Syfy has announced a new series in production that could be really fun, and features some great elements. Five Ghosts is about a 1930s treasure hunter who is possessed by the ghosts of Merlin, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Musashi, and Dracula. 1930s! Treasure hunter! Literary ghosts! Yes please!
UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS AND BENDERSPINK SIGN FIRST-LOOK DEAL
Announces “Five Ghosts” In Development at Syfy
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – October 8, 2014 –Universal Cable Productions (UCP) continues to gain momentum adding star power to a growing roster of A-list producing talent. The studio has signed a first-look deal with Chris Bender, JC Spink and Jake Weiner’s BenderSpink (The Hangover, We’re The Millers, The Ring). As part of the deal, BenderSpink will develop and produce scripted programming with UCP for NBCUniversal and external networks.
“BenderSpink has not only great comedic taste, but also a keen eye for the kind of genre that audiences crave,” said Dawn Olmstead, Executive Vice President of Development, UCP. “We’re excited to bring their vision to life and have a laugh while rolling up our sleeves.”
BenderSpink will expand UCP’s comedy and science fiction footprint by developing scripted content that leverages Chris Bender, JC Spink and Jake Weiner’s successful feature film hallmark. Among their first collaborations already in development at Syfy is the Kickstarter-funded sensation Five Ghosts by Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham. This stylish, pulpy adventure tells the story of a 1930s-era treasure hunter possessed by five literary ghosts (Merlin, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Musashi, and Dracula) whose unique abilities he can draw on during his adventures. Evan Daugherty (“Snow White and the Huntsmen”), BenderSpink (“The Hangover”), Jake Wagner, Matt Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz have signed on to produce.
“We’ve been anxious to build our television business and form the kind of successful partnership we have in features with New Line Cinema,” said Chris Bender, Co-Founder of BenderSpink. “We really clicked with the gang at UCP and their sensibility and are excited to have the opportunity to make great television together.”
BenderSpink joins UCP’s leading producer line-up, including Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment, Doug Liman’s Hypnotic, Jessica Biel’s Iron Ocean Films and Steve Carell’s Carousel Television.
About BenderSpink
BenderSpink was established by partners Chris Bender and J.C. Spink in November of 1998 with “American Pie” in post-production and 14 writer clients signed to their management company. Jake Weiner joined the company in 2001 as head of production and became a partner in 2006. The film production arm of BenderSpink has had a successful first look deal with New Line Cinema for over 15 years, and they recently signed a first look deal in television with Universal Cable Productions. Jake Wagner, Ryan Revel, and Daniel Vang round out the management arm. BenderSpink has developed or produced projects that have grown into seven franchises in various genres, which include “Final Destination,” “American Pie,” “The Ring,” “Cats & Dogs,” “The Butterfly Effect,” “The Hangover,” and “Ride Along.” The company most recently produced the comedies “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” “We’re The Millers,” and “Horrible Bosses 2,” and are currently in production on “Vacation” and “Criminal.”About Universal Cable Productions
Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across media platforms for domestic and international distribution. UCP’s content library spans classics such as Emmy-award winning, “Monk,” and cult favorites “Psych,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Warehouse 13.” UCP’s programming can be seen across various networks, including: “Covert Affairs,” “Dig” (March 2015), “Playing House,” “Royal Pains,” “Satisfaction” and “Suits” on USA Network; “Ascension” (Nov. 2014), “Defiance,” “Dominion,” and “12 Monkeys” (Jan. 2015) on Syfy; “Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce” (Dec. 2014) on Bravo; “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray; and “Side Effects” on Awesomeness TV/YouTube. Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.
We’ll keep you posted.
