Sci-fi classic Brave New World is one of those stories that Hollywood will keep trying to nail for years to come, and today brings word that the latest swing at Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel will come courtesy of Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, which is adapting the book into a series for Syfy.
Huxley’s book centers on a world that has achieved what many believe to be utopia, without poverty, war or disease. Human reproduction is a thing of the past, with people being genetically engineered in “hatcheries.” Mind-altering drugs, sex and consumerist practices are the numerous numbing agents provided to the population so that they never question the larger issues of a society that requires conformity, until one defiant individual challenges the entire system.
Leslie “Les” Bohem, the screenwriter behind Syfy’s 2002 miniseries Taken, will pen the script. His involvement suggests that Amblin TV and Syfy see Brave New World as a potential awards candidate – Bohem’s Taken won the 2003 Emmy for best miniseries and was nominated in six other categories.
Amblin TV co-presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, both of whom were also affiliated with Taken as producers, will executive produce alongside Bohem. Syfy prexy Dave Howe released an official statement:
“Brave New World is one of the most influential genre classics of all time. Its provocative vision of a future gone awry remains as powerful and as timeless as ever. Promising to be a monumental television event, Brave New World is precisely the groundbreaking programming that is becoming the hallmark of Syfy.”
Brave New World joins a rapidly expanding lineup of ambitious originals for Syfy. Just yesterday, the network ordered a first season for The Magicians, based on Lev Grossman’s bestselling novel. Furthermore, waiting in the wings are two big series – The Expanse and Childhood’s End – as well as the second season of 12 Monkeys and new season sof Defiance, Haven and Z Nation.
Given the reputation of Huxley’s classic novel, there’s absolutely no doubt that an adaptation will make its way to series – and with Bohem adapting, there’s reason to expect great things from Syfy’s latest foray into dramatic programming.
