Syfy is taking on the 1 percent in its latest pilot, “Incorporated.” The futuristic spy-fi thriller tells the story of a corporate executive who changes his identity so he can infiltrate a powerful company to save the woman he loves. He ends up taking on the entire corporate system with deadly consequences, Syfy says in a release.
“Incorporated” comes from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Pearl Street Productions, CBS Television Studios and Universal Cable Productions. David and Alex Pastor (“Selfless,” “The Last Days”) wrote and will direct the pilot. Ted Humphrey (“The Good Wife”) will serve as executive producer/showrunner, with Damon, Affleck and Jennifer Todd also executive producing. Pearl Street Film’s Margaret Chernin will serve as associate producer.
Says Syfy’s release: The dystopian future of the show reflects contemporary trends: the growing influence of corporations and private interests in Washington, the slow but steady dismantling of the public sector, and the increase of an amazing amount of wealth by an ever shrinking minority. “Incorporated” will explore these issues via suspense, action, complex characters and a dark sense of humor, plunging viewers into a future world where the ethical boundaries that we know have been completely redrawn.
“‘Incorporated’ provides us distinct insight into a world dictated by our decisions today,” Damon and Affleck said in the release. “Viewers will delve into the intricacies of our future, one that we are constantly warned of, but as a society have not yet explored. We believe this is an important and timely story to tell and can think of no one better to guide us into this than David, Alex and Ted.”
This new pilot order further signals Syfy’s renewed focus on science fiction programming after straying from its roots for several seasons. Space-based dramas “The Expanse,” “Killjoys” and “Dark Matter” are on the horizon along with the alien invasion miniseries “Childhood’s End.” They join such dramas as “Dominion,” “12 Monkeys,” ”Helix” and “Defiance.”
“Incorporated” joins Syfy’s promising pilots, including an adaptation of Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians” and the Superman prequel series “Krypton.”
“Syfy is working with the best talent in the business to develop the most provocative and smart science fiction programming,” said Dave Howe, Syfy’s president, in the release announcing “Incorporated.” “We are delighted to be partnering with Matt, Ben and Jennifer, along with the creative minds of the Pastor brothers and Ted on this pilot. ‘Incorporated’ is an electrifying example of what science fiction does best: holding a mirror to present realities and projecting forward to a recognizable future in which we face the impact and consequences of our actions.”