SPACIAL PREJUDICE

The socially conscious sci-fi thriller--a new genre?

Fox’s “Outer Heat”--which goes before the cameras Oct. 12--has the possibilities. Co-producer Gale Anne Hurd (with Richard Kobritz) told us the story is set in a near-future L.A. where “the newest boat people come from another planet.” James Caan plays a seasoned LAPD cop whose partner is murdered in the line of duty. His new partner (Mandy Patinkin) is “one of them.”

“So, there’s a racial tension from the fact Caan believes the killer is from the new immigrant community and Patinkin obviously wants to prove him wrong. It’s really very allegoric. What they uncover is more than a murder, it’s also political--and I’m obviously not telling what that is.”

Hurd, who also produced “Aliens,” describes these aliens as visually “not exactly like us but close enough to be of the same species.” Terence Stamp plays their leader.

Graham Baker directs from a script by Rockne O’Bannon.