Question regarding Asimov's Foundation series

[The Dreaming]

Hurm. It's not a traditional spoiler, but more a narrative one. Part of what makes the original trilogy so much fun is the mystique around Seldon. His plan is mysterious and seems omniscient. His science is like a thunderous stroke of genius. While it *is* fun to see the origins and struggles to create this science, it ruins some of the fun of the Original books.

Anyone else read much Pohl? Part of what made Gateway so awesome was the grand mystery of the Hechee. When we finally met some, it took some of the fun away.

My point is that sometimes a great question is more satisfying than an answer. (The latter Matrix movies being another great example). What is Psychohistory? It's a really good question. I don't really think anyone can satisfy that question with an equally great answer.

[ninjaboy]

They couldn't make a movie out of the Foundation series.... That's insane.. I loved the Nightfall story... Not a huge fan of Nemesis though - the ending was too much of a cliche'.

[wayfriend]

But they ARE making the Foundation stuff into a movie ...

[Rigel]

Why? Honestly, it seems to me that it wouldn't be especially good stuff for a movie...

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

The original trilogy is the foundation of scifi!!!

[Vraith]

Why? Honestly, it seems to me that it wouldn't be especially good stuff for a movie...

They'll do this by giving it the same title, and then changing everything
[Is there anyone at all who thinks the "I, Robot" movie and book have anything in common except robots? (an exaggeration...but not by much)]

[wayfriend]

Why? Honestly, it seems to me that it wouldn't be especially good stuff for a movie...

They'll do this by giving it the same title, and then changing everything.

VoiceoverGuy: In a world where everything is predetermined, one loose cannon cop makes his own laws. Foundation: Deathmatch.

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

In a future...
Where what happens next...
Has already been predicted...
and planned on...
One really muscular guy...
Will have his wife...
and daughter murdered...
Buy one really evil, bad guy...
And Create...
His Own...
Future...

WarnerSisters is proud to present, a Jerry Bruchiemer film, directed by Michael Bay, starring Steven Seagal and Gary Beusi...

Foundation & Justice - in Space!

[dANdeLION]

Why? Honestly, it seems to me that it wouldn't be especially good stuff for a movie...

They'll do this by giving it the same title, and then changing everything
[Is there anyone at all who thinks the "I, Robot" movie and book have anything in common except robots? (an exaggeration...but not by much)]

Bicentennial Man was way truer to it's source material, but yeah, given what we've seen so far, Foundation may look nothing like the books.

[danlo]

I'd prefer the second foundation books be made into movies-very trippy and the Mule is one hell of a character.

[Vraith]

Mule is one of my favorite characters in all sf for some reason.
Has anyone read the Asimov-approved continuation of the series?
Are they any good?
[Brinn was one of the approved, I think Bear, too..I often like both of them]

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

It's been so long since I read em...forgot there was two trilogies...besides the others...

[Orlion]

I haven't read the Second Foundation Trilogy, but I'm under the impression that the more gung-ho you are about the original series, the less you'll like the "rip-off".

Also, as background information, Gregory Benford was approached by the Asimov Estate (his wife?) after Asimov's death to ask him to write another foundation book. He agreed, but also suggested it become a trilogy...I believe that Brinn's book was last and Bear's is second.

You'll have to get an opinion of the books from someone who read them, I hold the originals very highly and view ANYONE writing in Asimov's universe as blasphemy (with, of course, the exception of Isaac Asimov whom I am attempting to bring back from beyond the void as we speak... does anyone own some of Asimov's ashes or have a copy of the Necronimicon?)

[Zarathustra]

Mule is one of my favorite characters in all sf for some reason.
Has anyone read the Asimov-approved continuation of the series?
Are they any good?
[Brinn was one of the approved, I think Bear, too..I often like both of them]

You know, I've just realized that the Mule is very much like Kellhus in Bakker's Prince of Nothing series. Yes, he's a cool character. But Bakker blows Asimov away, in terms of writing ability. If you want to see a Mule-like character brought to life with about 100 times more detail and believability, give Bakker a try!

As far as rewriting old Asimov . . . I thought the Nightfall collaboration Asimov did with Robert Silverberg was a fantastic "remake" of the original--at least until Asimov ended his portion and Silverberg began his. The difference was night and day. While the first portion was an expanded, updated, improved version of the classic short-story, the second half was just a waste of time.

[Vraith]

Mule is one of my favorite characters in all sf for some reason.
Has anyone read the Asimov-approved continuation of the series?
Are they any good?
[Brinn was one of the approved, I think Bear, too..I often like both of them]

You know, I've just realized that the Mule is very much like Kellhus in Bakker's Prince of Nothing series. Yes, he's a cool character. But Bakker blows Asimov away, in terms of writing ability. If you want to see a Mule-like character brought to life with about 100 times more detail and believability, give Bakker a try!

As far as rewriting old Asimov . . . I thought the Nightfall collaboration Asimov did with Robert Silverberg was a fantastic "remake" of the original--at least until Asimov ended his portion and Silverberg began his. The difference was night and day. While the first portion was an expanded, updated, improved version of the classic short-story, the second half was just a waste of time.

I'll give Bakker a try. [you like Donaldson and homebrew, you can't be all bad ] Didn't know about the Nightfall do over...I love some Silverberg [something about his language/style even when the story falls short], but I wonder why they did this? "Nightfall" got me into sf (literally, first sf I ever read) and was my second favorite sf short for years. My first was in an anthology I've now misplaced...it opens with the line "They're made out of meat!," if I recall correctly.

[jacob Raver, sinTempter]

But they ARE making the Foundation stuff into a movie ...

Who's making it?

[Zarathustra]

Vraith, if you're a fan of the original short story, you should definitely give the novel a try. Just stop after the first half, after everything goes dark (where the original story ends), and you'll be thoroughly impressed. Or keep reading, and you'll see what I mean.

I'm pretty sure the first half was written by Asimov. I can't imagine that he'd assign someone else to rewrite the portion he already did, and then assign himself the task of adding an entire portion which isn't in the original (and unnecessary). Nightfall is indeed one of the classic s.f. stories of all time. I believe it was one of the first Asimov wrote and published. If it wasn't his very first story, it was his first hit. The revised/expanded version fleshes out the characters and the plot in a way that feels necessary, not "milking" it. It's the work of an author returning to a story done in his youth, and giving it a mature revision.

[hue of fuzzpaws]

Any one who likes the original Foundation series should try ' Psychohistorical Crisis' by Donald Kingsbury.

As it is not approved by the Asimov Estate various names have been changed ie Hari Seldon is known as the Founder, Trantor is known as Splendid Wisdom etc .

It is set sixteen centuries after the formation of the Second Galactic Empire.

The only criticism that I have about it is that the last quarter of the book lacks the depth of the rest. However, still an enjoyable read.