“Gattaca” is one of those excellent examples that proves that even blockbusters have what it takes to become timeless cult classics. Andrew Niccol’s sci-fi thriller (“The Truman Show”) hit the box office mercilessly in 1997, but received a very favorable reception from the trade press and over the years has become an insider tip – so that twelve years later a series adaptation of the Substance was considered, but in the end nothing came of it. Still 14 years later it should actually be this far:
American broadcaster Showtime is currently working on a “Gattaca” series. The major American trade journals report this unanimously. However, the deal is not yet final, Showtime and production company Sony Pictures Television are currently working out the final details.
While Howard Gordon is on board as executive producer, Alex Gansa will serve as showrunner. The duo previously collaborated on The X-Files and The 24th, and are the brains behind the critically acclaimed, eight Emmy-winning espionage series Homeland. Also on board is Dallas Buyers Club author Craig Borten.
That’s what “Gattaca” is about
While the personalities behind the camera on the series already sound promising, it remains to be seen who will step in front of the camera for the series. However, details about the content have already been revealed:
already writes, that the series takes place a generation after the film (which also fits the time difference between the two productions), in a world where science is now so advanced that humans can direct their own evolution. For example, expectant parents can already determine the future of their unborn child, while large companies can scan their employees for their genetic characteristics and screen them in this way.
As in the theatrical version, the focus should be on a normal person who has been exposed to the vagaries of nature as “disabled” and considered weak compared to the artificially modified humans. But that doesn’t stop him from doing everything he can to make his dream come true and travel through space, just like Vincent (Ethan Hawke) did in the film. Like Vincent, who once assumed the identity of the genetically enhanced former athlete Jerome (Jude Law), he too wants to fool the system in order to achieve his goal. But that can have disastrous consequences…
Possibly brings but here too the plot of series and film intertwine. In any case, we are a little surprised that it has to be about a protagonist with a heart defect who wants to go into space again.
The “Gattaca” movie raises questions that will keep you busy, scores with dense atmosphere and suspense – and made our list of the best sci-fi movies of all time without a thunderstorm of effects. So if science fiction entertainment for you does not only consist of laser cannons, spaceship chases and intergalactic wars, but mainly lives from the connection to our world, the here and now, then you should definitely have seen “Gattaca”.
Without any bombast, but with a lot of depth, the film reached number 50 in our all-time sci-fi ranking – and that’s saying something. After all, he leaves behind such great classics as “The Fifth Element”, “The Thing From Another World” or “The Rattlesnake”. We can only hope that the series adaptation can at least partially keep up…