Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Kingkiller Chronicle' Begins a Bidding War After Showtime Pass

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Kingkiller Chronicle is the talk-of-the-town currently to say the least. The fantasy drama was recently released back to the producers, Lionsgate Television from Showtime and it is already being shopped elsewhere.

The drama is based on the best-selling series of novels by Pat Rothfuss. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the TV series being developed is an origin story that is set a generation before the events of the trilogy's first novel, The Name of the Wind. The show is planned as a companion alongside a feature film that is poised to adapt Rothfuss' book series. Lionsgate is looking to build Kingkiller as a larger franchise that also includes interactive games and more beyond the film and TV show.

The Kingkiller Chronicle depicts the life and times of Kvothe, a magically gifted young man and famous musician who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. The potential series will follow a pair of wandering performers on their adventures through the unique and startling world of Temerant, immersing audiences in a universe of unexpected heroes, mystical places and terrifying dark forces.

Showtime's decision to abandon plans for Kingkiller arrives after parent company CBS Corp. agreed to re-merge with Viacom, giving it access to all of Viacom's IP for which to potentially adapt.

Lionsgate TV, meanwhile, is fresh off its best development year ever and has multiple series in the works across the broadcast, cable and streaming landscape.