Foundation season 3 faces more turmoil as showrunner steps back from hit Apple TV Plus show

Shaken to its Foundations

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Foundationseason 3 has been dealt another blow after David S. Goyer reportedly stepped back from showrunning duties.

According toThe Hollywood Reporter(THR), Goyer –Foundation’s co-creator, who also serves as head writer, director, and executive producer – is no longer overseeing the hitApple TV Plussci-fi show’s development. Goyer is believed to have clashed with executives at Skydance,Foundation’s production company, over budget issues, which led to the decision.

THR’s sources say Goyer will retain the title of showrunner behind the scenes and continues to be creatively involved, but has handed overall responsibility to the series' wider creative team. To that end, Goyer’s fellow executive producer Bill Bost is set to move to Prague –Foundation’s primary filming location – to oversee the rest of season 3’s shooting schedule.

TechRadar has reached out toApplefor an official comment on THR’s report, and we’ll update this article if we hear back.

Charting a new, bumpier course for the stars

Foundationseason 3has faced numerous setbackssince it was officially announced in December 2023. Initially, production on the sci-fi epic’s third outing was believed to have begun in early 2023 – indeed, before season 2’s launch,Foundationseason 3 was reportedly greenlit, but its cast and crew couldn’t talk about itwhen asked directly by TechRadar.

If work had begun earlier than anticipated, it would have been halted by the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, which ran from June to November 2023. However, the end of that industrial action only marked the beginning of season 3’s issues. In early February, we reported thatFoundationseason 3 faced an agonizing filming delaydue to numerous production problems. Less than two weeks later, it seemed those setbacks were resolved, withFoundationseason 3 no longer in limbo amid a rumored filming restart date.

That news, though, appears to have been a false dawn. With Goyer and Skydance supposedly at odds over the show’s production costs, coupled with many other behind-the-scenes problems, one of thebest Apple TV Plus showsis certainly facing the most testing period in its history. With each passing day, it becomes increasingly clear thatFoundation’s third season won’t be making its debut on one of the world’sbest streaming servicesbefore 2024 is over.

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That’s a shame, too. In ourreview ofFoundationseason 2, we said it “rights every wrong from show’s first season in cosmically dazzling fashion”. I would have expected Apple to build on last season’s success by delivering an even better third installment but, given its current troubles and creative overhaul, season 3 might not be the stellar follow-up we’re all hoping for. I hope I’m wrong.

In the meantime, read ourFoundationseason 2 ending explainedarticle to find out what it sets up ahead of its successor’s arrival.

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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

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Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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