IT'S A NEW-CENTURY TWILIGHT ZONE
Creator Tim Kring cites Rod Serling's anthology series as the model for
Origins. Each episode — ''cautionary tales about fantastic characters'' — will
focus on the origin story of one or two heroes.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
Origins won't be dependent on Heroes' mythology. Familiar faces may
cameo, and the show could explore fringe characters like Claude the
Invisible Man (Christopher Eccleston). Viewers will also get to vote a
character onto the flagship show. ''We like to think of it as the farm
team for Heroes,'' says Kring.
THE PREMIERE WILL EMPHASIZE FUN
Think Hiro Nakamura, Heroes' gleeful ''Powers are fun!'' Everyman. Says
Kring: ''The first episode won't be a particularly dour version of the
show.'' FYI: Origins will start production this fall but probably won't
launch until next spring.
CELEBRITY CREATORS ARE WELCOME
Kring is hoping Heroes' Hollywood fans — writers, directors, and
actors — ''might be interested in coming to play with us for 10 days or
so.'' Our wish list: Charlie Kaufman, Spike Jonze, and Jack Black.
