GAME OF THRONES Series Creators Developing THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM Sci-Fi Series For Netflix
Netflix has ordered a new drama series based on the Chinese book series The Three-Body Problem with Game of Thrones series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss set to write and executive produce alongside Alexander Woo (The Terror). Rian Johnson, Brad Pitt, and Rosamund Pike also serve as producers on the series.
The series will cover all three books in the trilogy, which include The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End, all of which were written by Liu Cixin. The books tell the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization.
This is the first project that Benioff and Weiss have jumped on board to write at Netflix since the duo signed a massive deal with the streaming service. Benioff and Weiss said in a statement:
“Liu Cixin’s trilogy is the most ambitious science-fiction series we’ve read, taking readers on a journey from the 1960s until the end of time, from life on our pale blue dot to the distant fringes of the universe. We look forward to spending the next years of our lives bringing this to life for audiences around the world.”
Here’s a description from the book for the story:
Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.
Peter Friedlander, vice president of original series at Netflix commented on the project, saying:
“David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo have experience tackling ambitious sagas over time and space. Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman have long dazzled fans with thrilling and mind-bending epics. They are all fierce advocates of ‘The Three-Body Problem.’ As ardent fans, it was especially meaningful to us to get the support of Liu Cixin who created this expansive universe. We all share the same goal: to pay homage to this incredible story and take members on the adventure of a lifetime.”
Woo added:
“It’s a privilege to be adapting one of the great masterpieces of Chinese science-fiction. ‘The Three-Body Problem’ trilogy combines so many things I love: rich, multi-layered characters and true existential stakes – all told as an elegant and deeply human allegory. I’m thrilled to kick off my partnership with Netflix with this accomplished creative team.”
Then there’s Cixin Liu and Ken Liu who wrote the English versions of the first and third books. They are consulting producers on the project, and Cixin said:
“I have the greatest respect for and faith in the creative team adapting ‘The Three-Body Problem’ for television audiences. I set out to tell a story that transcends time and the confines of nations, cultures and races; one that compels us to consider the fate of humankind as a whole. It is a great honor as an author to see this unique sci-fi concept travel and gain fandom across the globe and I am excited for new and existing fans all over the world to discover the story on Netflix.”
This sounds like it has the potential to be a great series. I dig the story concept, now hopefully Benioff and Weiss can actually pull it off and adapt it into a great series. A lot of fans lost faith in these guys after they dropped the ball with Game of Thrones. The pressure is on and they need to prove themselves all over again.
Source: Variety