AMC has officially greenlit a six-episode documentary series, James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction (working title), to trace the evolution of the sci-fi genre. The series, targeted to premiere next year, takes fans deep into sci-fi’s past through favorite films, TV shows, books, and video games. The Academy Award-winning director behind The Terminator, Aliens, and Avatar will also take a comprehensive approach to what the future holds for sci-fi.

“When I was a kid, I basically read any book with a spaceship on the cover. I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey many, many times. … The movie inspired me to become a filmmaker. I liked the special effects, but I really loved the ideas and the questions behind them: How will the world end? Will technology destroy us? What does it mean to be human? These are subjects sci-fi has never been afraid to tackle, with this series, we are going back to the origins of sci-fi, following the DNA of these ideas back to the source,” shared Cameron.

Cameron also discussed the importance of looking back on the history of science fiction, as a way to better understand the genre’s current state.

“Without Jules Verne and H.G. Wells there wouldn’t have been Ray Bradbury or Robert A. Heinlein, and without them, there wouldn’t be Lucas, Spielberg, Ridley Scott or me. As a filmmaker who specializes in science fiction, I’m interested in exploring the struggles and the triumphs that brought these incredible stories to life and seeing how art imitates life, as well as how science fiction imitates and sometimes informs science,” Cameron added.

This new addition will further expand AMC's growing lineup of nonfiction programs, including Talking Dead, The American West, Comic Book Men, and Ride With Norman Reedus.

“As we continue to pursue event documentary series at AMC that our viewers are passionate about, it’s hard to imagine a better fit to explore the rich history of this genre than Mr. Cameron. He’s a consummate entertainer, a scholar, and an explorer,” Joel Stillerman, president of original programming and development for AMC and SundanceTV, said.

James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction, produced by Cameron, Maria Wilhelm, Ken Druckerman and Banks Tarver, will debut in 2018.