Head’s up, horror fans. NBC has announced that it has given a green light to production of a miniseries adaptation of Rosemary’s Baby. This could be really great, as the script is to be co-written by James Wong, who not only wrote the Final Destination movies but several of our favorite episodes of American Horror Story from all three seasons, including the seasonally appropriate and particularly gruesome “Unholy Night”.
They’ve chosen to set this version in Paris, guaranteeing that at least one major Parisian building will get even more visits by irritating American tourists. They must be so pleased.
Here are all the details:
NBC GREENLIGHTS MINISERIES ‘ROSEMARY’S BABY’
Four-Hour Project Serves as Adaptation of Author Ira Levin’s Classic 1967 Horror Novel
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Dec. 10, 2013 — NBC has greenlit the four-hour miniseries “Rosemary’s Baby,” an adaptation of the 1967 best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin.
Production is set to begin in January in Paris.
The project will be produced by Lionsgate Television, with Joshua Maurer, Alix Witlin and David Stern serving as executive producers.
Scott Abbott (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” “Winchell”) and James Wong (“American Horror Story”) will write the screenplay. Agnieszka Holland, who has been nominated for both an Oscar (“Europa, Europa”) and an Emmy Award (“Treme”), will direct. Casting will begin immediately.
“Ira Levin’s mesmerizing book was a groundbreaking reflection on how effective and influential a psychological thriller could be,” said Quinn Taylor, Executive Vice President, Movies, Miniseries and International Co-Productions, NBC Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to adapting his incredible work and bringing those indelible characters to a new generation of viewers.”
Added Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment: “As we move into the event movie and miniseries space, ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ represents the kind of attention-getting, surprising project that will make noise for us. The story has been updated and moved to Paris, but it’s faithful to the spirit of Ira Levin’s classic novel. This is a compelling tale wonderfully told.”
“‘Rosemary’s Baby’ is an extraordinary project and we’re excited to be in the long-form business with NBC,” said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group.
“Rosemary’s Baby” centers on a young married couple who move into a Paris apartment that has a haunted past. After getting pregnant, the wife becomes increasingly suspicious that both her husband and their neighbors will have ulterior motives when her child is born.
The book was later adapted into a feature film directed by Roman Polanski.
I love the way they toss in that passing reference to the landmark movie, pretending that we’re all primarily familiar with the book and not the Dakota Aparments- and Mia Farrow-starrer. I understand it’s because they’re adapting the book and not the movie, but still. NBC, you are adorable.
We’ll keep you posted.
