Zhang Yimou to Helm Film Adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem”
Renowned Chinese Director Takes on Liu Cixin’s Sci-Fi Masterpiece
Veteran Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou is set to direct a feature film adaptation of the acclaimed sci-fi novel “The Three-Body Problem.” The announcement came from Wang Changtian, CEO of China’s Enlight Media, during the opening forum of the Shanghai International Film Festival this past weekend. Currently in the pre-production stage, the news has generated significant buzz on social media.
“The Three-Body Problem,” the first novel in a series by Chinese author Liu Cixin, was originally published in 2008. The story revolves around humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization, triggered by a young woman’s pivotal decision in 1960s China. This decision sets off a chain of events that spans space and time, as a group of brilliant scientists and a determined detective join forces to confront an unprecedented threat to humanity.
The novel has been a popular choice for adaptation, with Netflix recently launching its own series version. The Netflix adaptation, spearheaded by Alexander Woo, David Benioff, and D.B. Weiss, features a diverse cast including Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, and Liam Cunningham. The streaming giant announced earlier this year that the show will run for three seasons.
enlight media chairman wang changtian announced at the opening forum of #SIFF that the movie version of “three-body,” that is co-developed by light chaser animation studios and three-body universe will be directed by zhang yimou. it’s currently in the pre-production stage pic.twitter.com/nw6SOLP2KR
— 🖼️ (@langyabangs) June 16, 2024
The Netflix series is co-created by Woo, Benioff, and Weiss, with Woo also serving as executive producer and writer. Other executive producers include Bernadette Caulfield, Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman, Nena Rodrigue, Lin Qi, Zhao Jilong, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner’s Plan B Entertainment, Jeremy Kleiner, Rosamund Pike, and Robie Uniacke for Primitive Streak.
Zhang Yimou, one of China’s most esteemed filmmakers, is best known in the West for films such as “The Great Wall” (2016) starring Matt Damon, and the award-winning “Red Sorghum” (1987). His illustrious career also includes “The Story of Qiu Ju” (1992), “To Live” (1994), “The Road Home” (1999), “House of Flying Daggers” (2004), and “Cliff Walkers” (2021). Zhang has twice won the Golden Lion at Venice. Beyond his film work, Zhang directed the opening and closing ceremonies of both the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The upcoming adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem” marks another milestone in Zhang Yimou’s distinguished career and adds to the global intrigue surrounding Liu Cixin’s captivating narrative.
