With the copyright of H.G. Wells’ ‘The War of the Worlds‘ expiring at the end of next year, it should surprise no one that a new show based on the classic novel is coming out, but what is surprising is the talent behind it! Mammoth Screen is developing the mini-series for British television and eyeing a US release and this ITV-owned production company has already signed on Peter Harness (‘Doctor Who’,’Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell’) to create the work. The plan is for it to remain true to both the time period and setting of the novel.

If a US partnership works out, they’ll expand the production budget which currently has the series filming in early 2017 since the copyright will expire in December of 2016. All international distribution is currently set to be handled by ITV Studios Global Entertainment

‘The War of the Worlds’ has never been adapted to UK television and Mammoth wants to keep the original tone of the story intact as we watch the town of Dorking be invaded by Martians. While a more modern take was released just a few years back, it is a great time to see Victorian England being invaded as the groundwork for historical fun is being ramped up by next year’s release of ‘Pride & Prejudice & Zombies‘. While it won’t share the comedic aspects of the film, it will get audiences more interested in the time period with its threat to humanity.

This will be the first time since 1926 that Paramount Pictures won’t have exclusive rights to the novel and in a cinematic world driven by remakes, it is almost surprising that they’ve only made a film based off of Wells’ work twice.

According to Mammoth managing director Damien Timmer:

“The aftershock of The War Of The Worlds can still be felt in popular culture today. The story of a Martian invasion as experienced in Victorian Surrey is a masterpiece. We want this new adaptation to reaffirm H G Wells’ position as one of this country’s most important writers.”

Are you looking forward to a new take on ‘The War of the Worlds’? Are you glad to hear that it will be set in a historically accurate time period or would you prefer another modern day take on being invaded? Share your thoughts below!

Source: Broadcast