Doctor StrangedirectorScott Derricksonhas taken the Twitter to explain why he is leaving TNT’sShowpiercerseries after he was asked to return for significant reshoots, as drama continues to define this production. To do some catchup: TNT originallyordered the series– starringDaveed DiggsandJennifer Connelly– last January, based onJoon-ho Bong’s 2013 film of the same name, which itself was based on the French post-apocalyptic graphic novel “Le Transperceneige." The pilot was written byJosh Friedman(Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and directed by Derrickson.
Shortly afterwards, Friedmanleft the projectover “creative differences,” though onTwitterhe stated that he was fired for fear of not being “compliant.” About a month later,Orphan Blackco-creatorGraeme Mansonwas tapped as thenew showrunner, with TNT’s executive vice president of original programming calling him “the best conductor to navigate the thought provoking and delicate themes of the series while bringing this frozen, futuristic world to life.”
But, Friedmanlashed outat Manson for not reaching out to him, saying in a series of tweets that,
“If you’re asked to rewrite someone or take over their show it seems like good sense and good karma to reach out to that person first and a) find out what the circumstances of their departure are and b) thank them for doing the work you’ll be profiting from. You should buy that person a nice meal or a bottle of alcohol if they’re up for it. Your money was earmarked for them at one time. And more than likely, what may be a good job for you was a passion project for them. Put another way: if you were to take over a show I’d originated and worked on for two years and didn’t reach out to me before taking the job you’re either an idiot, a coward, or a vichy motherfucker.”
To say there is drama with the series is an understatement, but now Derrickson has added some fuel to the fire with his owntweets, saying.
“The 72-page Snowpiercer TV pilot script by @Josh_Friedman is the best I’ve ever read. The feature-length pilot I made from that script may be my best work. The new show runner has a radically different vision for the show. I am forgoing my option to direct the extreme reshoots.”
TNT has not yet responded to Derrickson’s comments, or named a new director. The series, which still does not have a premiere date, “takes place seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland and centers on a small band of people who inhabit a gigantic, perpetually moving train that circles the globe. Jennifer Connelly stars as Melanie Cavill, an important first-class passenger and leader who is fascinated by the less fortunate riders on the train.”
