Director Sam "Spider-Man" Raimi has secured film rights to develop author Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" novels into a television mini-series.
Raimi and producing partner Joshua Donen will begin production of "Wizard's First Rule" in 2007, to be followed by other volumes in the "Sword" series.
The stories focus on 'Richard Cypher' ('Richard Rahl') in "Wizard's First Rule" (1994), "Stone of Tears" (1995), "Blood of the Fold" (1996), "Temple of the Winds" (1997), "Soul of the Fire" (1999), "Faith of the Fallen" (2000), "The Pillars of Creation" (2001), "Naked Empire" (2003), "Chainfire" (2005) and "Phantom" (2006).
Prequel novella was titled "Debt of Bones" (2001), first published in the anthology "Legends" (1998).
Story action is set on the subcontinent 'New World', where the early novels take place, and the larger 'Old World' introduced in the later books. New World is divided into regions 'D'Hara' in the east, 'Midlands' and 'Westland'.
Premise of the prequel follows a war fought over whether magic should be allowed to continue to exist or be removed as a factor in the human condition, involving Wizards, Sorcerers, Sorceresses, Witch Women and Warlocks, with abilities either innate (the 'Gift') or taught (the 'Calling').
Besides Cypher, other characters include 'Kahlan Amnell', 'Zeddicus Zu'l', 'Zorander', 'Darken Rahl', 'Nathan Rahl', 'Prelate Annalina', 'Adie', 'Sister Verna', 'Emperor Jagang', 'Cara', 'Nicci', 'The Creator' and 'The Keeper'.
