We learned earlier today that TNT was set to move forward with Frank Darabont's TV adaptation of John Buntin's book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City. And now it seems the network is looking to put into development another small screen book adaptation. This one will adapt Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series.
The series of five novels is a modern-day story about Frankenstein and his monster, set 200 years after the two characters believed they killed one another in a fight in the Arctic. According to Deadline, James V. Hart (Dracula, Hook) is set to pen the pilot for TNT, along with his son Jake Hart. Koontz is on board to executive produce with James Hart.
The story takes place in New Orleans and follows Victor Helios (Frankenstein), who has managed to keep himself alive for centuries through science, and the monster he created, who's also alive and kicking in the Big Easy. These two enemies are in the same city, unbeknownst to one another. "Victor has engineered a new race of bizarre beings who answer to him, and when the creature learns that Victor is alive, an epic war ensues built on 200 years of pent-up rage, with New Orleans caught in the middle."
I haven't read a Dean Koontz novel since the 90s, but this story actually sounds like a lot of fun and could make for an interesting TV series. From what Deadline says, the story actually originated as a TV project back in 2004 with a TV movie/backdoor pilot for USA that didn't go to series. Perhaps USA didn't see the potential in the idea, or maybe it was a bit too ahead of its time, as the current monster-craze hadn't really begun to hit its stride at that point in. Koontz turned the story into a series of novels, and now it appears to be getting a second chance for a TV show. With a pre-established fan-base, added to the ongoing trend of supernatural/monster-themed TV shows, perhaps the story will have better luck with TNT's pilot than it did years ago. We'll have to wait and see how things develop.
Those who have read the book, is it worth checking out? Do I need to add Frankenstein: Prodigal Son to my Kindle?
