Sony 'Powers' Up its First Scripted TV Series on PlayStation

Taking the long road from script to screen is not uncommon in Hollywood, but Brian Michael Bendis’ “Powers” is notable for more than just its 14-year development journey at Sony Pictures. In 2001, the studio thought the graphic novel had potential as a movie, but that plan didn’t get far. Ten years later, “Powers” got another shot as a TV series, with Charles S. Dutton and Lucy Punch in the lead roles, but FX declined to order the pilot to series. [...] But when the series bows this winter (exact date still to be determined), PlayStation is hoping “Powers” not only will enhance the console, but will help the company upsell PlayStation Plus memberships —- $50 annual passes that will provide access to episodes of the show, along with Sony’s menu of free games, additional online multiplayer modes, PlayStation Store discounts and online storage across the PS4, PlayStation 3 and PS Vita systems. [...] A dark, R-rated tale about two homicide detectives assigned to investigate cases involving people with superhuman abilities, “Powers” boasts a cast of familiar faces, including Sharlto Copley (“Elysium”), Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor (“Almost Famous”), Susan Heyward (“The Following”) and Michelle Forbes (“Chicago Fire”). “Game of Thrones’ ” veteran David Slade directed the first two of “Powers’ ” 10 hourlong episodes. - Marc Graser,Variety [via/web:http://streaming-tv.us]