Mr. Mercedes [** Spoilers **]

JP Liz V1

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Sonar Entertainment will develop Stephen King’s bestselling novel Mr. Mercedes as a limited series for television. David E. Kelley (Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, The Practice) is attached to write the script and Jack Bender (Lost) will direct. Both will also serve as executive producers, as will Temple Hill Entertainment’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey and Sonar Entertainment CEO Gene Stein.
Mr. Mercedes, which King describes as his first hard-boiled detective tale, was published by Scribner in June. The story focuses on a psychopathic killer who commits mass murder by driving his Mercedes into a crowd and the recently retired cop who makes it his mission to bring him down. Mr. Mercedes is the first of a projected trilogy. The second novel, Finders Keepers, will be published by Scribner in May of this year.
“This is an amazing opportunity to adapt a script from material penned by one of the world’s most acclaimed and accomplished authors,” said Kelley. “Mr. Mercedes is a great story that will translate beautifully to the screen if I don’t mess it up.”

http://deadline.com/2015/01/david-e-kelley-stephen-king-mr-mercedes-limited-series-sonar-entertainment-1201348942/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWSJ-1TN0Fw

Mr.Nice Guy

Didn't realise Brendan Gleeson was involved. Interesting. I read the book of this a few years ago which is pretty decent.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Loved the first two books and just picked up a copy of the third one last week, so it's next on my reading list.

I hope the TV series is good, and not watered down (like Under The Dome because it was on CBS), but I'm not sure what the swearing/violence situation is on AT&T.

I also remembered while watching the trailer that Anton Yelchin was meant to play Brady, and that made me sad. He would've been great for the part. RIP

Tazium

Stephen King adaptions to mini-series haven't been great, so many great stories poorly translate, even the newest version of the Mist.  It was so bad, I watched one episode and left it at that.  I've hope for Mr Mercedes, just like I've hope for any of his work on screen.  The evolution of the story from first to third book though will be interesting to see on film.
As for watered down, <spoiler> Brady had a somewhat incestuous relationship with his mother.</spoiler> let's see if it makes it!

SoapMcTavish

Tazium wrote: »

Stephen King adaptions to mini-series haven't been great, so many great stories poorly translate,!

What did you think of 11.22.63 ? I thought it was very good - if not quite directly translated.

Tazium

Actually, loved 11.22.63!   There's always an exception.

somesoldiers

SoapMcTavish wrote: »

What did you think of 11.22.63 ? I thought it was very good - if not quite directly translated.

Me too, was trying to find out when the second season is but seems to be no solid news that I could find in the 30 seconds I spent looking

SB_Part2

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Loved the first two books and just picked up a copy of the third one last week, so it's next on my reading list.

I absolutely adored the first two books. If I could go back in time I'd stop myself reading the third.

Looking forward to this series.

I don't think they'll bring in any of the nonsense from the 3rd book

Tazium

I'm midway through the third book, but couldn't agree more.  It's too much a leap from the first/second.

Tazium

I'm midway through the third book, but couldn't agree more.  It's too much a leap from the first/second.

Agent Coulson

First reviews are coming out and they are good.

Mr. Mercedes starts with a stomach-heaving opening of extreme and unsettling violence but the 10-episode series based on Stephen King’s 2014 novel proves to be good ride that’s well worth taking.

Brendan Gleeson and Harry Treadaway are getting great reviews for what they bring.

Brendan Gleeson and Harry Treadaway deliver intensity in Audience Network's promisingly adapted Stephen King thriller.

Atlantic Dawn

Starts tonight in US.

LionelNashe

Haven't read the books so I won't risk reading this thread, but I thought that the first episode was excellent. I was afraid it would turn out to be another bad Stephen King TV adaptation.

Heckler

I've read the books and enjoyed them.

Thought it was an excellent first episode and Gleeson was great in it.

Basq

This was really good.. Gleeson fantastic as per usual!

Snake Plisken

Big fan of the trilogy of books and thought the first episode was an excellent adaptation, they didn't hold back on the jobs fair scene and they even covered the incestuous relationship between Brady and his mother. I thought Gleason was good as Bill Hodges but did anyone else find him revert back to his Irish accent in some of the scenes?
Anyway excellent first episode looking forward to episode 2.

Atlantic Dawn

Snake Plisken wrote: »

Big fan of the trilogy of books and thought the first episode was an excellent adaptation, they didn't hold back on the jobs fair scene and they even covered the incestuous relationship between Brady and his mother. I thought Gleason was good as Bill Hodges but did anyone else find him revert back to his Irish accent in some of the scenes?
Anyway excellent first episode looking forward to episode 2.

Yes jobs fair scene was fairly intense, especially with similar terror attacks around the world. Gleesons accent seems to deliberately go back to the Irish accent, not sure if there's reasoning behind that or not, he normally can do US accents decent enough in other work he has done.

It's a pity it's not on full release on Netflix/Prime I'd watch the lot over a weekend

Snake Plisken

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Yes jobs fair scene was fairly intense, especially with similar terror attacks around the world. Gleesons accent seems to deliberately go back to the Irish accent, not sure if there's reasoning behind that or not, he normally can do US accents decent enough in other work he has done.

It's a pity it's not on full release on Netflix/Prime I'd watch the lot over a weekend

I actually think that some of the ISIS lads are Stephen King fans and decided oh that's a Good way to kill innocents also if you know the ending of the book there is another example that eerily similar to another recent terror attack!
Yeah agree with you keep saying to myself I'll watch the next episode only to find none up there to watch!

Agent Coulson

Really enjoyed that and Gleeson is just such a powerhouse of an actor.

gazzer

Brilliant opening episode. I have not read the books so didnt know about the jobs fair scene until I watched it. Bloody hell. They didnt hold back did they??

Snake Plisken

Episode 2 airs tonight in the States, looking forward to this weeks episde!

Ann22

How are you all watching? Is it on Netflix?? Loved the book and can't wait!

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Brendan Gleeson was genius casting for this - his interpretation of the character really brings Hodges to life a lot more than the book ever did.

NinetyForNone

Ann22 wrote: »

How are you all watching? Is it on Netflix?? Loved the book and can't wait!

First two episodes on official site working for moi.

http://start.att.net/exclusive/audience/mr-mercedes/episodes

Agent Coulson

I honestly didn't recognize Kelly Lynch as Brady's mother.


The chemistry between Holland Taylor and Gleeson is fantastic.

Pelvis

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I honestly didn't recognize Kelly Lynch as Brady's mother.

Road House!

Show is decent enough, I probably wouldn't be so willing to watch the 3rd ep if it wasn't for Gleeson though!

Agent Coulson

This show is all about Gleeson and how good he is.

Yamanoto

Agent Coulson wrote: »

This show is all about Gleeson and how good he is.

How is his accent or is he playing it in his own brogue?

He's previously struggled with an American accent, to the point where he's had to overdub scenes in post-production on Green Zone (and even then it was more than a little ropey)

Loughc

Any idea when or if this show is getting picked up in Ireland/UK?

EDIT: Never mind I just seen Mr.E's wonderful thread on RTÉ's Autumn Schedule and he gave it a mention that RTÉ have picked up the rights for it. I'll be waiting to add that to my Sky Planner.

Walter Bishop

Yamanoto wrote: »

How is his accent or is he playing it in his own brogue?

He's previously struggled with an American accent, to the point where he's had to overdub scenes in post-production on Green Zone (and even then it was more than a little ropey)

He's not bothering with an accent for this.

Basq

Walter Bishop wrote: »

He's not bothering with an accent for this.

His diatribe in the bar in episode 3 was fantastic...

.. "no problem!"

The Black Oil

Just got caught up recently. The opening scene was quite grim, well, it is Stephen King. Gleeson is just stellar, of course. Pilot scenes with his neighbour were...:D Possibly a bit mental in the self-torture/PTSD side, but I think that's unavoidable. Do have a question about the casting of Mary Louise Parker and they could have Bill's old partner in a scene without using the word retirement. Bar scene was great.

Tortoise should have its own spin off. :pac:

Snake Plisken

The Black Oil wrote: »

Just got caught up recently. The opening scene was quite grim, well, it is Stephen King. Gleeson is just stellar, of course. Pilot scenes with his neighbour were...:D Possibly a bit mental in the self-torture/PTSD side, but I think that's unavoidable. Do have a question about the casting of Mary Louise Parker and they could have Bill's old partner in a scene without using the word retirement. Bar scene was great.

Tortoise should have its own spin off. :pac:

I've a bad feeling something bad is going to happen to Mr Tortoise.
At least they explained his accent saying he had move from Ireland to the States!

The Black Oil

Tortoise will be OK. The kid's dog, however.

Snake Plisken

The Black Oil wrote: »

Tortoise will be OK. The kid's dog, however.

Ahh true but they have artistic license with the books

Yggr of Asgard

Oh my, this is one interesting show with some disturbing shades of human behavior but I'm hooked.

RocketRaccoon

This is just incredible television, Gleeson is a powerhouse of an actor and this role is suiting him perfectly. I am completely hooked after 3 episodes.

Agent Coulson

The toilet scene was brilliantly funny.


The soundtrack to this series is also just so good.

Yggr of Asgard

I agree, this is becoming one of my must see as soon as available shows.

Soundtrack is very good as you say, someone did a Spotify Playlist for it:
https://open.spotify.com/user/mrmercedestv/playlist/2hDcCTnOpe9TeKVAGgMiRp

I love this. Ida is fantastic! And of course Brendan Gleeson

Agent Coulson

Gleeson better be winning a few awards next year.


Another top class episode with Gleeson again the stand out he is just head and shoulder above everyone else in the show.


That video chat scene was great.

Mc Love

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Gleeson better be winning a few awards next year.


Another top class episode with Gleeson again the stand out he is just head and shoulder above everyone else in the show.


That video chat scene was great.

His interaction with Brady was top class! He definitely got the better of him.

JP Liz V1

Loughc wrote: »

Any idea when or if this show is getting picked up in Ireland/UK?

EDIT: Never mind I just seen Mr.E's wonderful thread on RTs Autumn Schedule and he gave it a mention that RThave picked up the rights for it. I'll be waiting to add that to my Sky Planner.

brian_t wrote: »

Mr. Mercedes starts on RTE One at 10:15pm on Tuesday 19th September

:cool:

Heckler

One of the best things on TV at the moment. Gleeson should be up for awards for this.

It doesn't flinch away !

oneilla

I gave the first episode of this a spin last night. Not sure about it yet, if it's gonna be Gleeson getting the leg over with his neighbour while quietly being taunted by the killer or if it'll shift into detective thriller cat&mouse show. Enjoyed the first ep but the tonal shift was odd. Gonna have a look at ep2 tonight.

Nice little nod there playing Pet Semetary while introducing the computer fella

mikeybrennan

Great show

Nearly sure I've seen that 'No problem' gag before (ep.3)

Gleason is great although I don't know is there much originality in the show.

oneilla

mikeybrennan wrote: »

Great show

Nearly sure I've seen that 'No problem' gag before (ep.3)

Gleason is great although I don't know is there much originality in the show.

I don't know what you mean (or even expect) with regards originality but this is certainly unique.


4 episodes in and I'm sold on this. The sparse odd off-beat humour in Gleeson and slight absurdity mixed in with the utter callousness of the computer killer is enough to make me keep watching for now. The Cop and a Half-esque nerd/gardener side-kick teen is a reach but I guess it's a vulnerable character Gleeson is close to so there's a play to be had there.

Tempted to read the book now before it finishes...

mikeybrennan

oneilla wrote: »

I don't know what you mean (or even expect) with regards originality but this is certainly unique.


4 episodes in and I'm sold on this. The sparse odd off-beat humour in Gleeson and slight absurdity mixed in with the utter callousness of the computer killer is enough to make me keep watching for now. The Cop and a Half-esque nerd/gardener side-kick teen is a reach but I guess it's a vulnerable character Gleeson is close to so there's a play to be had there.

Tempted to read the book now before it finishes...

I would characterize it as 'fresh' rather than unique

It's a routine detective story so far with a few new twists and some very good acting.

Atlantic Dawn

Loving this so far, Gleesons web cam chat with the killer was great.

oneilla

The incest is a bit much is it not? Fairly unsettling

The Black Oil

The video scene was great, but so too was the one where the kid gave him the camera in the yard and where the wan in the nursing home pulled no punches.

Also, up the cloud. :pac: