EXCLUSIVE: Akiva Goldsman is developing a new Universe at Legendary Television featuring three reimagined Irwin Allen Sci-Fi TV series. The acclaimed writer, producer, and director will draw inspiration for the new TV shows from Allen’s catalog and focus on revitalizing Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants, and The Time Tunnel.
Goldsman and Legendary Television are crafting a unified vision for these stories, bringing modern sensibilities to their timeless appeal, and expanding upon his success in revitalizing the Star Trek universe.
Jon Jashni serves as executive producer, guiding this effort to reintroduce these popular franchises to a new generation, with Derek Thielges co-producing.
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Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea premiered in 1964 on ABC (created by Allen) based on the 1961 film of the same name co-written by Allen and Charles Bennett. It ran for four seasons starring Richard Basehart as Admiral Harriman “Harry” Nelson in the leading role, as well as David Hedison, Robert Dowdell, and Henry Kulky, among others. The series was an underwater adventure that followed the nuclear submarine Seaview led by Nelson and Crane (Hedison).
Irwin’s third release The Time Tunnel is a time-travel adventure series starring James Darren and Robert Colbert which premiered on ABC in the fall of 1966. It ran for one season consisting of 30 total episodes. The series follows two scientists, Dr. Douglas Phillips (Colbert) and Dr. Anthony Newman (Darren), who accidentally ending jumping through time as those left behind attempt to bring them back to the present time. An attempt to reboot the series by FOX in 2002 didn’t go beyond the pilot stage.
Land of the Giants, created by Allen as his fourth series, premiered on ABC in the fall of 1968 and ran for two seasons. It starred Gary Conway as Captain Steve Burton who worked alongside Don Matheson, Stefan Arngrim, Don Marshall and Deanna Lund. Set in 1983, the series follows the sub-orbital space vehicle the Spindrift whose crew was shrunk after getting caught up in a sand storm.
Legendary Television is currently focused on the three titles above which does not include Allen’s second TV series Lost in Space (1965-1968). 20th Century Fox produced all four of the original shows.
Goldsman is an Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. Known for A Beautiful Mind (2001), for which he received the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, Goldsman’s filmography also includes I, Robot, I Am Legend, Cinderella Man, and The Da Vinci Code. In television, he worked on Fringe, and Underground, co-developed the DC series Titans, co-created Star Trek Picard, and created The Crowded Room. Goldsman remains the chief architect of the critically acclaimed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which he writes, directs and co-runs as it begins its fourth season. He is represented by CAA, TFC Management, and Hansen, Jacobsen, Teller.
Jashni is represented by Steven Peña.
Legendary Television is an independent, full-service studio that focuses on creating bold, global entertainment. Known for multi-platform, fan-driven properties, its current lineup includes the live-action Monsterverse series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+), anime series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Netflix), Dune: Prophecy (HBO/MAX), Emmy-winning Drops of God (Apple TV+), crime drama Vanda (Hulu), and the thriller You Would Do It Too (Disney+, Apple TV+). Legacy series include Netflix’s Lost in Space reboot, Amazon’s Carnival Row, and Pacific Rim: The Black (Netflix).