Creating frightening horror movies has been a profitable way of life for Platinum Dunes over the past decade. Now the production company has also set its sights on delivering scares to TV audiences.
The network has opened its doors to the latest Platinum Dunes TV series and has placed a cast-contingent pilot order for a crime drama occult themes, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The pilot, “Occult,” is a supernatural crime drama centered around an FBI agent who returns from administrative absence after going off the deep investigating his wife’s disappearance. Back on the job, the FBI agent is assigned to a task force dealing with crimes connected to the occult. No timeline has been announced on when the pilot will air but it’s expected to go into production soon.
Michael Bay will serve as executive producer for the show and the veteran TV writer James Wong will pen the script for the pilot. Wong will also serve as an executive producer if A&E decides to pick up more episodes.
This marks the latest TV series in development from Bay. He’s also producing “Black Sails,” a prequel to “Treasure Island” that tells the origin story of Long John Silver, for Starz that’s slated to debut in early 2014. Additionally, Michael Bay will also be producing the pilot for “The Last Ship,” a post-apocalyptic drama that’s scheduled to debut on TNT in the near future.
The series promises to explore the same supernatural tinged that turned shows such as “The X-Files” and “Fringe” into major hits. Similarly, it will center on FBI agents trying to solve cases involving paranormal and supernatural circumstances. It certainly helps that “Occult” will have seasoned horror veterans like Bay and Wong behind the camera.
Michael Bay has enjoyed considerable success in the horror genre through Platinum Dunes. Since founding his production company in 2001, it has revived many popular horror franchises over the past decade with considerable success. “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Amityville Horror” were all box office hits during their initial release.
Bay has also experienced considerable success with the Transformers franchise serving as the most notable example and is gearing up to helm a fourth film, which will hit theaters during the summer of 2012. Previous installments have grossed a combined $1.2 billion worldwide since the first movie was released into theaters in 2007.
Wong is no stranger to exploring a supernatural storyline on TV. He rose to prominence as a writer for “The X-Files,” “Millennium” and “Space: Above and Beyond” in the ’90s. Wong later directed a pair of movies in the Final Destination horror franchise. He has returned to TV in recent years. His recent writing credits include “The Event” and “American Horror Story.” With Wong aboard, “Occult” is sure to feature spooky plots and characters each week.
Michael Bay continues to stay busy behind the camera as well. Besides the new Transformers updates, he is wrapping up a small action film “Pain & Gain” that will hit theaters in 2013.
