Roland Emmerich Begins Development of Live-Action ‘Space Nation’ TV Series, Growing the Expansive Transmedia IP

The series builds on the initial success of the ‘Space Nation Online’ soft launch and the animated shorts, which were executive-produced by Emmerich and Marco Weber, with creative direction by Martin Weisz

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Space Nation Inc. today announced that development is underway on a live-action TV series led by two of the transmedia IP’s co-creators and co-founders: Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Those About To Die) and Marco Weber (The Thirteenth Floor, Igby Goes Down). The series will map out the origins of the epic story that began with the recent soft launch of Space Nation Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that sends players to a distant star cluster where humanity has settled following Earth’s destruction. The upcoming Space Nation TV series will be developed and executive-produced by Emmerich and Weber, bringing their combined creative experience to expand the Space Nation universe.

The game is the heart of a bold transmedia vision spearheaded by Space Nation’s co-founders. Fans have also gotten their first peek at the IP’s broader storytelling through an animated series of shorts, executive-produced by Emmerich and Weber, with filmmaker Martin Weisz (The Hills Have Eyes 2) directing. The shorts star the game’s beloved alien teen space pirate, Zoey. A spinoff of the shorts is currently in development.

Originally announced in June 2023, Space Nation Inc. was founded by Emmerich, Weber, and veteran game developers Jerome Wu and Tony Tang. With $50 million in funding, the four co-founders set out to build a first-of-its-kind transmedia IP spanning video games, online content, and TV/streaming. The first leg of this journey, Space Nation Online, soft launched on Sept. 27 and quickly established itself as a leader in the Web3 gaming category, with exceptionally high player numbers and retention reflecting the excitement around its expansive world. This is thanks in part to Space Nation’s collaboration with Immutable, which takes full advantage of the low costs and high scalability in the company’s gaming-centric ZKEVM chain.

“As gamers around the world are joining us in the Telikos Cluster for Space Nation Online, I’m motivated to expand the game’s story with a dive into the origins of humanity’s exodus from Earth following an alien invasion,” said Emmerich, co-founder and co-creator of Space Nation Inc. “Working in parallel with Marco and the game development team to expand this new sci-fi universe has been a singularly unique creative experience, and I’m excited to continue exploring what’s possible through cross-media storytelling.”

“We’re at an important stage with Space Nation Online now live, and fans are beginning to experience how our IP will expand. It’s been a rewarding process to explore how different entertainment mediums can come together to build a larger universe,” said Weber, co-founder and Chairman of Space Nation Inc. “Roland and I are eager to continue developing this new universe as we create a truly interconnected transmedia experience for a global audience.”

To support the game’s soft launch, Emmerich, Weber and Weisz teamed up to create a series of animated shorts featuring the fan-favorite character, Zoey, chronicling her humorous and ill-fated attempts to go viral online. In addition to the three entertainment industry veterans’ collaboration, Jess Lebow, lead writer of Space Nation Online, co-wrote the narrative alongside actress Winona Weber, who not only voiced Zoey in both the shorts and the game, but also performed the motion capture for the character in the animated shorts. Together, the team expanded Zoey’s story, creating a visual narrative that adds depth to the Space Nation universe and sets the stage for its multi-platform expansion. The first four episodes were released for free ahead of Space Nation Online’s late-September launch, giving fans an early glimpse into the Space Nation universe on X.

Further details regarding the TV series, additional animated shorts, and other exciting developments within the Space Nation universe will be unveiled at a later date.

For the latest information on Space Nation Online, please visit https://spacenation.online. Assets from the game’s launch and the animated shorts are available here. You can also keep up with the team on social media via X, YouTube, and Discord.

About Space Nation

Space Nation Inc. is a pioneering force in the entertainment industry, proudly presenting their next-generation transmedia franchise. At the heart of this franchise is Space Nation Online, an extraordinary space opera MMORPG that pushes the boundaries of gaming. With a strong emphasis on fun and immersive gameplay, the team seamlessly integrates innovative Web3 concepts and technologies to elevate the player experience. Founded by gaming industry veterans Jerome Wu and Tony Tang, alongside Academy Award-winning filmmaker Roland Emmerich and media entrepreneur Marco Weber, Space Nation Inc. is committed to delivering exceptional interactive entertainment that captivates audiences worldwide.

About Roland Emmerich

Roland Emmerich is the filmmaker behind blockbuster hits such as Independence Day and Stargate. His films have collectively grossed more than $5 billion in the United States, making Roland the 14th top-earning director in Hollywood history. Emmerich is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

About Marco Weber

Marco Weber is a highly acclaimed serial media entrepreneur who has contributed to the production of numerous internationally recognized films, such as Brooklyn’s Finest, The Thirteenth Floor, Unthinkable, and Igby Goes Down, among others. With experience at BitTorrent, Vrenetic, Vresh, and LALIGA+, Marco has built an expansive technology and entertainment network internationally and works closely with filmmaker Roland Emmerich.

About Martin Weisz

Martin Weisz is a German director known for his extensive work in music videos and film. He has directed more than 350 music videos, collaborating with top artists such as Nickelback, Brandy, and LL Cool J, as well as numerous commercials.

Weisz made his film debut with the psychological horror film Rohtenburg (released as Grimm Love in the United States), which Marco Weber produced. Weisz later directed The Hills Have Eyes 2 and Squatters, solidifying his presence in the film industry.

About Jess Lebow

Jess Lebow is a game writer and fantasy author, best known for his work in the Magic: The Gathering universe as both an editor and author, and as World Designer for the MMO game Guild Wars. He also served as Content Director for the development of Pirates of the Burning Sea. Lebow has written several Forgotten Realms novels and is well-regarded for his contributions to the fantasy genre.

About Winona Weber

Winona Weber is an actress known for her work in independent films, such as A Portrait for Serge and Sano. She is also the daughter of Marco Weber. Though her career is still developing, W. Weber has garnered attention for her performance in various short films and indie projects. W. Weber is represented by Innovative Artists.

Contacts

spacenation@berlinrosen.com