Syfy, Bradley Cooper to adapt best-seller

Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper and US cable channel Syfy to adapt Dan Simmons’ best-selling novel Hyperion as an event series.

Producer Graham King (The Departed) and regular Cooper collaborator Todd Phillips (The Hangover) are also attached to the project, with Universal Cable Productions named as producing studio.

The Hugo Award-winning novel Hyperion is set in a galaxy engulfed in war and follows seven pilgrims with dark secrets voyaging to seek answers to unsolved riddles in their lives.

Cooper, who is currently producing upcoming CBS series Limitless(pictured) as well working on acting roles, described Hyperion as “arguable one of the greatest works of science fiction”.

A TV adaptation is now in development, with Cooper (American Sniper, The Hangover) executive producing alongside King and Phillips. UCP is the studio, with King’s GK Films and Cooper and Phillips’ 22^nd and Green coproducing. Itamar Moses (Boardwalk Empire) is attached to write the screen play and gets a co-executive producer role.

“As Syfy continues to forge important partnerships with award-winning talent on and off screen, this powerhouse team led by Bradley Cooper, Graham King and Todd Phillips brings an extraordinary track record in producing entertainment of the highest creative ambition,” added Dave Howe, president of Syfy and sister network Chiller.

“Epitomising the gold standard of science fiction story-telling, Hyperion tackles smart and provocative themes that help define Syfy’s development vision.”

Syfy’s growing scripted development slate includes projects such a fantasy based on another best-selling book, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians and others with Walking Dead producer Gale Ann Hurd and actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.