Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

J Michael Straczynski – who is currently working on a revival of his SF series Babylon 5 – is attached to an adaptation of William R. Forstchen’s trilogy of novels about America returning to a dark age.

Deadline is reporting that JMS will write the script for the pilot based on One Second After, One Year After and The Final Day. Set in the hills of North Carolina, college professor and former military officer John Matherson must fight to preserve the lives of his family and neighbours in the wake of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. In just one second the US is completely incapacitated, thousands are killed, and millions are stranded. Planes fall from the sky, electricity goes out everywhere, supply lines collapse, and transportation is limited to pre-computer era vehicles and horses. Millions of travellers, unable to get home, wander the highways searching for shelter. In the resulting chaos, residents of John’s tight-knit community look to his leadership to guide them through the difficult decisions that must be made if any of them are to survive.

“MPI Original Films is excited to partner with Startling Inc. and J. Michael Straczynski to bring William Forstchen’s post-apocalyptic thriller to life,” MPI president Rob Pfaltzgraff said. “The series not only paints an alarming picture of the dramatic and immediate effect of an EMP but demonstrates how society can overcome immense adversity through self-reliance, personal sacrifice, hard work, and cooperation.”

Startling’s Matt Kennedy added, “We are thrilled to be working with MPI on bringing Bill Forstchen’s sensational and highly entertaining cautionary tale to the screen.”