With the success of the original drama series featured on premium cable channel’s` Showtime and HBO, it’s no surprise that Starz would want to get in on the action. The network, which is currently airing their own original comedy series, Hollywood Residential and Head Case is set to produce an original drama series based on the Academy Award winning film, Crash.
The film version of Crash addressed racial and social issues by intertwining the lives of various characters through a number of different seemingly random connections. A number of the people involved in the making of the film are already on board with the series. Among them are the film’s director, co-writer and producer Paul Haggis, co-writer and producer Bobby Moresco, producer Bob Yari, producer Don Cheadle, producer Mark R. Harris and executive producer Tom Nunan.
Executive vice president Stephan Shelanksi seems to think Starz is a good fit for a TV series based on the film. Of the project, he said, “Crash introduced a whole range of fascinating characters and engrossing, intertwined stories that are ideally suited for developing into a TV series. Starz is the premium channel for movies so it’s appropriate that this Best Picture-winner is providing the basis for our first dramatic series. The fact that key members of the film’s production team are involved will ensure that our series maintains the high level of talent and creativity captured in the film.”
The whole concept of turning Crash into a TV series seems almost obvious when you think about it. Granted, the film came out three years ago but if you think about the format of the movie, it really does seem like it could be well suited for a TV series if the writing is done right (so that the characters’ stories aren’t too scattered and confusing). There’s no premiere date set but production on the 13 hour-long episodes is scheduled to start up this spring.
