Netflix’s New Philip K. Dick Adaptation Is Based On His Most Underrated Story

by

Netflix is developing a new TV series based on the work of science fiction legend Philip K. Dick. While many of Dick’s stories have been adapted for film and television, this project is unique. It’s based on a lesser-known, but highly regarded, story he wrote 70 years ago.

Many classic and creatively ambitious science fiction films have come from the works of Philip K. Dick. Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, for example, draws inspiration from Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? And Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed film Minority Report is based on a short story by Dick with the same title.

Prime Video previously created a compelling TV series based on Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle. Now, Netflix is preparing to adapt another, less famous story by the author, and it’s likely to show that, while Dick’s writing can be difficult to bring to the screen, it can be very successful when done right.

Netflix’s Upcoming Philip K. Dick Adaptation Is Based On The Author’s The World Jones Made

Philip K. Dick’s novel, The World Jones Made, isn’t one of his best-known books, but it’s gained a dedicated following over time. This is likely because it delves into the enduring questions of whether our lives are predetermined or if we truly have free will. The story is set in a future after a third World War, and centers around a man named Floyd Jones who develops the power to see a year ahead.

He quickly becomes famous because he can foresee the future, and this power makes him a very influential – and potentially dangerous – person. His certain knowledge of upcoming events clashes with the dominant belief in “relativism,” the idea that truth is subjective. Through this compelling storyline, The World Jones Made explores important questions about extreme beliefs, whether we truly have free will, and the nature of fate.

Similar to many of Philip K. Dick’s works, The World Jones Made features intricate writing and doesn’t follow a straightforward plot. Because of this, the upcoming Netflix series, The Future Is Ours, will need to make changes to the original story to work well as a TV show.

The Netflix Show Is Changing The Original Story In 1 Major Way

The new series, set in South America in 2047, will be the first-ever Spanish-language adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story. Unlike previous adaptations that explored Cold War themes, this show will focus on a future where severe environmental damage has led South American nations to take drastic measures to prevent widespread starvation.

That’s when Jonás Flores, the show’s take on Floyd Jones, starts using the internet to foresee what’s coming. The original story also features aliens who play a key role in the plot. The way these aliens appear and make people question their beliefs about what’s certain is similar to the themes explored in Denis Villeneuve’s film, Arrival.

Interestingly, the show is shifting away from the alien storyline to concentrate on the human impact of a failing environment. While changing the source material is always a risk, most adaptations of Philip K. Dick’s novels have shown that these kinds of changes are often needed to make the story work on screen.

Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner only took basic concepts from Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. This is common with adaptations of Dick’s work; films and series like Total Recall, The Man in the High Castle, and Minority Report all diverge quite a bit from their original stories. A Scanner Darkly stands out as one of the few adaptations that stays relatively close to the source material.

Since the new Netflix show is still upcoming, it’s best to approach it with optimism and see what it might offer, especially considering it’s based on the work of Philip K. Dick.

Read More

2026-04-26 06:19