Game of Thrones creators have opted for a shift from fantasy to sci-fi with their new TV show, 3 Body Problem. The decision to replace dragons with aliens reflects a departure from their previous genre, offering a fresh concept for their audience.
The creators of Game of Thrones on switching fantasy for sci-fi for their TV show, 3 Body Problem.
Alexander Woo, co-creator and writer for the vampire TV series True Blood, teamed up to craft a story devoid of dragons.
Following its conclusion in 2019 with a remarkable tally of 59 Emmys and eight seasons, Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, having put aside a planned Star Wars trilogy, opted to adapt a popular Chinese science fiction novel.
Published in 2008 by Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem has garnered a global readership of up to nine million copies and earned the prestigious Hugo award.
The premise revolves around extraterrestrial beings on the brink of invading Earth. Fleeing from a chaotic solar system with three suns interlocked in orbit, hence the title, Three-Body Problem, the novel offers a gripping narrative without giving away its intricacies.
The novel features a scientist and a detective as its central figures attempting to outwit the aliens, yet the creators of the TV show deemed this insufficient.
With Liu’s approval, a quintet of promising Oxford scientists, representing diverse backgrounds, endeavors to outsmart the alien threat. Although technically four scientists, the fifth member, portrayed by John Bradley of Game of Thrones fame, is a wealthy entrepreneur who leverages his scientific expertise to establish a lucrative snacks empire.
Snacks prove indispensable amidst the crisis.
Amidst grappling with challenges within a perilous virtual reality game set amidst three suns, they simultaneously strive to thwart the alien invasion and safeguard Earth.
A world-weary Mancunian detective, portrayed by Benedict Wong of “Dr. Strange” fame, and a senior official, played by Liam Cunningham from “Game of Thrones,” keep a watchful eye on them.
Weiss, creator of “Game of Thrones,” expresses astonishment at the complexity of the book, describing it as “unlike anything we’ve encountered before, certainly beyond anything we’ve considered adapting for the screen.”
Former US President Barack Obama, an admirer of Liu’s novel, described it as “wildly imaginative,” although he ultimately turned down a minor role in the show.
“During our attempt to secure him for a cameo, he penned a humorous note,” Benioff revealed to USA Today.
“The sentiment expressed was along the lines of, ‘If there’s ever a genuine alien invasion, I reckon I should reserve myself for that emergency.’ However, despite their considerable achievements in the fantasy genre, why did Benioff and Weiss decide to depart from it? According to their statements to BBC News, they explained that it was merely a matter of transitioning to new ventures.”
Despite its massive fanbase, not everyone was satisfied with the finale of Game of Thrones. A petition in 2019 garnered 1.8 million signatures, calling for the eighth series to be remade with a different script.
Benioff and Weiss expressed their reluctance to revisit the world of Westeros after dedicating “10 solid years” to crafting 73 episodes within its kingdoms. While acknowledging it as “the greatest experience of our lives,” Weiss emphasized their desire for “a new set of challenges on every level.” Describing “3 Body Problem” as “about as far away as you can get from what we’d just done on Thrones,” Weiss conveyed their readiness for fresh endeavors, albeit with a discerning approach. The challenge lay in the fact that Game of Thrones had established a formidable benchmark for their aspirations.
Weiss expresses astonishment at the opportunity to work every day, grateful for the chance to pursue a career that brings such fulfillment. He emphasizes the importance of selecting a job wisely, as investing years into the wrong choice can lead to boredom. Upon settling on Liu’s book, Weiss, along with his colleague, formed a trio with the addition of Alexander Woo from True Blood. Woo describes the novel as a thrilling challenge to adapt, praising its abundance of ideas, images, and stories, marveling at the author’s ingenuity.
He acknowledges the importance of selecting the correct project, recognizing its all-encompassing nature.
“If you lack excitement for it, it becomes a tedious chore. Engaging in it without passion can be an incredibly dismal way to spend your life,” he remarks.
For the past four and a half years, the trio, along with a team of approximately 1,000 individuals, have dedicated themselves to tackling the complex scientific challenges presented in the 3 Body Problem. Adapting these intricate scientific dilemmas into a television series proved to be no easy feat.
The creators of the show needed a crash course in physics, and they credit two scientific experts for their invaluable assistance. Matthew Kenzie, known for his involvement in the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle, and Bobak Ferdowsi, a flight engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, were pivotal. “Bobak has been present in numerous control rooms during rocket launches,” Weiss elaborates. These two scientists guided them through the basics of physics and remained essential throughout the series.
The show commences during China’s Cultural Revolution in 1966 and spans across various locations including present-day UK, Badajoz in Spain, New York’s United Nations Headquarters, Florida’s Cape Canaveral, and even outer space.
Weiss and Benioff, familiar with the UK from their work on Game of Thrones, found it a perfect opportunity to reconnect with some former cast members, including Bradley, Cunningham, and Sir Jonathan Pryce, whom they affectionately dubbed their “Thrones friends.”
Bradley, known for his portrayal of the fearful yet kind-hearted Samwell Tarly in Thrones, was given the chance to embody a completely different character, much to the delight of Weiss and Benioff.
“Dan [Weiss] and I were sitting in a pub in Belfast when we noticed John engaging in conversation with an American tourist,” Benioff recounted. “He was displaying such wit and sarcasm – a side of him we knew quite well from our time spent together.
“We noticed that John’s true personality differs greatly from Samwell’s character, so we decided to create a role that aligns more closely with who he really is.”
This led to the creation of Jack Rooney, the snack merchant, who delivers some of the show’s most memorable one-liners.
The casting choice for Wade, a tough character spearheading the resistance against the aliens, diverged from the book’s description of “a 40-year-old American resembling Hugh Jackman.” Instead, they opted for Liam Cunningham, renowned for his portrayal of the noble Ser Davos in Game of Thrones.
“I adore Liam, though I doubt anyone would mistake him for Hugh Jackman!” Benioff chuckles.
“Nevertheless, he’s absolutely fantastic, and it’s a completely distinct character.”
They’ve also enlisted Sir Jonathan, known for his portrayal of Thrones’ fervent religious figure, the High Sparrow, to take on the role of billionaire oil magnate Mike Evans.
Benioff praises him as “one of the finest actors alive,” and mentions that they practically pleaded with Benedict Wong, famous for his role in Dr. Strange, to join the cast as the Manchester detective, Da Shi.
The series also features a compelling ensemble of formidable and brilliantly intelligent female characters portrayed by Rosalind Chao, Jess Hong, Zene Tseng, Eiza González, and Marlo Kelly, who play pivotal roles in driving the storyline forward.
It’s evident that Benioff, Weiss, and Woo are thoroughly enjoying the journey. Just as I request they refrain from revealing any spoilers about the final episode, Benioff mischievously interjects with a major plot twist.
“I sincerely hope viewers won’t be too dismayed by the world-shattering events in episode eight and continue tuning in,” he jests.
Their reaction is immediate and infectious laughter ensues—it becomes evident he made the remark solely to gauge my reaction.
I can confirm, however, that his statement was entirely false.
According to a report by AFP by Rebecca Bailey last year, Chinese science fiction has surged into popular culture, with “The Three-Body Problem” already adapted into a 30-episode TV series in China.
Bailey notes that the global success of “The Three-Body” series has been transformative, bringing its grand themes of technological advancement and the future of humanity to widespread attention.
The creators of the TV series are aiming to leverage this popularity by completing the trilogy, titled “Remembrance of Earth’s Past.”
Expressing optimism, one of the creators, Benioff, remarked, “I hope it reaches the same level of success as ‘Thrones.'”
It’s a bold move, for sure, but let’s talk about why we should be excited. By venturing into the realm of extraterrestrial beings, the creators are breaking new ground and offering a fresh take on storytelling. Sure, dragons have been a staple of fantasy, but exploring the unknown and the potential for epic space battles opens up a whole new universe of possibilities.
So, while we bid farewell to the fiery breath of dragons, let’s embrace the allure of the cosmos and look forward to the thrilling adventures that await us in this new interstellar journey. Get ready to launch into a world where the stars hold untold mysteries and the boundaries of imagination are limitless. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new venture from the imaginative minds behind Game of Thrones!
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