Katie Crocker - Associate Editor
Reelz Channel is forging ahead, acquiring its second original series, ” XIII,” based on the comic book series about an ex secret operative who’s suffering from memory loss.
So, it looks like Reelz is hopping on the comic book wagon.
But doesn’t this story line sound familiar? It’s basically the “Bourne Identity” T.V show, right?
The show stars Stuart Townsend and Aisha Tyler set for U.S. Premiere in June 2012.
The franchise already been adapted once before into a mini-series and yet again for fans as a video game.
Smart move for Reelz if you ask me since the theres already been a miniseries and a videogame based on the comics which might guarantee a built in fan base and if you’re fairly new to the scene of original.programming, it doesnt hurt to have something somewhat already in the bag.
You can read the press release below:
(Albuquerque, NM) Monday, April 9, 2012 – REELZCHANNEL – TV About Movies(R) today announced the network will premiere its second original scripted drama with the spy thriller action series XIII, starring Stuart Townsend and Aisha Tyler. XIII is the story of a man’s quest to uncover the truth about his identity. Named for the Roman numeral tattooed on his neck, XIII (Townsend) is a former secret operative who has been stripped of his memory. He does not know who he is, what he is trained to be or whom he serves. Hunted by a dark anti-government organization, XIII searches for clues that will uncover the secret that makes him so valuable – and so potentially dangerous. Jones (Tyler) is a government agent and XIII’s most loyal ally. She is also under Presidential orders to discover what, if anything, XIII knows.
See a special sneak peek of XIII this Friday, April 13th during True Justice episode three, “Black Magic”, airing 9pm ET and at 9pm PT. See the XIII sneak peek again on Hollywood Dailies on Monday, April 16th at 5:30pm ET/ 2:30pm PT and on Naked Trailers on Thursday, April 19th at 11:30pm PT/ 2:30am ET. The June 2012 premiere of XIII will come on the heels of the season finale for the network’s first original series, True Justice, starring Steven Seagal.
XIII was developed and produced by Jay Firestone’s Prodigy Pictures and Luc Besson’s French production company EuropaCorp Television (La Femme Nikita). The series is based on Jean Van Hamme’s adrenaline-fueled graphic novels, which have sold more than 13 million copies worldwide since the first volume was published 25 years ago. XIII has already been recognized by the Canadian Society of Cinematographers with its 2012 Award for Excellence for TV Series Cinematography.
“I’m thrilled that fans of XIII will have the opportunity to see this incredible series on REELZCHANNEL,” said Jay Firestone, Executive Producer for XIII. “REELZ is the perfect home for XIII as it’s a network committed to shows that are cinematic in scope.”
Executive producers of XIII include Prodigy Pictures’ Jay Firestone (Lost Girl, La Femme Nikita, Relic Hunter) and EuropaCorp Television’s Edouard De Vsinne and Thomas Anargyros. Showrunner and executive producer Gil Grant (24, NCIS: Los Angeles) wrote the pilot episode. Duane Clark (CSI: NY, XIII: The Conspiracy) directed three episodes of the season.
XIII stars Aisha Tyler (24, CSI, The Talk) as Jones, a top CIA operator, Virginie Ledoyen (The Beach) as Irina, a mercenary hired by the former U.S. President to track XIII, and Bond Girl, Caterina Murino (Casino Royale) as Sam, XIII’s trustworthy ally and love interest. Also starring in XIII is Greg Bryk (Immortals, Saw 3D: The Final Chapter) as Amos, a national security officer, Stephen McHattie (Immortals, 2012) as President Carrington and Ted Atherton (Max Payne, The Border) as Wally Sharidan, the former U.S. President and a possible traitor. Tom Berenger (Inception, Training Day) guest stars as Gerhardt, a mysterious European industrialist who wields power from the shadows.
XIII gives REELZ the perfect opportunity to integrate and demonstrate its unique approach to TV About Movies(R). As the series approaches, viewers will go behind-the-scenes of XIII through exclusives featured on Hollywood Dailies and REELZ Specials, including a behind-the-scenes look at the show and a REELZ Countdown show featuring the greatest spy movies of all time.
