Apple TV+ is no stranger tosci-fishows, as the platform has been quietly specializing in the genre for a while, but one of its biggest achievements is finding a way to adapt an extensive book series into a brilliant live-action project. The ever-growing list ofsci-fi shows on Apple TV+continues to go from strength to strength, and while some are original ideas, others are rooted in established source material. The platform is committed to the idea thatTV is the best format for book adaptations, and one show in particular of theirs seems to go beyond what’s possible.
It can be difficult to findTV shows that are better than the source materialon which they’re based, but Apple TV+ has managed to pull it off with an adaptation they first started to air back in 2021. The original author’s work is still highly revered, but the new version of the story has made several changes and improvements to accommodate the shift in the medium from books to the small screen.
Apple TV+’s Foundation Somehow Managed To Turn Asimov’s Books Into A Sci-Fi Epic
Isaac Asimov wrote a total of 7 Foundation books
Foundationis based on a book series by one of the founding fathers of sci-fi writing, Isaac Asimov. The eight-novel series was published between 1951 and 1993, and the saga covers a much grander timeline than the 42 years that passed in the real world. The slow-burning storyline is inspired, butthe centuries-long war between the Foundation and the Empire sounds impossible to capturein the form of a TV show. Thankfully, Apple TV+ took that challenge and managed to turn its ambition into a success story.
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Foundation and Empire
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Foundation and Earth
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Forward the Foundation
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Asimov didn’t make his saga particularly linear, either. Although the original book trilogy followed a traditional - albeit lengthy - timeline,the author went on to add sequels and prequels that also added to the lore of hisFoundationuniverse. This storytelling approach will surely have made Apple TV+’s job even harder, as the studio will have had to choose where to begin the story. The decision to start with the first publishedFoundationbook was the best and perhaps the most obvious choice, and it has set the adaptation up for a thrilling future.
All Of Foundation’s Changes To The Isaac Asimov Books Were Justifiable
Asimov’s lack of female characters called for one of Apple TV+’s most notable Foundation changes
Although the original universe and its characters have remained largely intact,Apple TV+ has made several changes to Asimov’sFoundationbooks. While this can seem superfluous in some adaptations, Apple TV+ hasn’t made any alterations to the source material that could be considered unreasonable.Parts of Asimov’s story would have been untenableif nothing had been tweaked in preparation for a TV show adaptation ofFoundation, such as the author’s revolving door of characters who generally don’t traverse the various eras the way they do in the Apple TV+ version.
Although Cleon I and Cleon II are mentioned in Asimov’s books, the concept ofFoundation’s Clone Emperorsis unique to the Apple TV+ adaptation.
One of the most noticeable changes made to theFoundationTV show is the extensive level of gender-swapping. However, because Asimov’s source material is almost completely devoid of female characters in any form, it makes perfect sense to rectify that issue. Thankfully,many of theFoundationcharacters have pretty gender-neutral namesthat tend only to exist within the fictitious universe. So, characters like Gaal Dornick and Salvor Hardin - who are male in the books - are understandably altered to accommodate for female representation. Apple TV+ generally follows this necessity-first ethos with otherFoundationchanges.
Foundation’s Show & Books Are Very Different Things (And That’s Fine)
Asimov’s books don’t need to be directly adapted for Apple TV+’s show to work
Although many planets, characters, and other elements are still incredibly recognizable - even if only by name - Apple TV+‘sFoundationhas distanced itself from the source material more and more as it has progressed.Asimov’s work has been used more as a sandbox and rough lore biblerather than something to translate directly to the screen. While some fans of the original book series might be disappointed by this approach, it’s arguably quite respectful to leave Asimov’s source material to breathe without treading too closely on its toes.
Foundation’s Biggest Book Change Copied A Controversial Star Wars Twist - But Did It Much Better
Apple TV+ made many changes while adapting Isaac Asimov’s Foundation books, but one new addition to the show was used by Star Wars first.
Even thoughIsaac Asimov remains a huge name in the sci-fi worldto this day, one of the harshest truths about his work is that it has become pretty dated. The genre he helped to popularize decades ago has moved on a lot since theFoundationbooks - especially the earlier ones. Some of the terminology and worldbuilding used in the books would be incredibly jarring against the backdrop of Apple TV+’s glossysci-fiaesthetic, but the new version of Asimov’s story still pays tribute to the original saga in every way that it reasonably can.
Foundation
Cast
Foundation is a science fiction film that follows a band of exiles on a crucial journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization as the Galactic Empire collapses.
