Exclusive: 'Terra Nova,' Steven Spielberg's upcoming Fox sci-fi TV series, lays off most of its writing staff

"Terra Nova," Steven Spielberg's long-gestating sci-fi epic for Fox, now has a behind-the-scenes body count.

20th Century Fox Television last week canned most of the writing staff, including former "X-Files" scribe Chris Brancato. Brannon Braga, late of "Star Trek: Enterprise," remains in charge as showrunner.

However, insiders insist that the move doesn't mean "Terra Nova" -- whose producers include not just Spielberg but former News Corp. chief Peter Chernin -- is in trouble. The network recently decided to unveil the series with a two-hour special in May and then continue the series in the regular fall 2011 lineup, a roll-out tactic similar to that used successfully with "Glee."

But because that pushed the bulk of episode production back until next summer, 20th Century Fox Television was faced with the prospect of paying a lot of writers to do not very much over the next few months. Instead, it decided to hand out a pink slip to any writer it did not have an overall deal with. Earlier this fall, writer-producer David Fury left after butting heads with other creative leaders on the show.

"These are expensive writers," one insider said.

The studio will either rehire the writers next year -- if they are available -- or scout new talent. But it's clear that Fox needed to find economies where it could. "Terra Nova," a time-travel epic that toggles between the 22nd century and prehistoric times, is already a budgetary Goliath, with some reports pegging the pilot's cost at nearly $20 million. The cast is mostly unknowns but includes such veterans as Stephen Lang ("Avatar").

Fox is thus staring at one of its riskiest bets in years. "This thing is going to be huge and take an enormous production commitment," Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly told advertisers back in May.

-- Scott Collins
Twitter.com/@scottcollinsLAT

Photo: Steven Spielberg. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

 

 

Comments

[ApplesBananasRhinoceros]

Wow, ruthless...

[sal]

sci-fi does not work on FOX: Dark Angel, Firefly, Space-above and beyond, the tick, etc...Hell, Family guy did an opening bit on how many shows on fox where S canned...

[Frank]

Brannon Braga is this show's driving creative force and one of the least talented people in this town - look at the man's resume for proof - any show he has joined in process and/or created has been a creative and ratings failure. He almost singlehandedly wrecked Star Trek until JJ Abrams rescued it which is a notable feat in and of itself. This means that, despite the efforts of talented actors/writers/crew, the best hope for Terra Nova is that it will someday be viewed as an interesting failure instead of a complete and total one which is more likely. Everyone else involved in this show deserves a better fate.

[Erwin]

Sure Sci-Fi works on Fox. Just watch the news.

[Alex Poe]

"20th Century Fox Television last week canned most of the writing staff, including former "X-Files" scribe Chris Brancato. Brannon Braga, late of "Star Trek: Enterprise," remains in charge as showrunner."

I love the way this is written, such that anyone with even the slightest bit of experience or knowledge about working as a writer in this industry knows exactly what happened, without anyone having to come right out and say, for example, "There is not enough space in any conference room in Hollywood for a staff meeting between a half-dozen writers and Braga's galactic ego."

[Olden_Atwoody]

"These are expensive writers," one insider said.

Yeah, too bad, Speil-what's-his-name is so poor.

You cna always hire a writer. Dime a dozen.

[Terra Nova Fan]

Despite it's problems with production, Terra Nova could be a real audience draw for Fox. I can't imagine any sci-fi fan failing to tune in for at least the special in May. I know that I have a reminder for May first on my calendar!

By the way, the other cast members who've signed in addition to Stephen Lang are Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, Alana Mansour, Allison Miller, Mido Hamada and Christine Adams.

[Edan Aharony]

When I saw the trailer for the first time I thought it was Avatar 2. Edan Aharony

[Lonnie Smith]

I have been waiting for another great dinosaur show and how better to put out.
Thank you Mr Spielberg I have always been a fan of yours.

[Bri]

Not exactly promising for a series that hasn't even premiered yet to give its staff pink sheets.

And as someone already mentioned, having Brannon Braga on board the production isn't exactly a sign of a series that is on the path to success.

[Terra Nova]

I can't wait for this show. The delays are disappointing though.

And when you read the budget figures, you know that it has to be spectacular and it will be dropped faster than a rock.