Arthur C. Clarke’s ‘Childhood’s End’ Coming To Syfy In December [Video]
Written back in 1953, the popular science fiction novel Childhood’s End is set to be aired as a mini-series on Syfy in December 2015. For lovers of science fiction novels and particularly the books of Arthur C. Clarke, this is good news indeed, as the book was considered to be one of his best novels.
The three-part adaptation of Childhood’s End will tell the tale of the peaceful invasion of Earth by an alien species, dubbed the Overlords, who eliminate war and introduce a virtual utopia where humans want for nothing. As can be heard in the trailer above, they offer “peace, health and security for everyone.”
However, the invasion also has the effect of killing any creativity or curiosity in the people of Earth. It also causes the worrying consequence of human children acquiring telekinetic powers, the results of which then threaten the human race.
#ThankYouKarellen. The iconic sci fi classic comes to @Syfy this December. The golden age begins, but #AtWhatCost? https://t.co/TsWdYKr5tM
— Childhood’s End (@ChildhoodSyfy) July 12, 2015
IO9 had the opportunity of interviewing Childhood’s End scriptwriter Matthew Graham (Life on Mars), director Nick Hurran (Doctor Who, Sherlock), and actor Julian McMahon, who will play Dr. Rupert Boyce in the mini-series, recently at Comic-Con. The interview followed a Childhood’s End panel where audience members were able to throw questions at them about the upcoming adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke‘s well-loved book. Graham was confident that their take on the story will satisfy all Clarke fans.
“I felt confident that I could look the fans of the book in the eye today, so I hope that’s a good sign!”
It may have been 62 years since Clarke published Childhood’s End, but apparently this is not the first time someone has tried to immortalize the story on film. Stanley Kubrick was going to do it, but ended up making the epic movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, another Clarke classic, instead.
Who’s excited for #ChildhoodsEnd!? #sdcc2015 CC: @Daisy_Betts @YaelStone pic.twitter.com/t38JMqHsNz
— Childhood’s End (@ChildhoodSyfy) July 12, 2015
The director and scriptwriter are experiencing the same anxieties as Kubrick did over the complexities of the classic novel. Graham explained that the novel is a book of ideas, including global events and political events. He said the ideas encapsulated in the story are “timeless: mortality, morality, destiny, responsibility for our happiness… someone could make it again in another 60 years, and it would be just as reflective of that time.”
There will be some changes to the original story, however, as apparently the central character and liaison between the alien Overlords and humans, Rikkie Stormgren (who will be named Ricky in the mini-series), will be a farmer rather than a government official.
It is interesting to note that the part of Ricky is to be played by Mike Vogel, currently appearing in the role of Dale “Barbie” Barbara in the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s Under the Dome. He will be facing off with Game of Thrones star Charles Dance as the alien leader Karellen.
In the interview, they explained that the reason for the change from politician to farmer is a simple one. When Clarke wrote the book, people tended to trust politicians, but that isn’t really the case anymore, making Rikki the farmer the more credible person to play the role of emissary to the aliens.
Graham said, however, that it will be the second night that is the most controversial of the three episodes, as it covers the themes of faith and religion.
“After world peace comes, changing the way we think, not putting our faith in things that we can’t see and have no proof for. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’m not anti-religious faith, but I’m interested in the idea of powerful beings… allowing us to work it out for ourselves.”
“We don’t need to put our faith an afterlife, we can try and create a heaven on Earth while we live there. And how that makes people of faith feel.”
Outer Places reports that Syfy viewers and Clarke fans can look forward to the three-part mini-series of Childhood’s End in December this year.
Speaking Syfy, the Inquisitr recently reported that bad reviews are already coming in for Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
[Image: First edition cover of Childhood’s End– Fair Use / Charles Dance CC BY-SA 2.0 Alan Chang / Mike Vogel CC BY-SA 2.0 Gage Skidmore]
