Xena and Hercules producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert are setting up a new syndicated t.v. show titled Wizard’s First Rule, based on the first of Terry Goodkind’s best selling fantasy books “The Sword of Truth”.
The first run series will screen 22 episodes, the first of which is to begin filming in May and is a joint venture between Disney ABC-Domestic Television and ABC Studio’s. Presumably the scripts were turned in for this a while back so it can film during the WGA strike.
The series follows the transformation of Richard Cypher, a woodsman turned magical leader, in a world of mystical danger where he must save a woman from a bloodthirsty tyrant. Apparentaly the books are quite dark, with several murders and even rapes along the way… which will no doubt needed to be toned down for this kind of feature.
The novel on which the book is based on is probably most famous for the fact that author Terry Goodkind was 45 when he decided to give up his job and take up writing. Just one year later he was given an advance of up to $300,000, and it would became a massive international best-seller and one of the most successful debut novels in history after shipping sixty thousand copies.
There are now 11 books in the series and Raimi see that as being rich enough for along running series. I never did get into Xena or Hercules… didn’t particularly like the ‘tonque-in-cheek’ tone, though I did like the Greek Mythology they sometimes played with. Gonna be interesting to see how this one turns out.
source – the hollywood reporter
7 Comments
God bless Sam Raimi!!
Spoiler Alert !!!
I wonder how Sam Raimi is going to handle the 90 pages of torture near the end of the first book.
If this is done well hell no matter what I am going to have to see this.
This sounds cool. I’ve never read Terry Goodkind, but I’m always interested in new fantasy franchises.
This is great news! As a kid I was a massive reader of fantasy books and these were among the best. But there really is a hell of a lot to deal with, loads of darkness and magic that – if done badly – would find it hard even to rely on the kitsch tackiness of Xena or Hercules for popular appeal. I hope the good Mr Raimi hasn’t taken on too much…
Xena and Hercules weren’t tacky at all. At least, not in the beginning anyway. For example, watch the five two hour ‘Hercules and the…’ telemovies that proceeded the Hercules The Legendary Journey series (think of them as a very long pilot) they were very high quality in general, more serious, better flow, etc.
Same here too! I say, it will bring out a fresh new dark fantasy series into the small screen. Although I have never heard of this novel nor the author. So to say, i rather love to read something new. By then it arrives on tv, then I’ll understand what the story it will be about. Thats something we have to watch this space.
this was a great read…every single book!! can hardly wait for the series. Hopefully, those doing it will have the courage and integrity to follow the story lines, and do it right. OH BOY!!!