A pretty robust lineup of writers and producers has coalesced to tackle an adaptation ofLiu Cixin’s renowned Chinese sci-fi bookThe Three-Body Problemand its sequels. Netflix announced today thatGame of ThronesshowrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B. Weisswill write and executive produce an original series based onThe Three-Body Problemalongside writer and executive producerAlexander Woo, who served as showrunner on Season 2 of AMC’sThe Terror. Also along for the ride areRian JohnsonandRam Bergman, who will serve as executive producers alongsideRosamund PikeandRobie Uniackeand Plan B Entertainment.
The Three-Body Problemtells the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization. The first book was published in 2014, and Netflix was granted the rights to produce and English-language adaptation with Cixin serving as a consulting producer andKen Liu, who wrote the English translation, also serving as a consulting producer.
“Liu Cixin’s trilogy is the most ambitious science-fiction series we’ve read,” said Benioff and Weiss in a statement. “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.”
“It’s a privilege to be adapting one of the great masterpieces of Chinese science-fiction,” added Woo. “The Three-Body Problemtrilogy 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.”
Bernadette Caulfield, who was an integral part of theGame of Thronespuzzle as on-the-ground producer, will also serve as an EP onThe Three-Body Problemand has been newly installed as the president of Benioff and Weiss’ production company.
“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 ofThe Three-Body Problem,” said Netflix VP of Original SeriesPeter Friedlander. “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.”
The press release does not clarify if Weiss, Benioff, and Woo will all serve as showrunners together, or if Woo is showrunning solo. It does note that Weiss and Benioff will serve as writers, so they’re expected to be more involved here than they are on their other previously announced Netflix seriesThe Chair, on which they’re simply serving as executive producers. If theyareshowrunningThe Three-Body Problem, then this is their first full-time TV series since wrappingGame of Thrones.
This project is part of the overall deal that Benioff and Weiss struck with Netflix to produce new original films and TV series, which they moved on to full-time after backing out of their plannedStar Warsmovie for Lucasfilm.
