‘Foundation’ Showrunner Wants New Apple TV Series to Last as Long as ‘Game of Thrones’
Apple TV+’s new series Foundation has some similarities to Game of Thrones. Both series were based on a series of novels by renowned authors. George R.R. Martin still hasn’t finished his books, but Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy is a seminal work of science-fiction. David S. Goyer adapted Asimov’s books for Apple TV+, and he sees as much material in it as Game of Thrones got.
The plot of ‘Foundation’ is as dense as ‘Game of Thrones’
Apple describes Foundation as follows:
“When revolutionary Dr. Hari Seldon predicts the impending fall of the Empire, he and a band of loyal followers venture to the far reaches of the galaxy to establish The Foundation in an attempt to rebuild and preserve the future of civilization. Enraged by Hari’s claims, the ruling Cleons – a long line of emperor clones – fear their grasp on the galaxy may be weakening as they’re forced to reckon with the potential reality of losing their legacy forever.”
In a recent interview with the BBC, Goyer described Seldon’s “1,000 year chess game” with the Empire further. 1,000 years certainly suggests more than one season of television.
“All of the other characters are being utilized as pawns by one side or the other,” Goyer told BBC. “But in chess, if a pawn makes it to the opposing side, it becomes a queen, and those shifting power dynamics can happen in our story.”
David S. Goyer pitched as many seasons as ‘Game of Thrones’
Game of Thrones lasted eight seasons, and concluded before Martin finished his books. With the material in Asimov, Goyer already sees Foundation going as long if Apple lets him.
“I did pitch eight seasons to Apple,” Goyer said. “I know the end point, I know what we’re writing towards, I know the fate of all of the characters. In season one there are some story threads that we are laying that will hopefully be answered in future seasons. I’m in it for the long haul. I hope we get there.”
Goyer has had many series that did not get the chance to run multiple seasons. His first series Sleepwalkers, FreakyLinks and Threshold each only lasted one season. On the set of Threshold, Goyer told reporters a bold plan to change the name of the series each season. He never go the chance.
Flashforward was a compelling mystery about a group of people who see the future. However, with only one season, they did not get a chance to solve the mystery of their visions. Constantine only lasted one season on NBC, but at least Matt Ryan got to reprise the role in the Arrowverse. The TV spinoff of Goyer’s Blade movies only lasted one season, too.
Krypton was also a Game of Thrones-y take on the planet Superman came from. The Kryptonian palace intrigue only lasted two seasons. Goyer’s longest running series so far was Da Vinci’s Demons. The Starz drama followed inventor Leonardo Da Vinci and his possible exploits. Goyer did get to give the series a conclusion after three seasons.
‘Foundation’ is David S. Goyer’s dream
Goyer has extensive science-fiction credentials. He wrote the films Dark City, Jumper, Terminator: Dark Fate and the adaptation of Robert Heinlein’s The Puppet Masters. Early in his career he wrote Demonic Toys and Arcade. His feature film claim to fame is comic book movies. In addition to Blade, he wrote The Dark Knight trilogy with Jonah Nolan, Man of Steel and an unmade Magneto script.
Goyer said he shared his love of science fiction with his father, including plans to adapt Foundation. When his father died, Goyer said he told him, “You instilled in me a love for science fiction and fantasy, and I’ve gone on to build a career around that.”
Source: BBC
