A new report reveals what the per-episode budget of 3 Body Problem is, and it exceeds the per-episode budget of Game of Thrones season 8. Created by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, 3 Body Problem serves as an adaptation of the novel series of the same name by author Liu Cixin, telling the story of humanity’s brush with a mysterious alien force. The show boasts an impressive cast, including Eiza Gonzales and Benedict Wong, as well as Game of Thrones alums like Liam Cunningham, Jonathan Pryce, and John Bradley.
Ahead of 3 Body Problem‘s release date this spring, The Wall Street Journal (via The Playlist) reports that the show’s per-episode budget is about $20 million. At 8 episodes in season 1, this puts the show’s total budget in the $160 million range, making it one of the most expensive Netflix original series ever. For comparison, Variety has reported that Game of Thrones season 8, the most expensive season, had a per-episode budget of $15 million.
3 Body Problem Is A Risky Endeavor
Will Netflix’s Gamble Pay Off?
Netflix is no stranger to investing hundreds of millions into its original projects, but 3 Body Problem‘s price tag still represents a bit of a gamble for the streamer. While the source material is well known and has a passionate fan following, 3 Body Problem is quite dense science fiction. Generally speaking, when a company makes a big investment in a property like this, executives want it to have the widest reach possible, but it could be a struggle to get non-book-readers and non-sci-fi audiences on board with this one.
10 Most Exciting Things To Expect From The 3 Body Problem
Netflix’s 3 Body Problem is set to release in early 2024, and there are many reasons why audiences should get excited for this new sci-fi series.
Benioff and Weiss, however, could be just the pair to pull 3 Body Problem off. While later seasons of Game of Thrones, including the divisive season 8, caught flack from viewers and critics alike as it stretched beyond George R.R. Martin’s source material, the show worked exceedingly well while it was able to pull from his novels. Adapting any work is a challenge, especially an epic fantasy or sci-fi adventure. Benioff and Weiss have a proven track record in at least one of these genres.
If all goes to plan, 3 Body Problem will ideally run for 4 seasons in total, according to Benioff and Weiss. The bar for success, however, is going to be quite high with season 1 costing about $160 million, and season 2 is not yet a sure thing. While it remains to be seen how 3 Body Problem goes over with audiences, the high budget means that Benioff and Weiss’ adaptation will hopefully be able to fully capture the epic scale and scope of this sci-fi tale.
3 Body Problem
3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.
- Cast
- Saamer Usmani with Shailene Woodley , Jess Hong , Jovan Adepo , Benedict Wong , John Bradley , Eiza González , Liam Cunningham , Sea Shimooka , Tsai Chin
- Release Date
- March 21, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- David Benioff , D.B. Weiss , Alexander Woo
- Directors
- Minkie Spiro , Derek Tsang
- Creator(s)
- David Benioff , D.B. Weiss , Alexander Woo
- Where To Watch
- Netflix
