Late last year, MTV gave a script-to-series order to Terry Brooks’ Shannara novel series which began in 1977. At the time, Iron Man director Jon Favreau was slated to helm the pilot episode from a script by “Smallville” creators Al Gough and Miles Millar.
However, Deadline is reporting that Favreau has withdrawn from directing “Shannara” and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles director, Jonathan Liebesman has signed on to helm the first two episodes and serve as an executive producer. Favreau will also remain on the show as an executive producer.
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The Shannara novels primarily take place in the future after modern civilization is destroyed by nuclear and biological warfare. In the new world, humans live alongside other races and magic has supplanted science. The TV adaptation will focus on the Shannara family, “whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world.”
The ten episode first season of “Shannara” will reportedly be based on the second novel in the series, The Elfstones of Shannara. Brooks’ most recent novel in the Shannara series, Witch Wraith came out in 2013.
MTV hasn’t announced a premiere date for “Shannara,” but a 2015 debut seems likely.
