A lot of people who have long been fans of the Terry Brooks fantasy book series THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES have been waiting to see what MTV would be doing with their adaptation of the beloved novels. Last night during the VMAs, the cable network gave us all a look, premiering their first look at the new programming hitting their airwaves at the start of 2016.
Taking place thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization (How’s that for post-apocalyptic?). THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES revolves around an Elven princess, a half-human half-elf and a 100% human who must try to stop a demon army from taking over their new world.
Jonathan Liebesman directed the pilot, and the show does have Jon Favreau‘s name attached to it as an executive producer. For what the series will embark on, the series’ second novel will provide much of the material for its kick-off, so, if you want to bone up on THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES before things get started, THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA is your launching point.
I know everyone is skeptical with MTV’s branding here, but surprisingly they have done well for themselves at adapting these series you’d never think would belong on MTV. TEEN WOLF has been renewed for a sixth season. SCREAM is a lot better than people’s worst fears and now this, with MTV getting a bit more fantastical and perhaps doing a solid job in making it happen. Don’t knock it until you try it, because MTV has shown they can exceed expectations, especially when some set the bar incredibly low.
THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES, starring Poppy Drayton, Austin Butler, Ivana Baquero, Manu Bennett and John Rhys-Davies, will premiere in January 2016.