Stories you're surprised there hasn't been a movie of? ( or deserve a remake?)

WoollyRedHat

What stories are there, whether real or fiction are you surprised and hopeful that will be made a movie soon? Or stories which have been made into movies but are quite old and could do with a remake?

For starters, I am still highly anticpating Artemis Fowl to be made into film. it's story's premise is fantastic and its characters exciting and absorbing in the books, with plenty of action and fantasy and an already strong fanbase, which with the right cast and direction could become a great movie series ( assuming Colfer has a role to play in the creative process


Another one which I thought of today and am quite surprised hasn't been made into a film by Hollywood again is Murder on the Orient Express, another great story and one which would surely do well in the box office.

Also Grapes of Wrath, set in the depression era America and one of the great novels of the 20th century has only been put to film once, in 1940... again a great story and if they made a remake it would be highly relevant today.


Other stories which I can think of in recent times that are great but whose movie adaption hasn't been greatly received is The Golden Compass with Kidman and Craig. I haven't gotten round to watching this of yet but intend to but will be sorely disappointed if what people have said about it turns out to be true, as Northern Lights is a fantastic book

So, what stories would you like to grace or return to screen?

Dercola

Granted, I may be a little biased, as it is my favourite book of all time. But I'm always suprised there hasn't been a bigger budgeted/better version of Watership Down.. I'm talking along the lines of Ledgends of the Guardians or something? Its a story that has always stuck with me as I've grown up, and do love to have a read of the book every now & then.. Would love to see it on the big screen with todays special effects and the like...

Altho, I will admit that I have never seen the 1979 film. So maybe I should check that one out before I go and start making suggestions :P

padma

A movie about Brian Boru, Finn MacCumhail, Cuchulainn, The rebellion of 1798, such a great store of movie waiting to be developed here in Ireland.

Improbable

There's supposedly going to be a film adaptation of Ender's Game in 2013. Been waiting for that for ages. Would love to see one of Magician by Feist as well, I think it would be amazing on film, though as far as I know, Feist himself was against the idea.

padma

The Magician by Feist would be fantastic, and so much more potential with the follow on books.

Fishooks12

I would love to see a Movie about the Dytaliov Pass incident

ziedth

I think Wolfe Tones life/death would make a great film.

I forget his name but any WW2 buffs might help but there was the guy I think in Stalingrad that became a one man tank killer. I think he took down like 20 tanks.

Likewise, there are so many unbelievable stories that happened during the dogfights of WW1 it's crazy that a proper film about it hasn't been made.

strobe

I think a big budget live action adaptation Final Fantasy VII would be great. The story lines and a lot of the characters are pretty solid so it would be more than just a Michael Bay boomfest and have a better foundation than most computer games adaptations which tend to be pretty shallow in terms of plot. But having said that it would also lend its self extremely well to some spectacular big money CGI scenes that could really push the limits of current tech.

Plus it was a hit globally and there is a lot of nostalgia about it for the people that played it when it came out on the play station back in the day so you have a massive pre-existing global audience for it that's just waiting to be tapped up.

tricky D

There has to be a few movies to come from some of Iain M Banks' Culture novels.

maximoose

The ongoing serial killings in Long Island, a movie is probably in the cards if/when the killer is caught.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_serial_killer

Arnold Layne

The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub. I heard years addi that Spielberg had bought the rights to it, so what's the delay?

bnt

padma wrote: »

A movie about Brian Boru, Finn MacCumhail, Cuchulainn, The rebellion of 1798, such a great store of movie waiting to be developed here in Ireland.

There were indeed plans for a Brian Boru movie, just a few years ago, and we talked about it here. T'was cancelled, of course.

I watched Carousel the other day, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical best known for one song (You'll Never Walk Alone), and wondered whether any of those would be up for a remake. I did a little research, and found there are indeed plans to remake Carousel, with Hugh Jackman producing and starring, and that he wants Anne Hathaway as his co-lead. It's gone quiet, though.

As for other such musicals ... The King & I was remade as the non-musical Anna and the King (with Jodie Foster). South Pacific? Remade for TV in 2001, and there are proposals for a big-budget remake produced by Bob Balaban. Oklahoma! ? No Way! What's left - a remake of The Sound Of Music? :eek:

Marty McFly

As someone who loves true crim movies and books id love to see the storys of:

The Westies by T.J Enlish made into a movie suprised it hasnt been done already seen as how well known a story this is, it was huge in New York at the time.

Or any of the books or story of Pablo Escobar hasnt been made yet give his notoriety worldwide surely a movie on his life would be a box office smash.

Also one not many people may know of but an amazing story all the same This Is For The Mara Salvatrucha, and incredible book telling th story of a pregnant ms-13 member who still in her teens turned informant I think if done right with a big production not in a Fast and Furious want to be cool homeboy kinda way would make an amazing film.

padma

I remember the talk of doing Boru, could imagine the chants Boru, Boru, Boru.

bnt

I think I've mentioned this before, somewhere: my surprise that there have been almost no adaptations of books from the "Golden Age" of Science Fiction. No, Will Smith's I, Robot hardly counts. Nor does 2001: A Space Odyssey, since that was explicitly written to be made as a film. I'm talking about big, idea-driven books, such as Asimov's Foundation, Clarke's Childhood's End, or Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land. There are also later works such as those by Niven & Pournelle (together or individually) such as The Mote In God's Eye or Ringworld.

I know there has been talk of preproduction on some such books at various times e.g. I remember there was talk, a few years ago, of Morgan Freeman in Rendezvous with Rama (Clarke). I haven't forgotten Dune (Herbert) or Starship Troopers (Heinlein).

Asimov is (IMHO) the big fish yet to be tackled properly, and I think the world needs a big budget film based on the Foundation series. But I don't see it happening - not unless Newt Gingrich becomes the next US President, since he's (reportedly) studied the books and Asimov's concept of psychohistory.

edit: oh, bugger: Roland Emmerich has been working on a Foundation film franchise.

Duckworth_Luas

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.

humanji

bnt wrote: »

I think I've mentioned this before, somewhere: my surprise that there have been almost no adaptations of books from the "Golden Age" of Science Fiction. No, Will Smith's I, Robot hardly counts. Nor does 2001: A Space Odyssey, since that was explicitly written to be made as a film. I'm talking about big, idea-driven books, such as Asimov's Foundation, Clarke's Childhood's End, or Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land. There are also later works such as those by Niven & Pournelle (together or individually) such as The Mote In God's Eye or Ringworld.

I know there has been talk of preproduction on some such books at various times e.g. I remember there was talk, a few years ago, of Morgan Freeman in Rendezvous with Rama (Clarke). I haven't forgotten Dune (Herbert) or Starship Troopers (Heinlein).

Asimov is (IMHO) the big fish yet to be tackled properly, and I think the world needs a big budget film based on the Foundation series. But I don't see it happening - not unless Newt Gingrich becomes the next US President, since he's (reportedly) studied the books and Asimov's concept of psychohistory.

edit: oh, bugger: Roland Emmerich has been working on a Foundation film franchise.

I can't imagine an Asimov film being made without being "adapted" to be an I,Robot-esque style blockbuster. His books are a little too cerebral to be major hits with a wider audience, and smaller production studios probably won't want to take a risk with them. It's possible that some star will champion them, like Morgan Freeman and David Fincher for Rendezvous with Rama or George Clooney with the Solaris remake.

p to the e

I'd like to see an updated version of "I Am Legend" similar to "Omega Man" which actually follows the book's plot and without CGI vampires.

Also I remember reading that a version of "Neuromancer" was cancelled as it had been cannibalised by several films (The Matrix being mostly guilty) but it seems there's plans to go ahead with it now. Should be interesting.

JohnFalstaff

luvbulmers01 wrote: »

As someone who loves true crim movies and books id love to see the storys of:

The Westies by T.J Enlish made into a movie suprised it hasnt been done already seen as how well known a story this is, it was huge in New York at the time.

State of Grace is based on the story of the Westies. Numerous scenes are based on events detailed in TJ English's book, including the telephone in the warehouse scene - a terrific suspense scene lifted directly from real life events.

Supposedly Jim Sheridan is also currently developing a project based on the Westies but I'm not sure if that will ever see the light of day.

wilkie2006

padma wrote: »

A movie about Brian Boru, Finn MacCumhail, Cuchulainn, The rebellion of 1798, such a great store of movie waiting to be developed here in Ireland.

That's a great idea. I'd love those stories to be filmed.

wilkie2006

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.

Really? I hope they never do that. It's such an amazing novel, I just don't think a film could ever come close. I guess I wouldn't have to watch it though...

LimGal

Cuchulain.......are pretty much any Irish tale.....sure to be a hit given the huge population worldwide!

LimGal

Whoops....just seen padmas post!soz!!

JohnFalstaff

wilkie2006 wrote: »

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.

Really? I hope they never do that. It's such an amazing novel, I just don't think a film could ever come close. I guess I wouldn't have to watch it though...

I think it would make a great movie. Supposedly there was a version set to roll with John Belushi as Ignatius which I'd love to see in imaGinationLand.

As far as I know Jay Roach is currently developing the property. I think he could do something with the material (not that he'd make an abortion anyways...).

Branoic

padma wrote: »

A movie about Brian Boru, Finn MacCumhail, Cuchulainn, The rebellion of 1798, such a great store of movie waiting to be developed here in Ireland.

That would make an awesome move. Like, a single movie. Brian Boru, Finn MacCumhail and Cuchulainn travel through time and out of myth to take on the English during the 1798 rebellion. Hollywood would probably screw it up by adding aliens in the end or something though.

Ridley

Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero. Released the same year as The Fellowship of the Ring and the first Harry Potter films, I expected movie types to make a grab for the rights what with fantasy being in that season.

Plus, as it was a LotR parody of-sorts and with Rincewind and Carrot in the lead – two characters from popular Discworld story arcs (the Rincewind/Wizards and City Watch books) – it seemed an ideal introduction to the world as well as a strong starting point for a series of movies.

krudler

a movie about the Irish famine, kinda surprised its never been done, references to it in movies like The Field sure, but not a full blown story set during it, granted it wouldnt be the most cheerful film but since its such a big part of Irish history you'd wonder why nobody has made one yet.

Sir Gallagher

Just finished reading The Book Thief which i think would make a fantastic movie. It's the story of a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany which is narrated by death. As long as the don't do a Valkyrie and have all the characters speaking with American accents.

wilkie2006

I'd love to see a remake of "Nineteen Eight Four". Based on his performances in "The Insider" and "A Beautiful Mind", I think that Russell Crowe would be an inspired choice for Winston.

I was interested to hear that a film was being made of "At Swim Two Birds" with Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Cilian Murphy. I'm not sure how well it would translate to film bit curious to see, nonetheless.

Cardinal Richelieu

padma wrote: »

The Magician by Feist would be fantastic, and so much more potential with the follow on books.

Short stories work better as movies IMO. Some of the best SciFi/Fantasy movies were short story concepts. There was alot of talk about David Gemmell Legend movie.

Now with CGI they could revisit some of the Sword and Sandal movies from the 50-60s with battle scenes of LOTR scale. Persian invasion of Ancient Greece for example.

My personnal favourite would be an English Language film of the Battle of Vienna 1683. 3000 Winged Polish Huzzers charging down the side of a mountain led by their King into the Ottoman Army does have visual appeal.

wilkie2006

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

I think it would make a great movie. Supposedly there was a version set to roll with John Belushi as Ignatius which I'd love to see in imaGinationLand.

As far as I know Jay Roach is currently developing the property. I think he could do something with the material (not that he'd make an abortion anyways...).

I just think that the charm of "A Confederacy of Dunces" lies in its use of language; it's so clever and eloquent. I was much less interested in the narrative. My concern is that any film would focus on that to the detriment of the prose.

tok9

Fishooks12 wrote: »

I would love to see a Movie about the Dytaliov Pass incident

Never heard of this before but that sounds crazy!

Dubhthamlacht

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Just finished reading The Book Thief which i think would make a fantastic movie. It's the story of a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany which is narrated by death. As long as the don't do a Valkyrie and have all the characters speaking with American accents.

+1 to this. Has the basis of a great movie.

I'd also like to see Oryx and Crake by Magerat Atwood become a film. The sci fi setting and story has great potential.
Joseph O'Connor's books, Redemption Falls and Star of the Sea would be epics in the vein of the David Lean variety in terms of story. I would really like to see them become films.

Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, while being a journalistic account is still an amazing true like account of growing up in the bronx. As a film I could see it as kind of like Puerto Rican Precious mixed with Boyz in the Hood.

As a remake, well the original Hannibal film never did justice to such a fantatsic book. That deserves a remake.

grohlisagod

I'm a little surprised that "Every Dead Thing" by John Connolly hasn't been made into a film yet. Has the potential to be absolutely fantastic.

Perhaps it's a little grizzly for Hollywood but there's an entire series in the Charlie Parker books just waiting to be done.

Nolanger

Gubu

shankespony

The voyage of the catalpa - one of the best books i have ever read and its a true story of survival against a vindictive world power, their harsh living environment etc, cant believe there has never been a film made although RTE made a documentary.

It has all the geography Ireland, India, UK, Australia, Canada and USA with the villain being the British Empire, a good ending what more does it need!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalpa_rescue

Cardinal Richelieu

A movie on Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck know as The Bush Ghost. The Imperial German Army WW1 version of Rommel who remained undefeated for the entire war and fight his way across East Africa against the allies.

shankespony

Cardinal, that looks a really interesting subject, little known aspect of WWI must get his book on Amazon looks good.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

krudler wrote: »

a movie about the Irish famine, kinda surprised its never been done, references to it in movies like The Field sure, but not a full blown story set during it, granted it wouldnt be the most cheerful film but since its such a big part of Irish history you'd wonder why nobody has made one yet.

A film version of Star of the Sea.

EDIT: Just spotted its been mentioned.

bnt

I'm surprised no-one's made a big screen version of (probably) my favourite Shakespeare play since 1970: Julius Caesar. And the 1970 version wasn't much good in comparison with the 1953 version with Marlon Brando and James Mason, even though John Gielgud was in both of them.. I think it would make a great star vehicle for someone like Russell Crowe as Brutus, if that's not lazy casting after Gladiator. Or Leo DiCaprio as Cassius? The female characters have been short-changed in the past too, that deserves fixing too.