Apple TV+ Epic Saga 'Foundation' Based on Isaac Asimov's Best-Selling Novels Premieres September 24

[MacRumors]

Apple TV+ today announced that the 10-episode first season of science fiction series "Foundation" will premiere globally on September 24 with the release of the first three episodes, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday.

Based on the best-selling novels by Isaac Asimov, Apple says "Foundation" is an epic saga chronicling a band of exiles on their monumental journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization amid the fall of the Galactic Empire.

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.

"Foundation" stars Emmy Award nominees Jared Harris and Lee Pace, alongside Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann, Cassian Bilton, and Alfred Enoch.

Apple released a new trailer for "Foundation" alongside today's announcement:

The first-ever on-screen adaptation of Asimov's iconic, award-winning novel series is executive produced by David S. Goyer, who is best known for writing the screenplays to several superhero films, such as "Batman Begins" and "Man of Steel."

"In the decades since the 'Foundation' series first saw print, Asimov's prophetic science-fiction work has never been more relevant than it is now," said Goyer. "Growing up, I devoured 'Foundation' and dreamed of one day seeing it on screen – but a feature film didn't seem big enough to embrace the ambition. Thanks to the broader landscape of streaming and a valuable partnership with Apple and Skydance, we are able to bring the series to the screen in a way that truly does it justice."

Apple TV+ costs $4.99 per month, with a free seven-day trial available.

Article Link: Apple TV+ Epic Saga 'Foundation' Based on Isaac Asimov's Best-Selling Novels Premieres September 24

 

[aberamati]

Which book is the first season based on?
Does it start with the original book, or with the prequels?

 

[Agit21]

Now this sounds great. Love Asimov.

 

[Khedron]

In other words, Apple announces that you might as well cancel TV+ until October

 

[Ar40]

Just inject it into my veins!! This looks friggin incredible.

 

[Ar40]

In other words, Apple announces that you might as well cancel TV+ until October

And miss Ted Lasso, Mr. Corman, Schmigadoon, etc? Not a snowball’s chance in hell.

I like watching these shows live too. No spoilers that way.

 

[cpnotebook80]

Time to re read the books or should I go with low expectations knowing that book adaptations don’t always translate well to big screen. Would be disappointing if they took liberal creative differences on the book content.

Remember I, robot? , wasn’t how I expected it from reading the book.

 

[zoomp]

Time to re read the books or should I go with low expectations knowing that book adaptations don’t always translate well to big screen. Would be disappointing if they took liberal creative differences on the book content.

Remember I, robot? , wasn’t how I expected it from reading the book.

Just that you know, every page on a script is equal to a min of screen time. So, it’s physically impossible to shoot a show based only on a book. It needs to be adapted. No magic here.

 

[breather]

I am pumped

 

[citysnaps]

In other words, Apple announces that you might as well cancel TV+ until October

Yes...if you're struggling to scrape 17 cents per day for AppleTV+ and have no interest in other AppleTV+ shows, that's what you should do.

 

[faffing]

Looks like book one, not the prequels

Which book is the first season based on?
Does it start with the original book, or with the prequels?

 

[owidhh]

Time to re read the books or should I go with low expectations knowing that book adaptations don’t always translate well to big screen. Would be disappointing if they took liberal creative differences on the book content.

Remember I, robot? , wasn’t how I expected it from reading the book.

I have read the books multiple times since childhood. The preview alone tells me this will be quite different.

ON the other hand, paraphrasing a Stephen King quote, "if you want exactly the same story that you read in my books, read my books instead of watching the adaptations". So I'm looking forward to this anyway!

 

[bbplayer5]

Wow… Just wow. I cannot wait for this one!

 

[Aaargh!]

Remember I, robot? , wasn’t how I expected it from reading the book.

The big difference is that with I, Robot, they didn't start out to make a movie adaptation of the book. They wrote a movie, then someone remembered they had the rights to the I, Robot name, and just stuck it on there because it was good marketing.

 

[posguy99]

It looks interesting, and I'm a fan of the books, but it's not worth subscribing to ATV to see it.

 

[Serban55]

Which book is the first season based on?
Does it start with the original book, or with the prequels?

based on the trailer its Foundation and Prelude to Foundation

 

[NMBob]

Gee, that was actually coherent, instead of just being a bunch of random cuts. Waiting patiently.

 

[deeddawg]

Time to re read the books or should I go with low expectations knowing that book adaptations don’t always translate well to big screen. Would be disappointing if they took liberal creative differences on the book content.

Remember I, robot? , wasn’t how I expected it from reading the book.

On the other hand, both The Expanse and GOT did a pretty good job of bringing the books to the screen IMHO.

There'll always be limitations of course.

... and ignoring GOT season 8.

 

[Spudlicious]

Just that you know, every page on a script is equal to a min of screen time. So, it’s physically impossible to shoot a show based only on a book. It needs to be adapted. No magic here.

Did you mean to write that?

 

[neuropsychguy]

Time to re read the books or should I go with low expectations knowing that book adaptations don’t always translate well to big screen. Would be disappointing if they took liberal creative differences on the book content.

Remember I, robot? , wasn’t how I expected it from reading the book.

They are worth rereading but have limitations. As a teenager I really liked the books. I recently re-read them a few years ago but was not impressed the second time through. This is because almost nothing happens other than a lot of talk. This trailer has more action than all the books combined. I like philosophy. I like psychology. I appreciate the books but Asimov did not know how to move a story along. Even if these are only loosely inspired by the books, they might be a significant improvement.

Again, I have huge respect for Asimov and have read many of his books but this series has to have many "liberal creative differences [from] the book content" otherwise it will be a terrible show.

 

[FightTheFuture]

It looks interesting, and I'm a fan of the books, but it's not worth subscribing to ATV to see it.

So the price of fandom isn’t worth $5.

 

[NMBob]

This one hundreds and thousands of years into the future, and even galaxies far far away a long time ago just can't shake that darn British accent can they? That thing is everywhere!

 

[MLVC]

It looks interesting, and I'm a fan of the books, but it's not worth subscribing to ATV to see it.

So you've seen the entire series already? Some people have all the luck.

/s

 

[Serban55]

It looks interesting, and I'm a fan of the books, but it's not worth subscribing to ATV to see it.

if its done right...just this for 1 series worth the 1 month pay

 

[Windoes]

This could be the show worth waiting for?