#Imagine TV Wins Fierce Bidding War for Red-State Alien Drama (Exclusive)

Ron Howard will confront a three-mile-tall alien in Imagine TV’s latest foray.

The company, founded by Howard and Brian Grazer, has landed the rights to Van Jensen’s forthcoming novel, Godfall. The author’s debut novel was the subject of a bidding war that featured north of 10 other potential buyers vying for the rights to what is expected to be the first book in a series.

Howard is attached to direct the TV adaptation, which takes place in a small farm town outside Little Springs, Nebraska. As the story goes, what appears to be a massive asteroid comes hurtling toward Earth and humanity braces for annihilation but the end doesn’t come. It isn’t actually an asteroid but rather a three-mile-tall alien that drops down, seemingly dead. Dubbed “the giant,” its arrival transforms the red-state farm town into a top-secret government research site and major metropolitan area, flooded with soldiers, scientists, bureaucrats, spies, criminals, conspiracy theorists — and a murderer.

“I’m honored to be a part of bringing Van’s incredible story to the screen. He’s built such an expansive, enthralling world that is deeply universal in its themes,” Howard said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “Godfall showcases the perseverance of the human experience and the very relevant themes of family and change in small town America. Not to mention, the rich and complicated characters, that provide great performance opportunities and what I know will be an amazing cast.”

Howard, Grazer, Imagine TV president Kristen Zolner and author Jensen will executive produce the series, which has yet to be taken out to streamers and networks. A writer has also yet to be hired for the series take.

Jensen, a Nebraska native, is an acclaimed comic book writer who has written for many of DC Comics’ biggest titles including Green Lantern, Superman and The Flash, as well as for such characters as James Bond and more. In 2016, he was named a Comic Book Ambassador by the U.S. State Department. Two years later, he created a comic book biography for Stacey Abrams. He is currently finishing Tear Us Apart for Darkhorse, which he co-wrote with Jay Baruchel.

“This is all wildly unexpected and, well, delightful. Ron and Brian’s creative vision and energy literally shaped my storytelling sense from childhood on,” Jensen said. “What I love the most about their work is that it’s so full of heart. And now I’m working together with them, to tell this story that is in many ways about my hometown. I can’t fathom a better partner to bring Godfall to screen.”

Imagine has a long list of TV credits including Friday Night Lights, 24, Felicity, Arrested Development and Parenthood, among several others.

“Godfall embodies the exact type of big and bold stories we love to champion at Imagine Entertainment,” added Imagine TV president Kristen Zolner. “Godfall is a story that truly packs a punch, combining heart-pounding action with deeply intricate character-driven storytelling. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to the screen in a series we know will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.”

News of a Godfall adaption, should it move forward as a series, comes as the larger IP market has grown increasingly frothy amid Hollywood’s back-to-back strikes, which ground production to a halt and left the industry with little else to sell.

Jensen is repped by The Gotham Group and Calligraph for publishing.