FME to Reboot Universal Soldier, Launch Charles Segars Drama

CANNES: Further ramping up its U.S. scripted portfolio, FremantleMedia Enterprises has announced a deal to develop a TV series based on the Universal Soldier movie franchise and is launching a drama from National Treasure creator Charles Segars called Blood & Treasure.

Universal Soldier will be written by Damian Kindler (Stargate, Sanctuary) and produced by FremantleMedia North America. “Universal Soldier is FME’s first foray into the sci-fi action genre, further diversifying our growing drama portfolio and underlining our reputation as one of the industry’s leading developers, co-producers and distributors of globally popular, high-quality scripted content," said David Ellender, global CEO of FME. The show will be exec produced by Allen Shapiro and Craig Baumgarten. FME acquired the rights to the brand from The IndieProd Company and Craig Baumgarten.

FME is also showcasing the tentatively titled Blood & Treasure from Charles Segars, FremantleMedia North America and Landscape Entertainment. The show follows two brothers as they travel the world, solving crimes and unearthing some of history’s greatest secrets. It comes out of FME’s on-going first-look deal with Landscape Entertainment. "The stellar team behind Blood & Treasure have created a gripping world of adventure and intrigue that will really resonate with international buyers and global audiences," said Ellender. "Take Charles’s vision for National Treasure, Bob’s background in international co-production and cable TV and FME’s growing reputation for funding, packaging and distributing outstanding scripted content, and you have a hugely exciting proposition. Rob has written a rich compelling story that we feel is going to grip audiences the world over.”

Bob Cooper, chairman of Landscape Entertainment, added, “This is the project we’ve been looking for ever since Landscape Entertainment first signed with FremantleMedia—a sharply written, energetic drama series that takes the talents of feature filmmakers and allows them to run riot on the small screen, entertaining and engaging audiences all over the world.”