The next Sci-Fi saga - Page 3

Adam_S · 02-13-2002, 08:54 AM

OSC's sole cyberpunk, the short story "Dogwalker" has been optioned as an independent movie and is in some stage of production, it's definitly much further along then Ender's Game at this point. One of the key changes I seem to remember is that it's been set in new orleans instead of greensboro, but other than that I don't know much about it. there might be some info up at www.frescopictures.com which is the production company OSC founded with Robert Chartoff and holds all the rights to his stories (since OSC owns half of fresco).

Adam

Rex Bachmann · 03-14-2003, 05:54 PM

Richard_D_Ramirez wrote (post #32):

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No one's mentioned Asimov's Foundation series?

Bryan Tuck wrote (post #37):

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I've thought about that, too, but I don't know; that'd be pretty hard to adapt, but I guess it could be done.

SciFiWire: Foundation Script Is Done

dateline: March 14, 2003 9:00 a.m. ET

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John Rogers (co-screenwriter of The Core) told SCI FI Wire that he has finished a screenplay for a film adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy of SF books for director Shekhar Kapur. "He said to focus on the 'Mule' arc in the second book, and that was the way in," Rogers said in an interview. "Now we'll see if it's one movie, two, or three."

The adaptation required Rogers to pull out pieces of action from a largely theoretical work. "Isaac Asimov is a real intellectual, so chapters would start with 'That was a thrilling escape from the space pirates, wasn't it? Yes, it was. Now about economics.' As a writer, I need the space pirates. I just can't have the economics discussion here. So there was a lot of trying to stay in the spirit of Asimov [while] at the same time expanding the text." No studio attachment or production start date has been announced.

Andy Sheets · 03-14-2003, 07:09 PM

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The adaptation required Rogers to pull out pieces of action from a largely theoretical work. "Isaac Asimov is a real intellectual, so chapters would start with 'That was a thrilling escape from the space pirates, wasn't it? Yes, it was. Now about economics.' As a writer, I need the space pirates. I just can't have the economics discussion here. So there was a lot of trying to stay in the spirit of Asimov [while] at the same time expanding the text."

Sounds a bit like adapting Tolkien

Brian Kaz · 03-14-2003, 11:29 PM

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I have always wanted to see a film series version of 'MACROSS'

As soon as I win the lottery I am buying the movie rights to this! I know this story inside and out and I am dying to adapt this to the big screen. If Macross is ever made, it should be made by a real fan of the series who will treat it and the characters with utmost respect.

In my opinion, this series has absolutely the best Big Screen/Box Office potential of all the other things listed in this thread.

PaulHeroy · 03-15-2003, 12:49 AM

I'd like to second Max's suggestion for Iain M. Banks' Consider Phlebas. The "Culture" novels are some of the best SF books in recent decades. While there are several (6 or 7 now?), their Hollywood provenance is probably not high as they are essentially standalone books and not a series, and quite different from each other. I think Excession and The Player of Games would be great romps on film, though.

Another couple of terrific space operas would be Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness In the Sky, which suffer (from a Hollywood perspective) from a similar problem as Banks in being set in the same universe but totally different times, places and characters.

And to stray into fantasy, I'd really love to see some of Glen Cook's work esp. the first few Black Company books.

Rob Bartlett · 03-15-2003, 02:53 AM

I find the Pern books are a tad overrated...at times they feel too cold and dettached, however, it would would make for magnificent cinema.

Iron Man isn't really science-fantastic, at least in comparison to other Stan Lee creations. Of course, taht is until they bring in his rogue's gallery, which is one of the most pathetic attempts at countering in comics. (Ok, the perfect match for someone in a high-tech suit of armor is a chinese guy with magic rings? Knight vs Evil Wizard allegories aside.). Iron Man would best be left as an espeionage thriller, with colorful gladiators blasting each other out of the sky. Iron Man is not really a vigilante. The public persona of the character is as a well-equipped rent-a-cop. Tony Stark is reknown and prolific inventor and manufactuer of world-class state of the art weaponry. This makes him an ideal target of every criminal act conveiable aside from flashing. Iron Man (Who is Stark himself) serves to guard Stark's person and interests. And as a good-will gesture, he will often accompany the miltary in its endeavors.

Macross woud make an excellent vessel for special effects technology, display rousing escapism, and provide a timely social commentary. The ensemble cast makes for a human drama that would appeal to all ages and genders. The entire saga could be divided up into three coherent entries for a trilogy, and each movie can provide satisfactory closure towards the end. I was a big fan of the Robtech growing up, and while the purist aspect of me is wary, it's just too hard a propery to screw up.

Lou Sytsma · 03-15-2003, 07:17 AM

I'd like to see Donaldson's other novel series - The Gap books. Good mix of hardcore SF, space opera, political intrigue with some truly memorable characters.

While we're throwing in some fantasy ones I'd also love to see Stephen King's The Gunslinger/Dark Tower series of books brought to the screen. Too bad Eastwood is too old - he'd be the perfect Roland.

Brian Ruth · 03-15-2003, 07:56 AM

I'd personally love to see Kin Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy adapted onto the big screen. I heard it was optioned out by James Cameron to be made into a TV miniseries (which wouldn't work, IMHO), but I haven't heard anything about it recently.

In the meantime, I'm getting pumped for Children Of Dune this Sunday.

Edwin-S · 03-15-2003, 01:00 PM

I would like to see Alfred Bester's "The Demolished Man". It would be interesting to see if they would badly screw it up.

I know that this series of books isn't "heavyweight" SF but it would be interesting to see if they could be successfully turned into good movies. They contain a bit of Science Fiction and some wry humour. If people haven't guessed already, I'm speaking of Harry Harrison's "The Stainless Steel Rat" series.

I wouldn't mind seeing an adaptation of Frederik Pohl's "The Cool War". I find the premise in that book very interesting. In years to come it may be less fiction and more fact.

Rudy Rucker's "Moldies and Meatbops" would be another interesting adaptation, but I highly doubt it could be pulled off.

Sean Campbell · 03-15-2003, 09:07 PM

A lot of great sci-fi novels are crying out for intelligent screen treatment. Many of HG Wells' novels ( especially War of the Worlds & Food of the Gods ) would make superb movies if done right. I hear that there's a 'War of the Worlds' project already in pre production - I can only hope for a 'true' adaptation in the proper 1890s timeframe.
Michael Moorcock's 'The Ice Schooner' would be great too - an epic story set during a future ice age. 'Behold the Man' would be interesting too, although I doubt any major studio would take it on considering the controversial subject matter.
George Stewart's 'Earth Abides' could be fantastic if done right, as would Richard Matheson's 'I Am Legend'.
And what about Edgar Rice Burroughs? His stuff may be a bit on the pulpy side ( and more fantasy than sci-fi ) but the cinematic potential is immense.
John Wyndham's 'Day of the Triffids' and 'The Chrysalids'... JG Ballard's 'The Drowned World' or 'The Crystal World'... Keith Robert's 'Pavane'... Philip K Dick's 'The Man in the High Castle'.... list is endless.

Andy Sheets · 03-15-2003, 09:35 PM

btw, did anyone notice that Moorcock's Elric series just got optioned? That would be a neat trick if they actually adapted it without totally compromising it