Home TV News Netflix Orders ‘Three-Body Problem’ Based On Liu Cixin’s Renowned Sci-Fi Novel Trilogy

Netflix Orders ‘Three-Body Problem’ Based On Liu Cixin’s Renowned Sci-Fi Novel Trilogy

by Dave Elliott

Netflix Orders ‘Three-Body Problem’ Based On Liu Cixin’s Renowned Sci-Fi Novel Trilogy

Netflix has ordered an adaptation of Three-Body Problem, based on the renowned Chinese sci-fi novel trilogy by Liu Cixin it has been announced.

The novel series is set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, where 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 title is a reference to the three-body problem in orbital mechanics.

“The first time I read The Three-Body Problem trilogy (Remembrance of Earth’s Past), it changed what science fiction meant to me forever,” commented Peter Friedlander, Vice President, Original Series Drama, Netflix. “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.”

Now for the news which will, I suspect, get a mixed reaction… The exec producers and writers behind the project are ‘Game Of Thrones’ showrunners David Benioff & D.B. Weiss…

“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,” commented Benioff & Weiss. “We look forward to spending the next years of our lives bringing this to life for audiences around the world.”

That is assuming they don’t get distracted by something shiny along the way and forget to finish writing the show…

However, they are joined by Alexander Woo, who wrote on and exec produced ‘The Terror: Infamy’ and ‘True Blood’, who adds “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.”

Benioff, Weiss and Woo are joined by original author Liu Cixin, who serves as Consulting Producer alongside Ken Liu, who wrote the English translation for The Three-Body Problem and Death’s End. Exec producers include Lin Qi & Zhao Jilong – Chairman & Vice President of Yoozoo Group, rights-holders of The Three-Body Universe; Rian Johnson and producing partner Ram Bergman (‘Looper’, ‘Knives Out’, ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi’); Bernadette Caulfield (‘Game of Thrones’, ‘The X-Files’) – President of Benioff & Weiss’ production company; Nena Rodrigue – President of Television for Johnson/Bergman’s T-Street; Rosamund Pike & Robie Uniacke’s Primitive Streak; And Plan B Entertainment – Brad Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner & Dede Gardner’s company.

“I have the greatest respect for and faith in the creative team adapting The Three-Body Problem for television audiences,” commented author Liu Cixin. “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 honour 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.”

Netflix doesn’t say exactly when Three-Body Problem is likely to premiere, although I would suspect it’ll be a while away yet. We’ll let you know when we hear more.

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