Considered the masterpiece that revived Chinese science fiction, Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem trilogy will become the first modern Chinese sci-fi novel to be published in English (unless you count Cat Country)  on November 12th. The dystopia epic takes the reader through the cultural revolution, an alternative version of the ancient World, and finally a modern society whose disappointed in the modern world led them to invite the invasion of an alien invasion.   You can read English excerpts here, here, and here translated by award-winning author Ken Liu, and pre-order the book here and the sequel Dark Forest here.

On October 18th, actor Chen Kun made a Weibo hinting at his role in a film version of the novel, but then immediately deleted it. Later that day, an official Weibo announced the pre-production of a movie adaptation. Sina confirmed the news with production company Yoozo, who said more news will be released at the company’s press conference mid-November.   If successful, this could be the first dystopia Chinese sci-fi film and fill perhaps the biggest hole in Chinese film.

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble:

With the scope of Dune, and the rousing action of Independence Day, this near-future trilogy is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience this multiple award-winning phenomenon from China’s most beloved science fiction author.

Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

And some more pictures of Chen Kun: