What books have you read that you'd like to see on the big screen? [Archive]

Mr. Anderson

Dec 16, 2002, 11:43 AM

So the sequel movie thread is starting to bring up some other possibilities, I thought I'd start a new thread on this one.

I heard something a while back about it, but nothing recently, that Larry Niven's Ringworld was going to be a movie - that would be a very cool pic if it was done correctly.

Anyone got any others?

D

mcrain

Dec 16, 2002, 11:48 AM

Red Storm Rising.

kiwi_the_iwik

Dec 16, 2002, 12:05 PM

Oooh - nice one, Mcrain.

How about stretching the parameters a little to include TV series' as well?

With all the latest in Sci-Fi Special F/X wizardry, I could see "Thunderbirds" really hitting the big screen now - aimed at a PG12 to 15 market, with plenty of hard-hitting action scenes...

:)

wdlove

Dec 16, 2002, 02:22 PM

The Illuminati by Larry Burkett

The world is on the brink of economic collapse as the Illumanati, a deadly secret orginization, succeeds in placing one of their people in the office of the presidency of the United States, gaining control of world events.

jrv3034

Dec 16, 2002, 02:37 PM

I've only read the first 6 of them (Dragonlance Chronicles and Dragonlance Legends). Granted, they aren't nearly the masterpiece that is Lord of the Rings, but as an adventure story, I think the Dragonlance Chronicles would make for a great trilogy on the big screen... Maybe even as a CG animated feature. Bring it on, Pixar!:D

mcrain

Dec 16, 2002, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by wdlove
The Illuminati by Larry Burkett

The world is on the brink of economic collapse as the Illumanati, a deadly secret orginization, succeeds in placing one of their people in the office of the presidency of the United States, gaining control of world events.

All you have to do is watch CNN every night. Can you say GW Bush...?

Rower_CPU

Dec 16, 2002, 03:45 PM

There are several Stephen King books that they haven't made movies of that I think would be awesome...hmmm, these are the ones slated for release in the near future:

Bag Of Bones
The Eyes of the Dragon (Animated Film Adaptation)
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
The Sun Dog
The Mist

Where is the Dark Tower series?

jefhatfield

Dec 16, 2002, 05:09 PM

a remake of "Christine" by stephen king...the book and the movie were great, but i just can't get enough of this good story

a movie on the life of jimi hendrix

a tv miniseries based on the book "Boys of Silicon Valley"

vniow

Dec 16, 2002, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by jefhatfield

a movie on the life of jimi hendrix

Thay made one for cable, I saw it on Showtime or something. Pretty recent.

Mr. Anderson

Dec 16, 2002, 05:46 PM

I'd think Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as a movie and not the show would be fantastic - or even Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. We might eventually see this, but I imagine it will take another decade atleast.

D

BenderBot1138

Dec 16, 2002, 05:48 PM

Rower_CPU

Dec 16, 2002, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by dukestreet
I'd think Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as a movie and not the show would be fantastic - or even Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. We might eventually see this, but I imagine it will take another decade atleast.

D

I could have sworn I'd seen a feature length version of one of his novels...

The one with the ship turning into a whale and smashing into bits...

Was that the series?

medea

Dec 16, 2002, 06:01 PM

raymond queneaus 'excercises in style'

wdlove

Dec 16, 2002, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by mcrain

All you have to do is watch CNN every night. Can you say GW Bush...?

This is an end of time scenario, its against Christians. Everyone is marked, have to show allegiance to the president. Christians are not allowed to hold a job or buy food. The story is how this power base is setup, conditions. This is done with the use of computers. The Christians setup an underground to overthrow the government, a computer geek on their side.

filmcutter

Dec 16, 2002, 06:48 PM

Snowcrash

The Third Pandemic

szark

Dec 16, 2002, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by Rower_CPU

I could have sworn I'd seen a feature length version of one of his novels...

The one with the ship turning into a whale and smashing into bits...

Was that the series?

Yes, they did market a version where all of the episodes were merged back to back to make a "movie."

I would really like to see a Dirk Gently movie!!!

And let's hope the in-development movie version of "Hitchhiker's" doesn't get shelved due to Adams' passing...

Mr. Anderson

Dec 16, 2002, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by szark

And let's hope the in-development movie version of "Hitchhiker's" doesn't get shelved due to Adams' passing...

I'm thinking a big fan of his will get it going in the years to come - its such a great story.

Also another one I read so many years ago - Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat series - it would be quite funny.

D

void

Dec 16, 2002, 09:20 PM

Originally posted by mcrain

All you have to do is watch CNN every night. Can you say GW Bush...?
Come on man! Just call him Dubya. That fool doesn't deserve my last name!

SumDumGuy

Dec 16, 2002, 09:32 PM

The "BattleCircle" trilogy by Piers Anthony was pretty cool and would make a good movie. Of course, one of my favorite books, "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton was made into a movie, and we all know how bad it sucked so maybe some books are better left off the big screen.

Mr. Anderson

Dec 16, 2002, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by SumDumGuy
Of course, one of my favorite books, "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton was made into a movie, and we all know how bad it sucked so maybe some books are better left off the big screen.

Yeah and another one of his just as bad was Sphere - shouldn't have been made into one as well. And his recent one - Timeline - read like it was adapted from a movie, which means we'll probably see it made into one as well.

So I'm thinking in this case it might be the author and not necessarily the movie that had the problems.

D

SumDumGuy

Dec 16, 2002, 09:43 PM

so true

Rower_CPU

Dec 16, 2002, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by SumDumGuy
The "BattleCircle" trilogy by Piers Anthony was pretty cool and would make a good movie. Of course, one of my favorite books, "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton was made into a movie, and we all know how bad it sucked so maybe some books are better left off the big screen.

I'm not familiar with the BattleCircle books, but I always figured the Xanth series would be cool for a film, if people got around the nudity somehow...:D

jrv3034

Dec 17, 2002, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by SumDumGuy
Of course, one of my favorite books, "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton was made into a movie, and we all know how bad it sucked so maybe some books are better left off the big screen.

Oh my GOD! The 13th warrior was probably the worst movie ever. That and Dude Where's My Car. Although at least that had a little bit of chemistry between the leads... Sheesh. What the hell was Antonio Banderas thinking, and what was with all the plot holes? But the biggest questionmark remains: Which studio executive actually greenlit that screenplay for 13th Warrior?:rolleyes:

cubist

Dec 17, 2002, 08:54 AM

But on the topic of least enjoyable extant movies:
When Harry Met Sally :-P
Throw Momma from the Train :-*

Mr. Anderson

Dec 17, 2002, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by cubist
Foundation Trilogy

hmm, maybe, but they would need a little more lively action there, you know? Not really a nail biter....

D

mcrain

Dec 17, 2002, 09:24 AM

Ok, it's not a book, but I'd like to see a movie based on the "death of superman" series of DC comics. I'd love to see superman duke it out with doomsday with superman dead at the end of the movie.

Mr. Anderson

Dec 17, 2002, 10:20 AM

With techology in films today, almost any full length movie could be made for any comic book. I'm still miffed that The Tick got cancelled and there is almost no info available online and you can't get the cartoon episodes on DVD, what's up with that?

But a full lenght Tick Movie would be hysterical!

D

Rower_CPU

Dec 17, 2002, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by dukestreet
With techology in films today, almost any full length movie could be made for any comic book. I'm still miffed that The Tick got cancelled and there is almost no info available online and you can't get the cartoon episodes on DVD, what's up with that?

But a full lenght Tick Movie would be hysterical!

D

SPOON!!!! :D

SumDumGuy

Dec 17, 2002, 12:40 PM

Speaking of comics that would make awesome movies, I think the Alex Ross "Kingdom Come" series would we pretty darn sweet.

A lot of comics that have been made into movies have rocked (Blade, X-Men, etc.) but then there's always the stinker of the bunch (ie, Spawn).

vniow

Dec 17, 2002, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Rower_CPU

SPOON!!!! :D

He fights a never-ending battle between good...............and not-so-good.

markomarko

Dec 17, 2002, 12:50 PM

My vote is for Corialanus. One of the bloodiest Shakespeare plays out there. A manipulated hero...massive wars, and civil unrest. Could be easily adapted. I wish Taymore would do it.

Padrote

Dec 17, 2002, 05:40 PM

A Wrinkle in Time
Catcher in the Rye
On The Road
Dharma Bums

wdlove

Dec 17, 2002, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by vjv

Come on man! Just call him Dubya. That fool doesn't deserve my last name!

George W. Bush is going to be remembered as a great war president. People greatly underestimate his intelligence. His policies got approval again on November 5th!

Mr. Anderson

Dec 17, 2002, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by wdlove

George W. Bush is going to be remembered as a great war president. People greatly underestimate his intelligence.

on the first point - there is nothing, absolutely nothing great about war or being known for it. Don't romanticize killing :(

As for underestimating his intelligence, well, he's done such a good job of hiding it till now....

D

wdlove

Dec 18, 2002, 08:20 PM

War of the past is why we are still a free nation, we could be speaking German.

His high approval rating is a testament to his intelligence, being humble if preferable.

Mr. Anderson

Dec 18, 2002, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by wdlove
War of the past is why we are still a free nation, we could be speaking German.

You weren't talking about the wars of the past, you were talking about the issues today. And it still doesn't make it any better.

Beside, war today is a totally different animal.

D

cupofkona

Dec 18, 2002, 09:09 PM

Methusela's Children and Time Enough for Love-Robert A Heinlein and The Stars My Destination_Bester...WOW!!!

Chaszmyr

Dec 18, 2002, 09:09 PM

I think Homeland by R. A. Salvatore would be the ultimate fantasy movie.

dreamlance

Dec 18, 2002, 09:16 PM

A Wrinkle in Time would be nice to see. Has any of Ray Bradbury's stuff been moved to film? Unfortunately, the film version of Hitchhikers' Guide is better put on as background noise, minus the few parts of comedy that spring up. The books are so good though. I wonder if Anne McCaffery's Dragonriders series will ever make it off the screenwriters' floor. I hope they don't resurrect too many more comics because then things'll just get sloppy and it would be sad to see some of those storylines done poorly because Hollywood wanted to make a buck.

WannabeSQ

Dec 19, 2002, 12:38 AM

Im surprised nobody mentioned The Hobbit. I liked the cartoon version when I was a kid, a full on Movie would be a cool prequel to LOTR if it were made in the same style.

Also, I bet Tolkien has plenty of other good books that can be movie worthy, too bad I stopped reading novels.

Also, C.S. Lewis and the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe would be interesting.

Les Kern

Dec 19, 2002, 01:06 AM

Three science fiction: Ringworld, Rendezvous with Rama, The Man Who Folded Himself.
Nah, I'll go with an earler post and say Red Storm Rising... or maybe Stranger Suns. Right now I'm reading "Himmler". Now THAT guy is fascinating.

Rower_CPU

Dec 19, 2002, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by Les Kern
Three science fiction: Ringworld, Rendezvous with Rama, The Man Who Folded Himself.
Nah, I'll go with an earler post and say Red Storm Rising... or maybe Stranger Suns. Right now I'm reading "Himmler". Now THAT guy is fascinating.

Yes! The Rama series was great...I need to go back and reread those.

Thanks for reminding me. :)

MacBandit

Dec 19, 2002, 01:47 AM

Originally posted by Rower_CPU

Yes! The Rama series was great...I need to go back and reread those.

Thanks for reminding me. :)

The Rama series is coming to the big screen hopefully in the next few years.

http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/details/rama.html

I would like to see a few of the Anne McAffrey Pern books brought to the big screen.

scem0

Dec 19, 2002, 04:32 AM

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series would be sooooo cool, but
it would take a lot of computer generated scenes due to many of
the scenes being on flying ships over the ocean :D.

Such a good series. Go read it. ;) :D