The TV series portion of Lionsgate’s multi-media-spanning “The Kingkiller Chronicle” franchise has found its showrunner. John Rogers, most recently the creator of NBC’s “The Player,” will write and serve as executive producer for the pilot for the TV adaptation of the fantasy novels, Variety has learned.
Rogers will be executive producing under his Kung Fu Monkey shingle, alongside Kung Fu Monkey head of development Jennifer Court. “Hamilton” creator and “Moana” songsmith Lin-Manuel Miranda is producing the franchise, which will also include a film based on the first three novels in author Pat Rothfuss’ series. Miranda will compose the original music for both arms of the franchise and write the songs. Robert Lawrence will also produce on the “Kingkiller Chronicle” TV series and film, as will Rothfuss.
“With the addition of the incredibly talented John Rogers as showrunner, we have now assembled the perfect creative team to develop a premium quality scripted series to launch our ‘Kingkiller Chronicle’ franchise,” said Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs. “The unique collaboration between our television and feature film divisions will enable us to dramatically expand the world of this iconic franchise for its millions of passionate fans while introducing the property to a whole new global audience.”
In October 2015, Lionsgate announced plans to turn Rothfuss’ series, about a wizard with a tragic childhood who becomes a household name, into a tentpole. Miranda boarded the project at the end of November 2016. While the movie will focus on the original trilogy and associated novellas, the TV series will expand on the world outside of the books, and Lionsgate and the Kung Fu Monkey producers will also have the option to develop future stage productions for the franchise. The book franchise has sold 10 million copies, and the first two novels hit the New York Times Best Seller list.
Lionsgate executive vice president of television Chris Selak and Andy Richley, senior vice president, television, will spearhead its development for TV with executive vice president Dan Hadl handling the business negotiations for the division.
In addition to “The Player,” Rogers created and ran “The Librarians” and “Leverage” for TNT, and is currently penning the “Magnum P.I.” sequel for ABC. On the film side, his credits include “Transformers” and “American Outlaws.” Earlier in his career, he created kid series “Jackie Chan Adventures” for Sony. Rogers is repped by CAA, Thruline Entertainment, and Jackoway Tyerman.
