NBC shelves "Heroes" spinoff amid strike fears

Cast member Milo Ventimiglia accepts the award for best TV show for ''Heroes'' accompanied by co-stars (from L-R) Hayden Panettiere, Zachary Quinto, Dania Ramirez and Kristen Bell at the Spike TV's ''Scream 2007'' show at the Greek theater in Los Angeles, October 19, 2007.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fears of a writers strike might already have contributed to a decision NBC made Wednesday to pull the highly anticipated spinoff miniseries of its hit "Heroes" from a midseason launch.

NBC declined comment, but "Heroes: Origins" is not going to get its six-episode run, which was expected to start as early as late April. While NBC Entertainment co-chair Ben Silverman hasn't officially canceled the spinoff, producers of the series have been given no indication of when it might get a spot on the schedule.

The Writers Guild of America's contract expired just after midnight, with the union and the studios far apart on key issues. WGA leaders have ruled out declaring an immediate walkout, and instead will brief members at a meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

Sources indicated "Origins" might be just the first of many upcoming projects that will get downgraded as a result of the potential strike, which could severely affect the TV industry.

Budget allocations made months ago for a range of scripted programs, many of which will not be feasible without sidelined writers, will likely be reconsidered and potentially shifted to strike-proof material like reality and news programs.

"Origins" had been highly touted as a midseason addition since NBC's "upfront" presentation to advertisers in May, when then-entertainment president Kevin Reilly envisioned spinning off "Heroes" when it took a late-season hiatus. The network had been promoting "Origins" well in advance of its premiere, noting the enlistment of such directors as Kevin Smith and Eli Roth to write and direct select episodes.

However, it also is possible that NBC, now under the creative direction of Silverman, might have seen its enthusiasm diminish for an expansion of the "Heroes" franchise given a pronounced ratings drop-off in recent weeks for the flagship series.

It is unclear at what stage "Origins" was in the preproduction process, though it is unlikely scripts had been completed.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter