The Witcher TV Series Is In the Works at Netflix

[ffronw]

The Witcher TV Series Is In the Works at Netflix

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1406/1406453.jpgYou'll soon be able to watch a TV series based on The Witcher on Amazon.

Amazon has started production on a new series based on The Witcher novels. While the series will have nothing to do with CD Projekt Red, the author of The Witcher novels, Andrzej Sapkowski, will be a creative consultant for the series.

The news comes from a press release [http://www.platige.com/en/page/839-The_Witcher_Saga_On_Netflix], which quotes Sapkowski as saying, "I'm thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories, staying true to the source material and themes that I have spent over 30 years writing. I'm excited about our efforts together as well as the team assembled to shepherd these characters to life."

Back in 2015, we heard that a Witcher movie was in the works, but it turns out that it's an Amazon series after all. Erik Barmack, Netflix Vice President, international series, said of the new series, "Andrzej Sapkowski has created a rich and memorable world, at once magical and familiar. We couldn't be more excited about bringing Netflix members around the world."

There's no word on when the series might launch, but we'll definitely watch it once it comes to Netflix.

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[Bilious Green_v1legacy]

Awesome. This sounds like a much better option than the movie that was rumoured to be happening. Given the success of GoT and the obvious market for this kind of dark/low fantasy, the Witcher is a logical choice, since it already has an audience thanks to the books and games and plenty of source material to draw on. Fingers crossed it turns into something good.

 

[pookie101]

thats all well and nice but will it start with bathtub geralt and have unicorn sex?

 

[devilmore]

You really need to decide on Amazon or Netflix here, you seem to have fixed the title (which is still wrong in RSS feeds) but the Text still says both Amazion and Netflix. (Or Sapkowski is very confused)

 

[TheScorpion]

Could be interesting if they adapt the books directly instead of the games.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Hopefully it will follow the books rather than trying to do its own thing. We have the games for that. And I think that it is going to follow the books for one simple and rather obvious reason. Netflix wouldn't have done this if Game of Thrones wasn't so popular. Netflix wants their own GoT. They think The Witcher will give that to them. And I for one hope that they are 100% correct on that count.

 

[Wintermute_v1legacy]

Hopefully it will follow the books rather than trying to do its own thing. We have the games for that. And I think that it is going to follow the books for one simple and rather obvious reason. Netflix wouldn't have done this if Game of Thrones wasn't so popular. Netflix wants their own GoT. They think The Witcher will give that to them. And I for one hope that they are 100% correct on that count.

I thought Marco Polo was their Game of Thrones and that was cancelled because it was too expensive or something.

Anyway, I'm stupid and I don't know how they make money with the amount of shows and movies they keep making.

 

[kurupt87]

Anyway, I'm stupid and I don't know how they make money with the amount of shows and movies they keep making.

Guess that shows how much of a cut the cable TV suppliers take?

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Make one of the best games of all time, with compelling characters, deep, single-player narrative, mature themes and good storytelling, suddenly everyone's like "Ooh, we'll make a show about that." Pffffh, I liked The Witcher when he was an amnesiac weirdo with two swords (because one is evidently not enough).

TBH, I'm quite keen on the WoT adaptation they've announced is in the works.

 

[Shadefyre]

I guess people are forgetting that this would be the second time The Witcher has been adapted for television.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

This can be a good thing. I hope they do it well and dont ruin the books too much like *hissing sounds* GoT...

Make one of the best games of all time, with compelling characters, deep, single-player narrative, mature themes and good storytelling, suddenly everyone's like "Ooh, we'll make a show about that." Pffffh, I liked The Witcher when he was an amnesiac weirdo with two swords (because one is evidently not enough).

TBH, I'm quite keen on the WoT adaptation they've announced is in the works.

They are adapting the books, not the games.

That was clear from the OP, but we can all be well assured that it was the game's success that unquestionably spurred this news. Most English speakers would never have heard of the Witcher but for the games, and the crazy success of the third title is what cemented the characters, world and ideas into pop culture and the fantasy genre. Without TW3, this article would never have been written. The books are great, and spawned a polish show/movie over a decade go, but this is another thing entirely.

 

[Zydrate]

I couldn't seem to get into the games like most of the industry did. Some claimed it dethroned Skyrim but I didn't feel as free in Witcher 3 as I do in Skyrim.

That said, I like the world and would love to watch the series.

 

[kasperbbs]

Just when i canceled my Netflix subscription they announce a standalone BLAME! movie and now this.. I might have to renew it eventually, unless it's for Amazon, this article is quite confusing.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Hopefully it will follow the books rather than trying to do its own thing.

The author hates the games, and if he is in a position of authority, I would bet he will do all he can to make the series something other than what the games are. Most likely including taking cheap shots at the games. I don't want this series to be a soapbox for his negativity.

 

[Remus]

OPENING SHOT: wrist resting on the edge of a bathtub as the camera pans up to a shapely ass and hair black as night. Cue title The Witcher. That would show GRRM. The Witcher puts its asses right up front in the title sequence!
Will the series be based around the adventures of Geralt, with side adventures featuring Dandelion? No, that'd be too cheesy. Dandelion's stories usually play out like something from Xena only slightly more pornographic and a bit ridiculous. I do look forward to seeing a serious fantasy series that keeps all the fantasy elements up front and a part of the main plot from the start, though this is a hard line to balance. The titular GoT eased the fantasy in as the show progressed, which now, 7 seasons in, could lead to an epic battle between ice zombies and fire breathing dragons.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Hopefully it will follow the books rather than trying to do its own thing.

The author hates the games, and if he is in a position of authority, I would bet he will do all he can to make the series something other than what the games are. Most likely including taking cheap shots at the games. I don't want this series to be a soapbox for his negativity.

That's a bit overblown. He's not a bad guy. He was just a bit salty for a time that he sold the rights to CDPR at a set price instead of taking a percentage cut. I saw an interview that he did at some fantasy book convention or something like that. He doesn't hate the games he's just too old to really appreciate them. But he had positive things to say about the games regardless.

 

[TallestGargoyle]

Seriously, is this Netflix or Amazon? It seems like a pretty important detail, since they are two entirely separate streaming entities.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

he's just too old to really appreciate them

That made me laugh.