Apple TV+’s live-actionFoundationadaptation has made several divisive changes to Isaac Asimov’s source material, but I don’t mind the show’s drastic changes, as long as a specific element remains intact when the saga resumes.Foundationseason 3’s confirmationwas great news after the various cliffhangers at the end ofFoundationseason 2. However, the various delays and behind-the-scenes roadblocks have worried me that the show may not be the same when season 3 arrives. Hopefully, it’ll continue to follow the same formula.
Some ofFoundation’s best scenes so farhave stemmed fromApple TV+’s decision to stray from Asimov’s books series. Even some of the show’s biggest elements, likeFoundation’s clone dynasty, are completely unique to the live-action version of the space opera. I know there are those who oppose the source material’s overhaul, but I think it’s something that needed to happen for the saga to make sense in the context of a TV show.
I Don’t Mind Foundation Changing Asimov’s Canon For The TV Show
Rather than a faithful page-to-screen adaptation of Isaac Asimov’sFoundationbooks,Apple TV+ has used the iconic sci-fi author’s canon as a sci-fi sandboxto create what is essentially a completely new story. Certain things from the source material, like character names and some major events, have made it into Apple TV+’s retelling of the tale, but it’s a very different experience compared to reading the novels. While this would irritate me beyond measure in other adaptations, I love it inFoundation.
Some of Asimov’s ideas about what belongs in a distant future setting have long since become outdated.
As great as Asimov’s originalFoundationstories are, I remember finding out the show was coming and having no idea how it could be adapted into a cohesive TV show. The massive time jumps and the sheer length of the saga routinely leave behind entire groups of characters in the previous era, and that isn’t something that generally works in a TV show. Plus, some of Asimov’s ideas about what belongs in a distant future setting have long since become outdated. It was always going to be an ambitious adaptation, and the changes/additions have been tasteful and authentic.
Foundation Season 3 Must Be An Epic-Scale Story Like The First Two
The Asimov-inspired space opera needs to maintain the same sense of scale
Although Apple TV+‘sFoundationadaptation does place a great deal of emphasis on the importance of its various characters, I find that it’s the size of the show’s sprawling setting that gives it its biggest appeal. It’s a space opera that isn’t just a visual feast for the eyes, but also thoroughly engaging because of the canon’s immense scale.Foundationseasons 1 and 2 have established this as one of the show’s biggest hallmarks, and I really hopeFoundationseason 3 keeps it going in the same way.
Foundation’s Biggest Change To The Isaac Asimov Books Is Why The Apple TV+ Sci-Fi Show With 86% On Rotten Tomatoes Works
Apple TV+’s live-action take on Asimov’s Foundation books has adopted several changes, but there’s one alteration that stands out among the rest.
Foundationseason 2’s endingfinally brought the Foundation and Empire into close-quarters combat, so season 3 could arguably feature far less zipping between the various planets that have already been introduced. Plus, with more focus set to be on The Mule (Mikael Persbrandt) and his temporal dynamic with Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobel),I wouldn’t be surprised ifFoundationseason 3 doubled down on its more character-driven storylines. It would still be good, I’m sure - but it wouldn’t feel like the same show.
Why I’m Worried That Foundation Might Look Different In Season 3
Foundation’s showrunner change means the story could transform
A lot has gone on behind the scenes betweenFoundationseasons 2 and 3, and they could all have an impact on how the show is made and what it will look like when it returns. Firstly, the SAG-AFTRA strikes halted production while season 3 was being made. This could be argued to impact the flow of the coming run of episodes, but other shows affected by the same strikes have returned at full strength, so I’m not too worried about that.What I am more concerned about isFoundationseason 3’s reduced budget across the board.
The need forhigh production values ultimately led to creator David S. Goyer stepping down asFoundation’s showrunnerduring negotiations while season 3 was being shot.
It’s easy to tell at a glance thatFoundationisn’t a cheap show to make. The extensive use of CGI is one thing, but the fact it actually looks so breathtakingly beautiful means Apple TV+ and Skydance haven’t cheaped out on the special effects either. Sadly, the need forhigh production values ultimately led to creator David S. Goyer stepping down asFoundation’s showrunnerduring negotiations while season 3 was being shot. Although he’s going to continue to contribute scripts and other forms of creative input, having someone else in charge ofFoundationis a worrying prospect.
