SCREAM Writer Kevin Williamson Adapting Four New Series for Universal Including REAR WINDOW, THE GAME, THE IT GIRL, and THE WATERFRONT
Television creator Kevin Williamson, known for creating hit series like Dawson’s Creek and The Vampire Diaries, as well as writing the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer franchises, is taking on a few new series adaptations for Universal Television.
First up is the work of suspense thriller master Alfred Hitchcock, in a series version of his classic film Rear Window. Williamson will write the reimagining, which Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and John Fox executive produce alongside Williamson, Fast and MKT Productions. The 1954 thriller Rear Window was directed by Hitchcock from a script by John Michael Hayes based on Cornell Woolrich’s 1942 short story “It Had to Be Murder.” Starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, the film earned four Oscar nominations, including for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. A 1998 TV adaptation starred Christopher Reeve and Daryl Hannah.
Williamson also is writing The Waterfront, an original concept which takes him back to his North Carolina roots he previously explored in his first TV series, Dawson’s Creek (and used as an inspiration for the name of his production company). The family crime drama, which Williamson and Fast exec produce, follows the dysfunctional Buckleys as they struggle to keep their crumbling North Carolina fishing empire afloat.
Next is the series The It Girl, based on the #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ware’s book, with Sarah L. Thompson (Bridgerton, Yellowjackets) co-writing alongside Williamson. Ware is executive producing alongside co-writers Williamson and Thompson, and the story follows a woman in the search for answers a decade after her friend’s murder.
In The Game, after a wealthy San Francisco banker is given an opportunity to participate in a mysterious game, his life is turned upside down as he begins to question if it might really be a concealed conspiracy to destroy him. Brancato and Ferris executive produce alongside Williamson and Fast. Search is underway for a writer. David Fincher’s 1997 mystery thriller The Game was a great movie that starred Michael Douglas and Sean Penn. Produced by Propaganda Films and distributed by PolyGram, it was ultimately acquired by Universal Pictures.
Williamson said of the new TV projects:
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the Universal Television family. When making television, it’s so important to have partners who believe, support and inspire you. In Universal Television I have found exactly that. I’m excited to be working with such an amazing team doing what I love to do.”
This is a slate of pretty interesting projects across the board. We will keep you updated as the shows develop. Which of them do you look forward to checking out?
via: Deadline