New Skywriter Kids’ Series to Spotlight Sci-Fi Legend Gene Roddenberry

TORONTO: Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group is teaming up with Roddenberry Entertainment to develop an animated kids’ comedy that will chronicle the adolescent years of science-fiction icon Gene Roddenberry.

Gene’s Journal will be based on the web comic created by Trevor Roth and illustrated by David Reddick. Geared toward kids 6 to 11, the show will look at Roddenberry’s adolescent years, during which time he had documented in his journal being continuously abducted by aliens for the extraterrestrial purpose of studying humans. Alex Galatis (Atomic Betty, Jimmy Two Shoes) is on board as head writer of the new series.

Roddenberry is most well know for creating the Star Trek franchise.

Kevin Gillis, Skywriter CEO, commented, “We are beaming with excitement at the opportunity to bring television audiences a glimpse into the life and experiences that shaped a young Gene Roddenberry into one of the greatest and most imaginative storytelling minds of the 20th century. Roddenberry’s successful web comic offers a wonderful foundation for this fantastic journey and we look forward to expanding on it in an animated series worthy of the Roddenberry tradition."

Added Rod Roddenberry, the son of Gene, “It’s fun to play with the what-could-have-been part of my father’s life. Gene’s Journal is a concept full of imagination and possibility. I’ve always thought about what the idea could become when it’s able to really spread its wings in a new medium. I couldn’t be more thrilled than to see it making that evolutionary step, and I can’t think of any better place to announce it than here at Comic-Con."

Roth said: “There’s nothing better than working with people who recognize the true potential of a concept you created. Gene’s Journal has always been the story of a unique young boy trying to reconcile the trials and tribulations of adolescence with the hilarity that science fiction has to offer. To adventure into the childhood of such an extraordinary character alongside Alex and Kevin is going to be a real treat, for Roddenberry and for TV audiences.”