A Company-Ender Film Becomes TV: Steven Spielberg’s Long-Delayed Movie Based on Bestselling Novel Is Switching Formats

From Film to Television

Spielberg optioned the film rights to Robopocalypse before Wilson’s novel was published in 2011 and was slated to direct an adaptation. Drew Goddard wrote a script, while Anne Hathaway and Chris Hemsworth were attached to star at one point.

Earlier this year, Spielberg confirmed the film had been scrapped. He said the expensive project would have been “a company-ender.” The story is now being developed as a television show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

New Creative Team

Ron Howard will direct the pilot episode, and Akiva Goldsman will serve as showrunner and write the pilot. Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is executive producing. Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Jeb Brody, as well as Weed Pictures’ Greg Lessans and Rachel Wizenberg, will lead development with Howard and Goldsman.

A Robot Attack Story

The novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where robots attack and nearly wipe out humanity. The event is known as Zero Hour. Survivors regroup and fight back against the machines. The action story also explores questions about technology and humanity.

Howard and Goldsman Reunite

Howard said Wilson’s story appealed to him for its scale, suspense, themes and focus on humanity. He described its future as startling and increasingly plausible, and said the characters must find what connects people when technology turns against them.

Howard also said he was pleased to work with Goldsman again. Their past collaborations include A Beautiful Mind, directed by Howard and written by Goldsman, and 2017’s The Dark Tower, based on Stephen King’s book series and starring Idris Elba. A Beautiful Mind, produced by Imagine Entertainment, won four Academy Awards in 2001: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Connelly.