As reported in Variety, the team behind The Expanse has announced a new multi-platform content company called Expanding Universe. The first project will be an adaptation of The Captive’s War by James S. A. Corey. Read on for the official press release!

New Venture Unveils Development Deal with Amazon MGM Studios for “The Captive’s War” Based on James S.A. Corey Book Trilogy Which Debuted in August

November 21, 2024—A key creative partnership behind the groundbreaking, globally popular science fiction series The Expanse, announced today the launch of a new multi-platform content company, Expanding Universe, with a major development deal at Amazon MGM Studios.

Headed by Emmy-nominated Showrunner Naren Shankar, acclaimed director Breck Eisner, and best-selling novelists and screenwriters Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, who publish under the pen name James S.A. Corey –  the new company’s name is a tip-of-the-hat to The Expanse, the multiple Hugo Award-winning sci-fi series from Alcon Television and Amazon Studios that brought the group together.

Their first project, and the Amazon MGM Studios deal in development, is The Captive’s War, an adaptation of the new sci-fi trilogy by James SA Corey which launched in August with the New York Times bestselling novel THE MERCY OF GODS. 

Set in a distant future of galactic empires and alien civilizations, and inspired by the biblical Book of Daniel, The Captive’s War follows a group of prisoners who rise from the ashes of catastrophe to destroy their conqueror’s society from within. It is an epic tale about the transformative power of individuality in a totalitarian world. The Captive’s War is executive produced by Naren Shankar, who also serves as writer and showrunner; Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck who will also write; and Breck Eisner who will also direct. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.  

Breck Eisner said,“Expanding Universe is focused on developing sci-fi narratives with sweeping world-building and elevated storylines, geared toward multi-platform expressions in filmed entertainment, gaming, and publishing. The Captive’s War is a perfect launchpad for our model.”

Naren Shankar said, “On The Expanse we built a deep, immersive universe filled with great characters and intense, emotional stories — on a budget that wasn’t insane. And now we’re bringing that expertise to new storytelling universes and platforms.”

Ty Franck said, “The Expanse was originally created to be a video game, then it became an RPG, then a novel, then a show, and then a couple of video games. In a way, it was a roadmap for how Expanding Universe is developing projects now.”

Daniel Abraham said, “Our track record has already attracted some exciting material: original features, adaptations by other novelist’s work, and even legacy IPs which would be a blast to reimagine in a modern context. In success, we have the opportunity to bring a new generation of science fiction to the screen.”

Expanding Universe will be announcing additional projects soon.