Gattaca Sci-Fi Adaptation Series Not Moving Forward

Showtime has officially announced the cancellation of the planned Gattaca series adaptation of the 1997 sci-fi thriller film. The project, which involved Homeland creators Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, will no longer move forward on the network.

Initially reported in March 2022, the Gattaca reboot had been in development at Showtime and was being produced by Sony Pictures Television. However, according to Variety, Showtime has decided to scrap the series. Sony TV, the production company, still has the option to shop the project to other networks or streaming platforms.

The Gattaca series was set to be written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Craig Borten, with Gordon and Gansa serving as executive producers. Specific plot and character details for the adaptation were not disclosed, but the project had initially garnered significant interest at Showtime during its early stages of development. It is worth noting that Sony Pictures Television had previously attempted to adapt Gattaca as a series back in 2009, envisioning it as a police procedural drama.

Gattaca Was a Critical Hit

The 1997 film Gattaca was written and directed by Andrew Niccol and featured performances from Oscar-nominated actors Ethan Hawke as Vincent Freeman, Uma Thurman as Irene Cassini, and Jude Law as Jerome Morrow. Set in a dystopian future, the story revolves around a society driven by genetic perfection. Hawke's character, Vincent, an "In-Valid," assumes the identity of a genetically superior individual through identity theft, as he strives to fulfill his dreams of space exploration. Despite Gattaca's relatively modest box office performance, grossing over $12 million domestically, it received critical acclaim for its intelligent and thought-provoking narrative.

In addition to Gattaca, Showtime has announced the cancellation of three other projects. Among them is a series called Seasoned, featuring Mandy Patinkin in a lead role, along with two other projects titled Split and Sweetness. These cancellations align with Showtime's integration with Paramount+, which is scheduled to occur on or around June 27. This integration has resulted in the removal and cancellation of several other shows, including Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and Star Trek: Prodigy, which had previously been renewed for a second season.

A Showtime spokesperson stated, "As we prepare to combine Paramount+ and Showtime later this month in the U.S., we are refining our content offering to deliver the best streaming experience for subscribers. This is consistent with our content strategy since launch and across our business, which ensures we make smart, efficient choices, informed by audience data and insights. We are removing select programming as we look to optimize Showtime's robust slate of premium originals."

Source: Variety