The Changeling

[waspfan]

Ron Howard

I am not really all that fond of Ron Howard as a director (I am sure he is a fine person). Since the movie Willow he always has these tight camera shots of peoples faces and a bland direction style. I hope this gets dropped by him and given to another A-list director, but either way it is a real good thing for Joe.

As for Joe selling this screenplay, I do agree with him that they will probably make the film eventually if they purchased it. It is very difficult to get someone to read your screenplay let alone purchase it (I should know since I have been trying for some time). I think this is a good step forward in getting something B5 related to happen again.

I love the aintitcool news story as well, since everything having to do with Joe they are negative about. I don't understand why, but I hope with all my heart that this movie is successful.

If the movie is good enough I may actually forgive Joe for Legend of the Rangers!

[Dr Maturin]

I am not really all that fond of Ron Howard as a director

Agreed. However, his name will probably bring a good measure of legitimacy to this film. Without it, the public perception would probably be a collective "Eh, another horror movie." I am not a fan of the genre, so I probably won't see it.

[Jan]

We don't know if it's a horror movie or not. 'Thriller' doesn't usually equate to horror, does it? I've been thinking that this screenplay is the one he mentioned in April:

I also just finished writing a screenplay (historical drama, very
serious, based on a true story) that is getting some serious heat and
name people attached to it, so we'll see where that goes as well.

...and put in a question about it on the moderated group but it's down right now.

Maybe I'll find out more this weekend at the convention.

Jan

[Dr Maturin]

We don't know if it's a horror movie or not. 'Thriller' doesn't usually equate to horror, does it?

It depends.

Also, I smell a BWP style movie here, as I just can't see the premise as being based on a true story.

[AmyG]

Also, I smell a BWP style movie here

BWP? Blair Witch Project?

You can't seriously imagine JMS would make a movie like that?

(I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I found it a mediocre movie at best, and not very scary at all.)

[Dr Maturin]

BWP? Blair Witch Project?

You can't seriously imagine JMS would make a movie like that?

(I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I found it a mediocre movie at best, and not very scary at all.)

The movie was complete and utter garbage, to be more precise.

I probably should have worded it differently, because I meant that the film will be portrayed as being based on a true story while having no actual basis in fact.

"The story, billed as based on actual events, is about a mother who prays for the return of her kidnapped son. When her prayers are answered, however, she begins to suspect the boy who comes back is not her child."

The bolded line would seem to suggest so. I mean, come on, that CAN'T be something that actually happened.

[AmyG]

I mean, come on, that CAN'T be something that actually happened.

That tag, "based on actual events," can mean many things. It could be that it's based on a story of a woman whose child was abducted and who seemed different when he was returned. End of actual events, beginning of writerly extrapolation on why that might be so, folding in the folkloric aspect of the changeling child.

Alternatively, maybe the whole thing is based on actual events. I've seen some strange things in my life -- some unexplainably strange things -- and I'm certainly not the only one. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." (from Hamlet, Act I, scene 5)

[Dr Maturin]

I've seen some strange things in my life -- some unexplainably strange things

Well, you ARE living in Philly...

[AaronB]

Well, you ARE living in Philly...

Hey! Respect the Bingo Hall!

[grumbler]

"The story, billed as based on actual events, is about a mother who prays for the return of her kidnapped son. When her prayers are answered, however, she begins to suspect the boy who comes back is not her child."

If we get to the theater and discover that the son's name is Alfred Bester, then we know that The Fix is In.

[Karachi Vyce]

and it moves me
from being marginally known in the film business right into the
catetory of a-list writer overnight, which parallels what happened with
Akiva Goldman.

Ha.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves with the pats to our own backs, JMS. You ain't A-list yet.

[Jan]

There is, however, no doubt that the simple fact of the sale raises JMS's status in the business considerably. Remember, this is an industry where writers can be considered highly successful even if what they've written never gets produced.

BTW, JMS mentioned in Charlotte that there's the possibility that 'The Changeling' might go into production as early as January.

Jan

[frulad]

Ha.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves with the pats to our own backs, JMS. You ain't A-list yet.

Personally, given that Goldman write the two craptacular Schumacker Batman movies as well as the VASTLY overrated A Beautiful Mind, that's not a parallel I would draw for myself.

[frulad]

Too soon to suggest a separate Changeling forum?

[Jan]

Too soon to suggest a separate Changeling forum?

Yeah, I think so. Maybe once it's in production? We'll see.

Jan