Dark Matter creator Joseph Mallozzi has a new project: adaptating Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage books for television. Deadline reports that Mallozzi is set to write the pilot episode, “with a view to” showrunning the one-hour series.
Mallozzi’s resume leans heavily toward science fiction; he executive produced and wrote for Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, and Stargate Universe, created and wrote for the underrated Dark Matter, and is the showrunner for Utopia Falls. But Powder Mage takes him in a new direction—the series, which starts with McClellan’s debut novel, Promise of Blood, is set in a fantastical world where powder mages get their abilities from gunpowder. Reviewing the first book, Tor.com’s Stefan Raets said it “seems to be aimed straight at the same readers who enjoy Brandon Sanderson’s novels.”
Here’s the publisher’s summary of the first book:
Civil unrest cripples the citizens of Adro in the aftermath of the revolution that obliterated the monarchy. Now, Field Marshal Tamas and his lieutenants must confront the true cost of freedom in book one of the Powder Mage Trilogy.
It’s a bloody business overthrowing a king. . .
Field Marshal Tamas’ coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas’s supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces.
It’s up to a few. . .
Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.
But when gods are involved. . .
Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should. . .
There’s no news yet on production schedule, casting, or premiere date.
So what are the odds that one of Brandon’s students (which Brian is) will get a TV show before Brandon does
Too funny. I’m rereading that series right now.
I read the first book in this series and always meant to finish out the first trilogy. A good book with some interesting ideas! With my preference to stay ahead of TV adaptations, maybe is the kick in the pants I need to get back into this series.
I’m in the middle of book 3 right now. This series should make for GREAT television. It isn’t gonna be pretty (there is a truly impressive body count), but it’s going to be good. The first book spends some time introducing characters (although starting with a major, bloody coup right out of the gate is a heck of a thing), but a little ways into that book, the pace and excitement level pick up and never slow down. Hopefully the show can pull off the same trick.
Oh, hells yeah! The Powder Mage novels is one of my favourite new bits of pop culture I’ve experienced in recent years, with some great action and phenomenal characters. Should be interesting to see who gets cast as Ka-Poel in particular, as not everyone would be able to pull off the solely physical acting required for her.
Awesome! Congratulations! I’ll be looking forward to watching them.
That’s awesome! I’ve been wanting a Napoleonic Wars tv series and this will fit the bill perfectly! I loved the first trilogy, but felt the second one lacked whatever magic (pardon the pun) the first had and never read book 6.
@1 wait, Brian is one of Brandon’s students?!! I can’t believe it. I guess student beats his teacher then! I absolutely LOVE Powder mages novels, I read all 6 books plus short stories. At same time, I could never get into Brandon’s novels especially Cosmere ones. I disliked his style in writing WoT finale, though I am grateful for it, I liked his Reckoned but thats it. I think Brandon’s way of writing in WoT really put me off his books dealing in high fantasy.