‘Fringe’ writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman pitch modern ‘Sleepy Hollow’ series to Fox

Writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman’s modern take on the Sleepy Hollow story has generated interest from the broadcast networks. The Fringe writing duo successfully pitched the concept to Fox, which then ordered a pilot to be produced.

Deadline first reported that Fox picked up the project, with Underworld director Len Wiseman picked to direct the pilot. 20th Century Fox TV will produce with the writers’ K/O Paper Products.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project takes a modern look at the 1820 short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In Orci and Kurtzman’s take, teacher Ichabod Crane teams with Sleepy Hollow’s female sheriff to bring peace to the town.

Phillip Iscove will collaborate on the pilot’s script with Orci and Kurtzman. Orci, Kurtzman, Wiseman and K/O’s Heather Kadin will executive produce.

Orci and Kurtzman first pitched the idea to CBS, NBC and ABC, who all passed. They pitched it to Fox, where it was finally picked up. Fox is also the home of Fringe, which is entering its last season this fall.

Orci and Kurtzman have had success with Fringe and CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot. Wiseman also directed the Hawaii Five-0 reboot’s pilot.

For Fox, this gives the network a chance to have its own supernatural/fantasy success. ABC’s Once Upon A Time and NBC’s Grimm both proved successful and have been renewed for second seasons.

The Sleepy Hollow tale was also adapted by Tim Burton in 1999 with Johnny Depp.