One of the main points brought up in the panel was why it took so long for Brooks' massive book series to make it on screen since the first book in the series was written in 1977. According to the producers, it wasn't just a matter of waiting for special effects technology to catch up, but also finding the right vehicle for the show.
"It's too much story for a movie trilogy," said producer Al Gough. Author Terry Brooks expanded on that theme, admitting that there had been previous opportunities to develop Shannara, but only as a movie. Television had only recently been thought of as a viable venue for the property.
In order not to confuse viewers who might be familiar with the books, the creators wanted the audience to know that this series begins with the events of the second novel, "The Elfstones of Shannara" and not the first book, "The Sword of Shannara." Brooks agreed that "Elfstones" had more going for it as a TV show: two strong female leads, an unusual love story and a powerful ending. For the producers (along with EP Jon Favreau, who wasn't on the panel) the ending of the book was the impetus to try and develop the show in the first place.
The audience was shown a trailer of upcoming scenes which featured plenty of action, large-scale set pieces and the set-up to the quest that will propel the heroes along their adventure. A veteran of other epics such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Lord of the Rings, actor John Rhys-Davies was full of praise for his fellow actors, the immense scope of the project and the action, saying, "I can't see how it could've been done better!"
As executive producer Miles Millar summed it up succinctly, "This show is never going to slow down."
The Shannara Chronicles premieres the first of its 10 episodes on January 5, 2016 on MTV.