FX’s Shogun is finally back on track–as announced at Disney Investor Day on December 10–after being greenlit way back in summer 2018, and then almost immediately subsequently delayed in pre-production to build in extra time to polish scripts and figure out logistics for filming the 10-episode series. In 2018, the network was hailing the show as its largest international scale production, with filming in the U.K. and Japan.
Two years later, FX has not lost any bravado or enthusiasm for the series. John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions said that the adaptation of James Clavell’s beloved epic saga, Shogun, is back on track and set to be “one of the most sweeping, sophisticated, and adult series FX has ever created.” Although not set in italics, “adult” is a key word here–FX describes the show’s world as being “set within the riveting and real Game of Thrones that was feudal Japan.”
The Game of Thrones gauntlet being thrown down is not just aspirational thinking. Adapted by Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, the show’s creative staff also includes Tim Van Patten, an award-winning producer of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, and also the director of Game of Thrones’ pilot and many early episodes.
Back in 2018, Landgraf, says that this new version will set itself apart from the previous 1980 television adaptation by de-emphasizing the focus on a Westerner’s perspective on the era.
“[The FX version] is told from multiple points of view, not just the singular Western white male point of view,” said Landgraf. “It’s told through many Japanese points of view, and there is a lot of fun and fascinating work going on to try to balance the story out and tell it from both points of view.”