Jonathan Frakes, known for his role in Star Trek, is slated to helm a television adaptation of the science fiction book series “Deathlands.” This project is in collaboration with Web3 production studio NextCypher, led by crypto developer Jeff Garzik, as per a report from Deadline.
Commander turned director
Renowned for his portrayal of Commander William Riker in Star Trek, Jonathan Frakes boasts an impressive directorial portfolio, which includes projects such as Burn Notice, Roswell, and two Star Trek films. Jeff Garzik, formerly a prominent figure in the development of Bitcoin Core, established NextCypher in 2022. In his statement to Deadline, Garzik expressed, “I founded NextCypher to capitalize on the demand for innovative, high-quality genre entertainment. I’m pleased to see the market aligning with our mission to create intelligently budgeted and outstanding content for a worldwide audience.”
“Hope, romance, and resilience in the face of adversity”
Originally published in 1986, Deathlands is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where it chronicles the journey of a group of survivors who must unite and employ teleportation technology to navigate their harsh and unforgiving environment. Altman expressed his enthusiasm for the series, describing it as gritty, suspenseful, and action-packed, yet infused with elements of hope, romance, and resilience in the face of adversity. He believed that visionary director Jonathan Frakes was the perfect choice to bring Deathlands to the screen, ensuring that it would become must-watch television for audiences everywhere. Currently, filming is slated to commence in Bulgaria in the upcoming spring. Garzik is serving as an executive producer alongside Thomas P. Vitale, while Mark A. Altman takes on the roles of showrunner and executive producer. International sales are handled by Tai Truesdell and Bertrand Reignier of Rogue Wave Entertainment, and casting is overseen by Christine Sheaks. Jonathan Frakes shared his excitement about the project, emphasizing that Deathlands is a series centered on hope and the opportunity to construct a better world. He eagerly anticipates bringing the show to life, blending high-level action with compelling character-driven drama for a global audience.
There’s more action-packed series to come from Garzik
However, Deathlands represents only the beginning of NextCypher’s ventures in the Web3 production studio. The company is also in the process of creating another sci-fi series, focusing on a woman who experiences memory loss while embarking on a mission to “rescue the outcasts of society from a perilous conspiracy that imperils the future.” Garzik highlighted that Deathlands serves as a perfect starting point for their endeavors, particularly in light of the success enjoyed by post-apocalyptic series based on popular IPs, such as The Last of Us and the highly anticipated Fallout adaptation. As of now, a specific release date for this new series has yet to be announced.
