Terry Brooks Shannara Coming To TV

[Project862006]

Terry Brooks Shannara Coming To TV

Sonar Entertainment has acquired the rights to author Terry Brooks' bestselling fantasy series "Shannara" and is partnering with Farah Films to produce a television series based on the books.
Farah Films principal Dan Farah and Sonar Entertainment CEO Stewart Till will exec produce with Brooks. Producers plan to recruit a showrunner and director before they shop the project to network buyers.

Set hundreds of years after the destruction of our civilization, series follows the Shannara family, who are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. The plan is to base the show's first season on "The Elfstones of Shannara," the second book in the series.

The 20th bestselling book in the 25-year-old series has just premiered at No. 2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Two more books in the series are set to be published in 2013.

"Partnering with Sonar Entertainment and Farah Films on adapting the 'Shannara' saga for television is an exciting prospect," said Brooks, who is repped by Anne Sibbald of Janklow and Nesbit Associates. "Everything about both companies suggests the result will be one that both old and new fans of the books will readily embrace. I am committed to doing everything I can to help make this happen."

"Terry has created a rich world of characters and stories that have entertained millions of readers all around the world for a quarter of a century," Farah said. "He has a built-in fanbase that is bigger than those for even the most recent hit book series, like 'The Hunger Games.' We're very excited and proud to have the opportunity to partner with Terry in adapting his great work for the smallscreen."

"Terry Brooks appeals to a huge and diverse cross-section of audiences throughout the world," Till added. "There is an enormous desire to see 'Shannara' brought to life for television. We know this is going to be a terrific series that will both delight longtime fans and attract legions of new devotees."

As a producer, Farah is currently developing a remake of "The Crow" at Relativity and an adaptation of Ernie Cline's bestselling novel "Ready Player One" at Warner Bros., as well as an upcoming stage musical based on the Castle Rock comedy "Honeymoon in Vegas." He's also developing a sitcom for Tony Danza, "The Guys," for ABC and ABC Studios.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118059039

 

[DaveMoral]

I guess Warner Bros sat on their option far too long.

I'm interested if they can find a network and give it the love it deserves ala Game of Thrones instead of Legend of the Seeker.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I'm excited!

But then i'm relentlessly naive and optimistic

 

[Siby]

Wow, what great news. Funny thing is I was just talking to my wife last night about how they have never made any Shannara movies or tv show.

I wonder why they are going to start with Elfstones.

 

[DaveMoral]

Because sword is an abbreviated LOTR.

 

[ChickenScratch]

This could be cool. But I also thought Legend Of The Seeker was going to be cool but they got so far away from the novels that it lost meaning ... and a lot of time it didnt look too nice.

I hope this works out well. Now I gotta go find my copy of the first book. The second one got stolen so I gotta rebuy that one.

 

[DaveMoral]

Get the Omnibus edition.

 

[:eek:]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12...nnara-for-mtv?abthid=52a2464e00ab3b952e00002b

 

[ThePhantasm]

Meh, LOTR rip-off.

 

[regnak]

Meh, LOTR rip-off.

Sword yes, which is why they aren't using it but Elf stones instead.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I suspect this project was shopped around as "Game of Thrones meets The OC" which might be how it plays out on screen. The involvement of MTV might further bolster my assumption, sadly.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Sword yes, which is why they aren't using it but Elf stones instead.

Isn't it set in like a post-apocalyptic world that just happens to resemble medieval times or something like that? Doesn't sound much like LOTOR to me from what I've read about it, except for the first book.

 

[Siby]

Isn't it set in like a post-apocalyptic world that just happens to resemble medieval times or something like that? Doesn't sound much like LOTOR to me from what I've read about it, except for the first book.

It is set in a post-apocalyptic world. Just because it has fantasy races, adventure, magic, and a medieval feel they equate it to LOTR. What is great about this world is that magic isn't at all like in lord of the rings. Magic in this world is more science and technology (with a few exceptions) that has survived over the ages. Take for instance the Elfstones. Most people just don't recognize it as such so it becomes magic.

 

[Quasar]

I liked Elfstones on first read when I was younger, but didn't enjoy it on re-read, and didn't care for the next 3 books at all (which I'd unfortunately already bought). But then I didn't enjoy Wizards First Rule either, and I actually enjoyed The Legend of the Seeker show. So I might give this one a shot (though I don't even know which channel number on my cable is MTV).

But if they want to make it true to the books, every episode needs to end with characters "swiftly disappearing into the night."

 

[Infinity9999x]

Isn't it set in like a post-apocalyptic world that just happens to resemble medieval times or something like that? Doesn't sound much like LOTOR to me from what I've read about it, except for the first book.

Really, only the first book is a hardcore LOTR rip-off. I love the Shannara series, but it really is. The only thing that sets the first book apart is the Sword itself. What the sword does is actually a really, really, really cool idea, one of my favorite ideas in the series.

After the first book though, the Shannara world quickly changes into it's own beast, very different from LOTR.

 

[Infinity9999x]

It is set in a post-apocalyptic world. Just because it has fantasy races, adventure, magic, and a medieval feel they equate it to LOTR. What is great about this world is that magic isn't at all like in lord of the rings. Magic in this world is more science and technology (with a few exceptions) that has survived over the ages. Take for instance the Elfstones. Most people just don't recognize it as such so it becomes magic.

That's not really right at all. There are lots of resurgences of old world advanced technology here and there, but the Elfstones are actually magic. They were created in the times of Faerie, and are in no way "technology" at all.

 

[Specter313]

MTV is moving forward with its ambitious high fantasy show. In a quest to find its own Game of Thrones, the cable network has greenlit to series Shannara, based on a series of popular novels by Terry Brooks. Ten episode have been ordered.

The story is set in our world, but thousands of years after the destruction of civilization. The tale is centered on the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world.

The Shannara saga was launched in 1977 with The Sword of Shannara. With about 25 books in the saga, it’s estimated to be the most popular fantasy book series in the world that hasn’t yet been adapted for film or television (Warner Bros. previously got the rights to develop a film based on the books in 2007). Producers plan to base the show’s first season on The Elfstones of Shannara, the second novel in Brooks’ series, a title the network describes as “a fan favorite which spent 16 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list and is accredited with cementing the series place in the fantasy world.”

Yet behind the scenes, there’s a change in the project from its previous announcement when it was merely in development last year. Jon Favreau (Iron Man) was originally set to direct and executive produce the series. While Favreau will retain an executive producer credit, MTV says Favreau has a scheduling conflict, and now Jonathan Liebesman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) will direct the first two epiosdes and executive produce the series. Previously announced writer-producers Al Gough and Miles Millar (Smallville) will remain on board. Terry Brooks and Dan Farah will also executive produce.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/11/mtv-shannara-fantasy-series/

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Really looking forward to this. Love the Shannara world... though my big dream is to see the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara adapted, which I doubt they will get around to if they are starting with Elfstones.

Still awesome tho

 

[smashmode]

Really looking forward to this, skeptical about MTV tho.

 

[Siby]

I hope this series does as well as Teen Wolf. Teen Wolf was a corny but lovable movie but the show is a beast unto its own. They have created a rich mythos full of great legends and creatures.

 

[Evan Drew]

These are the stories I have been waiting for since they were first printed. I hope MTV does it justice. Having Brooks as an Exec on the show should help greatly.

Now who should they cast? The Terry Brooks website just shut down due to low participation, so I am hoping to find some interest here.

 

[Sawyer]

http://deadline.com/2014/11/poppy-drayton-cast-shannara-mtv-1201283700/

Poppy Drayton To Star In MTV ‘Shannara’ Series Based On Terry Brooks’ Books
by Nellie Andreeva

Poppy Drayton (When Calls the Heart) has landed the lead in Shannara, MTV’s 10-episode straight-to-series drama based on Terry Brooks’ massive fantasy book series. Written by Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar, Shannara is set in our world, thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization. The story centers on the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. The first season is based on The Elfstones Of Shannara, the second title in the series.

Drayton will play Amberle – an Elven Princess. Agile, fit and capable, she has become the first female to be accepted as one of the Chosen, the special group of Elves responsible for the protection and care of the ancient Ellcrys tree. But unlike the rest of the Chosen, Amberle’s dangerous and heroic journey is just beginning.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles‘ Jonathan Liebesman is set to direct the first two episodes of the series, executive produced by Gough &Millar, Brooks, Dan Farah and Jon Favreau. Sonar Entertainment is producing with MTV and distributing worldwide. Drayton is repped by Gersh.

 

[Specter313]

Austin Butler is going from playing a 1980s heartthrob to portraying an elf.

The Carrie Diaries alum has booked the high-profile male lead in MTV's adaptation of Terry Brooks' best-selling series Shannara, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Shannara explores a world set thousands of years after the destruction of civilization as we know it. The 10-episode drama explores the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures reshape the future of the world. The first season is based on The Elfstones of Shannara, the second title in Brooks' series.

Butler will star as Wil Ohmsford, who is half human and half elf . Self-conscious, he has spent his life trying to hide his pointed ears. Kind, thoughtful, and likable, he has an appealing self-deprecating manner, but his easygoing life is about to be turned upside down when he learns that he is the last of the legendary Shannara family. Charged with finding the Druid who will guide him to his destiny, Wil realizes his dangerous journey is just beginning. When Calls the Heart's Poppy Drayton stars as Amberle, the elfin princess.

The Shannara series began in 1977 with The Sword of Shannara and encompasses multiple trilogies and a prequel, totaling more than 25 books. Shannara takes place thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization.

The Shannara books are estimated to be the highest-selling un-adapted fantasy book series in the world. Brooks is considered to be the second-highest-selling living fantasy author, trailing only Harry Potter mastermind J.K. Rowling. MTV's hope is that Shannara will do for it what Game of Thrones has done for HBO and Outlander for Starz.

Miles Millar and his Smallville cohort Al Gough will serve as showrunners and executive produce alongside Jon Favreau, Jonathan Liebesman, Brooks, Dan Farah and David Blocker. Liebesman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) will direct the first two episodes of the series, which also hails from Gene Stein and Sonar Entertainment.

Butler, who most recently has been recurring on The CW's Arrow as Thea's love interest, is repped by WME and Anonymous Content. He starred for two seasons as a young Carrie Bradshaw's love interest on The CW's Sex and the City prequel The Carrie Diaries, with credits also including Life Unexpected and Switched at Birth. He next stars opposite Johnny Depp in Kevin Smith's Yoga Hosers and recently appeared in the Geffen Playhouse's Death of the Author.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/carrie-diaries-favorite-star-mtvs-754589

 

[Sawyer]

His character on Arrow already annoys me, but him playing a half human, half elf visually works.

 

[cronosred]

Preview

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=crjkQHnDYu0