John Wick Director Developing Adaptation Of Swashbuckling Fantasy Series

John Wick director Chad Stahelski is developing an adaptation of the Spellslinger series. A highly influential figure in the action genre, Stahelski served as Keanu Reeves’ stunt double in The Matrix and later directed him in all four John Wick movies. As the status of John Wick 5 remains uncertain, Stahelski has several projects in the works which he will either produce or direct, including the John Wick: Under the High Table TV series, Highlander remake, Rainbow Six, Ghost of Tsushima, Black Samurai, and Shibumi.

Now, the John Wick director is adding to his list of upcoming projects. According to Variety, Chad Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment and Basset Hound Distribution are developing a television adaptation of the Spellslinger fantasy book series by Sebastien de Castell. M. Raven Metzner – known for his work on Star Trek: Discovery, Sleepy Hollow, Elektra, and Clue – will serve as the showrunner and head writer for the TV series. The logline reads:

Spellslinger follows the adventures of 16-year-old Kellen, who lives in a world where magic is everything. The problem is: he doesn’t have any. When his paths cross with a swashbuckling adventurer from a mysterious sect called the Argosi on a mission to stop a continent-wide war, his life, world and family will be turned upside down. Bursting with tricks, traps, magic and a talking squirrel cat!

What This Means For The Spellslinger TV Show

It’s Getting The Full Treatment

Written by Sebastien de Castell, Spellslinger is a series of young adult fantasy books that follow the adventures of a 16-year-old named Kellen who lacks magical powers and instead must rely on wit, trickery, and a sarcastic squirrel-cat companion to survive in a dangerous world of intrigue and sorcery. The complete series spans six novels with an additional prequel series that starts with Way of the Argosi. De Castell is also the author of The Greatcoats series, which is set in the same world as Spellslinger.

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The Spellslinger TV show will consist of hour-long episodes, suggesting it will be treated with the same scope and scale as other fantasy shows such as Game of Thrones, Rings of Power, The Witcher, and The Wheel of Time. Not only that, but there is plenty of source material for the Spellslinger TV show to adapt from the six main novels to the prequel series. Additionally, there is the possibility for a larger fantasy universe connected to De Castell’s Greatcoats series.

Our Take On The Spellslinger TV Show

What Will Chad Stahelski Bring As A Producer?

Ian McShane and Chad Stahelski on John Wick Chapter 4 set

Chad Stahelski is best known as the director of John Wick, though, like his Highlander remake, the Spellslinger TV show presents an interesting opportunity for him as a producer to blend his own action expertise with a rich fantasy world. Known for his visually stunning and tightly choreographed action sequences in John Wick, Stahelski should elevate the Spellslinger TV series by infusing it with thrilling action. Additionally, M. Raven Metzner’s experience in crafting engaging storylines should complement Stahelski’s vision, the collaboration leading to an intriguing adaptation of Spellslinger that blends action, wit, and fantasy.