The creator of ‘Hamilton’ and musical genius behind ‘Moana’ has a new project in the works.
Lin-Manuel Miranda will be bringing Patrick Rothfuss’ fantasy book series, ‘The Kingkiller Chronicle’, to Showtime, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Everyone wants in on the fantasy business ever since Game of Thrones proved a gargantuan hit. But The Kingkiller Chronicle has something else up its sleeve besides action and adventure in a “unique and startling” world. Music as a core component in the story and that’s why Miranda — who is set to compose music for the show as well as executive produce — is a perfect fit. The Kingkiller Chronicle centers on Kvothe, a young musician endowed with magical powers who eventually becomes the most notorious wizard in the land of Temerant. Adventures involving “unexpected heroes, mystical places, and terrifying dark forces” then ensue.
Per Miranda’s statement, “Showtime has always championed bold storytelling. Pat Rothfuss’ Kingkiller series is some of the most exciting storytelling I have ever read. I could not be more thrilled to help bring the sights and sounds of his wondrous world of Temerant to the screen.”
It’s been less than two years since Miranda moved on from starring his showstopping Broadway hit Hamilton, but he’s been busy with extremely high-profile projects. Between composing soundtracks for influential Disney films like Moana, and starring alongside Emily Blunt in a Mary Poppins sequel that sounds much better because of such a stellar cast. It would seem like Miranda has hit the jackpot again with The Kingkiller Chronicle. Multiple cable networks have competed with Showtime over the series, including Starz. Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs calls it “one of the most coveted properties in the world.”
Rothfuss himself is directly involved in multiple adaptations of his bestselling novels. Besides the Showtime series, The Kingkiller Chronicle is due to become a film at Lionsgate sometime in the future, although no other details about that adaptation have yet been revealed. There will be a video game at some point, too. Leverage writer John Rogers will join the Showtime production as showrunner and will also pen the pilot. The Kingkiller Chronicle will join Showtime’s roster of genre programming like Penny Dreadful, Dexter and Twin Peaks. Also on Showtime’s roster of upcoming shows is the adaptation of Bill Clinton’s debut novel with James Patterson, and a new Jim Carrey comedy, Kidding.