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If you’re having trouble telling if that tingling sensation is coming from your loins or your Witcher medallion, don’t worry–it might be both. Netflix announced on Wednesday that it is developing and producing a new English-language TV drama series based on Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski’s mega-popular The Witcher novels, which inspired the critically acclaimed video game series produced by CD Projekt Red. Nerdist also announced on Wednesday that science editor Kyle Hill and I will not stop high fiving and doing bad Geralt of Rivia impressions until further notice.
Sapkowski’s eight novels and story collections–known collectively as the Witcher Saga–follow the adventures of witchers (duh), monster hunters who develop supernatural abilities at a young age in order to combat all manner of murderous creatures. It is important to note that this series will be based on Sapkowski’s books, rather than the popular video game series, from which he does not receive any profits.
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“I’m thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories, staying true to the source material and the themes that I have spent over thirty years writing,” said Sapkowski in a statement. “I’m excited about our efforts together, as well as the team assembled to shepherd these characters to life.”
Sapkowski will serve as a creative consultant on the series, working alongside The Expanse producers Sean Daniel and Jason Brown, who are executive producing, and Platige Image’s Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko.
The timing of this dark fantasy TV series feels particularly auspicious as Game of Thrones begins to wind down, leaving a gaping hole in the murderous fantasy-loving hearts of millions of TV viewers. Sapkowski’s visceral storytelling seems particularly well suited to the current television landscape, and the meticulous attention to detail that The Expanse gives to sci-fi fills me with confidence about the level of dedication of the creative team behind this show too.
As of yet, we don’t know which of Sapkowski’s stories the TV series will follow. In a joint statement, Daniel and Brown said, “The Witcher stories follow an unconventional family that comes together to fight for truth in a dangerous world. The characters are original, funny, and constantly surprising, and we can’t wait to bring them to life at Netflix, the perfect home for innovative storytelling.”
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That isn’t to say that anyone involved in the video game series won’t be involved in this adaptation. Tomas Baginski, the Polish animator and filmmaker who directed the intro video for all three Witcher games and the Cyberpunk 2077 teaser, will direct at least one episode each season.
I only have one question for the producers: will there be a giant stuffed unicorn sex scene? Please say yes.
In order to prepare for this eventual TV series, I will be busying myself by reading Sapkowski’s novels and replaying The Witcher 3 on “Death March” for the umpteenth time.
What do you think of The Witcher coming to Netflix? Who should play Geralt? Let us know in the comments below.
As a fan of the books as well as the games, I am pretty pumped about this. This could be a Game of Thrones quality show if they give the background conflicts a little more screen time.
I have played the games and absolutely loved them, would be interested in reading books, which would you recommend, and in what order? (if I may be so bold to ask here)
Alpharius wrote: Hard to see how this series would have the effects budget to 'do this right' though.
Doesn't Netflix have approximately all the money though? They could throw GoT money at this if they wanted.
I have only played the 2nd and 3rd games. Does the book series not revolve around Geralt?
If Geralt is in the series (hard to imagine he wouldn't get in) I wonder who could do it.
We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
Alpharius wrote: Hard to see how this series would have the effects budget to 'do this right' though.
Doesn't Netflix have approximately all the money though? They could throw GoT money at this if they wanted.
I have only played the 2nd and 3rd games. Does the book series not revolve around Geralt?
If Geralt is in the series (hard to imagine he wouldn't get in) I wonder who could do it.
The book series follows Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. As well as the usual rabble that Geralt hangs out with from the games.
torblind wrote: I have played the games and absolutely loved them, would be interested in reading books, which would you recommend, and in what order? (if I may be so bold to ask here)
Sword of Destiny (Anthology)
The Last Wish (Anthology)
Blood of Elves (Novel)
Time of Contempt (Novel)
Baptism by Fire (Novel)
The Tower of Swallows (Novel)
Lady of the Lake (Novel)
A new book just came out so I am not sure where it fits in the storyline.
Alpharius wrote: You've watched Netflix's Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist already, maybe?
Netflix has a lot of money - sure?
Doesn't necessarily mean they'll be spending it on big budget TV shows!
Yeah, Netflix has a crap ton of money. Marvel gave them a blank check. They aren't really sure what to do with it. Seems fair. I wouldn't be sure what to do with it. You can sort of see it in the comics, if you read them. Granted, it doesn't make them better.
Ive never played any of the games and only know about the books because my brother is just crazy for the Witcher and I know a bit about the background because of his obsession. Sooo Im totally on board with this, I love fantasy and Netflix has made some really quality movies and shows over the years. Im confident they can pull this off
Doesn't necessarily mean they'll be spending it on big budget TV shows!
Big budget TV shows about a book that has a wildly popular big budget video game based on it.
They would be silly not to.
If they don't fund it properly I bet it will be regarded as a gak GoT knockoff.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/05/17 20:34:10
We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
torblind wrote: I have played the games and absolutely loved them, would be interested in reading books, which would you recommend, and in what order? (if I may be so bold to ask here)
Sword of Destiny (Anthology)
The Last Wish (Anthology)
Blood of Elves (Novel)
Time of Contempt (Novel)
Baptism by Fire (Novel)
The Tower of Swallows (Novel)
Lady of the Lake (Novel)
A new book just came out so I am not sure where it fits in the storyline.
Alpharius wrote:You've watched Netflix's Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist already, maybe?
I have not. Are any of those worth watching? Iron Fist has a thread in here that is less than glowing.
Yes, I would suggest Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Luke Cage and Iron Fist failed to catch my eye. However, DD and JJ were both excellent.
feeder wrote:
Dreadwinter wrote:
The book series follows Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. As well as the usual rabble that Geralt hangs out with from the games.
Oh ok, so all the characters we know from the games then.
Casting wishlist time? Cary Elwes as Danelion, or is he too old now?
Probably for stories based on the book, though he is much older than he looks in the game. In the game he would be between 40 and 50, but he looks about 19-20. In the books he would be between 30-40ish.
Alpharius wrote:You've watched Netflix's Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist already, maybe?
I have not. Are any of those worth watching? Iron Fist has a thread in here that is less than glowing.
Yes, I would suggest Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Luke Cage and Iron Fist failed to catch my eye. However, DD and JJ were both excellent.
.
Totally agree. I think DD amd JJ are very close in how good they are though JJ is very dark and DD is more on the punchy punchy side. Luke Cage I feel like it missed its mark, it could of been good but they went the wro direction. Iron Fist......well I havnt even finished it, I even gave it a good 4 or 5 episodes but I just....ehh...dont care lol