UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Universal Cable Productions has acquired the rights to the Hugo Award-winning, best-selling science fiction novel “Spin” by Robert Charles Wilson with the goal to develop it into an event series. The deal marks one of the first project commitments under Dawn Olmstead who recently joined Universal Cable Productions as Executive Vice President, Development, and underscores the caliber of genre content and compelling stories in development. Additionally, the studio has signed Bits And Pieces Pictures' Rob Morrow (“Northern Exposure,” “Quiz Show”) and Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang (“Beginners,” “Rabbit Hole”) to produce, rounding out its growing slate of powerhouse auspices.
“Spin is beloved in the sci-fi world for its dynamic characters and engaging storylines. We’re excited to bring this masterpiece to life with Rob Morrow and the team at Olympus Pictures,” said Olmstead. “It is the type of critically acclaimed material that we’re seeking to continue diversifying UCP’s slate and expand our reach.”
“Spin” follows 3 childhood friends, who while playing one night, witness the stars in the sky mysteriously vanish. NASA probes reveal a black energy barrier has surrounded the earth and time is traveling a billion times faster outside of the barrier. Civilization learns that it has five years left before the sun expands and consumes the planet. As the children grow, they go their separate ways trying to save the world from annihilation, but with time running out, will their friendship and mankind survive?
“I picked up Spin as a holiday read with the notion of reading something for pleasure and instantly knew it had epic zeitgeist appeal,” said Morrow. “This is a giant fascinating ride that is wholly entertaining, portentous and will speak to all generations worldwide. I'm thrilled to team up with friend Leslie Urdang and everyone at Universal Cable Productions.”
Actor, Director and Producer, Rob Morrow became a household name starring in the award-winning series “Northern Exposure.” He has produced several independent features such as “Maze,” starring Laura Linney, and directed episodes of “Oz,” “Street Time,” USA Network’s “Necessary Roughness,” and “Numb3rs,” which he starred in for six seasons.
Leslie Urdang is best known for her work on the Oscar-nominated film “Rabbit Hole” with Nicole Kidman, the Oscar-winning film “Beginners,” “Thanks for Sharing” with Mark Ruffalo, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim Robbins and Pink, and “Adam” with Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Frankie Faison, and Peter Gallagher.
Robert Charles Wilson is represented by APA and The McCarthy Agency.
Universal Cable Productions creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across multiple media platforms and outlets for domestic and international distribution. UCP produces "Covert Affairs," "Psych," "Playing House," "Royal Pains" and "Suits" for USA; "Defiance," and "Warehouse 13" for Syfy and "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome" for distribution on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray. Universal Cable Productions is a division of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
Bits and Pieces Picture Company produces and develops film/tv/digital content. Currently they are working with The Weinstein Company on a new half hour cable series.
Olympus Pictures, run by producing partners Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech, is currently in post-production on the Nikole Beckwith film “Stockholm, PA”, and pre-production on the feature “Family Fang” directed by and starring Jason Bateman and Nicole Kidman.