The 1970s were an era of bold television experiments. Networks chased sci-fi epics, superhero adaptations, franchise expansions, and high-concept dramas. For every hit that made it to air, there were pilots that stalled, backdoor spin-offs that went nowhere, and ambitious projects that collapsed before launch.
Unlike vague “development rumors,” these were real, produced pilots or formal spin-off attempts that networks seriously considered. They just did not survive the jump to full series.
Here are 10 failed 70s TV pilots and spin-offs you probably never saw.
1. Wonder Woman (1974) – The Cathy Lee Crosby Pilot
Why it matters: A DC adaptation that failed before the iconic version arrived.
Before Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman became a pop culture fixture, ABC aired a 1974 pilot film starring Cathy Lee Crosby in a radically different take on the character. The response was lukewarm, and the network retooled the concept completely. The second attempt in 1975 succeeded. The first version quietly faded into trivia.
2. Genesis II (1973) – The Roddenberry Sci-Fi That Failed to Launch
Why it matters: A post-Star Trek concept that NBC passed on.
Gene Roddenberry tried to launch a new science fiction series with Genesis II, about a suspended animation survivor in a post-apocalyptic future. NBC declined to order a series. The concept was later reworked into Planet Earth, which also failed to secure pickup.
3. Planet Earth (1974) – Roddenberry’s Second Attempt
Why it matters: A rare example of a failed pilot getting a second failed pilot.
After Genesis II was rejected, Roddenberry revised the premise and produced Planet Earth. Despite changes in casting and tone, the network again passed. Two serious attempts, zero series order.
4. The Questor Tapes (1974)
Why it matters: An Android drama that nearly became the next sci-fi hit.
Also created by Roddenberry, The Questor Tapes centered on an advanced android searching for his creator. NBC aired the pilot as a television movie, but behind-the-scenes disputes and network hesitation ended the project before it could become a series.
5. Doctor Strange (1978) – Marvel’s First Live-Action Attempt
Why it matters: A superhero pilot that stalled decades before the MCU.
CBS produced a Doctor Strange television film in 1978 intended to launch a Marvel series. The ratings did not justify continuation, and the Sorcerer Supreme would not return to live action for decades.
6. The Incredible Hulk Spin-Off Attempt: The Proposed She-Hulk Series (Late 70s)
Why it matters: A documented Marvel expansion that never reached pilot stage.
After The Incredible Hulk became a surprise hit for CBS in 1978, Universal Television explored expanding the Marvel TV footprint. One of the most discussed concepts was a live-action She-Hulk series. The idea was seriously considered but never advanced into a produced pilot. It stands as one of the earliest attempts to build a Marvel television universe long before such a thing was viable.
7. Assignment: Earth revival attempt (Early 70s)
Why it matters: A Star Trek backdoor pilot that never found new life.
The original 1968 Star Trek episode “Assignment: Earth” was designed as a spin-off. In the early 70s, there were renewed discussions about reviving the concept as a standalone series. It never progressed beyond serious consideration.
8. The Invisible Man (1975 TV Pilot Attempt)
Why it matters: A reboot that stalled before becoming weekly television.
Networks tested updated versions of classic science fiction properties throughout the 70s. One attempt at reviving The Invisible Man did not translate into a sustainable series, highlighting how fragile genre television remained at the time.
9. Supertrain (1979) – The High-Budget Disaster
Why it matters: A cautionary tale of ambition exceeding execution.
Though technically aired, Supertrain functioned like a failed pilot stretched into a series. Its enormous budget and poor ratings made it one of television’s most infamous collapses, ending quickly despite network investment.
10. The Return of Charlie Chan (1971 Pilot Film)
Why it matters: A revival attempt that could not overcome changing times.
ABC produced a television film intended to relaunch Charlie Chan as a weekly detective series. Cultural shifts and weak response prevented it from moving forward.
Final Thoughts
The 1970s were not short on ambition. Networks chased science fiction, superheroes, franchise expansions, and large-scale spectacle. Sometimes they succeeded. Often they did not.
These failed pilots and spin-off attempts are not just curiosities. They show how networks tested ideas, recalibrated concepts, and occasionally misread the audience entirely. For television fans, they are reminders that every hit stands on the shoulders of something that did not quite work.
Be sure to check out other entries in this series:
- Failed 60s TV Pilots & Spin-Offs You Never Saw
- Underrated 70s TV Dramas – 10 Series You Totally Forgot
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