Variety is reporting that Paramount Television and Anonymous Content have won a bidding war for The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam book trilogy – consisting of the novels Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood, and MaddAddam – and are working on a TV adaptation.
The books explore a small group of survivors after a global pandemic, and follows “Jimmy, a young boy disillusioned with the all-powerful corporations who rule civilization, whose best friend will develop the drug that wipes out humanity; Toby and Ren, two members of the cult God’s Gardeners who fight to survive on the margins of society; and Zeb, one of the founders of God’s Gardeners.”
The project is being executive produced by David Kanter and Bard Dorros of Anonymous Content and Angus Wall, Linda Carlson and Kent Kubena of Rock Paper Scissors Entertainment.
“Margaret Atwood’s unique and singular literary voice speaks to the greater issues facing our current climate and resonates with fans worldwide; the Maddaddam Trilogy is no exception,” said Amy Powell, president of Paramount TV. “These stories are perfectly suited for portrayal on television and we are thrilled to once again bring a literary masterpiece to life with our partners at Anonymous Content, Angus Wall and Rock Paper Scissors Entertainment.”
“I am very happy with the vision described to me by Angus, Kent, David, Bard and Amy, as well as the stunning visual presentation they put together,” added Atwood. “I very much look forward to working with them.”
Black Swan and mother! helmer Darren Aronofsky was previously working on an adaptation of the book trilogy at HBO, but it was announced back in 2016 that his take was no longer moving forward.
Originally published January 29, 2018. Updated January 28, 2018.
