JMS to work on RAMA?

[Lunan]

with Morgan Freeman moving much closer to getting his Rama movie made could this be one of those "major" things JMS has hinted at too often but can't comment on openly yet?

[Jan]

This isn't something I've heard about. Can you post a link to info on the project/story?

Thanks,
Jan

[vacantlook]

The Wikipedia page for Rendevous With Rama contains this tidbit about the potential Morgan Freeman theatrical adaptation:

In the early 2000s, actor Morgan Freeman expressed his desire to produce a film based on Rendezvous with Rama. After a drawn-out development process - which Freeman states has been due to difficulties in procuring funding - it now appears this will indeed be happening.

IMDb, as of February 2007, upgraded the status of the project to announced in 2009. The film is to be produced by Freeman's production company, Revelations Entertainment. The website of this company is still touting David Fincher, who had been named as far back as 2001, as director.

[RMcD]

Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about that. Although I enjoyed reading it, I'm not sure it would translate particularly well onto the screen, unless it was altered significantly from the original as written.. I haven't read it for a long time, but I remember it as a pretty slow story that endlessly teases and never quite gets round to delivering any answers (for those you have to wait for the sequels). Audiences tend not to be quite so tolerant of that kind of thing these days. But then, 2001 is much the same, and the film of 2001 is an out-and-out classic..

[Talwyn]

I completely agree with what RMcD has said here on Rama.

Yes it's a great novel however it isn't a paced/action/thriller of a story, more mystery and not many answers given in the first book. I'm not sure how it would translate to the screen & even if JMS did a script, I am pessimistic that it wouldn't be well recieved by the general movie going public as it is a very thought provoking story, not some low brow, shoot Úm up "Aliens Come to Molest Our Pets" Hollywood crock of s**t that often gets turned out as Sci-Fi these days.

BTW, it was Sir Arthur C. Clarke's 90th birthday a couple of days ago.

Here is a link to his Youtube birthday speech to the world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qLdeEjdbWE

[Lunan]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=46413

this is a link to the story that got me thinking about it, as it ties in with the timeline for all those cryptic hints jms is always throwing out about upcoming projects

[Spoo Junky]

Any script for Rama would have to have a different ending, one that would provide more of a closure to the movie but at the same time leave it open for a sequel. I agree that it isn't the type of story that any writer could tackle. But, if anyone could do a good job, it would be JMS. Even if he didn't get it quite right, it would be better than what other writers might end up with.

However, I think a lot of good movies ended up misfiring because the producer/director/suits involved messed things up. I wonder how The Changling would be if Clint Eastwood wasn't directing and Ron Howard wasn't producing?

[Macbeth]

This is something that had a pretty good discussion back in April

http://jmsnews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2257

And if I may be so bold - I was betting on Rama at the time

I have a gut feeling that it is Rama by Clarke. The whole giant cylindircal ship based on an O'Neill habitat has a vaguely familar sound to it.

So if it is Rama....what do I win?

[Andrew_Swallow]

So if it is Rama....what do I win?

A wait whilst the third one turns up.

[Jan]

So if it is Rama....what do I win?

A warm glow and the knowledge that your psychic powers are being used for good.

Jna

[Whyruss]

I'd love to see RAMA done by JMS. Arthur C Clarke is one of my absolutly favourite writers. So I cross my fingers ^^

[NotKosh]

Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about that. Although I enjoyed reading it, I'm not sure it would translate particularly well onto the screen, unless it was altered significantly from the original as written.. I haven't read it for a long time, but I remember it as a pretty slow story that endlessly teases and never quite gets round to delivering any answers (for those you have to wait for the sequels). Audiences tend not to be quite so tolerant of that kind of thing these days. But then, 2001 is much the same, and the film of 2001 is an out-and-out classic..

You totally nailed it. There are probably 5 exciting scenes that one could film

1) Launch 2) Arrival 3) Glider Crash? Or was that next book 4) Running out of there really fast 5) Departure

But hey, if you want a movie that will probably get the same reaction as 2001 (except for the graphics), then it is a good choice.

[Belbo]

Lensman!

Ethan Fleischer's Lensman fansite provides a massive hint as to what one of these projects is, anyway.

Z9M9Z

December 8, 2007: Stephen Lucchetti dropped me a line the other day with some potentially exciting news. He's been in touch with the folks at the Smith Estate, and has passed along the following press release:

"E. E. 'Doc' Smith's estate is over-joyed to let the public know that substantive talks about having a movie based on Doc Smith's Lensman series become a reality. Negotiations with Imagine Entertainment (Ron Howard and Brian Grazer) have moved from mere interest and on to more meaty discussions of terms and conditions.

"Smith's Lensman series is the what space opera is all about -- larger than life-size characters involved in cataclysmic, cosmologic battles waged between good and evil. Written in the mid-30's and through the 40's the novels brought to bear all the expertise Smith had developed with his Skylark series adding the mental powers of the Lens into a whole new level of galactic cops and robbers.

"The Lensman series was significant in the development of both George Lucas' Star Wars as well as J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5. Negotiations are on-going. There is no target production date at this time."

So I guess JMS wasn't kidding with the "my whole life" bit.

Maybe we should be thinking along the same lines for the other project, too; Forbidden Planet remake, anyone? Or possibly the Foundation movie that's been stuck in Development Hell for the last few years?

[Jan]

Welcom, Belbo!

As sure as I am that JMS would probably love to tackle the Lensman books, this doesn't actually say anything about his being involved, only that he and Lucas were influenced by them.

Jan

[AaronB]

Welcom, Belbo!

As sure as I am that JMS would probably love to tackle the Lensman books, this doesn't actually say anything about his being involved, only that he and Lucas were influenced by them.

Jan

I wouldn't be surprised at all if it JMS would put Lensmen to film. In fact, I thought that I mentioned that option, but I can't find it now.