The ambitious new sci-fi adaptation series of Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem trilogy, led by True Blood’s Alexander Woo and Game of Thrones writers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.
Netflix has agreed to produce an English-language adaptation of the books in September 2020 in collaboration with The Three-Body Universe and Yoozoo Group. The sci-fi drama will be produced by the Game of Thrones duo’s Bighead Littlehead production company as part of their overall deal with Netflix.
Rian Johnson, who directed Knives Out and Star Wars, as well as the actors Brad Pitt and Rosamund Pike, are also involved in the sci-fi movie as executive producers. Rian Johnson’s involvement as a director is still unknown. Johnson has experience in the television industry, having directed the renowned “Ozymandias” episode of Breaking Bad several years ago.
What is The Three-Body Problem’s plot?
The three books in Liu Cixin’s trilogy, written in Chinese, recount the tale of the first encounter between humans and extraterrestrial life from the planet Trisolaris and the ensuing struggle between the two species that develops over a protracted period of time.
The Netflix series is anticipated to begin with Remembrance of Earth’s Past, the first book in the trilogy, which takes place in China during the Cultural Revolution and features scientists who commit suicide after becoming involved with the enigmatic society Frontiers of Science.
Without giving too much away, Ye Wenjie, one of the main characters, is a scientist who, after becoming disillusioned with the government and humanity in general, willingly prompts the Trisolarians to locate Earth and begin preparing for invasion. Humans still have time because it would take them several centuries to reach Earth.
Ye is now in charge of a covert group of people who support an alien invasion years later. Two factions have emerged among the group: those who want the Trisolarians to invade and forcibly advance humanity and those who want the Trisolarians to eradicate it. Over the years, inexplicable cases of killings, suicides, and disappearances of important scientists have been brought on by the aliens’ different forms of espionage. The fight intensifies and gets closer as the year goes on.
Who plays the characters in The Three-Body Problem?
Netflix announced 12 primary cast members for the series on October 29, 2021. They are as follows:
Jovan Adepo (Watchmen)
John Bradley (Game of Thrones)
Tsai Chin (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)
Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones)
Elza González (Baby Driver)
Jess Hong (Inked)
Marlo Kelly (Dare Me)
Alex Sharp (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)
Sea Shimooka (Arrow)
Zine Tseng
Saamer Usmani (Succession)
Benedict Wong (Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
What is the current status of The Three-Body Problem’s production?
The Three-Body Problem is currently scheduled to begin production in the United Kingdom and China in November 2021. According to Production Weekly issue 1265, filming will continue until August 2022.
Pandaily reports that the series’ production will last a total of 12 months, despite the fact that it was supposed to begin in September 2022.
Derek Tsang, best known for his work on Better Days and his solo directorial debut on 2016’s Soul Mate, was the first director attached to the project. He directed the pilot episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Minkie Spiro is also expected to direct at least three episodes of the show. Spiro is best known for her work on Netflix’s Pieces of Her, where she directed and executive produced all eight episodes. She’s also directed episodes of Fosse/Verdon, Dead to Me on Netflix, and Barry on HBO.
When will Netflix release Three-Body Problem?
We don’t have an official release date for Three-Body Problem, but since the first season is set to wrap in August 2022, it won’t be available on Netflix until at least 2023.