Failed film adaptation
In January 1993, 20th Century Fox producer Lynda Obst won a bidding war for the film rights to Preston's 1992 New Yorker article, which was still being transitioned into book form.[15] In response to being outbid, Warner Bros. producer Arnold Kopelson immediately began working on a similarly themed production. This competing film, Outbreak, would ultimately be a factor in the collapse of Fox's planned production, Crisis in The Hot Zone.[16]
Directors considered for Crisis in The Hot Zone included Wolfgang Petersen (who would later direct Outbreak), Michael Mann, and Ridley Scott. Scott eventually signed on to direct the film in February 1994.[17] Screenwriter James V. Hart was also signed to adapt the book. In late April 1994, Fox announced they had signed Robert Redford and Jodie Foster to star in the film.[18]
Crisis in The Hot Zone, however, was never made. Foster dropped out of the film just before filming was to begin and production was delayed, with Meryl Streep, Sharon Stone, and Robin Wright touted as possible replacements. In August 1994, Redford also dropped out of the film;[19] a few days after Redford left it was announced that pre-production had been shut down.[20]
Television series
On October 16, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Ridley Scott again planned to adapt the book, this time as a television miniseries for NatGeo. Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, and Jeff Vintar wrote the pilot. Julianna Margulies starred as Nancy Jaax. Filming began in September 2018.[21] Lynda Obst again produced the series.[22] The series first aired from May 27 to May 29, 2019,[23] and was later renewed for a second season.
