Legendary TV Buys John Scalzi Novel ‘Lock In’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Legendary TV has acquired the rights to John Scalzi’s novel “Lock In” to adapt into a pilot for a potential series.

The book revolves around a highly contagious virus that causes one percent — or five million — of the U.S. population to become paralyzed but fully aware, while the rest of the infected get nothing more than the flu, fever or headaches. A quarter of a century later, the immobile are able to borrow the bodies of “integrators.” After one of the paralyzed is murdered, the book focuses on two FBI agents who are called in to investigate a case that spirals into something far larger.

Scalzi is currently on a tour to promote the release of “Lock In,” published in August.

The author is known for his science fiction background, having been a former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and written the “Old Man’s War” series and “Redshirts.” He’s also consulted for the TV series “Stargate Universe” and writes the blog “Whatever.”

Legendary has been on a roll since former Warner Bros. TV Group chief Bruce Rosenblum started building out Thomas Tull’s television banner. Rosenblum set up Legendary TV’s first project at NBC, late last year, a fantasy drama from “Chuck” creator Chris Fedak.

In April, Legendary TV tapped former Sony Pictures TV exec Michael Grindon to head a new worldwide TV distribution unit and build out the company’s smallscreen business, and in March, named Noah Greenshner as VP of scripted development.

Scalzi is repped by IPG.

(Justin Kroll contributed to this report).