V creator Kenneth Johnson reveals plans for movie version of '80s sci-fi cult classic
Kenneth Johnson has revealed he is developing a film trilogy inspired by his 'V' TV miniseries from the 1980s.
Cult ‘80s sci-fi series V is being rebooted as a film, creator Kenneth Johnson has revealed.
The 82-year-old writer-and-director was responsible for the 1983 television miniseries which focused on an alien race known as the Visitors coming to Earth seemingly in peace before their sinister intentions and true identity as a lizard race are revealed.
Kenneth discovered he owned the motion picture rights several years ago and he is now in final talks to bring the story to the big screen with a trilogy planned.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz, he said: “About seven or eight years ago I discovered I owned the motion picture rights, somehow that had got swept under the rug and suddenly I had a lot of new best friends. We’ve been endeavouring to get it set up as a motion picture – the first of a trilogy of motion pictures. The first movie would be essentially a revival of what I had done originally in 1983, but brought up to date into this moment in time which is sort of an inflection point in our history, it is getting very Orwellian over here {in America}, '1984' is being revisited in really scary kinds of ways. The metaphoric aspects of the story that I was telling then are just as applicable now.
“We’ve had some new interest in the last few weeks to put it together the way that I’d like to see it get put together.
“It’s in works, and all of the people that are working with me to get it done have the same passion for it as I do. We know the fanbase. When 'V' went on the air we had a 40 share, it was the highest rated show NBC had for two-and-a-half years. It was, and still is, the highest rated work of science-fiction in the history of television. The audience is around the world and we know the fanbase is out there, so we really are confident that if we build it they will come.”
Johnson has been very protective of 'V' - which boasted a stellar ensemble cast which included Jane Badler as Visitor leader Diana, Marc Singer as Mike Donovan, Faye Grant as Juliet Parrish and Robert Englund as Visitor Willie - and has turned down offers from major studios because he wasn’t happy with their vision and choice of directors.
'The Incredible Hulk' creator Kenneth - who has licensed 'V' to Big Finish Productions to create a new audio adventure, 'V – UK: Infiltration' - said: “I could have sold it years ago, because all the studios really wanted to jump on board, they were really keen to make the movie and let me produce it and probably let me write it, but when they started talking about directors like Michael Bay and people who are not really in my wheelhouse of enthusiasm I said no. The funny thing happens when you say no in Hollywood, they go, ‘OK, we understand, how much money do you really want?’ It’s like, ‘No, you don’t get it guys I’m trying to save the baby I created.’
“Instead of going with the major studios and having them get a director and push it down my throat, I’ve chosen to say no. We’ve been trying to set it up ourselves. We have had it set up a few times with Indian money and Chinese money and, believe it or not, with some Russian money.
“So we’ve been fighting to get it made.”
'V – UK: Infiltration' - starring Annabel Baldwin, Janie Dee and Jack Myers - is out now on collector's edition CD and download.
Go to Bigfinish.com/ranges/v/v-uk for more information and to order.
