J.J. Abrams’ “Demimonde” TV series is dead at HBO.
Marking the first original series created by Abrams since “Fringe” back in 2008, the network has officially passed on the project following issues surrounding the show’s budget.
According to THR, Abrams made a last-ditch plea to HBO boss Casey Bloys to spare the drama from cancellation, but ultimately the decision was made to part ways with the series.
Abrams, who was also slated to direct the pilot, had reportedly sought a budget of over $200 million for the first season. That’s more than the network’s upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon”.
Danielle Deadwyler remains attached to the project which will now be shopped by producers Warner Bros. Television to streamers including Apple and Netflix.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who has been tasked with trimming $3 billion from the merged company, has reportedly been unhappy with the lack of output from Abrams and his Bad Robot banner’s $250 million overall deal signed back in 2019.
Abrams still has multiple TV projects in the works under that deal including an adult animated Batman series, the Josh Holloway drama “Duster,” and the DC Comics-based “Justice League Dark” franchise with its “Constantine” and “Madame X” spin-offs.
Source: THR
