EXCLUSIVE: Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem is getting a brand-new release, and Screen Rant has an exclusive first look at the artwork.
After its initial publication and English translation, the novel became a bestseller, won awards like the Hugo Award for Best Novel and was nominated at the Nebula Awards for Best Novel. Liu went on to write two sequels, The Dark Forest and Death’s End, to round out what became known as the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.
Now the trilogy is collectively being re-released as a $780 limited edition called The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Remembrance of Earth’s Past on September 8 at 11 a.m. EDT from Folio Society.
As the title indicates, all three novels will be included (along with an intro by Liu and a signed book plate), and Screen Rant can exclusively reveal multiple illustrations from this new version by award-winning artist Matt Griffin. Check out artwork from The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Remembrance of Earth’s Past below:
In a statement, Folio Society Editor James Rose praised Griffin’s “beautifully and brilliant[ly] evoked” artwork and called The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Remembrance of Earth’s Past the “ultimate edition of a science-fiction phenomenon” that is “as broad as it is compelling.” He added that fans, new and old alike, will be “awestruck” by this new version of the trilogy.
“Starting with the Chinese Cultural Revolution and spanning some 18 million years into the future, Liu Cixin’s masterpiece is as broad as it is compelling. A tale of humanity’s struggle, and that of a civilization fighting for its very existence, this dares to answer the question: ‘Are we alone in the Universe?’ Beautifully and brilliant[ly] evoked in Matt Griffin’s artwork, this is the ultimate edition of a science-fiction phenomenon. Fans of the series, anyone interested in sci-fi and hard science, and new readers alike will be awestruck by this edition.”
Liu’s The Three-Body Problem centers around human contact with alien life and takes place in three different time periods. A physicist attempts to send a message into space following the horrific death of her father in 1960s China.
After it’s received, aliens living on a planet with three orbiting stars decide to make contact. A number of aliens believe humans are the answer to the issues their planet is facing, but not everyone is on board, as detractors have a plan to colonize Earth.
The Three-Body Problem has been adapted twice for TV in the past four years, first as the Chinese series Three Body that’s available to stream on Peacock in the United States.
Netflix also developed its own adaptation in 2024, created by Game of Thrones‘ David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and True Blood‘s Alexander Woo. This latter English-language version received solid reviews from critics, who gave it a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
3 Body Problem went on to earn multiple Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Main Title Design and Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour). Two more seasons are already in the works, with 3 Body Problem season 2 expected to be released sometime this year.
Until Netflix’s adaptation returns, fans of the sci-fi franchise can revisit the original literary trilogy with the upcoming illustrated edition of The Three-Body Problem.
- Release Date
-
March 21, 2024
- Network
-
Netflix
- Directors
-
Minkie Spiro, Jeremy Podeswa, Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung, Andrew Stanton
- Writers
-
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo, Madhuri Shekar, Rose Cartwright