Heroes: Origins

Heroes: Origins is a six-episode mini-series that was originally scheduled to air during the second season of Heroes during its hiatus between Volumes Two and Three. However, it was canceled due to a strike by the Writers Guild of America.

Each episode was to introduce a new character, usually an origin story. Though each episode would have been a standalone story, the characters and other aspects of the world of Heroes may make appearances in Origins. Tim Kring said that if viewers expressed interest in a particular Origins story, that character may be considered to be included in Heroes proper. At Comic-Con 2007, it was announced that Kevin Smith would write and direct the first episode of Heroes: Origins. Other writers included Eli Roth (who would have also directed), John August, Michael Dougherty, and Jeph Loeb. As of October 31, 2007, NBC has indefinitely shelved Heroes: Origins, reportedly due to the looming writer's strike. NBC later confirmed that Origins will not be airing during the 2008-2009 schedule because they "decided it was better to focus on keeping the Heroes mothership as strong as possible."

Published News

• 12/8/07 -- During his interview on The Post Show, Tim Kring said that the first episode of Origins would include a definite explanation about the meaning of the Symbol. This explanation has been pushed off during the uncertain fate of Origins.
• 10/31/07 -- It is announced that Origins will be postponed, presumably because of the Writers Guild of America strike. John August, who was chosen to write and direct an episode, explained on his blog that NBC was hesitant to spend money on a series they might never be able to shoot. He also said that he had already written an outline for an episode called Rehab, and teased, "Not everyone is good with their powers. Not everyone is good, period."
• 10/6/07 -- According to Pulp Secret and Ain't It Cool News, each Origins episode will feature two stories. Additionally, Jeph Loeb will write an episode.
• 9/21/07 -- Tim Kring told IGN that Eli Roth will write and direct an episode of Origins. Additionally, John August and Michael Dougherty will each write an episode of Origins; the director(s) for their episodes have not been named.
• 8/25/07 -- Kevin Smith pitched his Origins idea to the Heroes producers. According to film, he said, "Yeah. Tim Kring was like, 'You write and direct it dude. It is your world, you do what you want.' That of course was appetizing as hell. Last week, I went in and pitched my story and every three minutes into my breakdown I was like, 'Now mind you, you can say no at any time and put a nail in this because I realize it might not be your cup of tea,' but they kind of went for it. It is very in keeping with what Heroes is, but tonally it is different than what they normally do."
• 7/28/07 -- At the San Diego Comic Con, Jeph Loeb announced that Kevin Smith would be writing and directing the first episode of Origins. [1]
• 5/14/07 -- "With Heroes its only new hit of the season, struggling NBC announced a fall schedule Monday that includes a spinoff and three other dramas also trading on supernatural themes. To stretch the normal 22-episode season of Heroes, which faltered after its long hiatus this year, NBC will add Heroes: Origins. The spinoff will introduce a new character each week, and viewers will select which one stays for the following season. The two series will have 30 new episodes combined." (The Associated Press)

External Links

• Press Release on MSNBC
• Interview with Jeph Loeb about Origins.
• Audio interview with Tim Kring
• Interview with Tim Kring
• NBC shelves Heroes: Origins
• NBC Pulls Plug On 'Heroes: Origins' - SyFy Portal