Summary
Recent years have seen a plethora of fantasy book adaptations, andthere’s one phenomenal grimdark series that I’m shocked hasn’t been made into a film or TV series. SinceGame of Thronesended, I’ve been waiting for the next great fantasy TV series to lure me into its world and capture my imagination in a similar way. I was really excited about shows likeThe WitcherandThe Wheel of Time, but I couldn’t get over the production value in comparison to what HBO had offered withGame of Thronesor what Peter Jackson developed withThe Lord of the Ringsmovies.
There are still so manygreat fantasy books that deserve adaptations, and I’ve begun diving into many of these expansive series to fill the void left by GoT andA Song of Ice & Fire. From modern authors like Brandon Sanderson and Samantha Shannon to older fantasy books by Guy Gavriel Kay and Tad Williams, there’s so much great material that I’d love to see brought to life on screen. That is, if they’re going to be brought to life with the resources and respect that these stories deserve.
I’m Surprised & Disappointed That The First Law Trilogy Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet
The First Law Could Be The GoT Answer Hollywood Is Looking For Without Damaging Its Story
Joe Abercrombie is one of the most exciting contemporary fantasy authors, with a witty sophistication to his prose that matches the strength of his character work and world-building.The First Lawtrilogy, which is the first section of a larger saga with standalone novels, short stories, and another book trilogy, is perfect for adaptation. I’ve madecomparisons betweenThe First LawandGame of Thronesbefore, in how I could see them offering a similar cultural appeal as gritty fantasy stories that subvert genre norms.
The First Lawis packed with dark humor, it’s raunchy, it’s violent. It’s the perfect trilogy to make into an R-rated, adult fantasy,Lord of the Ringscounterpoint.
With shows likeThe Boys,there’s undoubtedly a market in Hollywood for material that offers a generally more cynical approach to classical archetypesand narrative structures. Even more so thanGame of Thrones,The First Lawis a series that examines characters with questionable morals, challenging the reader to sympathize with their situations in an often cruel world.The First Lawis packed with dark humor, it’s raunchy, it’s violent. It’s the perfect trilogy to make into an R-rated, adult fantasy,Lord of the Ringscounterpoint.
Why Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Books Would Make Ideal Adaptations
The First Law Isn’t As Expansive As Other Fantasy Epics, Meaning It Could Fit The Movie Format
As mentioned,The First Lawcan appeal to modern audiences' desires for morally gray characters and darker fantasy worlds. One of the mainreasons many fantasy shows are strugglingis that many streaming services have piled money onto shows in hopes of achieving the nextGame of Throneswhen not every story isGame of Thrones. Of course,The First Lawisn’tGame of Throneseither, but it doesn’t require as vast of a tonal shift as a fantasy world likeThe Wheel of Time, which is far more magical and vibrant.
Joe Abercrombie’s books have the ideal tone and the ideal length to result in marketable Hollywood movies.
One of my biggest points forThe First Lawis thateach volume is concise enough to work as a movie. TV budgets seem to be an issue for several fantasy shows, giving them an aesthetic that feels cheesy and inauthentic. Three average-length movies could cover the vital material inThe First Lawtrilogy, while other fantasy books simply can’t be condensed into film format without sacrificing crucial elements. Joe Abercrombie’s books have the ideal tone and the ideal length to result in marketable Hollywood movies.
Best Served Cold News Offers Hope For The Fantasy Series (But I’m Still Skeptical)
A Movie Was In Development, But There’s Been No Updates For Almost A Year
There was news about an adaptation ofBest Served Coldin 2023, with Rebecca Ferguson attached to star andDeadpooldirector Tim Miller reportedly on board to helm the project (viaDeadline).Best Served Coldis a standalone novel inThe First Lawuniversethat’s packed with riveting action and strong character work, making it ideal for a one-off trial movie. If the movie were to happen and be a success, it certainly seems plausible thatThe First Lawtrilogy could see adaptations following shortly behind.
However, this news was before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it seems like many Hollywood studios have shied away from big-budget fantasy projects. None of the fantasy TV shows that launched have had success anywhere close to the cultural appeal ofGame of Thrones, and they’re massive investment risks. There’s beenno news aboutBest Served Coldfollowing the strikes. While I hope it’s still moving forward, I’m skeptical about it. Hopefully,The First Lawuniverse will find a new path forward soon, but at least there are plenty of great books to read in the meantime.
