‘I, Robot’ director, Alex Proyas, is joining the list of feature film directors jumping to the small screen as he has just been tapped to direct and executive produce a new ABC sci-fi drama entitled ‘Evolve.’

The series, which was written and executive produced by ‘Eureka’ co-creator Jaime Paglia, is based on the ‘Toxic City’ novels, planned trilogy written by British author Tim Lebbon, winner of the British Fantasy and Bran Stoker Awards. The first book, ‘London Eye,’ was published just last month.

Described as ‘The Hunger Games’ meets ‘The X-Men,’ ‘London Eye’ takes place in London after a terrorist attack prompts the military to quarantine the city. But a group of outsiders don’t completely believe the propaganda and are determined to find out the truth.

Here’s the book description from Amazon:

Two years after London is struck by a devastating terrorist attack, it is cut off from the world, protected by a military force known as Choppers. The rest of Britain believes that the city is now a toxic, uninhabited wasteland.

But Jack and his friends—some of whom lost family on what has become known as Doomsday—know that the reality is very different. At great risk, they have been gathering evidence about what is really happening in London—and it is incredible.

Because the handful of London’s survivors are changing. Developing strange, fantastic powers. Evolving.

Upon discovering that his mother is still alive inside London, Jack, his sister, and their three friends sneak into a city in ruins. Vast swathes have been bombed flat. Choppers cruise the streets, looking for survivors to experiment upon. The toxic city is filled with wonders and dangers that will challenge Jack and his friends… and perhaps kill them. But Jack knows that the truth must be revealed to the outside world or every survivor will die.

The book and the series sound very exciting! Not only does it have that sci-fi element of a biological agent infecting the inhabitants of Los Angeles, it adds in the element of superhero powers with the thriller aspect of a government conspiracy as the government are picking and choosing which people with extraordinary abilities they wish to exploit or destroy.

Proyas is an excellent choice to direct the series considering his background with sci-fi themes with such  film as ‘Knowing,’ ‘Dark City,’ and ‘I, Robot.’ He also directed the cult classic film ‘The Crow’ which spawned 3 sequels and a short lived television series.

No word as to when the series will air, but with the announcement of a director on board, casting is sure to begin soon.

 

Source: Deadline