Original Programming for the Xbox to Include an Adaptation of Chuck Dixon’s Winterworld

Steve Barton   |  

Apr 28, 2014

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Microsoft made a pretty big announcement today about “Xbox: Originals,” their own original programming launching in June. Only a few of the projects sound Dread-worthy, but one in particular caught our eye.

Before we get to that, though, here’s a quick rundown of what else you should be on the lookout for from Xbox Entertainment Studios:

– Two Halo projects: Along with a live-action “Halo” television series based on the award-winning video game franchise executive produced by Steven Spielberg, we’ll also see a Halo digital feature released later this year from 343 Industries and Scott Free Productions, which will be executive produced by Ridley Scott and Scott Free TV President David Zucker. Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Heroes”) will direct.

– “Humans”: A new drama co-produced with UK broadcaster Channel 4. Award-winning UK production company Kudos will produce the hour-long, eight-episode series, which will share a premiere broadcast window on the Xbox platform and Channel 4 in the UK in 2015. “Humans” is set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a ‘Synth’ – a highly-developed robotic servant eerily similar to its live counterpart. In the hope of transforming the way they live, one strained suburban family purchases a refurbished synth, only to discover that sharing life with a machine has far-reaching and chilling consequences.

– “Deadlands”: Xbox Entertainment Studios has committed to a script based on the successful pen-and-paper role-playing game created by Shane Lacy Hensley. “Deadlands” is an alternative history of the Weird West, filled with undead gunfighters, card-slinging sorcerers, mad scientists, secret societies, and fearsome abominations.

– “Extraordinary Believers”: Xbox Entertainment Studios is developing a hybrid stop-motion show dubbed “Extraordinary Believers” (working title) with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, creators of the Emmy-Award winning “Robot Chicken,” the longest running stop-motion show on television. The executive producers on the project are Seth Green and Matt Senreich, and creators/writers/executive producers are Eric Towner and John Harvatine IV.

– “Gun Machine”: Xbox Entertainment Studios acquired the rights to Gun Machine, a hardboiled detective thriller based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Warren Ellis. Ellis will executive produce with Brett Conrad, who has signed on to write the pilot script about a detective tracking a serial killer who is tied to a mysterious collection of guns used in infamous New York murders.

Now, what is it we’re REALLY excited about? Read on for the early details of “Winterworld.”

From IDW’s Press Release:
Xbox Entertainment Studio, the Microsoft division that produces original programming for the Xbox brand, has announced that they are co-developing, with IDW Entertainment, “Winterworld” as a limited event live-action series based on the acclaimed comic series created by writer Chuck Dixon and artist Jorge Zaffino. “Winterworld” joins an impressive line-up of dramas, documentaries, and reality television shows being developed by Xbox Entertainment Studios to be debuted and aired on the Xbox platform.

Executive producing the series with Xbox Entertainment Studios are Ted Adams and David Ozer from IDW Entertainment and Rick Jacobs and Dave Alpert from Circle of Confusion (“The Walking Dead”).

“Xbox is recognized globally for their groundbreaking creativity. IDW Entertainment could not ask for a better partner to bring ‘Winterworld’ to life,” said David Ozer, President of IDW Entertainment. “We are thrilled to be working with them during this exciting time in their growth.”

“Winterworld” takes place in an apocalyptic future where our world has been encased in ice from pole-to-pole. The surviving humans have formed tribes that war, enslave, and trade with one another in an effort to survive the infinite winter.

“To see my stories and Jorge’s powerful images brought to life will be a serious thrill,” said writer Chuck Dixon. “We have the right partners and the right format to really make this something special. It’s an exciting time in comics and in entertainment overall, and I am very pleased that ‘Winterworld’ will be a part of it.”

The comic book series was originally published in the late 1980’s. This June IDW Publishing is bringing Mr. Dixon back to continue this brutal tale with comic industry favorite Butch Guice on art.

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