Jonah Nolan developing Isaac Asimov’s Foundation for HBO

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Christopher Nolan’s brother and frequent collaborator Johnathan "Jonah" Nolan is responsible for helping deliver some incredible work for the duo. His most recent effort was co-writer on INTERSTELLAR which paid off very well this past weekend and before that of course he had a hand in shaping Christopher Nolan’s take on the Dark Knight which we’ve come to know and love. He’s going to continue with the sci-fi genre it seems though as he is now working on a TV series adaption of Isaac Asimov’s book trilogy Foundation.

Nolan will write and produce the series for HBO; this won’t be his first run with TV as he created CBS’ Person of Interest and serves as a producer and co-showrunner on that popular show. This also won’t be his first dealings with HBO as he is taking on the adaptation of the sci-fi film Westworld at the network; he co-wrote and directed the pilot with a cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, James Marsden, and Ed Harris.

Here is a synopsis for Asmiov’s book:

For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Sheldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation. But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. Mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and be overrun—or fight them and be destroyed.

And here is what Nolan had to say about the series and author:

"Well, I f*cking love the ‘Foundation’ novels by Isaac Asimov. They're certainly not well-known, but that's a set of books I think everyone would benefit from reading. That's a set of books where the influence they have is just f*cking massive. They have many imitators and many have been inspired by them, but go back and read those, and there are some ideas in those that'll set your f*cking hair on fire."

Nolan is a great talent and someone you would want on your network, obviously. If all goes well he might have three shows to juggle but more importantly entertain us with. I’ve never read Asimov’s Foundation series but taking Nolan’s enthusiasm into considering, I just might have to dig these ones out.

Any Asimov fans out there want to share their thoughts on the potential series?