(no subject)

[shadowkat]

1. Uhm...Wow...this is a very very long list of sci-fi/fantasy novel adaptations into films and television series.

Take-aways?

Why are they redoing things that have already been adapted? Wouldn't it make more sense to adapt a book that hasn't been instead? I mean it's not like there aren't plenty to choose from? And why these particular books?

Examples? Death on the Nile, Harley Quinn, Supergirl, Suicide Squad, Turn of the Screw, Chronicles of Narnia (granted it hadn't been done very well the first round and they are doing a television series this time around, which makes more sense, most likely inspired by His Dark Materials.), Dune (why we need yet another adaptation I do not know. This round Timothy Chalmthee (the guy in Little Women, LadyBird, and Call Me By My Name) plays Paul Atredies, with Oscar Isaccs as Duke Leto, and Zendaya as Chani.), The Stand (which has cast Alexander Skarsgaard as Randall Flagg -- ooooh. I like him. Very much), James Marsden as Stud Redman, Greg Kinnear as Glen Bateman, Whoopi Goldberg as the Prophet, among others.

But there are some interesting things in there such as Smoke and Bone, Parable of the Sower, Station Eleven, Artremis Fowl, Wicked, Children of Blood and Bone, adaptation of a Kitty Pryde X-men series, Cat Valente's Space Opera, Ringworld, Chronicles of Amber, etc. Go look at that list -- it goes on forever. How many will make it to the screen? Eh. No clue. There's no way any of us could see them all. My god there's a lot of content out there. More than anyone can possibly read in one life time, even if it were humanly possible to read ten books a day.

Oh, on another site, I noticed both David Copperfield and Emma were coming to theaters this year in new adaptations. Bill Nighy is in Emma, and well Dev Patel is David Copperfield, which is far more interesting casting in my opinion.

2. Mother: The Chiefs won the Superbowl! (Proceeds to tell me by how much.)
ME: You do realize that I was rooting against them right?
Mother: Why? Where's your home town pride? I thought you were rooting against the Broncos and the Patriots.
Me: And the Chiefs.
Mother: But..but...they haven't won in years.
Me: So. I've disliked them since law school.
Mother: This is major, you should be happy.
Me: Yeah, well...
Mother: I thought I'd call and tell you. I texted your brother.
Me: Which makes more sense, he might actually care.

Comments

[cactuswatcher]

A friend of mine from K. C. back before Super Bowl One (Kansas City vs Green Bay) was a little surprised when I wasn't rooting for the Chiefs, despite the fact I lived in Missouri. Of course I was from the St. Louis area which back then had its own team, if a lousy one. While I never hated the Chiefs I thought it was unlikely they'd beat the Packers, who had one of the best teams to date that year, and I was right.

Although, I don't follow pro football anymore, I think it was good that K. C. won this year. I only watched a few minutes of the first quarter of the game today. I may not be much more excited about the Chiefs winning than you, but I do think it was a nice thing to happen for Kansas City.

[conuly]

There is no way they'll do Octavia Butler any justice.

[shadowkat]

You care more than I do, which is saying something. ;-) Ah, well, I'm happy for my Mom. It's made her happy. Very pleased I work in NYC where most people don't care.

[shadowkat]

Hard to know. Depends on what you thought of a Wrinkle in Time, I think it has the same director/development group behind it.

[jesuswasbatman]

There have already been at least two TV series based on Narnia in Britain. The late-80s one is one of my formative childhood genre memories.

[mefisto]

Zendaya is good casting for Chani IMO. That's pretty much how I picture her.

[shadowkat]

So, we've had three to date? And now a fourth? I do vaguely remember a Masterpiece Theater version years ago in the 80s, which was pretty good.

[shadowkat]

I'm more concerned with the other casting...specifically Paul. Although admittedly Kyle McLachlan was odd casting -- I adored him. I think they must be going with a pre-Duke Leto death, because Oscar Issacs! I have read one of the prequels which was good, better than the sequels. Two I've made it through - DUNE (which I loved) and House Atrides.

[conuly]

Oh. Well, maybe it'll be all right. I'll reserve judgment.

[mefisto]

I don't know Timothy whatever, so I couldn't comment on that. But yeah, Oscar Isaacs is younger than I picture the Duke. I guess we'll have to wait for details.

Kyle McLaughlin is great, but that movie was … not.

[shadowkat]

True. It was not a good movie. Yet somehow better than Sci-Fi's television serial -- which was insanely dull. Timothy C - plays Laurie in the Greta Gerwig adaptation of Little Women.

[shadowkat]

Assuming it ever gets made -- it's been in development since Wrinkle in Time was released, if not before. Most of that stuff probably won't make it to the screen.

[jesuswasbatman]

That was probably the same one I'm talking about, as a lot of Masterpiece Theatre programmes came from the BBC.

[mefisto]

I haven't seen Little Women yet, but I expect I'll watch it when it gets to TV.

[wendelah1]

Was the Super Bowl yesterday? I'd forgotten.

Why are they redoing things that have already been adapted? Wouldn't it make more sense to adapt a book that hasn't been instead? I mean it's not like there aren't plenty to choose from? And why these particular books?

Two reasons. There is a built-in audience for remakes so it makes fiscal sense. The second reason is related, I think? Movie and TV creators are also fans, who want make a version for themselves and maybe for their own generation.

[shadowkat]

Doesn't quite explain why anyone is willing to pay money for it though. I guess the alleged built-in audience does -- except who wants to see a remake of something they've already seen? I don't.

I don't know if someone came to me to fund a remake of say Star Wars or Pride and Prejudice as opposed to an adaptation of Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Series. I'd pick the Lymond Series. Or Maria Doria Russell's The Sparrow.
Unless, of course, the first version was horrible -- in which case they kind of have a point in regards to Dune.

Yeah, the Super Bow was yesterday. Wish I could have forgotten, people at work seemed intent on reminding me, along with my mother. They even had Game Day Girl Scout Cookies at work. (A very enterprising parent of a girl scout.)

[shadowkat]

Or you could just watch the trailer - he's the boy dancing with Joe in the trailers.

[shadowkat]

I'd say almost 98% of them do. It used to be everything, but they had to branch out a while back with BBCAmerica stealing stuff, along with AMC. So now, they have deals with ITV too.

[wendelah1]

Doesn't quite explain why anyone is willing to pay money for it though. I guess the alleged built-in audience does -- except who wants to see a remake of something they've already seen? I don't.

Well, it depends on the fan and the specific property, doesn't it? Why does anyone like anything? You don't want to see remakes but I would venture to say you're the exception rather than the rule. I probably wouldn't go see a remake of Star Wars--I'm not a Star Wars super fan, but I loved loved loved the first reboot Star Trek movie, which I did not expect.

I don't know if someone came to me to fund a remake of say Star Wars or Pride and Prejudice as opposed to an adaptation of Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Series. I'd pick the Lymond Series. Or Maria Doria Russell's The Sparrow.

See, I'm with you--but we're not in a position to decide. A remake of Star Wars is not going to happen, not until Lucas is dead and buried. Maybe not even then. That's sacred text to its fans. Super Fans of Jane Austen movies/TV series adaptions will watch them all. That's why they keep being remade. Now I love Austen but I vastly prefer the books so I haven't seen every version of Persuasion, for example. In fact, I rarely like movie adaptions of books I love. I didn't even bother seeing the latest A Wrinkle in Time, my favorite book from childhood.

Just out of curiosity, do you reread/rewatch your favorites?

Ugh. The Iowa caucuses are giving me a migraine.