CBS has ordered a pilot for a drama series loosely adapted on Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel, Frankenstein. Rather than a simple retelling of the story, however, the planned Frankenstein series will feature a modern take on the classic monster. The show will tell the story of a homicide detective killed in San Francisco, who “is mysteriously brought back to life after being killed in the line of duty. But as he resumes his old life and he and his wife realize he isn’t the same person he used to be, they zero in on the strange man behind his resurrection – Dr. Victor Frankenstein.”
Burn Notice writer Jason Tracey is attached to the project. No other names have yet been announced to be involved. Now that the pilot order is a go, the search for the crime-solving monster is now presumably under way. It’s noted that the series will be joining the primetime lineup for next season, if CBS is impressed by the pilot.
Related Story: Leigh Whannell Will Direct ‘The Invisible Man’ Remake
This news comes after the announcement that Universal Pictures is looking to reboot their classic Universal Monsters characters in all new movies. After The Mummy with Tom Cruise bombed in theaters, a new game plan will give many of the classic monsters their own movies with unconnected universes. The first movie announced will be an updated version of The Invisible Man, with horror star Leigh Whannell directing – Jason Blum of Blumhouse is also on board to produce.
The story of Frankenstein was also explored on the big screen as recently as 2015, with Paul McGuigan’s Victor Frankenstein. Despite its solid cast including James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, the film bombed at the box office and is seen as both a critical and commercial failure. Hopefully, for the sake of CBS, their planned Frankenstein series will fare a bit better with TV audiences.
Related Article: Our 5 Favorite Incarnations of Frankenstein
