Powers TV Show Coming To PSN
By Erik Sugay
In its bid to make its video game consoles the go-to devices for media, an adaptation of Powers is being developed by Sony Pictures Television. The series, which will be exclusive to the US, will run for 10 episodes at an hour long each.
A live-action adaptation has been in the works for years, with Sony optioning the series for production in 2001. A pilot was finally filmed in 2011. It was long enough ago that the former T-Mobile girl, Carly Foulkes (you remember her), managed to snag a prominent role. Unfortunately, the project was stalled as actors were recast and writers were replaced.
For the uninitiated, Powers debuted in 2000, created by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming. It follows Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, a pair of homicide detectives in Chicago that investigate cases involving beings with superhuman powers. It offers a unique look at a super-powered world from the perspective of the normal people who have to deal with its repercussions.
(KIND OF SPOILER: I presume the following would make for a pivotal episode in the series’ brief run: Walker used to have powers himself prior to the start of the comic. He’s lived for thousands of years, but lost his abilities in 1986. Naturally, he has issues with his memory.)
Like Microsoft, Sony is aiming to provide original video content and programming in order to replicate and perhaps even replace the traditional TV experience. It seems this has been in the plans for quite some time.
“With 110 million PlayStation Network accounts worldwide, that’s a substantial business opportunity for Sony Pictures to reach a different audience,” said Andrew House, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., back in July of last year.
“Work is [already] under way to develop original TV-style programming content, which could be made available with some form of exclusivity to people on the PSN – essentially using PSN as a distribution network – particularly for members of PlayStation Plus.”
The comic book series features plenty of nudity, death, violence, and foul language. Considering Powers is going to be the video service’s flagship program, it’ll be intriguing to see how Sony handles its depiction.