Given the popularity of HBO’s Game of Thrones, I’m surprised more popular fantasy series haven’t been scooped up already. I suppose budgets of these types of things are a concern, as there have been plenty of fantasy-themed shows in the past, but without strong writing and direction, as well as competent effects, it comes off as super cheesy. With that in mind, it may surprise you to know that author Terry Brooks is the second-highest selling author of the fantasy genre (that is living), right behind J.K. Rowling. I suppose taking his franchise to TV seems like a pretty smart move in that regard.
Initially, Jon Favreau (IRON MAN, CHEF) would be directing the pilot scripted by Al Gough and Miles Millar (Smallville), however that’s all changed as Favreau will now be sticking with an executive producer credit, and Jonathan Liebesman (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, BATTLE LOS ANGELES) will be directing the first pair of episodes. For those of you who are a fan of the series, the starting point will be the second novel, ‘The Elfstones of Shannara’. With 24 other books in the series, they wont be running short of source material anytime soon.
No word on shooting dates yet, but we can expect the 10-episode season to appear, at the very earliest, next year on MTV.