Syfy Developing Superman Prequel Series 'Krypton'

Syfy is going into business with Superman. Or, at the very least, they're going into business with his ancestors.

The network is officially developing the Superman prequel series Krypton. The series comes to us from Man of Steel writer David S. Goyer, who knows a thing or two about telling tales from Superman's home planet, considering the first 20 minutes of that movie were Kryton-centric.

"Years before the Superman legend we know, the House of El was shamed and ostracized," the synopsis reads. "This series follows The Man of Steel’s grandfather as he brings hope and equality to Krypton, turning a planet in disarray into one worthy of giving birth to the greatest Super Hero ever known."

Goyer will executive produce alongside Once Upon A Time's Ian Goldberg, who will also write the pilot script.

Of course, with DC gradually taking over TV in much the same way Marvel is taking over movies, it's no big surprise that Superman is getting a Gotham of his own. Although, generally, the better series are the ones that explore the hero during their time as a hero. You know, like Arrow and The Flash. This isn't to say Krypton won't work, but it seems like a tall order in both visual effects and narrative, since Goyer will be asking us to invest in a doomed society. That said, I actually like that latter aspect. There's something kind of compelling about a society in freefall that doesn't have the good sense to know its days are numbered. Another bonus: maybe with fewer future Superman villains around, we won't get the eyerolling wink-and-nod references to the future that have plagued Gotham.

But what do you think of the project? Good idea, or too ambitious for TV? Sound off in the comments!

Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures