It’s officially getting ridiculous. Even accounting for the different timings on the various projects, Guillermo del Toro is now involved in so many things that we can only assume he has a time-turner. Yet somehow, he never appears to tire of finding fresh creative outlets. On the heels of his agreeing to develop a Hulk series for ABC and, more recenrtly setting up a deal to adapt Nutshell Studies for HBO, comes word that he’s scored a direct pilot order for a show based on his vampire virus novels The Strain.
Co-written with Chuck Hogan, the trilogy – The Strain, The Fall and The Night Eternal – sees a nasty bug infect New York, transforming some of its residents into members of the fang club. Our hero is CDC doctor Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather, who has to find cause, containment and (for preference) cure.
Ironically, the book idea was originally pitched as a TV show, but when GDT could find no takers, he was advised to try the literary route and teamed up with Hogan.
US cable network FX has ordered a pilot for the show, which Del Toro will write with Hogan and direct. Former Lost man Carlton Cuse – also apparently infected with the prolific virus given that he’s been busy setting up Psycho prequel series Bates Motel – is on board to develop the show and run it if the order comes in.
While all involved seem excited by the idea, they’re also refreshingly committed to the idea that it doesn’t have to run forever. “FX made the most sense, based on the level of commitment, passion and understanding of the concept of the book,” says del Toro. “They got behind the idea of making this a close-ended series; we wanted to follow the books closely and so it couldn’t be open-ended, but rather three to five seasons max.” Translation: Cuse, write the ending now!