Apple TV+ greenlights 'Foundation' season two
Apple TV+ original series "Foundation" is getting a second season, the company announced on Thursday ahead of the premiere of the show's fourth episode.
While Apple has not revealed streaming numbers for "Foundation," or any of its Apple TV+ properties for that matter, the company apparently feels viewer interest in the series is strong enough to warrant a sophomore season.
With a talented cast, sumptuous set pieces and copious special effects, "Foundation" is thought to be one of the most expensive productions in the streaming service's slate. A renewal shows Apple has faith in showrunner David S. Goyer, who previously estimated that more than 70 episodes would be needed to adequately represent Isaac Asimov's saga.
"[W]ith season two, our audience will get to visit more of Asimov's indelible characters and worlds, including Hober Mallow, General Bel Riose, and all the Outer Suns," Goyer said in a press release. "I'm thrilled that a whole new generation of fans are reading Asimov's brilliant masterwork. We're playing the long game with Foundation' and I'm grateful to my partners at Apple and Skydance for entrusting me with this epic. Buckle up. We're about to fold some serious space."
Both the written work and television series tell the story of Foundation, an institute created by "psychohistorian" Hari Seldon (Jarred Harris) during the decline of the 12,000-year-old Galactic Empire. Seldon, who predicted the fall of civilization by analyzing complex calculus, places hope in the Foundation to ameliorate a pending dark age by collecting and preserving human knowledge.
Not a strict adaptation of Asimov's classic, "Foundation" on Apple TV+ retains major plot points but places special emphasis on the work's main characters. Due to its timeline and long list of players, a healthy dose of artistic license is needed to bring "Foundation" the book series to the screen.
Apple last month launched a podcast in which Goyer and other production crew members explain changes and deviations from the manuscript. The podcast also provides a weekly deep dive into newly aired episodes.
The renewal arrives after initial reviews praised the show's visuals, but were critical of Goyer's translation of Asimov's narrative.
Read on AppleInsider
While Apple has not revealed streaming numbers for "Foundation," or any of its Apple TV+ properties for that matter, the company apparently feels viewer interest in the series is strong enough to warrant a sophomore season.
With a talented cast, sumptuous set pieces and copious special effects, "Foundation" is thought to be one of the most expensive productions in the streaming service's slate. A renewal shows Apple has faith in showrunner David S. Goyer, who previously estimated that more than 70 episodes would be needed to adequately represent Isaac Asimov's saga.
"[W]ith season two, our audience will get to visit more of Asimov's indelible characters and worlds, including Hober Mallow, General Bel Riose, and all the Outer Suns," Goyer said in a press release. "I'm thrilled that a whole new generation of fans are reading Asimov's brilliant masterwork. We're playing the long game with Foundation' and I'm grateful to my partners at Apple and Skydance for entrusting me with this epic. Buckle up. We're about to fold some serious space."
Both the written work and television series tell the story of Foundation, an institute created by "psychohistorian" Hari Seldon (Jarred Harris) during the decline of the 12,000-year-old Galactic Empire. Seldon, who predicted the fall of civilization by analyzing complex calculus, places hope in the Foundation to ameliorate a pending dark age by collecting and preserving human knowledge.
Not a strict adaptation of Asimov's classic, "Foundation" on Apple TV+ retains major plot points but places special emphasis on the work's main characters. Due to its timeline and long list of players, a healthy dose of artistic license is needed to bring "Foundation" the book series to the screen.
Apple last month launched a podcast in which Goyer and other production crew members explain changes and deviations from the manuscript. The podcast also provides a weekly deep dive into newly aired episodes.
The renewal arrives after initial reviews praised the show's visuals, but were critical of Goyer's translation of Asimov's narrative.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Every scene in the imperial palace is amazing.
Nothing worse than snobby elitist “fans” trying to force their view on others.
The story has already veered far away from the book, and none of the characters, except Hari Seldon, behave like they should. They are completely different people in the TV show. It is impossible for the audience to identify with, or understand, them. And why the gender-swaps? Making Gall and Salvor 'diverse' females added nothing to the story or the characters. Neither actresses is anything special. The actress playing Salvor Hardin is especially bad, with her flat voice and wooden acting. Gall being a girl separated from her family could have been used to develop a strong bond between her and Hari (father-daughter, mentor-student relationship). They could have used Salvor's gender to highlight her devotion to Terminus, and her desire to protect the people of Terminus from harm. But, NO. All we got was an ugly woman who looks like a man (brave, independent, and all that nonsense) to please the woke crowd.
My main issue with the third episode was the depiction of Salvor Hardin. Instead of portraying Salvor as a determined, savvy person, they went with the 'Rey/Mulan' approach of making her 'special' so she could approach the vault. What nonsense! It cheapens all of Salvor’s achievements, just like the live action movie ruined Mulan - instead of being a brave girl who risked her life for her father, and passed the rigorous training as well as the men, she was turned into a 'special' girl who was powerful 'just because'.
The worst part of the show was the romance between Raych and Gall. She is portrayed as a young girl (14 - 16 yo), and the actress looks the part. Seeing her kiss a grown man with a beard was absolutely disgusting. What were they thinking?!! Couldn't they have made her a little older? Not an auspicious start to the series. I fear for the future of this show. I just hope they don't desecrate Asimov's story and memory any further!
I'm not particularly into cancel culture but I do avoid shows and books by authors who have committed crimes or committed serial heinous acts. Perhaps Asimov is a candidate for the latter. I'm proud to have thrown away his signature and personal letter to me.