New Asimov adaptations

[dex]

So they want to adapt the Foundation Saga (starting with Foundation) and The End of Eternity.

I read the latter as a kid and don't remember enough to comment on it. Foundation however... First of all, I am surprised they don't want to start with Prelude. Isn't that great typical Hollywood fodder -- action, paranoia, love story?

Foundation itself consists of 5 episodes, which range from 0 (zero) to moderate action and each have their own characters. Now you can stuff them with 'splosions and dumb down the plot. That's the most likely course; but it will even fail with the mainstream audience, because of the disjunct cast.

The novel is notable for the epic plotting, which I believe does not translate to the screen. It could very well be substituted with great characterization, however. I guess that would be the only way -- and a great opportunity. But of course there is no time for that in a single movie.

Foundation and Empire could be easier, if they get that far. If people liked the Joker, they will love the Mule, right?

So, what's your prediction? Or other suggestions?

[PoolMan]

Of the series, I've only read Foundation. I was very much intrigued by the atypical plot structure, but I distinctly remember thinking it would be an extremely poor movie. Excellent book, but bad bones for film.

Even done well, I think it'd be a wreck.

[Storm_Rider]

Same as Pooly for me too, read Foundation and started on Empire but didn't get into it as much and never finished it. The book was great, but rather laid back, there was a lot of talking and deep thinking involved in it, not the greatest recipe for movies nowadays.

I still remember the plot behind "The end of eternity" and as far as I remember it there wasn't that much action in that one either, great book from a sci-fi perspective as well as a well tailored plot, but I think it's too mellow to make a movie out of it, maybe something that HBO would make straight for TV, but not for something like a cinema release.

[Al]

I read Foundation this year and enjoyed it immensely, but I can't see how a movie would be even remotely interesting. Plus, as far as I know, Asimov never finished the story. That doesn't sound like promising franchise material to me.

[dex]

Dec 4, 2008 18:41:11 GMT -5 Al said:

Plus, as far as I know, Asimov never finished the story. That doesn't sound like promising franchise material to me.

I just looked it up and you're right. (I never read books chronologically later than Foundation and Empire.) It's not a huge problem because there are enough books for half a dozen movies at least. If they get that far, certainly they can fudge the ending.

The news is: While End of Eternity stays with its producer, Foundation (the article talks about “the trilogy” and “the movie”; I sure hope it's still one movie per book) is now in the hands of Roland Emmerich as producer and director. That Hilary Duff has been cast for the project is just a rumour started and denied by me, however.

[Rett Mikhal]

Man, the money I would pay to see a spectacular adaption of 'The Last Question'. Unfortunately it would only be about 20 minutes long at most, as it's only a short story. It's probably my favorite work by him, though. It's just perfect.

If only the History Channel or Discovery Channel made it into a special just for the hell of it. Get an imaginative director to make all the different evolutions of the Galactic AC. I wouldn't even need my other movies. I'd sell them all just for that one.