SAN DIEGO (Map) - SAN DIEGO, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly-anticipated epic fantasy series, previously known as (working title) "Wizard's First Rule," will officially launch as "Legend of the Seeker," it was announced today at the 2008 Comic Con International Convention during a panel led by series executive producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert. "Legend of the Seeker" combines elements of fantasy, adventure, magic, mystery and romance, shot with the enchanting and exotic New Zealand landscape as its backdrop.

In addition, the executive producers also announced that

Bruce Spence, Jay Laga'aia and Craig Parker will join previously announced lead actors Craig Horner (Richard Cypher) and Bridget Regan (Kahlan) in the first-run, scripted weekly series. Bruce Spence ("Mad Max 2" and "The Matrix Revolutions") portrays Zedd, a wise and powerful old wizard who accompanies Richard and Kahlan on their epic journey; Jay Laga'aia ("Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith") stars as Chase, a loyal and fearsome member of the Councilor's Guard; and Craig Parker ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers") plays Darken Rahl, a charismatic bloodthirsty tyrant that Richard must prevent from unleashing an ancient evil that will enslave the world.

From the talented team behind the long-running, successful series "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess," and the studio that produces primetime network hits including "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Ghost Whisperer" and "Army Wives," the series will kick off with a thrilling two-hour premiere event on November 1, 2008. "Legend of the Seeker" has been cleared by Disney-ABC Domestic Television in 95% of the country to date, including all of the top 50 markets. Production on the 22-episodes is currently underway in New Zealand. The one-hour series is based on Terry Goodkind's book "Wizard's First Rule" and epic fantasy series "The Sword of Truth." Goodkind's popular epic fantasy series are international bestsellers that have been translated into over 20 languages.

"Legend of the Seeker" is produced by ABC Studios, marking their first venture into broadcast syndication. Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man," "Spider-Man 2," "Spider-Man 3" and "The Evil Dead"), Rob Tapert ("The Grudge," "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Cleopatra 2525"), Joshua Donen ("The Quick and the Dead"), Ned Nalle (production executive for "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys") and Kenneth Biller ("Star Trek: Voyager" and "Six Degrees") serve as executive producers.

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