By Variety | Created at 2026-06-12 03:22:08 | Updated at 2026-06-12 18:14:01
15 hours ago
Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s epic prog anthem “Karn Evil 9” has inspired a new sci-fi dystopian film, which is now in development after landing a screenwriter and director.
Isaac Ezban (“The Incident,” “Párvulos”) is set to direct the film from a script by Tim Hedrick (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”).
Per the official synopsis, “When Zak, a brilliant but troubled musical prodigy, is invited to perform at a major music festival simulcast in the world’s most popular video game, he is shocked to discover the game’s mysterious creator may be using him to promote a terrifying new technology. In a harrowing twist, our hero comes to believe that this technology may be of inestimable benefit to humanity, and he is hunted by ruthless, anti-technology mercenaries.”
The film is being developed by Radar Pictures with the cooperation of Emerson, Lake & Palmer and the band’s management. Michael Napoliello and Maria Frisk are set to produce alongside Ted Field for Radar. Founding ELP member Carl Palmer, Bruce Pilato and Stewart Young are executive producers.
“This is, quite literally, a miracle of a movie and just the kind of movie I had always dreamt of directing: It’s both an original and a very epic piece of science fiction that deals with a relevant subject through a completely new lens,” Ezban said in a statement. “This is actually a story where AI might be our biggest ally, and the bad guys are … well, I won´t say more … Hedrick’s magnificent script feels very human, unique, fresh, unpredictable, gripping and deeply touching and beautiful all at the same time … Bringing this story to life with the incredibly gifted team of Radar Pictures is truly a dream come true.”
“I have been obsessed with this music ever since I spotted the iconic H.R. Giger album cover lurking in my cool older cousin’s vinyl collection,” Hedrick added in a statement. “‘Karn Evil 9’ predates ‘The Matrix’ and ‘The Terminator,’ but it anticipates both of those films, as well as our present moment of technological chaos. I can’t wait to explore this world.”
Listen to the Emerson, Lake & Palmer song “Karn Evil 9” below.
