With the rival Disney XD channel launching in February, the Cartoon Network is moving aggressively to establish its own lineup of live-action series targeted at boys 6-14.
The network's Los Angeles-based development operation is currently mulling 15 projects with hopes of having at least two pilots commissioned within the next several months and at least two series greenlit going into 2010.
Similar to what XD will offer, the new Cartoon Network lineup will feature what network chief content officer Rob Sorcher calls "action dramas that generally feature some form of wish fulfillment."
"But you won't see the same kind of shows on Disney XD or Nickelodeon," Sorcher added. "Our approach to getting to the same audience will be very different."
Projects under consideration include the buddy cop show "Future Soldiers," from writer David Titcher (TNT's "The Librarian"); a prep school-themed drama from Paul Dini ("Lost"); the alien-invasion-based "Rebels" from scribe Eric Kaplan ("Out of Jimmy's Head," "Futurama"); "Jackers," a show about body-switching crime-fighters from former "Outer Limits" showrunner Carleton Eastlake; and an urban adventure skein from Mike Werb ("Face/Off," "The Mask") and produced out of Warner Horizon.
Other projects in development include "Crypto Tapes," a monster-hunter-themed series also from Warner Horizon; the basketball-based "Hoops" from writer David Aaron Cohen (feature "Friday Night Lights"); and "Marked Man," a series about supernatural crime-fighters from Hans Beimler ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine").
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com