class=”alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-34758″ title=”The Outer Limits” src=”https://www.heyuguys.com/images/2010/08/The-Outer-Limits-220×150.jpg” alt=”” width=”220″ height=”150″ />MGM’s financial problems are, by now, well-known. The Bond franchise and The Hobbit films have been the highest profile casualties so far; both projects in indefinite limbo until the financial wranglings can be resolved.
Nevertheless, MGM are determined to press on with attempting to develop new projects, despite being flat broke and patently unable to get anything more elaborate than a paper aeroplane off the ground. News reaches us today from Variety that MGM are developing a feature adaptation of their long-running sci-fi/mystery/supernatural/thriller/whatever anthology series, The Outer Limits.
The Outer Limits ran for a few years back in the 60’s on the small screen and was then revived in the second half of the 90’s, hoping to cash in on some of the popularity of The X-Files. In fairness, it was not a bad programme, mixing a combination of supernatural, thriller and science-gone-wrong elements and garnering a fairly impressive array of star cameos (Beau & Lloyd Bridges, William Sadler, Robert Patrick, Bruce Davison and Josh Brolin to name but a few).
MGM have recruited repeat “Saw” franchise writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan to work on the script, which will be based on a story idea they have put together. Whether the script will be a Twilight Zone / Tales from the Crypt-style portmanteau piece, or whether one story will be told, we do not yet know. What seems likely is that if MGM cannot get The Hobbit or Bond going, with all of the built-in appeal and box-office potential those juggernauts possess, it does not look good for The Outer Limits’ prospects. We will see what we will see.
