Spike TV has greenlit a television series based on Marvel superhero BLADE for the network's first original scripted series to premiere in June 2006. The network has ordered 11 hour-long episodes, in addition to the previously announced two-hour kickoff episode, to be produced by New Line Television, set to commence production in Vancouver this spring.
"We're extremely pleased with the pilot for BLADE, which delivers a thrilling action/adventure for its built-in fan base as well as a character-driven drama filled with heart-pounding tension and suspense," said Pancho Mansfield, evp, original programming at Spike TV. "The series will be the first of our scripted fare as we embark on creating a greater mix of original programming for our viewers."
Marvel's eponymous immortal warrior, Blade, fights a shadowy underworld of vampires bent on destroying the human race. Half-man, half-vampire, Blade uses his superhuman powers and skills to fearlessly battle the demonic creatures of the night in a blood- drenched crusade to stop the vampires from taking over mankind.
The weekly series will maintain continuity from the highly successful movie trilogy, but will bring the main character into a new storyline with new characters.
Kirk "Sticky" Jones ("Over There") will star as Blade. Jones, widely known as "Sticky Fingaz," the front man for the hip-hop group Onyx, has appeared and starred in a number of feature films, including CLOCKERS, DEAD PRESIDENTS and FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX. Most recently, Jones appeared regularly on FX's OVER THERE and THE SHIELD. Rounding out the series cast are Jill Wagner (MONK), Neil Jackson (STARGATE SG-1), Nelson Lee (TRAFFIC, the miniseries) and Jessica Gower (BLURRED).
Screenwriter/exec producer David S. Goyer (BLADE trilogy and BATMAN BEGINS) and popular comicbook writer Geoff Johns, who worked on the BLADE telemovie, have also signed on for the series production. Peter O'Fallon (SUICIDE KINGS, AMERICAN GOTHIC) will direct the telemovie.
Bill McGoldrick, vp, original programming and Lisa Ullmann, director of original programming, are execs responsible for production at Spike TV. Avi Arad, chairman/ceo of Marvel Studios; Ari Arad, evp, Marvel Studios; Jim Rosenthal and Jon Kroll of New Line Television will serve as exec producers.
New Line Television is a division of New Line Cinema (www.newline.com). The division develops, produces and distributes TV projects for the broadcast networks, cable and first-run syndication, as well as distributes New Line feature films across the television landscape. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, New Line Cinema has divisions devoted to home entertainment, music, theater, merchandising and international. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner Inc.
With a library of more than 5,000 characters, Marvel Ent. (www.marvel.com) is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, videogames, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of some 60 years of comicbook publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
