Following their celebrated tenure on the fantasy series Game of Thrones, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have returned to the television arena. Together with Alexander Woo, eminent for his work on True Blood, they are venturing into the realm of hardcore science fiction with their latest project. The trio is tasked with adapting “Three Body Problem,” the internationally acclaimed novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin. The science-fiction series, simply titled “3 Body Problem,” is poised to make its debut on Netflix, heralding a thrilling exploration of cosmic secrets and the perils of unsettling the fabric of reality.
Netflix’s brief yet enigmatic synopsis leaves much to the imagination: “A young woman’s momentous choice in the China of the 1960s sets off ripples through space-time, touching down in the modern-day. Amidst unexplained shifts in nature’s laws, a cadre of exceptional scientists and an offbeat detective forge an alliance to confront what may be the gravest threat humanity has ever faced.”
This week, the launch of “3 Body Problem” is primed to ignite the screen, boasting a star-studded ensemble featuring Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Benedict Wong, and Jonathan Pryce, among others. In anticipation, Benioff, Weiss, and Woo joined a Zoom call to unveil the complexities involved in transforming Liu’s extensive narrative into an episodic adventure.
During the interview, Woo elaborated on the intrinsic challenges of adapting a literary work for television, notably the disparity in narrative rhythm and structure. He detailed the iterative process that spanned during the pandemic lockdown and underscored the team’s commitment to daily virtual collaboration in order to bridge the billion-year span of the story – a novel endeavor for television storytelling.
Benioff described the collaborative dynamics between the co-creators, emphasizing the misconception of defined roles. Instead, he portrayed a fluid division of labor, sharing anecdotes from their Game of Thrones days when they would, on rare occasions, engage in passionate debates about who would pen the climactic moments of an episode.
Weiss recounted the innovative efforts to transcend the conventional bounds of television production, such as authentically depicting a virtual world governed by three suns. Emphasis was placed on crafting a heightened yet plausible alternate history that could elicit the irresistibility experienced in a video game, a critical aspect of the show differentiating it from the source material.
Throughout the discussion, the creators acknowledged their reliance on experts to imbue the series with scientific veracity. David Benioff highlighted their consultation with luminaries such as Matt Kenzie, formerly of CERN, and NASA’s Bobak Ferdowsi, dubbed the “Mohawk Guy” by former President Obama. These consultants played pivotal roles in ensuring the credibility of the show’s portrayal of particle physics and rocketry, both central to the plotline.
Ultimately, Benioff touched upon his initial apathy towards hard science fiction, crediting Liu Cixin’s work for igniting his passion for the genre through its profound exploration of humanity’s place in an indifferent cosmos. This human story, Benioff asserts, is what truly captivated the team and inspired their adaptation.
“3 Body Problem,” a narrative spectacle spun across decades and galaxies, is set to redefine expectations and captivate audiences with its March 21 premiere on Netflix. The creators’ journey to bring Liu Cixin’s vision to the screen epitomizes their fervor for storytelling and commitment to surmounting the expansive challenges inherent in such a grandiose endeavor. English viewers are in for a televisual odyssey that aims to both enthrall and provoke profound reflection on our relationship with the unfathomable universe.
