Almost two decades had to pass before a film adaptation of Frank Schätzing’s successful novel The Swarm was published. An unusually long time, since Hollywood studios, TV stations and streaming services are vying for well-known fantasy and sci-fi material. And indeed, Hollywood made an effort just two years after the book was published in 2004 for an adaptation – but in vain. A prominent participant at the time: Tarantino star Uma Thurman.
Uma Thurman’s The Swarm adaptation was already gaining momentum
The swarm tells of mysterious events that shake civilization. It starts in the depths of the oceans and spreads across the world. Hostile whales, dangerous crabs and a previously unknown ice worm are up to mischief. Apparently nature takes revenge to the people for their reckless behavior. A group out international scientists investigates the question of what lies behind the mysterious swarm intelligence. (Here you come to the complete cast of The Swarm)
Thurman, best known from the Quentin Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, secured the rights to Schätzing’s novel in 2006. By then it had already sold millions of copies, had been translated into 18 languages and was a resounding international success. With Ica and Michael Souvignier, a German producer duo was involved in the project.
The Swarm – Teaser Trailer (German subtitles) HD
Schätzing said various major studios would have made representations for Der Schwarm. “But for me, Uma, Ica and Michael are the ideal constellation for an international film success.”
A film? Exactly, back then series were not as popular as they are today. It would have been unthinkable that a star like Uma Thurman would have volunteered for a TV production. In the blockbuster she would probably have the lead role Played by scientist Tina Lund. However, nothing ever came of the plans. Why?
Uma Thurman’s film adaptation of The Swarm petered out
The exact reasons why there was never a The Swarm movie are not known. However, one reason is obvious: There was a lack of money. In 2012, six years after Thurman secured the rights, news broke that she and Frank Schätzing were launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise the necessary budget. Fans and private supporters should donate the money that studios apparently didn’t want to provide. The already shaky plan apparently failed. After that, nothing more was heard from Thurman’s The Swarm project.
It took another six years until ZDF finally stepped in in 2018 and launched a large-scale production. Frank Schätzing was satisfied: “Who would have thought that the ideal team would come together after all, that visionary TV makers and top professionals like Game of Thrones creative force Frank Doelger would come on board and that we are now setting course for a major international series, the format with the strongest narrative for a adventures like the swarm.”
The series has now been implemented and published. The first 6 episodes are already available in the ZDF media library. Here you can see all broadcast dates of The Swarm.
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