Looks like Isaac Asimov’s in big demand as another one of his novels will be made into a movie. Earlier we reported that Fox is in the process of adapting ‘Caves of Steel’ to the big screen. Now Sony Pictures is doing the same for Asimov’s science fiction trilogy ‘Foundation’ but this time with Dante Harper penning the adaptation.

This isn’t the first writer to try and bring Asimov’s trilogy to life. When Sony first acquired the film rights in 2009, they originally had Robert Rodat (who also wrote for the series ‘Falling Skies’) write the first draft. Apparently it didn’t live up to expectations as the studio is now giving Harper a go at it. Harper first made a name for himself for writing the Timothy McVeigh biopic ‘Deamland’ and also wrote the script for ‘Black Hole’ and did a rewrite on the fairy tale update ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunter’s which is expected to be released in March.

Although Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ series actually encompasses 7 novels, the series is best known by the Foundation Trilogy, which includes the books ‘Foundation’, ‘Foundation and Empire’ and ‘Second Foundation.’ . If you are not familiar with the book ‘Foundation’, below is the synopsis from Amazon to help give you an idea of what the movie will be about:

 For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Sheldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a fututre generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. Mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and be overrun—or fight them and be destroyed.

Roland Emmerich has been on board to direct the film ever since Sony acquired it. With successes like ‘Stargate’, ‘Independent Day’, and ‘2012’, it looks like this film is in good hands. If done well, ‘Foundation’ can easily become the foundation of many Asimov sequels to come.