08.04.09 | Gary Cahall | Staff NotesPrint this Post
1977's release of Star Wars showed movie studios the audience interest for science fiction, and ever since executives have scrambled to find the next big "space saga" franchise. There were successes, like the Alien and Terminator films, but when it came to films based on literary series, results have been decidedly hit-and-miss.
Sure, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter films managed to be both financially and--generally--critically popular, but along the way there have also been such misfires as David Lynch's bombastic Dune, Paul Verhoeven's mutilation of Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers, and the big-screen version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Oh, and take Battlefield Earth...please.
Since so many screenplays these days seem to be based on toys and action figures the writers played with way back in the 1980s (did you know they're seriously considering a feature based on the Stretch Armstrong doll?), here are seven book series that would not only be spectacularly entertaining films--if done right--but could make for a satisfying string of sequels. Some are actually in pre-production stages, but Hollywood's fickle whims could change that in an instant.
1. DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN - Anne McCaffrey deftly blended sci-fi and fantasy elements to bring to life Pern, a medieval-like world whose only defense against a deadly spore that consumes all organic material are fire-breathing dragons telepathically linked at hatching to their riders. McCaffrey and her son Todd have written 18 novels or novellas and several short stories on Pern since 1967. A Dragonriders film has been on the drawing board for years, but lackluster receptions for Reign of Fire and Eragon may threaten it.
2. FOUNDATION - Think a movie about the establishment of a branch of mathematics would be dull? Not thanks to Isaac Asimov, who in seven books showed how scientist Hari Seldon and his followers used his theory of "psycho-history," a method of tracking future societal actions, to predict the decline and fall of the vast Galactic Empire. In order to preserve mankind's knowledge and technology, a secret organization known as the Foundation is established. Again, plans for a Foundation film have come and gone, with one currently being overseen by former New Line honcho Bob Shaye.
3. LENSMAN - long before DC Comics' Green Lantern Corps, the spaceways were protected by another group of interplanetary lawmen wielding super-powered devices. Genre pioneer E.E. "Doc" Smith pretty much invented the "space opera" with his tales of the Arisians, aliens who built the thought-focusing Lenses and gave them to worthy beings (males only--it was the 1930s, after all) to help battle the invading Eddorians. Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment and Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski are currently working on a Lensman script.
4. RAMA - Rama was the name 2001: A Space Odyssey guru Arthur C. Clarke gave in his acclaimed 1972 book "Rendezvous with Rama" to a 30-mile-long, 12-mile-wide cylindrical spaceship of unknown origin that enters Earth's solar system in the 22nd century. The research vessel Endeavour is sent to make contact with Rama and whoever might be inside, but Endeavour's crew finds only cybernetic ogranisms among the uninhabited cities, forests and seas that make up the ship's vast interior. Rama leaves the solar system with its mysteries intact, mysteries that Clarke and co-author Gentry Lee would eventually explore in three more novels. Actor Morgan Freeman and filmmaker David Fincher worked on a Rama project for years, but various problems have put it in development limbo.
5. RINGWORLD - Even with the advances in CGI effects, few things in sci-fi cinema to date could compare with a depiction of Larry Niven's immense ring-shaped construct, a million miles wide and 600 million miles in circumference, roating in its orbit around a distant star. Niven's original 1970 novel followed two humans and their alien colleagues as they set out from Earth to explore the Ringworld, with subsequent books detailing their efforts to repair and save the construct and its inhabitants, even as they seek to learn the secrets of its designers, as well as the interplanetary war that breaks out for control of its technology.
6. SHANNARA - Fans of Tolkeinesque fantasy have been reading Terry Brooks' "Shannara" series for over 30 years. Set in a mysterious world called the Four Lands, whose magic and lack of technology hide its societies' apocalyptic origins, the 1977 debut novel "The Sword of Shannara" detailed the quest of the half-human, half-elven Shea Ohmsford and his adopted human brother Flick to find a mystical sword that will stop the evil Warlock Lord's plans of conquest. Trolls, dwarves and other genre staples are given new life through Brooks' knack for characterization, and a film series (Warner Bros. and director Mike Newell are said to be working on adapting the second book, "The Elfstones of Shannara") would find favor with Lord of the Rings devotees.
7. WILD CARDS - Giving the superhero milieu a realism beyond the X-Men films or even Watchmen, this collection of "shared universe" books--penned by Roger Zelazny, Walter Jon Williams, George R.R. Martin, and others--outlined an alternate history of Earth since 1946, when an alien virus that alters human DNA was dispersed across the globe. Of the hundreds of thousands who were uniquely affected (hence its desingation as the "Wild Card" virus), 90 percent "drew the black queen" and died within days, nine percent mutated into disfigured "Jokers," and the remaining one percent became superpowered "Aces." Such real-world events as the '50s Red Scare, the Civil Rights Movement and the Iran Hostage Crisis are re-imagined through the eyes of the Wild Carders, with the Jokers becoming an international minority (most U.S. vicitms settle in a Lower Manhattan neighborhood dubbed Jokertown) and the Aces (few of whom bother with masks or secret identities) becoming vigilante crimefighters, government agents, celebrities, and, of course, criminals.
I'm a firm believer that time has actually been very kind to Lynch's "Dune" (original cut, not Alan Smithee version) -- some of its questionable matte work notwithstanding -- especially given the rather banal "more faithful" treatment it received in its made-for-TV incarnation. Meanwhile, I know it isn't strictly "sci-fi," but I'd add our old friend Doc Savage to this list. That material cries out for a more thoughtfully outrageous franchise. (And we'll all still be able to enjoy/cringe at the high camp road taken by the Ron Ely film.)
A big-screen "WIld Cards" movie would be fantastic, or even a mini-series on the channel they used to call Sci-Fi. Better than the overhyped "Watchmen." With any luck George R.R. Martin would come back to TV to script, and five words...JOHNNY DEPP AS DR. TACHYON!
Foundation is too big. It would have to be a mini-series. Rama would be great. But Ringworld would be fantastic! The book I would like to see made into a movie is Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen. Would be a great action/fantasy flick.
How about Harry Harison's anti-hero Slippery Jim DeGriz the Stainless Steel Rat?
Most of the really good stories could/should be series or at least mini-series. I would love to see both "Dragon Riders of Pern" and "Ring World". But either of them would take real dedication and hours of video.
Howard, I'm surprised that no one has done "The Stainless Steel Rat". I can only conclude that H.H. is still alive and has seen what movie people do to good, fun literature. Robert Heinlein, while he was alive, only allowed one movie to be made from his writings, it was butchered so badly it was the first and the last for him!
I'd love to see C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy on the big screen. The Chronicles of Narnia movies are great for the kids, but Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength could make fun and thoughtful movies for more grown-up audiences.
If you want to reach back further, how about Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter: Warlord of Mars series? The hero being a Confederate officer who is wounded and wakes up on the Red Planet might be a problem, but that premise could be made more contemporary without having too much impact on the Mars stories - lots romance and sword fights as I recall.
Never thought much of the "Shannara" series, but a good treatment of Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series would be wonderful! Of course, it would take so many films to cover the whole story, so it probably couldn't be done. Plus, the promised conclusion has yet to appear.
I agree with JK Holland. "Out of the Silent Planet ", "Perelandra" and "That Hideous Strength" by CS Lewis would make great movies for the Science Fiction fans. These books definately provoked thought.
The Dark Elf series of books by Salvatori have Sci-Fi or Fantasy movie potential.
The original movie "Dune" did abandon the book version but it had an intact storyline which was entertaining. There are many other books by the Herberts (Frank and Brian) which merit as movie material. The Dune TV series was excellent but we are still hungry for more.
Also, I am looking forward to "The Hobbit" film which I heard was in production. (Still?)
Long ago there was a Science show called "Connections". We should have those books "Who put the butter in butterfly?", "When do Fish Sleep?" and "Why Clocks run Clockwise" made into a series. OK, that is not entirely Science Fiction but if one loves Science and Science Fiction it is hard to stop chating about just the fiction part....73
With all the brilliant minds and computer generated graphics coming out of Hollywood today, I think Roger Zelazney's The Chronicles of Amber could made into a great movie or mini-series.
On the subject of Robert Heinlein's great works, what about Stranger in a Strage Land? When he penned this book, his crystal ball must have shown him a vision of society in the early 21st century!
I wholeheartedly agree with the Lensman series, although you seem to have missed the Red Lensman in your comments. I would add the Skylark series as well, particularly for the great villain, Blackie Duquesne..
How about John Russell Fearn's Golden Amazon?
The Legacy of Heorot - Larry Niven and David Pournelle.
Colonists unwittingly upset the balance of nature when they destroy the creatures that are killing off their companions.
Lot's of action for the shoot 'em up crowd, great ending.
Harry Harrison is still alive - he's in his eighties - and he says the Stainless Steel Rat has been optioned for the past thirty years or so. By the same person. Who has never done anything to get the film into production. Harry's agent was hoping they could retire on the constant renewal of this one option. However, last year, he slipped up and didn't renew the option and the Russians jumped in. Harry is a superstar in Russia. His new novel, which both his English and US publishers are wavering over, is being translated into Russian and an initial print run of 100,000 hardbacks is planned. The production of their movie of the Stainless Steel Rat is well advanced, and a couple of others are in preparation.
The one book which he did get made into a movie was Make Room! Make Room! filmed as Soylent Green, starring Charlton Heston and Edward G Robinson. Harry got a small payment and a guarantee of a percentage of the net. He says he knows now you have to go for a percentage of the gross. Hollywood accountants are adept at showing that no film has ever made a net profit and he has never earned a cent from that film.
Personally, I would rather movie makers came up with something original. Nothing they can imagine can be a patch on the movies that run in my mind. They just don't have my SFX budget. Although I am disappointed that Disney, having optioned John Christopher's Tripods in the list of the success of the War of the Worlds, has done little beyond commissioning a script. Good SF movies can be made from scratch. Star Wars, for all its derivative retro nature was an "original" piece of work. As was Alien. As was Joss Whedon's Firefly/Serenity. I would a thousand times rather see an indifferent new story than a stonking billion dollar remake of a book I have already read. Wasn't Dark Star one of the best SF movies ever? And made on a student budget of £zero.
I'm a science fiction fan. I crave the different, the original, the unexpected. I really don't want rehashes of stuff I already know. For gossake, tell me something new!
Paul Brazier and Evelyn Lewes
What about a movie on the sequel to when worlds collide?
The book is fantastic and with todays special effects it would be outstanding!
Heinlein wrote great stuff! What about Podkayne of Mars, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Rolling Stones, Have Spacesuit will Travel, and Space Cadet? Don't let the titles throw you off-these are great stories.
Much of what you list is Fantasy, not sci-fi.
How about
1) Dumarest of Terra series (E.C. Tubb)
2) Burrough's Mars stories
3) Just about any of Jack Vance's stories, starting with The Demon Princes
4) Someone already mentioned Larry Niven's work, which I second
5) A. E. Van Vogt's Weapon Shops of Isher books
and so many more.
How about some of the Andre Norton books. I know some of them are known as "children's books", but how about Witch World (the first one) which begins in a world similar to ours and ends in the Witch World. Also, how about Sargasso of Space or the Beast Master. I know they made a movie of Beast Master, but it certainly had no resemblance to the Andre Norton book except for the title.
I liked your shout-out to Heinlein and Stranger in a Strange Land, RP White, I thought about mention RAH's Future History series in the article, but decided a filming would be impratical because of the sheer number and range of works it covers. While my favorite Heinlein book is Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, it always amazed me that no one could ever get a movie made of Stranger, even though they've talked about it for decades with everyone from Leonard Nimoy to Sean Penn as Michael Smith. Maybe it's just one of those unfilmable books, like A Confederacy of Dunces?
These are all great suggestions. One book that I have always felt would make a terrific entertainment is Dream Park.
I agree with Paul. A lot of what is listed is fantasy, and fantasy is not sci fi even though it dance's close to it. I would love to see a good treatment of Niven and Pournelle's "Lucifer's Hammer" although this would have to be a mini series and the parallels to "The Stand" are inescapable. I have often thought that Clarke's "Childhood's End" would make a good film, even though the idea of city sized space ships appearing over the Earth's major cities has already been "borrowed" by "Independence Day". The Stainless Steel Rat stories were fun to read and could possibly be fun movies as long as whoever made them didn't try to take the source material too seriously. Another fun mini series could be treatments of Clarke's "Tales of the White Hart". These were great short stories, as were the original "I Robot" stories. This could be another source for some great films. Asimov's "The Fountains of Paradise" could be interesting.
Why mess with Doc Smith's Lensman series? I thought his "Skylark" series was better. As for Asimov, what about his "Lucky" Starr series? That might work for younger people anyway...
There’s another book that should be a movie: “City”, by Clifford D. Simak. It’s a series of short stories strung together by succeeding generations of a single fictional family, with each chapter going a bit farther into the future. It begins in the near future with the decline of the city and the rise of robotics. It ends up with three parallel universes: the Earth, which is inhabited by a race of intelligent dogs; the planet Jupiter, where mankind has found bliss as a completely different life form; and a universe completely taken over by intelligent ants. Nonviolent and full of subtle humor.
How about Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series? In a computer generated special effects environment like today's it would probably be a piece of cake. Seven interconnected movies with existential undercurrents, at least 3 or 4 decent love stories, a struggle to save humanity, characters from all walks of life, plenty of action, supernatural premise for the young'uns raised on Buffy seduction scenes with a succubus to spice up the previews for the boys, plenty for religious nuts to characterize as evil.... how could you go wrong (except maybe with the casting... it would have to have to be near nobodies that take direction well or they'd cast someone and twist the characters to suit their image - although if Viggo were a little younger he could totally be Zane's desperate loser on the edge with undertones of nobility and compassion turning him into a hero)
And I mean, who doesn't want to see Parry overthrow Satan and take his place???
I think Disney bought he rights and then dramatic-licensed it into the series Dead Like Me. But if we could get the folks that produced the scifi channel's miniseries of dune to tackle it, I think it could be pretty good.
I have been waiting a looong time for someone in the movie industry to recognize Doc Smith's books, particularly the Lensman and Skylark series, as natural film material. None other than Isaac Asimov has been quoted as saying his favorite passage in Sci Fi is the introductory chapter of "Galactic Patrol", which coincidentally was my personal introduction to Science Fiction when the title grabbed my attention in our school library in about the 7th grade. It hooked me good. Read it and see what you think.
The strength of Smith's work (I think) lies in his very visual, descriptive writing style. His books literally appear in near film-like visions in the "Theater of the reader's mind". His fast paced stories, with technical developments coming at breakneck speed would be translate easily into screenplays with the pace to keep audiences immersed in the stories. And, for that "something different" that makes movie-going fun, the design of the films could reflect a subdued, but somewhat art deco, 30ish style, giving a feel for the writer's era. I hope that Howard and Straczynsky follow through and produce a film worthy of "Doc's" imagination.
I think Clarke's Rama would be a great movie if done correctly. That novel was the first to ever give me that feeling of...Wow! It also scared the living beejesus out of me. I can still remember that feeling of dread but yet unbearable curiosity when the astronauts first entered Rama and when they explored "New York City." This has it all mystery, action, good characters, etc...
But I have to disagree with Asimov's Foundation - a book that I love - but it would be unwatchable. The narrative plotline is actually thin and is not what makes the novels soar. The majority of the plot involves people talking to each other - about concepts and theories. The Mule section would be the most adaptable but even then I think it would either bore people to death or have to be dumb down with explosions and killer robots.
I would like to suggest another novel that would be a great movie - Connie Willis' "The Doomsday Book," winner of both the Hugo and Nebula. It has an easy to understand concept - time travel and engaging characters stuck in challenging situations. There are plot twists, nice doses of humor and plus there is the horror of the Black Plague. Actually I have never understood why Hollywood hasn't discovered Ms. Willis' writing because so many of her novels and short stories would transfer very well to screen - shoot she even sets a few of her stories in Hollywood!
A book I read in school about a group of people (cops ,I think) who transferred their brains into robot bodies and went on adventures sounds like a good movie
Reply to Colin.........
It is a good idea, and was made into a pretty good movie called "Robocop" in 1987, Starring Peter Weller. There were a couple of inferior sequels also, but only the original was really good. I suspect it was a little before your time, but it's available on DVD, and pops up on cable occasionally.
You might also like "Blade runner" which features 'replicants', which are genetically altered and enhanced people, who are therefore not considered 'real' humans, are not allowed on Earth, and are to be identified and killed on sight.
What about Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars series?
Gateway Saga has to be on this list!!! The theme, the multiple storylines, the visuals that could be done! Please consider the Frederik Pohl novels.
It would be impossible to make Heinlein's SIASL into a movie. The religious zealots would never let it happen. Too bad.
I'd like to suggest "The Forever War" by Haldeman. About 25 years ago I took my wife to the Organic Theater in Chicago for a stage performance from that book. It was very well done. I could see a big budget turning it into a big hit.
How about David Weber's Honor Harrington series. Here is Space Opera at it's finest.
Whoever said Haldeman's The Forever War is on the right track-this novel screams movie. And although it was originally written as a response to the author's Vietnam service, it certainly has resonance today.
Another series that has screen potential is Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover, especially the books with a lot of Terran/Darkovan interaction, such as Bloody Sun, Worldwreckers, the books focused on Regis Hastur or Lew Alton.
Gateway has movie potential, especially the first book in the series.
And a book that hasn't been mentioned (i don't think) that would make a really great movie is Gordon Dickson's Way of the Pilgrim.
A series of Terry Brooks that I see having better movie potential than Shannara are the Nest Freemark books.
Stranger in a Strange Land -Alas, It will never get made as it makes fun of religion and so many other things we cannot laugh at.
the Elric books - Storm Bringer- sailor on the seas of fate...like so many good writers we will see it made when the author is dead or all his relatives are dead or they will just rip off the stories like they did Philip Dicks stuff.
Arthur C Clarkes Orphans of the Sky - oh too late idea stolen..C J. Cherryh 's Morgaine gate stories- Stargate with a real story...
Get Peter Jackson to re-make Dune (right)
A new Conan (this time even just a little like the books without a dumb weight lifter)
So many good choices already mentioned.
I would love to see Ursula K. Le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea done - properly. The wonderful language is all there. What they did to it in the 2004 movie was horrendous, and so contrary to the actual story.