Fans of the 1995 Terry Gilliam movie "Twelve Monkeys" didn't quite know what to expect when it was announced that SyFy of all networks would be adapting the film for a television series. Yet those that tuned in to the first season were likely pleasantly surprised. No, the series doesn't share the movie's eerie tone that resonated so well with fans 20 years ago. But it is an incredibly enjoyable time travel romp with fun and wonky space-time plot lines and a few standout characters.
While the majority of season one was spent in just two time periods (2040's and present-ish day), showrunner Terry Matalas revealed that season two would offer a variety of different settings.
"We're going to explore different time periods," Matalas told media members at New York Comic Con. "Season two will show the 1940's, 50's, 60's, 70's and maybe a few new places in the future."
Star Aaron Stanford, who assumes the lead role of James Cole originated by Bruce Willis, expressed his excitement with the change.
"It's great to actually be using the time machine to travel time and to go other places besides the apocalypse and the present."
While season one did take a few detours to the 1980s, fans were really only given to basic settings throughout the first 13 episodes. Now, Matalas plans to span decades in order to really tap into the sci-fi time travel elements of the show.
Hopping around to different decades and reflecting on his experiences throughout season one, Stanford says Cole will be somewhat of a new man and season two.
"You just think about how growing up in the apocalypse would impact him, how it would shape his view of the world and humanity," Stanford said. "Cole is completely different this season, he's fundamentally changed. He believes he can achieve his goals through different means and is less callous."
That should make for an interesting character change.
"12 Monkeys" will return in April of 2016.
