily realistic combat," we're told. But will they be able to do it half-naked? And is there a guest star berth for Lucy Lawless?

Or maybe you want blood, sure, but DeKnight, pillar of the industry though he is, isn't a big enough name for you. Okay, how about J. Michael Straczynski? JMS is teaming with horror producer Roy Lee and, yes, Spartacus veteran Rob Tapert to create a historical fiction series called Vlad Dracula. The project described as a melding of historical facts about the 15th century Prince of Wallachia and the fictional character of Dracula. Will the vampire boom be over by the time this makes it to air? No. People will always want more vampires, and by that time the sparkly vampires will be gone for good and we can start pretending the whole thing never happened.

Both of these projects are in the development phase, so watch this space to find out if either or both bears any fruit.

Tags: Incursion, Vlad Dracula, Steven S. DeKnight, J. Michael Straczynski, Starz Follow me on Twitter  |  Follow me on Facebook