Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman are developing a television adaptation of “Robopocalypse,” the 2011 Daniel H. Wilson novel that has spent more than a decade bouncing between film directors without reaching production, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Imagine Entertainment and Weed Road are producing the series, with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment on board as executive producer.
Howard is attached to direct the pilot episode. Goldsman will serve as showrunner on the series and write the pilot script himself, the trade reported.
‘Robopocalypse’ TV Series Development Details
The novel follows humanity’s war against robots controlled by a powerful artificial intelligence after technology turns against society at what the book calls Zero Hour. No network or streaming platform has been confirmed for the series, and no timeline has been set for when production might begin or when the show could air.
Imagine’s Brian Grazer and Jeb Brody and Weed Road’s Greg Lessans and Rachel Wizenberg are also leading development on the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Howard explained what pulled him toward the material in a statement. “‘Robopocalypse’ has all the scale and suspense of a major action story, but what drew me to it are the thought-provoking themes and humanity at its center,” Howard said. “Daniel created a future that feels both startling and increasingly plausible, with characters who must figure out what connects us when the technology we rely on turns against us.
“I am also thrilled to work with Akiva again. We have shared some incredibly meaningful creative experiences, and this feels like the right story to bring us back together.”
What It Means for Fans of the Novel
For readers who have followed “Robopocalypse” since its publication, the TV move marks the first real sign of forward motion in years. Howard directing the pilot himself signals a level of personal investment from a filmmaker who already has an Oscar-winning track record with Goldsman, and Goldsman writing the pilot means the showrunner sets the series’ tone from the very first episode.
The absence of a confirmed network or streamer means fans will have to wait before they know where to actually watch the show. The lack of a production timeline leaves casting, episode count and season structure all open questions for now.
Background on the ‘Robopocalypse’ Film That Never Happened
“Robopocalypse” almost reached screens as a feature film well before this TV effort began. DreamWorks picked up the novel before it was even published, with Spielberg signed on to direct, Drew Goddard writing the script and Anne Hathaway and Chris Hemsworth lined up to star. Spielberg postponed that film indefinitely in January 2013, with his spokesman citing an unfinished script and a budget that ran too high.
Michael Bay later came aboard to direct a film version in 2018, but that attempt also never made it to production. Amblin’s involvement as executive producer on the new series connects the project back to Spielberg, who first saw potential in Wilson’s story more than a decade ago.
Howard and Goldsman have a long creative history together. Their work on “A Beautiful Mind” earned Howard the Oscar for best director, and he shared best picture with producer Brian Grazer, who is back for “Robopocalypse.” Goldsman won best adapted screenplay for the same film. The pair also teamed up on “Cinderella Man,” “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels & Demons,” and developed an adaptation of Stephen King‘s “The Dark Tower,” which became a 2017 film with plans for a television series that ultimately did not move forward.
What’s Next for the Series
The Hollywood Reporter has not indicated when a platform deal or casting news might arrive, leaving the project in early development as Howard and Goldsman work on the pilot.
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