The Librarians creator John Rogers is set to write the pilot and executive produce Lionsgate’s TV adaptation of the fantasy franchise The Kingkiller Chronicle, working alongside previously announced franchise creative producer and musical mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda, book trilogy author Pat Rothfuss and producer Robert Lawrence. Jennifer Court, who is head of development at Rogers’ production shingle Kung Fu Monkey, will also serve as executive producer.

DAW Books

Lionsgate is simultaneously developing feature film and television projects based on the popular Kingkiller Chronicle brand. As previously announced, the feature film will be based on the trilogy of best-sellers, while the television series will expand on the world outside of the books. Lionsgate and the Kung Fu Monkey producers also have the option to develop future stage adaptations for the franchise.

“With the addition of the incredibly talented John Rogers as showrunner, we have now assembled the perfect creative team to develop a premium quality scripted series to launch our Kingkiller Chronicle franchise,” said Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs.

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Rogers co-created and showran the long-running TNT series Leverage before creating and running the network’s adventure series The Librarians, currently in its third season; as well as creating and executive producing last season’s NBC series The Player. Rogers is currently writing the Magnum P.I. sequel series project for ABC, which he is executive producing through Kung Fu Monkey alongside Eva Longoria’s UnbeliEVAable Entertainment. Rogers’ feature credits include Transformers, American Outlaws and Catwoman. He is repped by CAA, Thruline Entertainment and Jackoway Tyerman.



Miranda will serve as producer of the franchise and is expected to compose the original music and write the songs. Rothfuss is an executive producer for both film and television, charged with bringing continuity to the projects. Lawrence, who has been involved in The Kingkiller Chronicle series since its earliest days, will produce for film and television. Writer Lindsey Beer (Transformers 5) will write the feature script based on the first book, The Name of the Wind.

The Kingkiller Chronicle series of books and novellas has sold 10 million copies and ranks as the best-selling modern epic fantasy series behind Game of Thrones.

Lionsgate EVP of Television Chris Selak and Andy Richley, SVP, Television, will spearhead its development for TV.