Sword of Truth - T.V. Series

[CYMBOL]

Hello all,

Cool news over at the official site about the upcoming Sword of Truth t.v. series coming to ABC this fall. It is being produced by Sam Raimi (of Evil Dead and Spiderman fame), with the t.v. scripts being written by the author himself.

http://www.terrygoodkind.com/

I heard about this almost a year ago and we finally have an update. Casting has started and looks like it's going to actually happen.

I've read all these books and I am excited about the first 2 seasons of this show (there are 11 books that complete the entire story, although each book closes that storyline or plot - even as the bigger plot grows.)

I have issues with some of the books, but my enjoyment overshadows any negatives I have.

Very cool to see this series being filmed in New Zealand with Sam Raimi and Terry Goodkind involved in the creative process.

Here's hoping Sam directs the first couple of episodes.

Anyone read these books?

[jsteinhauer]

I've read them.

Do you buy into the argument that they are a cheap knockoff of the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (R.I.P.), which he unfortunately did not get the opportunity to finish.

Sword of Truth is pretty sappy, but at least it's not liberal sap. It's way repetetive, and good always trumps evil, which gets tiresome. Lord Rahl and the Mother Confessor get separated, then find each other again, only to get separated again. But once you start, you have to read to the end of the story. I think it's finished, but I'm waiting for the paperback of the last installment. It's too difficult to read hardcovers while lying in bed.

What I really look forward to is George R. R. Martin's next installment of Ice and Fire.

[SGRSBSKIER]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

Hello all,

Cool news over at the official site about the upcoming Sword of Truth t.v. series coming to ABC this fall. It is being produced by Sam Raimi (of Evil Dead and Spiderman fame), with the t.v. scripts being written by the author himself.

http://www.terrygoodkind.com/

Anyone read these books?

It says syndication marketplace which I think it means not primetime nor necessarily on ABC. Andromeda with Kevin Sorbo was syndicated and WGN had it (Scifi had the last season) and my local Fox, but The Immortal with Lorenzo Lamas (I think they came out the same year) was not carried in my area by any of my local networks, I think there were 4 syndicated shows that year.

If it is syndicated I hope its in HD.

I have never read the books or heard of them.
I like the Shows Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert have done together (Hercules, Xena, Jack of all Trades, and Cleopatra 2525) Do the books have the type of humor that they had in their previous shows?

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by SGRSBSKIER

It says syndication marketplace which I think it means not primetime nor necessarily on ABC. Andromeda with Kevin Sorbo was syndicated and WGN had it (Scifi had the last season) and my local Fox, but The Immortal with Lorenzo Lamas (I think they came out the same year) was not carried in my area by any of my local networks, I think there were 4 syndicated shows that year.

If it is syndicated I hope its in HD.

I have never read the books or heard of them.
I like the Shows Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert have done together (Hercules, Xena, Jack of all Trades, and Cleopatra 2525) Do the books have the type of humor that they had in their previous shows?

The books are very adult and quiet violent. Not at all in the way of Hercules, etc. There is very little humor.

They will have to water down many parts of the book to bring this to the small screen.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

I've read them.

Do you buy into the argument that they are a cheap knockoff of the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (R.I.P.), which he unfortunately did not get the opportunity to finish.

Sword of Truth is pretty sappy, but at least it's not liberal sap. It's way repetetive, and good always trumps evil, which gets tiresome. Lord Rahl and the Mother Confessor get separated, then find each other again, only to get separated again. But once you start, you have to read to the end of the story. I think it's finished, but I'm waiting for the paperback of the last installment. It's too difficult to read hardcovers while lying in bed.

What I really look forward to is George R. R. Martin's next installment of Ice and Fire.

Definitely agree - a bit repetitive - but almost always a fun page turner.

I do not see how the Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth could be compared except that they are both adult Fantasy. (I never read past the 7th or 8th book of WOT. Sad that the last book won't be in his own hand.) The stories are vastly different. I like each on its' own merits.

I am also getting very tired of waiting for George's next installment. He is killing me with the waiting!!! (I was a tad disappointed with the last one).

He did mention on his website that HBO was interested in producing his books and making show. I believe they saw how well Rome did and thought he books would fit right in and have a ready following to boot. I would be afraid these books wouldn't get the treatment they deserved. But - I wouldn't say no to seeing it.

Hurry up Mr. Martin! I can't hold my breathe forever.

[Shaman]

I'm very excited about this news I have read each of his books including Confessor; expanding Wizard's First Rule over a 22 episode arch instead of condensing it to 2 hours- WOW!!!!

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by Shaman

I'm very excited about this news I have read each of his books including Confessor; expanding Wizard's First Rule over a 22 episode arch instead of condensing it to 2 hours- WOW!!!!

I just hope it's actually on ABC, and not some hidden cable channel. No offense to those fans of Xena or Hercules, but am I hoping for a much higher caliber show, with higher production values, etc.

I'm worried about casting.

Any ideas?

I actually thought the dude who played Superman in Superman Returns would make a good Richard. Just make him a little rougher. Not sure about Kahlan.

[Shaman]

It won't be on ABC according to IMDB i quote 'Tribune outlets, representing 35% of the country and seven top ten markets, will air it. Wizard's also will have a concurrent run on Tribune's cable superstation WGN, which will help finance the deal. International sales will be key.' Which is fine with me, as I get WGN on HD on Bell Expressvu Satellite here in Canada.

[Marine Mike]

*bump*




http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844653/

Millions of readers the world over have been held spellbound by this valiant tale vividly told. Now, enter Terry Goodkind's world, the world of The Sword of Truth. In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help...and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence. In their darkest hour, hunted relentlessly, tormented by treachery and loss, Kahlan calls upon Richard to reach beyond his sword-to invoke within himself something more noble. Neither knows that the rules of battle have just changed...or that their time has run out. This is the beginning. One story. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend. Written by Terry Goodkind

The first season will be 22 episodes and will depict the first book:

Wizard's First Rule

It will be showing this Fall of 2008 on ABC.

[Psychonaut]

I've only read the first so far but I'm concerned about how this will be brought to tv without making it too watery (Mord Sith).

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

I've only read the first so far but I'm concerned about how this will be brought to tv without making it too watery (Mord Sith).

I agree. It'll definately be difficult to bring a book series that is easily NC-17 to ABC/Disney channel.

Granted a lot of the graphic sections can be edited so I don't think that it'll be too bad. Though when the main character destroys people with his sword it gets really really graphic, lol.

Yeah, not to ruin what the story is, but basically to educate others, Mord Sith are women that are in skin tight leather that torture people to the brink of death for the main bad guy.

[CYMBOL]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37635

I/ve read all of these books and my wife is on the 7th book and rushing through them as well. We have both been optomistic with Raimi being behind the production - but the trailer looks to be a huge let down. Looks like a sci-fi channel series.

The landscapes look grand, but the characters are too clean looking and too pretty. Zedd doens't look old enough and Chase doesn't look tough enough. Kahlan releasing her power looked cheesy and Richard just doesn't seem to look like he has that deep intelligence the character possesses in the books.

They also shouldn't have changed the name of the series. Any fans of the book who don't know about the show will now probably miss this while thumbing through the channels. All in all, this looks DOA. I'll watch the first episode, but after seeing that trailer, I have no hopes at all for this series.

[Marine Mike]

Official First Trailer!

http://www.legendoftheseeker.com/

The show is being aired on ABC on November 1st 2008.

IGN's news article regarding the screening http://tv.ign.com/articles/893/893761p1.html.

Here is a screenshot.