Books you would like to see made into films

pmn1 · Apr 14, 2008

For startersThe Proteus Operation by James P HoganThe Giants series by James P Hogan   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

10_stone_5 · Apr 14, 2008

Too many to list.Somebody [obviously ... or maybe not so obvious] should figure out a way to put The Mote in God's Eye [or a condensation of the series] to film.Preferably without making the Moties look like Chewbacca or ET ! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

thebigcat · Apr 15, 2008

Odd, I have a huge list of books I would NOT like to see made into movies. Practically everything I have ever read, in fact. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

derekmcd · Apr 16, 2008

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson.  The idea has been kicked around in recent recent years, I doubt it would ever happen.  The main character just doesn't have any appeal that could audience could relate to.  Not to mention, the story revolves around a ring, though for very different reasons.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div> <div>"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</div> </div>

wmdragon · Apr 16, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Too many to list.Somebody [obviously ... or maybe not so obvious] should figure out a way to put The Mote in God's Eye [or a condensation of the series] to film.Preferably without making the Moties look like Chewbacca or ET ! Posted by 10_stone_5</DIV> yes! ditto for the Thomas Covenant Chronicles, although I agree they may not be very marketable. The first few books of Zelazny's Amber series may have more appeal. and talking about Zelazny, I would love to see Lord of Light on the big screen, but again, hard to mainstream such odd content. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The only laws of matter are those which our minds must fabricate, and the only laws of mind are fabricated for it by matter. --- James Clerk Maxwell </div>

wmdragon · Apr 16, 2008

add to that The Forever War. that one could be more accessible, and exciting. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The only laws of matter are those which our minds must fabricate, and the only laws of mind are fabricated for it by matter. --- James Clerk Maxwell </div>

cosmictraveler · Apr 16, 2008

The Foundation and the complete trilogy.   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> It does not require many words to speak the truth. Chief Joseph </div>

qso1 · Apr 16, 2008

My graphic novels, but then...they probably wouldn't sell. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> My borrowed quote for the time being:There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened. </div>

pyoko · Apr 16, 2008

Breaking Strain (the book by Paul Preuss, not the original short story by Arthur C. Clarke). I know the short story was adapted into a movie, but I would like a movie that concentrated more on Sparta (the girl) than the people trapped in space. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> -pyoko the duck It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. </div>

thebigcat · Apr 17, 2008

ditto for the Thomas Covenant Chronicles said:
 Darned tootin' they aren't. Some leper mysteriously gets mysteriously summoned into a Narnia rip-off world and rapes the first girl he sees. His behavior goes downhill from that but he still winds up defeating Lord Foul.  I dropped that book halfway through it in 10th grade and never read Donaldson again. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

yevaud · Apr 17, 2008

Wow, you guys are good.  You've already mentioned a few of the titles I was going to suggest.  I'll repeat them nevertheless in the following (top ten) list:The Mote in God's Eye by Niven and PournelleThe Forever War by Joe HaldemanThe Merchant's War by Frederick PohlThe Amber Series by Roger ZelaznyThe Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster BujoldEnsign Flandry by  Poul AndersonTau Zero by (again) Poul AndersonThe Berserker Series by Fred Saberhagen Gil The Arm by Larry NivenHammer's Slammers by David Drake <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Differential Diagnosis: "I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are." </div>

AfroDytee · Oct 8, 2008

<img style="width:112px;height:163px" src="http://sitelife.livescience.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/3/f8757f0c-0a7c-4bb5-935e-1ef2f4877263.Medium.jpg" alt="" width="121" height="169" />Anything by Octavia Butler! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

CalliArcale · Oct 8, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>

ditto for the Thomas Covenant Chronicles said:
 Darned tootin' they aren't. Some leper mysteriously gets mysteriously summoned into a Narnia rip-off world and rapes the first girl he sees. His behavior goes downhill from that but he still winds up defeating Lord Foul.  I dropped that book halfway through it in 10th grade and never read Donaldson again. Posted by thebigcat</DIV>He's a textbook anti-hero, but I actually enjoyed the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.   I find that people either love them or hate them -- there's not much middle ground.Is your avatar Rincewind?  If so, I'd like to say that I'd like to see a lot of Discworld books made into movies.  I thought the BBC did a fantastic job with "Hogfather", and would love to see more of them done. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

crazyeddie · Oct 8, 2008

Wow....so many that deserve to be.  Here's a short list: Nightfall, by Robert Silverberg and Isaac Asimov (the expanded version of the short story)Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley RobinsonEnder's Game, Orson Scott CardWay Station, by Clifford D. SimakA Fall of Moondust, by Arthur C. ClarkeArtifact, by Gregory Benford Startide Rising, by David Brin Pandora's Star, by Peter Hamilton Ringworld, by Larry Niven The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein Gateway, by Fred Pohl The Star's My Destination, by Alfred Bester A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M. MillerDoomsday Book, by Connie Willis Moving Mars, by Greg Bear  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

coeptus · Oct 8, 2008

<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/12/c134b03d-6b75-49b7-9c23-93357cf1adfd.Medium.jpg" alt="" />    <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> If not for bad Pluck, I'd have no Pluck at all . . . This is your vogon, posting under coeptus, and trying IE and Firefox to see if either is faster with fewer misloads. Erf !! </div>

docm · Oct 8, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> The Foundation and the complete trilogy.   Posted by cosmictraveler</DIV>Too late - and from what I'm hearing it'll be a multi-picture deal Reuters link.... Asimov sci-fi epic "Foundation" coming to screensNEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - The ousted founders of downsized studio New Line Cinema are producing an adaptation of the Isaac Asimov sci-fi epic "Foundation." The project marks the first undertaking for Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, who set up their own banner called Unique Features earlier this month after exiting New Line when the ailing studio was absorbed by its bigger corporate sibling Warner Bros. Unique aims to make two or three movies annually, with Warners handling marketing and distribution. Science fiction is a genre in which the duo and New Line had dabbled, most notably in recent years with "The Last Mimzy," which Shaye directed. That 2007 film grossed just $27 million worldwide, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo. "Foundation" is based on Asimov's "Foundation Trilogy," which centers on a society that has figured out how to predict the future based on a method called psychohistory and sets up a foundation devoted to scientific research to protect itself and ensure its survival. The politically inflected work, which features such characters as the prophetic Hari Seldon and a villain called the Mule, spans hundreds of years, essentially tracking the rise and fall of entire civilizations. Each book contains a new set of characters, which poses a multitude of challenges for a big-screen adaptation. Additionally, Asimov's books tend to incorporate philosophical themes as much as action elements. Still, the very loose adaptation of his "I, Robot" collection of stories turned into a $340 million global hit for Fox in 2004. In 1999, Disney released the Chris Columbus film "Bicentennial Man," based on one of the author's short stories. That film grossed $94 million worldwide. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Oct 8, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson.  The idea has been kicked around in recent recent years, I doubt it would ever happen.  The main character just doesn't have any appeal that could audience could relate to.  Not to mention, the story revolves around a ring, though for very different reasons.  Posted by derekmcd</DIV>Awhile back ago I was cruising some Covenant fansites trying to get a good artist's rendering of an "ur-vile" and came across info about the Unbeliever movie deals.Basically, what the problem is this:1) It's got a ring in it.  Too much like LoTR for the generic fantasy fanbase.2) It's too "adult."  These aren't your normal kiddy fantasy themes here.  They're deep, emotional, sexual, etc.. all of the above.  3) The scope.  The story takes place over thousands of years in many, many different locations with lots and lots of scenery, characters and very, very important events.  How can this story be told in such a way that it doesn't murder the story yet doesn't end up being 6 movies shot at 1539 locations and 345,568 different sets?  The "Land" is a character in the story and special attention would have to be paid to getting the locations, sets and scenery just right or nobody would care about "The Land" to begin with.Those were the big three that I can remember. PS - If anyone has a good, clear artist's interpretation of an ur-vile I'd appreciate it.  I'm trying to make a 3D model of one.

<div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Oct 8, 2008

Here's something that could be done:The Riftwar Saga series by Raymond E. Feist.It's not too complicated.  It's "Epic" but it doesn't have to have bajillions of computer generated orcs running around.  It has a good appealing story that young and old could appreciate.  It has lots of "eye candy" and a good dose of "intrigue" that could keep older audiences hooked.The first two books, "Magician: Apprentice" and "Magician: Master" would best be served splitting them into two movies or stretching them into three if the director/producers wanted to focus some attention on, for instance, the Midkemia experience in the books.  A suitable "movie" ending could easily be arranged for the series instead of the cliffhanger in the second book, IIRC.I think it would make a good couple of films.  No orcs.  No "Rings."  A sort of Darth Vaderish yet Good Guy type of character.  Battles.  Love.  Some elves.  Lots of magic...  It could work. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

Bflowing · Nov 1, 2008

Yes, I would love to see many of the above suggestions as films.Two I can think of:Anne MaCaffrey's, "Dragonriders of Pern" series (Which I just found out may be scheduled for production)David Weber's, "Honor Harrington" series.  Perfect for the big screen.I can see Hammer's Slammers as a series on the Sci fi channel. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Nov 1, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>...David Weber's, "Honor Harrington" series.  Perfect for the big screen...Posted by Bflowing</DIV>The Honor Harrington series would make a perfect space-opera movie series!  I love that series, I just haven't had time to read all the books!  I haven't even looked at the spinoffs yet.I'm also a big fan of David Feintuch's "Nicholas Seafort Saga" which is in a similar vein.  I'm not sure the later books would be suitable, but the first few are definitely workable and would make great stories.Still, Honor Harrington's adventures are just a MUST and, it looks like others agree:

"...An Honor Harrington movie was announced by Echo Valley Entertainment.[1] However, later information suggested that it would actually be a television series, to be written and produced by Peter Sands.[2] When David Weber was asked which actress he envisioned as Honor Harrington, he replied, "I don’t think there’s anyone out there who has the proper combination of height, physicality, and demonstrated acting ability to be 'perfect' for the role, so my mind is fairly open on this topic." Actress Claudia Christian, who plays Susan Ivanova on Babylon 5, has been suggested as a potential candidate; Weber says "She’s much shorter than Honor, but so are most women, and I think she could handle the physicality... I think it’s more important to have someone who can portray Honor’s character and command style than it is to have someone who is six feet two inches tall." Weber's concern is that the director would push Christian to re-create Ivonova's character while playing Honor and "Ivanova’s command style is totally different from Honor’s." </DIV>I wouldn't be surprised if this is aired on the Sci-Fi channel to retain part of their Sci-Fi audience after Battlestar Galactica is done even though there's a BSG spinoff in the works.  The details: http://www.hollywood.com/moviedetail/Honor_Harrington/1623511   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

Doc_Grey · Nov 2, 2008

I aggree with thebigcat in that I can't think of too many books I'd like to see put on film. The better the book, the greater the let down (i.e. The Stand, any of the X-Men or Marvel movies).However, in a perfect world...Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon (yes, it's been done but not particularly well)Harry Harrison's DeathworldMaybe The Big Back Yard ?

Bflowing · Nov 2, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The Honor Harrington series would make a perfect space-opera movie series!  I love that series, I just haven't had time to read all the books!  I haven't even looked at the spinoffs yet.I'm also a big fan of David Feintuch's "Nicholas Seafort Saga" which is in a similar vein.  I'm not sure the later books would be suitable, but the first few are definitely workable and would make great stories.Still, Honor Harrington's adventures are just a MUST and, it looks like others agree:

"...An Honor Harrington movie was announced by Echo Valley Entertainment.[1] However, later information suggested that it would actually be a television series, to be written and produced by Peter Sands.[2] When David Weber was asked which actress he envisioned as Honor Harrington, he replied, "I don’t think there’s anyone out there who has the proper combination of height, physicality, and demonstrated acting ability to be 'perfect' for the role, so my mind is fairly open on this topic." Actress Claudia Christian, who plays Susan Ivanova on Babylon 5, has been suggested as a potential candidate; Weber says "She’s much shorter than Honor, but so are most women, and I think she could handle the physicality... I think it’s more important to have someone who can portray Honor’s character and command style than it is to have someone who is six feet two inches tall." Weber's concern is that the director would push Christian to re-create Ivonova's character while playing Honor and "Ivanova’s command style is totally different from Honor’s." </DIV>I wouldn't be surprised if this is aired on the Sci-Fi channel to retain part of their Sci-Fi audience after Battlestar Galactica is done even though there's a BSG spinoff in the works.  The details: http://www.hollywood.com/moviedetail/Honor_Harrington/1623511   Posted by a_lost_packet_</DIV> Good news about HH!  You know, Geena Davis might be a good match up.BTW, don't get emotionally attached to any characters in the series, he has a tendency to kill them off!  David Weber doesn't like war, and shows how brutal it can be.  But the series not only has some massive battle scenes, but there is plenty of political drama on both sides.  It will be perfect for TV. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Nov 2, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>..You know, Geena Davis might be a good match up.</DIV>You know, that's not a bad suggestion!  She's a big girl at 6' and athletic.  She's also got a great look about her which, oddly enough, might make her prettier than the character she's portraying. (Harrington is sort of plain.)  I've always been a Geena Davis fan but she may be a bit too old to play Honor.  Yet, Hollywood can work wonders and if they thought she was perfect, they'd take a couple of decades off of her with makeup and the camera.  I don't suppose it really makes much difference though.  Honor could just as well be an older character instead of a young rising star. Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>BTW, don't get emotionally attached to any characters in the series, he has a tendency to kill them off!  David Weber doesn't like war, and shows how brutal it can be.  But the series not only has some massive battle scenes, but there is plenty of political drama on both sides.  It will be perfect for TV. Posted by Bflowing</DIV>Yeah, I've noticed that.  The only character I care about is Honor herself.  The rest can die in a blaze of glory and intrigue!

<div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

junkheap · Nov 6, 2008

There were already two movies made based on "Nightfall", but they were the crappiest pieces of crap that anyone ever crapped in the entire history of crap, so maybe someday someone will do it right, but I'm not keeping my hopes up.

StrandedonEarthsince1970 · Nov 7, 2008

I'd like to see some movies from the Niven universe. Others have mentioned Ringworld and Mote in God's Eye, but I didn't see FootFall mentioned, which I think would be good also. I think what would make a good TV series would be  The Man-Kzin Wars. Sort of like Spielberg's Amazing Tales. I don't have any specific Man-Kzin tales in mind, since i'm still trying to find more books, but I bet they would make great stand-alone episodes, loosely intertwined with recurring characters. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Now where on Earth did I park my UFO? </div>

Books you would like to see made into films

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