'Metropolis' News: 'Mr. Robot' Creator Signs A Deal With Universal Cable Productions For TV Adaptation

"Mr. Robot" creator Sam Esmail has signed an overall deal with Universal Cable Productions for the adaptation of Fritz Lang's 1927 sci-fi film, "Metropolis."

The writer-director will executive-produce the miniseries with his manager, Chad Hamilton of Anonymous Content, who is also one of the executive producers of "Mr. Robot."

Esmail's role in the upcoming miniseries is going to be less traditional, since his focus will be less on writing scripts and more on conceptually figuring out how the original film could be adapted into an episodic series. The Universal Cable Productions is reportedly preparing to spend $10 million per episode of the miniseries and might not necessarily prioritize its portfolio of networks like Bravo, E! and Syfy. There are rumors that the series might end up at USA Network, the home of "Mr. Robot."

Since "Metropolis" is still in its early stage of development, very little is known about the project. Insiders claim that UCP does not aim to launch the series for another two to three years, giving Esmail more time to be involved in "Mr. Robot," which has a tentative four-to-five-season plan.

The "Metropolis" miniseries will be set in a future society, where the affluent industrialists have power over the city with their high-rise tower complexes, while the lower class composed of underground dwellers plug away to operate the machines that provide power to the upper class.

The original film which was released nearly a century ago was one of the most expensive movies ever made in history.