Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions will join Syfy in producing the Stranger in a Strange Land TV series.

Well, not to be shown up by MTV, who recently announced a new series based off the HG Wells classic War of the Worlds, THR is reporting that Syfy is stepping up to produce a Stranger in a Strange Land TV series, based on the absolute sci-fi classic by Robert Heinlein.

For those who haven’t read the book, or aren’t aware of the story (don’t admit that in public…), here is a very quick summary.

A manned expedition is sent to Mars, but we lose all contact with them. 25 years later, a second expedition arrives and finds a single survivor, Valentine Michael Smith. Having been born on a spaceship, and being raised entirely by Martians, he returns to Earth, where he confronts an alien culture.

The book’s impact has been far reaching, from predicting movements such as the free love movement, to introducing a variety of terms and concepts into modern culture, and it won the 1962 Hugo Award for best novel.

So, Who’s Involved in the Stranger in a Strange Land TV Series?

Well, the three big players at this point are Syfy, Paramount Television, and Universal Cable Productions. According to NBC Universal’s Cable Entertainment (Syfy’s parent company) Chairman Bonnie Hammer, “Stranger in a Strange Land isn’t just a science fiction masterpiece … it also happens to be one of my favorite books ever. The story is timeless and resonates more than ever in today’s world.” She added that as a fan, she’s excited to see the project come to life as a world-class television event.

Paramount TV President Amy Powell sais that they’re thrilled to be collaborating on the project, adding that “This novel has resonated with me since college and there’s a reason it has continued to find new fans for over 40 years. Syfy’s understanding of imaginative and futuristic programming is unmatched, making them an ideal partner for this series.”

So far, no creatives such as writers, directors, or cast have been announced, but I imagine it won’t be long until we hear more.