Demimonde: J.J. Abrams’ HBO sci-fi series may not happen due to budget concerns

 J.J. Abrams‘ HBO sci-fi drama series Demimonde might be in danger of making it to screens. The Demimonde series has been in the works for quite some time, but the new Warner Bros. Discovery is concerned about the project’s budget. Abrams’ Bad Robot has a significant overall deal with the company, including the first grab at any film, TV, or digital projects the studio may have.

Four years ago, the network picked up the Demimonde series with a straight-to-series order. Somehow, the show is still in the early stages of production, and now budgetary concerns threaten to throw it off the tracks. According to sources, the studios on the project, Warner Bros. Television and HBO, have been trying to cut costs but are hitting roadblocks. Bad Robot says it needs the mid-$200 million budget and does not want to move from that price tag.

For now, talks focusing on Demimonde are the primary concern, though Bad Robot’s deal is also up for consideration as the merger makes adjustments for the future. Abrams has a long-standing relationship with WarnerMedia, but lousy blood could hit the water if budgets are slashed and potential projects are passed up.

Bad Robot is not the only studio in danger of seeing significant changes to its setup at Discovery-WarnerMedia. Sources close to the merger say that several shingles, creators, and projects are being reevaluated as sweeping changes happen at the company.

Written, executive produced, and to be directed by Abrams, Demimonde, recently cast Danielle Deadwyler as the lead. In Demimonde, when a woman, Olive Reed (Deadwyler), is torn away from her husband and daughter in a brutal scientific accident, she is forced to unravel a conspiracy to reunite with her family, now lost to a dark, distant other world.

It remains unclear how Discovery-WarnerMedia will proceed with Abrams’ Demimonde series. If the deal falls through or the budget gets slashed significantly, it could disrupt an otherwise healthy relationship between the two parties. Change is inevitable when mergers come into play, but tar and feathering your golden goose is often a terrible idea. We’ll be watching the situation closely to see how it develops.