The First Movie

[IVB]

Given the success of the LOTR films, movie goers would have a set of expectations for other epic fantasy movies. If the first chronicles are filmed, will people who have never read Covenant, sit though movies of a leper doing essentially nothing and let all the other characters carry the burden? I doubt it. To remain faithful to the story, the movies would then have to focus on the people who “do” things and the massive battle scenes (thereby becoming a clone of the LOTR...). The other option would be to change TC total attitude about is situation to make him more appealing to the masses.

To me, either approach would weaken the message of the films.

Consider this option. We go directly to The Wounded Land. We have the what has gone before as flashbacks and images in the Soothspell. But now we have a character that Joe Sixpack can follow. He he is doing something! Not saying that he is dreaming and raping teens for two hours! Imagine the imagery of the Sunbane...

[dlbpharmd]

To me, the First Chronicles would have to be made before the Second. The question of which Chronicles of which series would be best to film then becomes moot.

[Cail]

Even with the soothtell, too much important stuff happens in the 1st chrons. TWL would make almost no sense at all without the 1st chrons.

[ook]

I read the second chronicles first and liked them so much I read the first. I love the first chronicles but the second are what drew me in to the 'land' and are therefore my favourites. I would hate, however, for the second chronicles to be filmed first. I read all six books again before Runes of the Earth and have realised how much better the second ones are with knowledge of the past. Everything became more three dimensional. A friend of mine (and lover of the books) still can't understand why I read them this way but it worked for me

ook

[Rocketmunkee]

Hey gang, I am new to the site. Been a fan of SRD's books ever since I was 13.

Anway, I don't know if you have posted it already on this site, but I was reading The Hollywood Reporter the other day and read this:

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) -- Revelstone Entertainment has optioned the rights to the first six books in Stephen Donaldson's epic fantasy series "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant," with a view to developing a film franchise.

"Band of Brothers" scribe John Orloff will adapt the script for the first film.

The books revolve around a shunned author (Covenant) who is magically transported to the Land, a mystical world where he discovers he is the incarnation of a great hero. Covenant thinks it's all a dream. But he's the bearer of a magical talisman, and is enlisted to help save the Land from Saturn and his representatives.

Revelstone also has optioned the film rights to Clifford D. Simak's novel, "Way Station." Peter Winther, who helmed the recent TNT movie "The Librarian: Quest for the Spear," will direct the film from an adaptation by Simon Barry ("The Art of War").

At the center of the tale is Enoch Wallace, a man who fought in the Civil War before returning to the house where he was born. Wallace still resides there in the present day, except he hasn't aged since 1865. Instead, he secretly mans a way station for a galactic federation's transit network.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

(reprinted without permission, of course).

**********************************

Looks like the movie is probably a few years away, but hey, it's finally making a move in Hollywood.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Akasri]

There are threads about that movie notice already

As for the poll question, I think the 2nd chronicles would actually make a better movie as there is more action consistently throughout the books. However, you could not make the 2nd chronicles with doing the 1st first I think

[Loredoctor]

Therein lies the dilemma.

[Cail]

I think we're also missing something else. Hollywood loves formulas. The single most successful formula in Hollywood is the wisecracking sidekick. Stay with me on this. Think about how many problems of the books that would solve. We've all been talking about how internal so much of the first chrons are.....Here's our answer. What TC needs is someone like Chris Tucker's character in Rush Hour.

We won't even get into how much that would help ticket sales.

[Loredoctor]

One name: Foamfollower

[Cail]

See, Foamy's all well and good, but he comes into the story too late.

Hmmm, maybe someone like Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon movies.....?

[Loredoctor]

Haven't watched LW movies. But regardless, I hate wise-cracking sidekick characters.

[Cail]

Sorry LM, I thought you realized I was pulling your leg. A wisecracking sidekick would be the worst thing ever.

[Loredoctor]

Sorry LM, I thought you realized I was pulling your leg. A wisecracking sidekick would be the worst thing ever.

I knew you were being sarcastic; my comment was in agreement with you, anyway - saying how I hate them. The LW comment was simply that I haven't seen it.

[duchess of malfi]

As long as the sidekick is not a singing/talking/dancing animal ala Disney!!!

[drew]

I say the first has mor action, there is at least two big battle scenes in each book. As far as a movie is concerned I think TOT would be pretty boring, with most of it being on a boat and all (don't get me wrong it's my favorite book)

[Cail]

I also see issues with TOT. The main character is catatonic for a big chunk of the story.

[Loredoctor]

I also see issues with TOT. The main character is catatonic for a big chunk of the story.

But what about Weekend at Bernies. A classic!

[Cail]

But what about Weekend at Bernies. A classic!

I stand corrected.

[Loredoctor]

LOL!

[CovenantJr]

I don't see "A Month At Tommy's" working quite so well...