There’s a new original series coming to Netflix—Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem will be adapted into a television series on Netflix… and it’s coming from the same minds behind HBO’s Game of Thrones.
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are only two of the major names attached to the project, however: among the list of producers is Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Knives Out) and his producing partner Ram Bergman, along with Alexander Woo (The Terror: Infamy, True Blood), Plan B Entertainment, and Primitive Streak (the production company headed by Rosamund Pike, who is soon to star in Amazon’s adaptation of The Wheel of Time). Ken Liu, who was responsible for the English translation of the Three-Body Trilogy, has also been named as a consulting producer alongside author Liu Cixin, in order to make certain that the series remains true to the spirit of the book.
In a press release, the author had much to say on the project and its team:
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The Three-Body Problem
“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.”
And Weiss and Benioff also had a statement about their hopes for bringing this story to a brand new audience:
“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.”
Netflix’s VP of Original Series Dramas, Peter Friedlander, also had a lot to say about the novel and its impact upon him, saying that it changed his view on science fiction forever:
Although it may seem like a familiar premise – the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization – Chinese author Liu Cixin’s ability to interweave science with fiction made his vision of the future and extra-terrestrial contact feel more realistic than any other science fiction I’ve read. At the same time, I was also drawn in by the story of all of humanity vulnerable to the same external threat and how this both unifies and divides humans.
There is no word on when the series will go into production, or casting as of yet, but if you need more information on The Three-Body Problem, check out this excerpt and piece about human purpose from author.
After what happened to Game of Thrones, I’m less than excited about these news. Benioff and Weiss have proven they don’t have the stamina to tackle a story as far ranging as the Three Body Problem… Why they wouldn’t go with a Chinese or Chinese American showrunner is beyond me.
At least this series of novels is already wrapped up before Benioff and Weiss got their hands on it. However one of the biggest complaints I saw on the GOT show was that they didn’t respect the fantasy elements of the novels nearly enough. Why would they be expected to do the same with the sci-fi elements here?
I have what I think are appropriately ambivalent feelings about this news. Loved the books, doubt the showrunners. I don’t think there will be any way they can make it all about boobs and whatnot but what do I kno. As with all future things, we shall see.
@1 Well…there IS a Chinese American Showrunner attached to this project, Alexander Woo.
Bringing this story off the page has been tried before. There was a stage play in China that Tor.com wrote about in 2016. YooZoo pictures made a film that I don’t think was ever released, in 2015. Tian Xiaopeng, best known for animated film, is or was, working on a version. Minecraft, true to their ways, has done a good job telling part of the story.
I applaud any group that tries. I adore these books.
I’m interested, but only if the Chinese portions are filmed with Chinese dialog. “The Wandering Earth” proved a Chinese language SF film can be as good as any Hollywood SF movie.
By the time Benioff & Weiss are done, it’s going to be Two-Body Problem as they get bored and decide to rush out of there early.
@6, I doubt that’s going to happen, significant portions of the books happen in Chinese, judging by the production team listed here, and as much as I love Knives Out, I don’t think they’ll put in the effort of getting Chinese-speaking actors, directors and screenwriters. At best they might do the historical stuff in Chinese, or they might just pretend the English is actually Chinese. However much Chinese they decide to do, I just hope they get someone to look at it so it sounds like something people would actually say, ’cause sometimes it can sound weird if it’s written in English first and translated into Chinese later (I’m looking at you Firefly).
@6,8
Yeah, I’m extremely curious how this will play out. In a way they put themselves in a tough situation. Obviously I’m hoping that everything which was in Chinese in the books is acted in Chinese in the show, but more likely is some halfway measure as 8 pointed out, which has the potential to be quite bad.
For the first book they should really keep the focus on China. That’s integral to the story and character development. I wouldn’t mind if they make the cast of the second and the third book a bit more global (and i don’t mean just U.S. characters). I don’t think that would harm the show too much.
I’ll pass on the TV show. I read the first book in the series. I’ll never get the time back. It may have been the translation, but the writing was amateurish. The story itself was juvenile.
After how the GoT showrunners handled that one (GoT), I am VERY thrilled they are taking on The Three-Body Problem which I read quickly five years ago.
Hooray!!