Sam Claflin and Patrick Stewart starring in ‘Barbaric’

Michael Bay is in talks to direct and executive produce the new series, which Sheldon Turner is creating based on his successful Vault comic book series.

(Left) Sam Claflin in 'Daisy Jones & the Six'. Photo: Amazon Prime Video. (Right) Patrick Stewart as Picard of the Paramount+ original series 'Star Trek: Picard. Photo: Trae Patton/Paramount+ ©2022 ViacomCBS. All Rights Reserved.

Preview:

Sam Claflin and Patrick Stewart are attached to comic book adaptation ‘Barbaric’.
Writer Sheldon Turner is crafting a series based on his work.
Michael Bay’s in talks to direct at least a couple of episodes.

We might not exactly be hurting for fantasy TV series at the moment –– ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ recently returned and Prime Video’s ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ is back next month.

Still, ‘Up in the Air’ writer Sheldon Turner thinks there could well be room for one more, especially one that features a less serious side to its tale of warriors and gonzo violence.

Which brings us to ‘Barbaric’ the best-selling Vault comic he first published in 2021 with co-creator/writer Michael Moreci and co-creator/artist Nathan Gooden.

Turner is looking to turn the comic into a TV series, and he has ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’s Sam Claflin ready to star with Patrick Stewart –– whose genre credentials surely need no repetition –– taking a voice role.

Daisy Jones & the Six

"Meteoric rise. Infamous breakup."

TV-141 SeasonsMarch 2nd, 2023

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What’s the story of ‘Barbaric’?

'Barbaric' comic book. Photo: Vault Comics.

Set in a Medieval fantasy world, the series follows Owen (Claflin), a barbarian who has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. Accompanied by his talking axe (Stewart), described in the comic’s synopsis as a moral compass with a drinking problem, Owen wanders the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: witches.

Who else will work on ‘Barbaric’?

Producer Brad Fischer, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Director/Producer Michael Bay, Eiza González and Jake Gyllenhaal attend Universal Pictures 'Ambulance' Premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, CA on Monday, April 4, 2022.

(L to R) Producer Brad Fischer, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Director/Producer Michael Bay, Eiza González and Jake Gyllenhaal attend Universal Pictures 'Ambulance' Premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, CA on Monday, April 4, 2022. Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages.

Netflix –– though the company wouldn’t officially comment to TVLine, likely because not all the deals have been done –– is reportedly backing this one, which Turner will write and produce via his 100% Productions company, which is based at A+E Studios.

But perhaps the biggest news on this one is the potential director. Michael Bay –– yes, the man behind the likes of the ‘Transformers’ movies, ‘Armageddon’ and, most recently, ‘Ambulance’ (in whose credits Turner is thanked, leading us to think he might have offered some uncredited script re-write work) is in talks to handle the series.

If he does sign, it would mark Bay’s TV directorial debut. He’s certainly produced a lot of small screen work (‘Black Sails’, ‘The Purge’ and ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ among it), but now we might get to see what he can do with a show. We’d guess the idea of working with a Netflix budget rather than the constrictions of regular network TV is what appeals to him.

And we’d certainly be interested in what Bay’s style looks like within a fantasy world.

When will ‘Barbaric’ be on screens?

The new series will have to make it out of development before it can even be considered for a launch date. But given the names involved, we’d guess this has a better chance than some other projects.