The release of Peter Jackson’s LotR re-energized the floundering relationship between Hollywood and the fantasy genre but LotR brought it all back and it seems that since Fellowship of the Ring, production companies have been buying up any half decent story for adaptation.
Earlier this year saw Neil Gaiman’s Stardust come to life and this past weekend, the first book in Philip Pullman’s brilliant trilogy, The Golden Compass opened to mixed reviews and The Spiderwick Chronicles is coming up in early 2008.
The adaptation I’m most looking forward to happens to be one that’s been relatively quiet over the last few months, Inkheart. Adapted from the novel by award winning German author Cornelia Funke, this is the story of a bookbinder named Mo who brings characters and items from books to the real world by reading them aloud but things go wrong when he brings a villain into the world.
Sounds like a fairly run of the mill story but what is most impressive about Funke is her ability to bring characters to life and though I haven’t read this particular novel, I was happy to hear that one of her work’s was getting some much deserved attention. I was sold on the film when it was announced that the wonderfully under rated Brendan Fraser had been cast in the lead role along with a stellar cast including Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis and Eliza Bennett.
I must admit that I was a bit concerned when it was also announced that Iain Softley (of Hackers, K-PAX and The Skeleton Key fame) to direct. He doesn’t exactly have the best track record but after seeing the trailer, he may just be the right guy for the job.
It’s not as pretty as the trailers for The Golden Compass but it still looks rather nice, not to mention that Fraser looks like he fits the part nicely and the inclusion of Bettany in the trailer is a nice bonus. I’m not completely sold on this yet, particularly because Pullman’s books are just as brilliant and the first adaptation of his material seems to be less than stellar, but I’m willing to give this a shot.
I saw The Golden Compass Saturday (and actually enjoyed–I’m a bit mystified by the bad reviews) and they showed the trailer for Inkheart. It looks impressive. I must say I am looking forward to it, although I can’t say I am looking forward to it more than The Spiderwick Chronicles (not having seen anything from that one). Of course, I am still awaiting an adaptation of Artemis Fowl…
Good point on Artemis Fowl Mercurie. Gives me an idea for a good post!
I think this looks okay. The “fish out of water” story always intrigues me (see Enchanted).
Careful about praising Frasier too loudly. I happen to agree with you, but we’re ina very small minority.
Bedazzled = makes me laugh.
I realize we’re in a very small minority but I honestly think the guy has great talent that has yet to be mined. And as much as I like Bedazzled, it’s “Blast from the Past” that really hits home for me.
Brendan Fraser was good in Gods and Monsters.
Blast from the Past is a total guilty pleasure for me. If it’s on TV I have to sit and watch it.
Really enjoyed Inkheart when I read it, so I hope they pull off a halfway decent adaptation.