Two years ago it was announced that Universal Cable Productions was developing an adaptation of Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards book series, and now comes word from THR that streaming service Hulu is opening a writers room for two TV series as part of a shared Wild Cards universe.
Launching in 1987, Wild Cards spans twenty-seven volumes to date and takes place in an alternate world where an alien virus was unleashed in the skies over Manhattan in 1946, inflecting the population of the Earth. 90% of mankind died, with 9% developing grotesque physical deformities and 1% being blessed with superhuman abilities. The virus passes down through generations and can go undetected until suddenly activated by a traumatic event — at which point the carrier is either killed, mutated or granted god-like powers. Now, after decades of sociological turmoil, having been worshipped, oppressed, exploited and ignored… Victims of the virus want to define their own future.
Both series are being written by Andrew Miller (The Secret Circle), who will executive produce with Martin, Melinda Snodgrass and Vince Gerardis.
HBO has enjoyed enormous success adapting Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series into the acclaimed fantasy drama Game of Thrones, with its eighth and final season set to launch in April. Meanwhile, Martin also executive produces a TV adaptation of his novella Nightflyers, which will premiere on Syfy in December.