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‘Robopocalypse’ TV Show in the Works With Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman
Imagine Entertainment and Weed Road are developing a television series based on Daniel H. Wilson’s 2011 novel *Robopocalypse*. Ron Howard will direct the pilot, while Akiva Goldsman will write it and serve as showrunner; no network or streaming service is attached yet. The project revives a story that has been in development for years and speaks to current concerns about artificial intelligence.
The novel depicts humanity fighting robots controlled by a powerful AI after a near-annihilating attack. Steven Spielberg previously pursued a film adaptation, with Drew Goddard writing a draft and Anne Hathaway and Chris Hemsworth attached, but that version was postponed indefinitely; a later attempt with Michael Bay also did not proceed. Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment will executive produce the series, and Howard and Goldsman bring a long history of collaboration, including on *A Beautiful Mind*.
In short
- Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman are developing a Robopocalypse series.
- Howard will direct the pilot; Goldsman will write and showrun.
- No network or streamer is attached yet.
Explained simply
Daniel H. Wilson’s 2011 novel Robopocalypse imagines a powerful artificial intelligence taking control of robots and launching an attack that brings humanity close to defeat. The story follows people trying to survive and fight back.
The television project is being developed by Imagine Entertainment and Weed Road. Ron Howard is set to direct the pilot, and Akiva Goldsman will write the series and oversee it as showrunner; Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is also involved.
The novel has been considered for film adaptations before, including versions pursued by Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay, but neither went ahead. The new project connects a long-running science-fiction story about AI with present-day interest in the technology, though no broadcaster or streaming service has signed on.