Get a sneak peek of the the series premiere of Limitless, starring Jake McDorman, Hill Harper, and Bradley Cooper. The pilot episode airs tonight at 10:00pm ET|PT on CBS.
Over the last year, there have been several announcements that popular films are being adapted for TV shows. Just yesterday, Minority Report (starring Meagan Good and Stark Sands) premiered on FOX. And with news that TV versions of The Mortal Instruments, Taken, Hitch, Training Day, and many more are on the day, this is probably a trend we should get used to. (Incidentally, The Den of Geek has a list of 39 Movies Being Adapted For TV that you can see HERE.)
One of the movie-to-TV adaptations that I’m most excited about is Limitless. The original 2011 film was actually based on the book by Alan Glynn and starred Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro.
Out-of-work writer Eddie Morra’s (Cooper) rejection by girlfriend confirms his belief that he has zero future. That all vanishes the day an old friend introduces Eddie to NZT, a designer pharmaceutical that makes him laser focused and more confident than any man alive. Now on an NZT-fueled odyssey, everything Eddie’s read, heard or seen is instantly organized and available to him. As the former nobody rises to the top of the financial world, he draws the attention of business mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), who sees this enhanced version of Eddie as the tool to make billions. But brutal side effects jeopardize his meteoric ascent. With a dwindling stash and hit men who will eliminate him to get the NZT, Eddie must stay wired long enough to elude capture and fulfill his destiny. If he can’t, he will become just another victim who thought he’d found invincibility in a bottle. (via Relativity Media)
I remember enjoying the movie and having so many questions at the end, especially about the NZT pills and who else might get ahold of these crazy mind-expanding drugs. Well, Limitless the TV show, explores this very question:
[This] fast-paced drama [is] about Brian Finch, who discovers the brain-boosting power of the mysterious drug NZT and is coerced by the FBI into using his extraordinary cognitive abilities to solve complex cases for them. Working closely with Brian in the major case squad in New York City is Agent Rebecca Harris, a formidable investigator with a dark past, and Agent Boyle, a former military officer and Rebecca’s confidante. They report to Special Agent in Charge Nasreen “Naz” Pouran, a canny manipulator of the reins of power. Unbeknownst to the FBI, Brian also has a clandestine relationship with Senator Edward Morra, a presidential hopeful and regular user of NZT who has plans of his own for his new protégé. Fueled now with a steady supply of NZT that enables him to use 100% of his brain capacity, Brian is more effective than all of the FBI agents combined, making him a criminal’s worst nightmare and the greatest asset the Bureau has ever possessed.
Limitless stars Jake McDorman (Brian Finch), Jennifer Carpenter (Agent Rebecca Harris), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (SAC Nasreen “Naz” Pouran), Hill Harper (Agent Spelman Boyle), and Bradley Cooper, who reprises his roles as Edward Morra (Bradley Cooper is also an Executive Producer. (via CBS)
Now this makes for a very interesting procedural! I love the idea of picking up this story several years later with a new generation of NZT users. Moreover, the fact the Eddie Morra is back and might be a (not so positive) force in Brian’s life is intriguing. Also, I just really love Bradley Cooper and getting to see him on my TV screen semi-regularly.
While at San Diego Comic-Con this summer, I had the chance to attend the Limitless panel and screen the pilot. No spoilers, but I will say that Jake McDorman is fantastic as Brian, both in portraying him as a super-genius on NZT and as an everyman when not on the drug. There’s also an unexpected link between Brian and Agent Harris that will definitely complicate that relationship. Plus, Bradley Cooper makes a significant appearance!
After the screening, Jake McDorman, Hill Harper, and Executive Producers Marc Webb, Alex Kurtzman, Craig Sweeny, and Heather Kadin answered questions from fans, including the impetus behind the show, similarities/changes from the film, and more. Check out 20+ images from the panel below (you can also watch the full panel HERE):
Tonight is Limitless‘ series premiere and we’ve got the official synopsis and sneak peek to help you get ready for the pilot episode (written by Craig Sweeny, directed by Marc Webb):
Brian Finch’s life takes an extraordinary turn when he uses a mysterious drug, NZT, that allows him to access his full brain capacity. However, when an NZT-related murder lands Brian on the FBI’s radar, he uses the drug in an attempt to stay ahead of the authorities long enough to clear his name. (via CBS)
In this preview of the show, we get a glimpse of the fine line Brian must walk between obeying the FBI and his “mentor” Edward Morra. Sure the NZT allows him to do amazing things, but there’s always a cost. Is Brian willing to bear it?
Take a look at five images from the upcoming show, and make sure to tune into CBS at 10:00pm ET|PT for Limitless. I’ll be live tweeting, so make sure to join in!
Official CBS Website: http://www.cbs.com/shows/limitless/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LimitlessCBS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/limitlessCBS
Instagram: https://instagram.com/limitlesscbs/