CBS All Access has ordered a TV adaptation of “The Man Who Fell to Earth” from Alex Kurtzman, based on Walter Tevis’ novel and the 1976 film that starred David Bowie.
Kurtzman and “Star Trek: Discovery” vet Jenny Lumet will both write and serve as showrunners, with Kurtzman directing. The project is a co-production between CBS TV Studios, where Kurtzman has an overall deal, and Tandem Productions, a division of StudioCanal, who owns the rights to both the book and the film.
According to CBS All Access, “The Man Who Fell to Earth” will follow an alien who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Bowie starred as the alien Thomas Jerome Newton in the Nicolas Roeg-directed film; it was Bowie’s first starring film role. Both the film and the book sees Newton introduce technology that ends up changing mankind, and it’s that idea that Kurtzman said drew him to the project.
“It also allows us to really explore where we are at this insane intersection between our humanity and our technology, and they seem to be merging more and more these days,” he told TheWrap. “All the great sci-fi ends up predicting the future, if you look at all the things that really lasted, and Walter Tevis did that.”
Kurtzman said this will not be a direct remake, likening it more to a sequel. For example, the alien will not be Thomas Jerome Newton. “It’s a new alien, a new character, a whole new situation, but it definitely holds true to the spirit of what Tevis was doing in the novel.”
Added Lumet: “Both the novel and the movie are very much a slice. They were a moment on a timeline. And here is the next moment in the timeline.”
Along with co-showrunning “Star Trek: Discovery,” Kurtzman is in charge of CBS All Access’ burgeoning “Star Trek” universe that includes the upcoming “Star Trek: Picard” and animated “Lower Decks.” He said that “The Man Who Fell to Earth” does not mean that he’s taking a step back from his “Trek” duties.
“The intention is to finish off this season of ‘Discovery’ and then go into production on ‘Man.’ I’m not overlapping too much there,” he said. “We’re very ahead of schedule because I think we saw this coming down the pike and we needed to get there in a way that was comfortable for both shows.”
For “Man Who Fell to Earth,” Rola Bauer, Tim Halkin, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Heather Kadin will also serve as executive producers and Aaron Baiers will serve as co-executive producer.
11 of David Bowie's Most Iconic Film and TV Roles (Videos)
"The Man Who Fell to Earth"
Bowie's first leading role was in 1976's "The Man Who Fell to Earth" as an alien who comes to Earth to bring water back to his home planet. Bowie later admitted he was abusing cocaine while filming the movie.
"The Hunger"
Starring alongside Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon, Bowie played a vampire in the 1983 cult classic "The Hunger."
"Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"
An adaptation of the Laurens van der Post novel "The Seed and the Sower," 1983's "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" starred Bowie as a POW held in a Japanese internment camp during WWII.
"Labyrinth"
Bowie's most iconic on-screen role was as the big-haired Goblin King Jareth in Jim Henson's "Labyrinth" in 1986. In addition to starring in the film alongside Jennifer Connelly, Bowie also composed all of the music.
"The Last Temptation of Christ"
Replacing Sting, who passed on the role, Bowie played religious figure Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" in 1988 alongside Willem Dafoe as Jesus Christ.
"Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me"
Though he never appeared in the original ABC series, Bowie appeared in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" prequel movie "Fire Walk With Me" in 1992.
"Basquiat"
In one of his smaller film appearances, the "Life on Mars" singer played artist Andy Warhol in Julian Schnabel's biopic of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1996.
"The Hunger" (TV Series)
Bowie narrated the second season of the Showtime horror anthology "The Hunger" in 2000, providing ominous introductions to standalone stories about cannibalism, vampires, sex, and poison each week.
"Zoolander"
One of the most memorable moments from 2001's "Zoolander" was a scene in which Bowie judged a walk-off between Ben Stiller's Derek Zoolander and Owen Wilson's character Hansel.
"The Prestige"
Playing Andy Warhol in "Basquiat" wasn't the last time Bowie portrayed a real-life figure on screen. In 2005 he appeared in Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" as physicist Nikola Tesla.
"Extras"
In 2007, Bowie made a guest appearance on Ricky Gervais' comedy series "Extras" as himself, sitting down at a piano and singing a biting tribute to the comedian
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From ”Labyrinth“ to ”The Prestige,“ Bowie’s onscreen roles added another dimension to a legendary career that ended two years ago
"The Man Who Fell to Earth"
Bowie's first leading role was in 1976's "The Man Who Fell to Earth" as an alien who comes to Earth to bring water back to his home planet. Bowie later admitted he was abusing cocaine while filming the movie.
