Philip K. Dick’s novella The Variable Man gets an adaptation from Humans co-creators Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent. The author, also behind Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and The Man in the High Castle, has been widely regarded for his prominent impact on the sci-fi genre. Originally released in 1953, The Variable Man focuses on Thomas Cole, who is transported to the future amid a war between Terra and Centaurus.

According to Deadline, Brackley and Vincent are now adapting The Variable Man. Motive Pictures, the British company from Simon Maxwell, is collaborating with Electric Shepherd and the adaptation will air in the UK. However, Maxwell explains that having Brackley and Vincent on board and “exploring the modern world through a genre lens” can help garner a wide release in the United States. He adds that creating shows with strong talent can build “excitement to attract the commissions and co-finance” and that all of this may work to draw additional networks. Read Maxwell’s comments below:

When you’ve got Sam and John doing what they did so brilliantly with Humans and exploring the modern world through a genre lens, it is something that can absolutely attract broadcasters in the U.S. We’re developing shows with all of those stars and if you build projects in the right way, you can generate enough excitement to attract the commissions and co-finance.

We don’t have a crystal ball – nothing is guaranteed – but what we are doing is crafting bespoke projects with singular talent. That’s a recipe we’ve found fruitful in of getting broadcasters to the table.

What This Means For The Variable Man

It Could Become A Highly Successful Project

This adaptation of The Variable Man could be a success for Brackley and Vincent, especially if it expands beyond the UK audience. Humans was released in multiple regions, airing on Channel 4 in the UK and AMC in the U.S. It also generated a loyal fanbase through three seasons, a possible result of those networks. The show centered on robotic “Synths” and their relations with humans, portraying ever-relevant ideas surrounding AI. Now, revisiting the sci-fi genre for The Variable Man, Brackley and Vincent have an opportunity to continue a trend of well-made projects based on Dick’s work.

Stories by Philip K. Dick present interesting concepts and sci-fi worlds suitable for adaptations, even if some movies and television shows are more favorably received than others. This proved accurate on several occasions, including when We Can It for You Wholesale was used as the basis for Total Recall and when Steven Spielberg helmed the $358 million-earning Minority Report adaptation. However, one of the most notable projects to date is Blade Runner, based on Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Our Take On The Variable Man

Brackley And Vincent Can Make A Strong Adaptation

There is optimism surrounding The Variable Man adaptation and recent comments from Maxwell suggest that the show will be positioned for success. Having Brackley and Vincent attached is promising, and it will be interesting to see what actors get cast or whether they have large crossover appeal. Dick’s novella could translate to television if well-adapted, and considering their previous work on Humans, Brackley and Vincent may be able to replicate that series' performance with The Variable Man.

Source: Deadline