Spellslinger: Chad Stahelski's Fantasy Adaptation, Explained

Harry Potter. Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The Twilight Saga. The list of YA fantasy adaptations from books to movies and television shows has been ever-growing within the past few decades and doesn’t show signs of stopping any time soon. This is great news for some of the excellent book series that have yet to be adapted for the screen, and it is always exciting when a new project gets announced. YA is a great resource for accessible escapism and often provides role models for teenagers as well as nostalgia for older readers who can remember what it was like, perhaps not to have powers, but the feelings the younger protagonists express and grapple with.

Recently, it was revealed in an exclusive with Variety that the YA fantasy adventure book series Spellslinger was next on the docket to get the small screen treatment. So who is adapting the book series, and what is the original source material about?

The Spellslinger Adaptation, Explained

The Spellslinger series is being adapted by Chad Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment. Stahelski, comes from the world of stunt performing, receiving his start in low-budget action films before graduating to being a stunt double for Brandon Lee in The Crow. He then came into prominence, doubling for Keanu Reeves in the original Matrix film. He went on to co-found action design company 87Eleven and has gone on to work as second unit director for such films as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). He has also directed the immensely popular John Wick films. M. Raven Metzner, whose credits include the Sleepy Hollow television series and Star Trek: Discovery, will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Not much is known yet about the project aside from the creative team. Even so, while there hasn’t been a release date yet, the involvement of Stahelski and Metzner indicates that it will be a fun ride full of creative action.

What is the Spellslinger Series About?

Spellslinger is a series written by Sebastien de Castell, a real-life bard turned fantasy novel-writer. The series follows sixteen-year-old Kellen, who lives in a society that values magic above all else. Unfortunately for Kellen, he doesn’t have any. (Think of Deku who is Quirk-less/superpowerless at the beginning of My Hero Academia.) Worse yet, the upcoming Mage Trials are coming up for all sixteen-year-olds in his society. If he fails, he will be stripped of his title from his high-powered family and forced into a life as a non-magic servant. Thankfully, he runs into Ferius Parfax, a card-wielding Argosi traveler, who saves his life and takes him under his wing. Along the way, Kellen also joins up with a talking squirrel-cat named Reichis. (Additionally, Reichis can also camouflage by changing the color of his fur. While his brief description implies that he might be like an adorable anime mascot, he’s a lot more foul-mouthed and violent than, say, Cerberus from Card Captor Sakura.) Along the way, Kellen learns more about the history of his world as well as his own family’s secrets. The three find themselves entangled in magic, gambling, and political intrigue. Along with the six books within the series proper, there are also three prequel stories; Way of the Argosi, Fall of Argosi, and Fate of the Argosi, which center on young Ferius. Another one of de Castell’s series, The Greatcoasts, also takes place in the world of Spellslinger, ensuring that there’s plenty of ground to cover for the series. Thankfully, the episodes will be an hour long, ensuring that there will be plenty of time to explore Spellslinger‘s expansive world.

While it will be great to see the magical system on screen and in action with characters using hand motions and spoken spells, there’s also a lot of great character dynamics throughout the series. Kellen’s ability to understand Reichis is special and, despite the two of them constantly bickering, they genuinely come to care for one another. Ferius also serves as Kellen’s mentor, teaching him various skills and guiding him, all while being unable to resist teasing him. Each book also gives Kellen a love interest, which could be fun not only for viewers, but could be a great way to include new guest stars each season.

YA fantasy adaptations are admittedly hit or miss. For every Harry Potter, there’s an Eragon. Adaptation is a real art in itself. A proper one can boost a property into the popular culture past its usual demographic, or it can be done so poorly that it reflects badly on the book, making viewers skeptical to give the source material a try. While the verdict is still out on which way the Spellslinger television show will go, if the source material and creative team are any indication, it’s going to be a hell of a ride.

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