Apple Working on TV Show Adapted From Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation' Novels

asimovfoundationApple has inked a deal for a TV series adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation science fiction novels, reports Deadline. The series, created by Skydance Television, is in development for straight-to-series consideration.

Skydance last June scored the rights to Asimov's estate, and since then, David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman, who will serve as executive producers and showrunners, have been working on developing a TV show based on the Foundation books. Goyer has previously worked on "The Dark Knight," "Batman Begins," Ghost Rider," and more, while Friedman is known for "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Emerald City."

Foundation is Isaac Asimov's most popular and well-known science fiction series, which includes titular novel Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation, along with additional books Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth.

The series follows psychohistory expert and mathematician Hari Seldon who is able to predict the future. Seldon creates a group called the Foundation to preserve humanity's collective knowledge ahead of the impending fall of the Galactic Empire. The novels span many years and cover the rise and fall of multiple empires, so it isn't a simple undertaking to adapt it into a TV show.

Along with the Foundation-based TV show, Apple is working on several other science fiction shows, including a reboot of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories," an untitled space drama developed by Ronald D. Moore, best known for the 2004 reboot of "Battlestar Galactica," and an epic world-building drama called "See," which is set in the future.

Apple has more than a dozen TV shows in development in total, and rumors have suggested we could see the first of these debut starting in 2019. For a full list of what Apple's working on, make sure to check out the original content section of our Apple TV roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

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Top Rated Comments

jordii Avatar
91 months ago
So far, none of the TV shows that have been rumored, do I have any interest in. SIGH
Shows are just shows, but what's really interesting are your personal preferences!

Me? I like giraffes.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neilw Avatar
91 months ago
Now you've got my interest. Seems like a difficult series to adapt, and I'll be curious to see how they handle the tie-ins to his other series (particularly the Robots of Dawn and Robots and Empire books).
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
asopublic Avatar
91 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/10/apple-tv-show-asimov-foundation/')



Apple has inked a deal for a TV series adaption of Isaac Asimov's Foundation ('http://deadline.com/2018/04/apple-isaac-asimov-foundation-tv-series-david-goyer-josh-friedman-skydance-1202361072/') science fiction novels, reports Deadline ('http://deadline.com/2018/04/apple-isaac-asimov-foundation-tv-series-david-goyer-josh-friedman-skydance-1202361072/'). The series, created by Skydance television, is in development for straight-to-series consideration.

Skydance last June scored the rights to Asimov's estate, and since then, David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman, who will serve as executive producers and showrunners, have been working on developing a TV show based on the Foundation books. Goyer has previously worked on "The Dark Knight," "Batman Begins," Ghost Rider," and more, while Friedman is known for "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Emerald City."

Foundation is Isaac Asimov's most popular and well-known science fiction series, which includes titular novel Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation, along with additional books Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth.

The series follows psychohistory expert and mathematician Hari Seldon who is able to predict the future. Seldon creates a group called the Foundation to preserve humanity's collective knowledge ahead of the impending fall of the Galactic Empire. The novels span many years and cover the rise and fall of multiple empires, so it isn't a simple undertaking to adapt it into a TV show.

Along with the Foundation-based TV show, Apple is working on several other science fiction shows, including a reboot of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/10/apple-steven-spielberg-amazing-stories/')," an untitled space drama developed by Donald D. Moore ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/15/apple-space-drama-tv-show/'), best known for the 2004 reboot of "Battlestar Galactica," and an epic world-building drama ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/10/apple-see-drama-series/') called "See," which is set in the future.

Apple has more than a dozen TV shows in development in total, and rumors have suggested we could see the first of these debut starting in 2019. For a full list of what Apple's working on, make sure to check out the original content section of our Apple TV roundup ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-tv/#apples_content_ambitions').

Article Link: Apple Working on TV Show Adapted From Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation' Novels ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/10/apple-tv-show-asimov-foundation/')
[doublepost=1523377833][/doublepost]I can't wait!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SteveJay10 Avatar
91 months ago
So far, none of the TV shows that have been rumored, do I have any interest in. SIGH
Foundation series is fantastic group of books. Much promise there.
[doublepost=1523379256][/doublepost]
Horrible news. I have been waiting for someone to adapt this book series to TV, but having it appear on Apple TV with its Disneyfication of entertainment content, it will prove disappointing.

I agree that sex and violence and swearing need not always proliferate on these kinds of entertainment services, but Apple drawing the line and declaring they will provide ONLY "wholesome" programming will leave this entire franchise crippled for creative direction. There is a healthy balance between forcing cloyingly sweet "family" focused entertainment vs something an adult can dig into and actually enjoy once the kids go to bed.

The only thing worse then hearing Apple will pick up this franchise would be to find out ABC Freeform was going to distribute it. I don't care of the pedigree behind the showrunners of this franchise, Apple will force their hands creatively to suit Apple and so it will suck, period.
The Foundation series is totally PG. virtually no sex and little in any of the books. So it’s perfect for Apple.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisCW11 Avatar
91 months ago
Horrible news. I have been waiting for someone to adapt this book series to TV, but having it appear on Apple TV with its Disneyfication of entertainment content, it will prove disappointing.

I agree that sex and violence and swearing need not always proliferate on these kinds of entertainment services, but Apple drawing the line and declaring they will provide ONLY "wholesome" programming will leave this entire franchise crippled for creative direction. There is a healthy balance between forcing cloyingly sweet "family" focused entertainment vs something an adult can dig into and actually enjoy once the kids go to bed.

The only thing worse then hearing Apple will pick up this franchise would be to find out ABC Freeform was going to distribute it. I don't care of the pedigree behind the showrunners of this franchise, Apple will force their hands creatively to suit Apple and so it will suck, period.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0958400 Avatar
91 months ago
Oh Apple, focus.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)