Doug Liman Tv Series Based on Third 'Jumper' Novel Is Coming to Youtube Red — Will Fans Be Lovin' It or Hayden It?

#YouTubeRed is taking a page out of #Netflix's handbook and providing its subscribers with more original scripted programming. The streaming service has ordered its first drama pilot, Impulse, from executive producer and director Doug Liman for a premiere sometime in 2018.

The story of Impulse derives from the third book in the popular Jumper book series written by Steven Gould, whose first book was adapted for the big screen in 2008. The hourlong action-thriller will be written by Jeffrey Lieber (Lost, NCIS: New Orleans), Jason Horwitch (Marvel’s Luke Cage), and Gary Spinelli. Fans of the Jumper film will be happy to hear that Liman, who directed Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson into partnership bliss, will also be handling directing duties for the series.

The series will follow Henry (Maddie Hasson), a rebellious 16-year-old girl who has always felt different from her peers and has longed to escape from her seemingly quaint small town. She soon discovers that she has the extraordinary ability to teleport. The I Saw The Light actress will also be joined by David James Elliott, Missi Pyle, Sarah Desjardins, Enuka Okuma and Craig Arnold.

Many of the bigwigs at YouTube and Universal Cable Productions (who will be producing the series) are unsurprisingly enthused for the project. Susanne Daniels, who is the Global Head of Original Content for YouTube, promises intrigue from the very beginning and looks forward to working with the veteran action director:

“This unique thriller pulled us in right from the opening scene... We are thrilled to be in business with Doug Liman and everyone at UCP and Hypnotic.”

The president of Universal Cable Productions (UCP) and Chief Content Officer at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, Jeff Wachtel, echoes Daniels's sentiments, and compliments the streaming service for their continual breaking of new ground:

"We are very excited to be working with Susanne, YouTube and [studio] Hypnotic on Impulse... It’s always fun to start work on a new series, especially when it’s with a partner like YouTube that is continually breaking new ground.”

Although the 2008 film earned over $220 million worldwide, it disappointed in the domestic box office and many critics simply found it as a lackluster action thriller. Despite many of its fans (along with the stars and director) voicing their opinion for more from the #Jumper universe, a theatrical sequel ultimately never came to fruition.

This Red series has the opportunity to appease those fans by returning to that teleporting world with fresh characters and a number of episodes to fully explore it. It is also encouraging to see Doug Liman take such a pivotal role in the production and execution of the series. He is no stranger when it comes to showcasing incredible action with characters you actually care about (as seen in his directing of The Bourne Identity and Edge Of Tomorrow) and he obviously has intimate knowledge of the property. Whether Impulse will have us jumping for joy or jumping to another series is up to the #TV gods, however we remain hopeful that Impulse will be an awesome #scifi and action adventure come 2018.

This pickup joins the likes of other YouTube Red scripted originals including a Step Up reboot, the Dwayne Johnson-produced Lifeline and the Dan Harmon-produced gaming comedy Good Game.

(Source: Deadline)