The Martian Chronicles (TBA)

[raigraphixs]

Sources say that John Davis, the 20th Century Fox based producer has optioned film rights to the Ray Bradbury classic, in which humans land on Mars after a cataclysmic disaster and interact/clash with the natives in a series of interlinked adventures. No official word from Fox.

Bradbury's 1950 short-story collection has made it to the screen before, in a 1980 television miniseries that starred Rock Hudson and Bernadette Peters. But 30 years later, there's plenty more that technology (and 3-D?) could bring to the tales. There's certainly ample narrative material in the book, which chronicle much of the action from humans' point of view, with some philosophical inquiry layered atop the pulp stories. One thing that may need to change, however, is the timing: Bradbury's original book set a chunk of the stories in the distant future - in 2000 and 2005.

 

[captainarchive]

If they're starting from this point of view:

"there's plenty more that technology (and 3-D?) could bring to the tales".

Then it's a big from me.

 

[raigraphixs]

If they're starting from this point of view:

"there's plenty more that technology (and 3-D?) could bring to the tales".

Then it's a big from me.

Thats more a quote from the sources that broke the story at LA Times, nothing has come from the studio as yet.

 

[captainarchive]

Thats more a quote from the sources that broke the story at LA Times, nothing has come from the studio as yet.

I doubt there's much clear blue water between the sources and studios' thoughts.

 

[raigraphixs]

I doubt there's much clear blue water between the sources and studios' thoughts.

i dont have a problem with that quote. 3D is pretty standard thought now for studios, but you have a choice if you want to view it in 2D. Sure 3D is money motivated to get bums on seats, but making films is too make money anyway.

As for the technology, we know how films can be very immersive when used in the right hands. Filmmakers can now be more imaginative and create worlds that would in the past been almost impossible to realise, ie Avatar. No advanced fxs can improve a bad script, that's a given.

 

[captainarchive]

i dont have a problem with that quote. 3D is pretty standard thought now for studios, but you have a choice if you want to view it in 2D. Sure 3D is money motivated to get bums on seats, but making films is too make money anyway.

I agree but from past form they'll probably buy the rights to the book and then strip away everything that makes it unique and interesting in order to produce a homogonised sci fi action film. I doubt that approach will get bums on seats.

As for the technology, we know how films can be very immersive when used in the right hands. Filmmakers can now be more imaginative and create worlds that would in the past been almost impossible to realise, ie Avatar. No advanced fxs can improve a bad script, that's a given.

Unfortunately nowadays more and more technology isn't used to enhance a film rather technology is the film.

 

[Pincho Paxton]

If they're starting from this point of view:

"there's plenty more that technology (and 3-D?) could bring to the tales".

Then it's a big from me.

Having seen the latest Sony 3D TV I want everything in 3D, it's fantastic!

 

[IAN P]

I remember this being shown during the '84 Olympics along with "V". Great TV at the time. Actually bought the Martian Chronicles on dvd recently but haven't got round to watching 'em.

 

[captainarchive]

I remember this being shown during the '84 Olympics along with "V". Great TV at the time. Actually bought the Martian Chronicles on dvd recently but haven't got round to watching 'em.

I bought it on release and thought it still held up quite well.

 

[soundstory]

I bought it on release and thought it still held up quite well.

I was going to ask that, haven't seen it for years, still worth a punt?

 

[captainarchive]

I was going to ask that, haven't seen it for years, still worth a punt?

I watched it in my teens when it first came on TV and although I liked the sci-fi elements at the time I found it on the whole boring. I watched it when it first came out on DVD and again a couple of years ago and enjoyed it much more as an adult. I think it stood up well because they didn't try too much to second guess what the future would be like which would seem dated today and concentrated more on characters.

 

[Todd Tomorrow]

I hated the mini-series, but then I'm a big fan of the Ray Bradbury book, which is probably my favourite of his. It's a series of 28 loosely connected short stories and it would best be adapted as a TV series.

 

[soundstory]

you guys have now put me into a quandry

Should I or shouldn't I?

 

[raigraphixs]

Paramount has optioned Ray Bradbury's 'The Martian Chronicles'. The studio is currently seeking a writer for the project, which at one point was in development at Universal.

 

[square-eyes-baz]

Me too, mind playing tricks with time as I always thought it was a bit earlier than '84.

I remember this being shown during the '84 Olympics along with "V". Great TV at the time. Actually bought the Martian Chronicles on dvd recently but haven't got round to watching 'em.

 

[brian s]

you guys have now put me into a quandry

Should I or shouldn't I?

For what's worth I thought the mini-series was total rubbish.

Bri

 

[mrapbp]

LOVED this show, little dodgy and dated now but the show has such heart and beauty that it is saved. One of my favorite mini shows of all time!

 

[KiLLiNG-TiME]

I remember this being shown during the '84 Olympics along with "V". Great TV at the time. Actually bought the Martian Chronicles on dvd recently but haven't got round to watching 'em.

Me too, mind playing tricks with time as I always thought it was a bit earlier than '84.

I also thought it was a quite a bit earlier than 1984, as I remember being on holiday with my folks in caravan & rather than go out I stayed in to watch this (sad little boy) but I cannot remember which year that was...

 

[IAN P]

Definitely 84 when I watched it. Maybe a repeat?

V was better but "chronicles" does hold up well.

 

[KiLLiNG-TiME]

Not to worry IAN P. I loved the shows as a kid as I didn't really know any better, it had some great moments which have surprisingly stayed with me, I also brought the DVD & re watched it a few years ago, & I have to agree with mrapbp there is indeed a lot of heart and beauty in there, but the best thing about the show for me was it ability to get me into reading Mr Bradbury's books & by goodness they are just so much better.

 

[captainarchive]

MC was screened much earlier than 1984 I had it recorded on tape and remember having watched it turning to the news and the Brixton Riots were going on and that was 1981.

 

[captainarchive]

I've just checked my R1 DVD and it states 'copyright 1979 Orion Pictures'.

 

[raigraphixs]

Ray Bradbury has passed away at the age of 91.

RIP

Science-fiction author Ray Bradbury dead at 91 - chicagotribune.com