Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five is one of the most acclaimed science-fiction novels of all time, and soon it will be a brand new TV series.
Premium cable network Epix, in association with Universal Cable Productions, is developing a series based on the classic work, according to Variety. In charge of the series is writer and executive producer Patrick Macmanus, who also serves as EP on the Syfy series Happy. Joining Macmanus as executive producers on the project are Gale Anne Hurd, Jon Brown, and Bradley Yonover. Emmy-nominated The Handmaid’s Tale director Kari Skogland will direct.
Slaughterhouse-Five was first published in 1968 and tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, an American World War II soldier who is abducted by aliens called Tralfamadorians after the war and subsequently becomes unstuck in time, forced to relive moments from his past and prematurely experience events from his future. The novel is noted for its nonlinear storytelling and antiwar message, both of which could make for a riveting TV drama.
The story was previously adapted into a feature film of the same name in 1972 directed by George Roy Hill. The film drew wide acclaim and won awards from Hugo, Saturn, and the Cannes Film Festival, and was even praised by Vonnegut himself. The author passed away in 2007, but you’ve got to believe the producers of this new adaptation have his thoughts in mind for their series.
No word yet on when the series could start production, let alone premiere, but given the current television popularity of novel-based genre dramas with strong themes (see: The Handmaid’s Tale, Game of Thrones, American Gods, etc.), we wouldn’t be surprised to see it get off the ground sooner rather than later.
