Summit Developing ‘Push’ TV Series

Published by Jeff Leins on January 19, 2010

Summit Entertainment and E1 Entertainment are developing a TV series based on Push, the science fiction mess released by Summit in February 2009.  David Hayter will write the pilot and executive produce, according to the studio press release.

A series comes as a surprise because the movie made only $31.8 million (domestic) for Summit on a budget of $38 million.  Not exactly a success or the type of property with a built-in fan base.

For those who skipped it, the movie stars Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle, and Djimon Hounsou.  It was basically the worst parts of NBC’s “Heroes” stretched to feature length where a hodgepodge of mutants chased each other in circles.  Characters were either “pushers” capable of implanting thoughts, emotions, or memories into the human mind, “sniffers” with a heightened sense of smell, “movers” rearranging objects with telekinetic powers, “bleeders” shrieking loud enough to explode your brains, or some other poorly conceived super power.  I’d categorize the movie itself as a bleeder.

“The television series will be an extension of the film, a science fiction thriller, centered on people with paranormal powers who band together to take down a corrupt government agency,” the press release warns.

Hayter is the screenwriter of X-Men, X2, and Watchmen, so he has experience with superhero origin stories, but perhaps his greatest qualification is that he didn’t write the movie’s screenplay (David Bourla did).  Hopefully Hayter will dream up some original characters and there won’t be villains uncovering a scent trail by getting a good whiff of their toothbrush.

Will this be the next “Heroes?”  Will they find the money for less cheesy special effects?   Do you care?