While American McGee's Alice video game was released more than 20 years ago and its sequel Alice: Madness Returns is more than a decade old, it appears that Electronic Arts thinks the franchise could still generate enough interest that it warrants a television show. That new small screen entry into the American McGee'sAlice franchise has now been officially announced, though where exactly it will land is still in question.
The first American McGee's Alice video game was released back in 2000 and Alice: Madness Returns arrived in 2011. Since that second game launched, there has been plenty of talk about making the series a full-fledged trilogy. While it doesn't appear as though a third Alice game is currently in the works, EA apparently has enough faith in the franchise that it's willing to spin it off with the help of a famed screenwriter.
The Hollywood Reporter announced on Monday morning that Radar Pictures has officially gained the rights to make a television series based on American McGee's Alice franchise. While the company officially has the rights to make a show and has announced that it plans to move ahead, there isn't a broadcast network or streaming platform that has actually been attached so far. There is, however, a showrunner in place for wherever the series lands. David Hayter has been signed to helm this new series after making his name writing on several of the original X-Men movies.
He also does have some television experience, as he helped pen the Netflix original series Warrior Nun and is working on a TV miniseries titled World War 3. "American McGee’s Alice and Alice: Madness Returns game series is a groundbreaking reimagining of the classic tale," Hayter said in a statement. "It takes you into the heart of a corrupted Wonderland and throws light into shadowy corners the world has never seen. I am beyond excited to bring this world of madness and wonder to a global audience."
The Watchmen screenplay writer will tell the tale of events that take place after Alice returns from Wonderland only to find that her house has burned down, and her parents were killed. After repeated attempts at suicide, she's placed into a mental health institution where she eventually escapes after being summoned by the White Rabbit yet again.
However, in the show, as well as the video game it's based on, Wonderland has taken an evil turn. In order to fully regain her peace of mind and find out just why her parents died, she'll need to fight her way through this twisted version of the world she once knew and free the lands from the grip of evil it's under. Just when viewers are going to get to see this adaptation is not yet known and no actors are officially attached yet.
The American McGee's Alice television series is now in development.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter