Apple Inks Deal for 'Large Budget, Ambitious' Sci-Fi Series From Simon Kinberg, Known for 'X-Men' Movies

[MacRumors]

Apple has inked a deal for a 10 episode season for an as-of-yet untitled science fiction series from Simon Kinberg and David Weil, reports Deadline.

Simon Kinberg is known primarily for his work on the "X-Men" series, as well as movies like "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "Jumper," "Chappie," "The Fantastic Four," and "The Martian."

Image via Deadline​

David Weil is known for "The Hunt," an upcoming TV show about a group of Nazi hunters in the 1970s.

Kinberg, Weil, and Genre Films President of TV Audrey Chon will serve as executive producers on the show, which is said to be a large budget, ambitious, character driven show.

No additional details are available about the series, with specific information being kept under wraps. The show is set to go into production this summer, and it will join more than a dozen other television shows that Apple has in the works.

Apple is developing several science fiction shows, including "Amazing Stories," from Steven Spielberg, an untitled space drama developed by Ronald D. Moore, "See," an futuristic world-building drama starring Jason Momoa, and a TV series adaptation of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" novels.

Apple is expected to debut the first of its TV shows as part of an upcoming streaming series that is set to be announced in 2019.

Article Link: Apple Inks Deal for 'Large Budget, Ambitious' Sci-Fi Series From Simon Kinberg, Known for 'X-Men' Movies

 

[mikzn]

and a TV series adaptation of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" novels.

Wow - that would be cool to watch - can't wait!

My favorite Sci-fi books / series

 

[ImperfectLion]

I always hear about how Apple has a new deal for so many shows over the last year, but besides MacRumours, I never hear about these shows again.

Where are the shows even shown?

 

[psylence2k]

I always hear about how Apple has a new deal for so many shows over the last year, but besides MacRumours, I never hear about these shows again.

Where are the shows even shown?

They're all for Apple's TV streaming service which is coming in 2019.

You got to read the articles. They usually give you some info which says something along the lines of :

Apple is expected to debut the first of its TV shows as part of an upcoming streaming series that is set to be announced in 2019..

 

[yaxomoxay]

Give me a David Lynch production and I might subscribe.

 

[synergize]

Apple should stick with the what made them famous, making computers, better than anyone else.

 

[Rogifan]

Can someone explain what Apple’s role here is besides being a piggy bank? Besides they have a crap ton of money they need to find something to do with so decided to spend some of it on content? Is their anything we’re learning about this endeavor that indicates it will be differentiated from Amazon, Netflix, HBO etc.? Seems to me there’s a limit to the number of subscriptions people will chose and if they already have Netflix are they going to fork over another $15/mo for Apple’s service?

I’m a little surprised there hasn’t been more discussion around does it even make sense for Apple to become a media company (and no reselling content available elsewhere doesn’t make one a media company). It’s just assumed because Cook is pushing this “services” narrative that this makes sense but I’m not convinced.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

This is why Apple sucks. They are involved in too many things that have nothing to do with their core strengths. I don't need yet another subscription service for new content, I need a service that lets me easily view the content I already enjoy from the major networks. For that I have Playstation Vue. I already have Netflix and Hulu.

Apple, please get back to releasing revolutionary kick-ass computing products and knock it off with these services. You suck at services, isn't that plainly obvious? (Hint to Cook: fire Eddie Cue, he's a moron).

 

[psylence2k]

Can someone explain what Apple’s role here is besides being a piggy bank? Besides they have a crap ton of money they need to find something to do with so decided to spend some of it on content? Is their anything we’re learning about this endeavor that indicates it will be differentiated from Amazon, Netflix, HBO etc.? Seems to me there’s a limit to the number of subscriptions people will chose and if they already have Netflix are they going to fork over another $15/mo for Apple’s service?

I’m a little surprised there hasn’t been more discussion around does it even make sense for Apple to become a media company (and no reselling content available elsewhere doesn’t make one a media company). It’s just assumed because Cook is pushing this “services” narrative that this makes sense but I’m not convinced.

If the early reporting is true then the service will be free for Apple Music subscribers or as another rumor has stated the service will be free to watch on ALL or certain Apple/IOS devices.

It's kind of a smart move in a way. Content is growing while hardware sales are slowing. Apple is looking to alternative methods to strengthen their hardware share through services like this.

 

[wbrat]

Wow, they are investing a lot in this area. What worries me is the fact that I will probably have to put another point to the list of features that are not available in my country (for example subtitles), at least for the first 5-6 years or so:
- no siri in a local language (google recently added support for the Polish language for its google assistant),
- no other siri functions (sports, restaurants, movies, etc.),
- no predictive input in quicktype keyboard,
- no multilingual typing,
- no person to person payments,
- no transit info in maps,
- no nearby function in maps,
- no speed limits in maps,
- no flyover in maps,
- no indoor functions in maps,
- no ECG at Apple Watch,
- no cellular version of Apple Watch supported,
- no stainless steel versions of Apple Watch available,
- no HomePods,
- no apple tv app,
- no news app.

This is so irritating... and I'm quite sure that I forgot about some of them (it's quite difficult to remember them when they are not available). I really wish Apple focused on fixing those gaps first...

 

[needfx]

I am pretty curious with how the apple logo production visual intro will be

 

[DotCom2]

Well, now we're gettin' somewhere.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Apple should stick with the what made them famous, making computers, better than anyone else.

Completely agreed. They should follow the Sears example and stick with what made them big. These shows are going to make Apple many multitudes more money than Macs do.

One day Apple won’t even make computers anymore is my prediction.
[doublepost=1547747642][/doublepost]

Well, now we're gettin' somewhere.

Indeed. This looks like it could actually be promising. Stuff like this makes me keep my shares and wait awhile.

 

[StoneJack]

The new Apple Music and Video (AMV) channel is going to be huge hit.. Think Netflix AND amazon prime together. Delivered with the very nice quality streaming they developed for streaming keynotes.

Moving into new money making fields like content is great idea to leverage their existing biggest music market in the world - iTunes, their mobile and computing hardware, AppleTV standalone and built in TVs, HomeKit, etc..

On business note, everything which reduces dependence of cash flow on few products such as iPhones is great in long run for Apple business.

 

[lyngo]

That’s nice, but I have to believe that I think that Chappie was one of the worst movies I think that I have ever seen.

 

[orbital~debris]

This is why Apple sucks. They are involved in too many things that have nothing to do with their core strengths. I don't need yet another subscription service for new content, I need a service that lets me easily view the content I already enjoy from the major networks. For that I have Playstation Vue. I already have Netflix and Hulu.

Apple, please get back to releasing revolutionary kick-ass computing products and knock it off with these services. You suck at services, isn't that plainly obvious? (Hint to Cook: fire Eddie Cue, he's a moron).

This is the same old story (along the lines of all those who think Apple can't be working on updates for their Mac line because they've developed a new band style/introduced a new strap colour for the Watch, or added some emoji to their OS'…).

It's eminently possible for a company the size of Apple to successfully undertake more than one endeavour at once.

I imagine their strategy here will be to build out a compelling library of content for their streaming entertainment service which will both entice new customers and provide another reason for existing customers to remain loyal.

Even if producing entertainment isn't currently a core strength, given commitment and sufficient funding it can become one over time (in a similar way that music is at Apple now).

Besides, just because its ultimately 'Apple', it doesn't mean that the streaming entertainment arm can't be a mostly self-contained division, operating with oversight and a budget but not affecting the development of computers etc. elsewhere in the company.

On the topic of the series mentioned - I'm incredibly happy to see Apple supporting science-fiction in this way. It's a fascinating genre and more stories are always welcome

 

[Suttree]

I said it before and I'll say it again: the iPod marked the beginning of the end of Apple. You laughed at me, well, now I get to laugh at you, and it's the last laugh. When Uncle Steve dropped "Computer" from Apple Computer, what'd you think was going to happen? When he dissolved the Aperture group, when he dumbed down Final Cut Pro Studio, when he introduced the "thin" aluminum iMac, what'd you think was going to happen?

 

[iRutherford]

Speaking of Jumper, they really need to revisit that series and hopefully, turn it (and the sequels Reflex, Impulse and Exo) into a TV show.

 

[cb3]

I guess this is the next step in Apple becoming Sony.

 

[iRutherford]

The new Apple Music and Video (AMV) channel is going to be huge hit.. Think Netflix AND amazon prime together. Delivered with the very nice quality streaming they developed for streaming keynotes.

Moving into new money making fields like content is great idea to leverage their existing biggest music market in the world - iTunes, their mobile and computing hardware, AppleTV standalone and built in TVs, HomeKit, etc..

On business note, everything which reduces dependence of cash flow on few products such as iPhones is great in long run for Apple business.

If they really plan on being a media company, they really should improve Apple Music on Android before introducing yet another app. The user experience of Music in that platform is awful and gives Apple a bad first impression (at least for outsiders). It's almost unusable. I also think they need a working Web app for it, so it is available everywhere.

 

[dodoei]

Completely agreed. They should follow the Sears example and stick with what made them big. These shows are going to make Apple many multitudes more money than Macs do.

One day Apple won’t even make computers anymore is my prediction.
[doublepost=1547747642][/doublepost]

Indeed. This looks like it could actually be promising. Stuff like this makes me keep my shares and wait awhile.

They’re certainly making fewer iphones now

 

[lunarworks]

I am pretty curious with how the apple logo production visual intro will be

A white Apple logo on a black background.

 

[dgeviper]

X-Men movies, eh? Those were pretty terrible. Especially the pre-First Class era. Pass.

 

[iRutherford]

I am pretty curious with how the apple logo production visual intro will be

I'm sure it would be similar to the one they used in Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke: The Series, except the word "Music" is no longer included.

 

[cardfan]

If the early reporting is true then the service will be free for Apple Music subscribers or as another rumor has stated the service will be free to watch on ALL or certain Apple/IOS devices.

It's kind of a smart move in a way. Content is growing while hardware sales are slowing. Apple is looking to alternative methods to strengthen their hardware share through services like this.

This isn't a smart move in any way. Content creation is a money sink. There's no way Apple breaks even on this with the limited amount of marketshare they have. They simply cannot charge enough. Lump it in with Apple Music? That service is hardly a profit center for Apple as it is. Now you've just added significant costs to it. Even a service like Netflix which has done nothing but concentrate on expanding the number of screens it can be viewed on keeps having to raise prices.

Will this media service help Apple sell hardware? That would be the million dollar question for me because it's not worthwhile on its own. Unfortunately, that's not something you could easily measure so I would've said no. I still look at Youtube tv as something Apple could've already done if there's a play at media at all that's worthwhile. And Apple could've done this much better combined with apple tv as good as youtube tv is already. The whole goal after all was to make Apple tv hdmi one. Funny enough it's google (and others) doing more to help make it that way than Apple who basically shot itself in the apple tv foot by making deals with tv makers. Same with Homepod and making a product crushing deal with amazon by allowing apple music on alexa.