The Eye of the World
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Do you think it could be possible to adapt The Wheel Of Time Series as movies?
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Susan
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Dec 01, 2013 11:46AM
I think it could be better adapted for a TV series like Game of Thrones. That way a book wouldn't have to be compromised to fit a 2 hour movie.
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No, or at least not well. They just plain couldn't do it. Each book is probably dense enough to justify three movies, and I don't think any producer wants to gamble on >42 movies in a single series. TV, on the other hand...
Scarlett wrote: "I agree with Ciara. I think if it's done as a tv series similar to game of throne then it could be brilliant. However, with game of throne the author was actually able to be part of the creation of..."But Sanderson is
TV wouldn't work as it would cost way too much money (Think about all the war scenes in the books, the different locations, the amount of VFX & SFX). Movies would work much better. Essentially studios would have to gamble like they did with Harry Potter that there is enough interest in the books to warrant at least 3 movies. Then hire some really talented screenwriters and hopefully they and people who run the Robert Jordan empire can come up with something that can stay as close to the books as possible within the time available.
Like I said before, if they concentrate on the main characters only and their journey (Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, Lan & Nynaeve) they could potentially do this in 7 movies, from Rand being born on the Dragonmount, to them leaving Emond's field through to Tarman Gai'don. Some skilled editing would be needed, as a lot of the 'side' stories and characters would have to be left out.
Tejus wrote: "TV wouldn't work as it would cost way too much money (Think about all the war scenes in the books, the different locations, the amount of VFX & SFX). Movies would work much better. Essentially stu..."
I agree Tejus. I think that all of New Spring could be about 10 minutes (at the most) at the beginning of a movie. I think that the screenwriters would have to concentrate on the action as opposed to the characters. I have only read up to Crown of Swords (in the middle of it now) and I have noticed several areas that could be a music montage, if you know what I mean.
I don't see why it couldn't work. By the time you've stripped out all the needlessly long descriptions, internal monologuing and dead-end sub and side plots you'd be hard pressed to find enough material to make a trilogy out of it.The Wheel of Time would have been a much more enjoyable series if Jordan had had a good editor who'd dared to go through the script with axe and fire. Heck, the entire series might have ended up as a trilogy.
if the backers could be found i think it would be the ideal source for a multi-media project.new spring and eye of the world could be done as either a feature film or a two part tv movie.
follow this up with a 7 series tv show covering between 2-3 books a season and focusing on just the major characters and plot lines.
running concurrently to the tv show would be one or two webshows (animated or live action)that could go into depth on some of the minor plot lines and characters such as a lot of the shaido stuff.
round it off with a set of one-shot comics covering history or background that would lend depth to the overall story like a story of Hawkwing or something set in Shara. this would enable the entire story to be told but would be such a huge commitment so is unlikely to every happen
I think everyone here is seriously underestimating the amount of filler and fluff in these books. Bowl of the Winds? 98% of the Aes Sedai? Many scenes with Mat and Perin. Really think about what contributed to the main plot lines, and this could easily be a few movies. Harry Potter got 7 movies. A 7 movie deal could easily portray enough of the WoT universe. I loved these books with a passion, but so much filler material.*EDIT* Just realized this is identical to what I posted 8months ago. Apparently my mind hasn't changed. But I won't delete it because I feel it needs reiterated.
There are so many plot twists to this series! I do think it's possible to be turned into a movie series, but they'd really have to be choosy what to concentrate on. Like maybe only the stories of the three main characters from a choice combination of the books, and even then it'd be a stretch. With all books to movies, though, there would be many sacrifices to the story to make the movie believable and intelligible.
I think that WOT might work better as a mini-series or even TV series than movies. Because a lot of the detail in the books could, or even should be cut to adapt the series into an interesting screen play.For example, the screen play would probably focus on the Rand character and less of the other main characters...As a book the disjointed flow works, as a screen play...not so much...
Lets Get it Started! Wheel of Time- It’s Time!I think the year three and four of Game of Thrones, were it starts to get really epic, will prove whether or not it’s possible to make an epic fantasy series on TV. The writers that work on this would be a perfect fit for WOT (IE Writers: George R.R. Martin,David Beniof, D.B. Weiss, Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson and Vanessa Taylor) along with Authors Brandon Mull and Brandon Sanderson (whom helped finish the vision and final books of WOT)have the ability to adapt many of the books finer plots into the series if made for TV.
Ignoring money issues, Hollywood needs new stuff like this to keep the public interested. As far as fans go we have been hoping there would be more movement for years, and sad when Robert Jordan’s death meant we might never see an ending true to his mind’s eye view. However I am happy that the books are now finished and please to be spending my money on buying them, as I am sure millions are. So this brings us all back to budget, and trying to figure out if it needs to be a series on TV like Game of Thrones, or made into several movies. With the right cast they could demand big bucks at the theaters, and spawn off TV versions like in Hercules etc.
How could this work you say? I say I agree that a TV series makes more sense - especially given the pacing of the series.
I think perhaps, one way to resolve the length issue though would be to take account of how the books are perceived.
Books 1-3 are often perceived as a trilogy, of sorts. Climaxing with Rand being confirmed as the Dragon Reborn. This could be series 1.
Elements that could be cut: Seanchan in The Eye of The world. (A lot of fans see this as a side-quest anyway, in essence a resolution imposed by the need to get a first book resolution to a series).
Cutting the Seanchan could prove problematical due to the importance they play later on. However a possibility would be to make it so that their arrival in Amadicia / Ebou Dar is their first entrance into the series.
Books 4-6 are seen as the next 'arc'. Climax being the kidnapping. Up for cutting: Shaido, Tanchico. The various journies to Salidar (Siuan et al and Nynaeve et al) could be condensed. This would be series 2.
Books 7-9 would be a good arc. Climax being The Cleansing. Up for cutting: Most of book 8, but keeping Egwene taking control. Series 3.
Books 10-11 are harder - neither has a defining climax. Candidates for a climax could be Mats marriage, or Elaynes kidnapping. Series 4.
Books 12-14 are much faster paced, I suspect that there is enough material for perhaps 2 or 3 series in these books. Series 5 and 6 (perhaps 7).
The Seanchan attack on the Tower here is vital - hence why the invasion of Ebou Dar has to be kept.
One thing that would need to happen would be reorganizing to keep the storylines roughly in parallel. This was the problem with later books - and it wouldn't adapt well to a TV series.
The problem would come with series 4 (Books 10-11). There isn't a focus on Rand in those books in any major way, so one possibility would be to move Rands Gathering Storm Arc into the 10 to 11 region. Each series before then has culminated with Rand performing a great act. And nothing in 10 or 11 would risk seeing the series cancelled right before its climax.
Keeping the pace as the writers have in Game of Thrones will be vital. This however could reflect in huge profits if they do it right by getting the book out there again. It could become as big as or bigger than even the Hobbit / LOTR, Star Wars, Harry Potter or Princess Bride. Harry Potter went for 8 movies and I believe The Wheel of Time would make it further with the added benefits of adults that would also be a huge part of the audience.
I hope Hollywood jumps on it before they lose the rights, and billions in profits. But above all I hope they honor the life and story that Robert Jordan sought to delight us with in his vision. May he rest in peace.
HBO should do it, and then add mandatory 10 min nudity per chapter.Igor
In comment to your e mail, "Do you think it could be possible to adapt The Wheel Of Time Series as movies?"
Hi Igor, of course but will take some time and good writers. We'll see what happens in the months to come, hopefully wont be another 4 years before we get some resolution. Thanks for the feedback. Shannon
Thank you, have a great day!
Shannon
yes it's possible but I don't think a movie adaptation would work a lot of people would be turned off by how much the story in the eye of the world resembles lord of the rings and it probably wouldn't gross enough money to continue the "project" in any capacity so it would probably just be a big let down
Convert 14 800-page (on average) books into a series of movies? Sure, it could be done... but I'd never watch them. They'd be butchered into insanity to fit some Hollywood ideal of the story, rather than stay anywhere true to the novels.
Benjamin wrote: "yes it's possible but I don't think a movie adaptation would work a lot of people would be turned off by how much the story in the eye of the world resembles lord of the rings and it probably would..."That was indeed an issue for the first half. If I hadn't have bought the first 11 (all that were available at that time) in one hit, I doubt I would have persevered. Mat and Perrin - really?
Well I am thinking that it would do better as a mini series like Game of Thrones. Live for Sundays, would for Wheel of Time too, and I am guessing so would millions if there were good enough writers.
Igor wrote: "HBO should do it, and then add mandatory 10 min nudity per chapter.Igor"hahahaha hella funny
tv series. it will be a lot better
Nope. Shouldn't happen because its too long! It's also not a story that would translate well as a movie. Too long winded with too much minute detail.
If it was possible with the Game of Thrones, its possible with the The Wheel Of Time Series. I would love to see the movie series come to life but with some minor changes. For example, in some of the later books Rand is made to look somewhat like a sidekick and that shouldn't happen in the movies. The movie series should be meticulously planned to avoid losing the unique and complex quality of the story. In fact I do wish I would have a chance to play a role in making a movie out of the series, just to ensure its done right. Ye know.
A movie? No. But a Game of Thrones like TV adaptation? Maybe. It would have to be made by the right people to be any good. I wish Robert Jordan was still around and could write a script focusing on a character not seen in the book series. The show could even take place in a different time period. I wouldn't mind watching a series based on the age of legends....
My biggest concern with making them into movies (besides screwing up the plot lines) is the ages of the actors by the time the last movie would be done. The timeline in the books moves pretty quickly, but there is no way to keep the actors at a stagnant age in order to have them only a couple of years older in the last movies than the first. Yes, I know make-up artists are geniuses, but there are only so many things that can be done with that. Look at how much the HP cast aged from the first movie to the last. Besides, I'm a perfectionist, and if they screw up the pronunciation of the characters' names, that's REALLY going to bother me! :)
Amy wrote: "My biggest concern with making them into movies (besides screwing up the plot lines) is the ages of the actors by the time the last movie would be done. The timeline in the books moves pretty quick..."How could they possibly screw up the plotlines any more than they already are?
I doubt the actors ages are going to be an issue since once they're done cutting out all the needles chaff and dead ends there's not going to be enough material for more than a trilogy at most.
Peter wrote: "Andrew wrote: "There is A LOT of stuff that would have to be cut out that was not really anthing more than fill material. If books 8,9, and 10 were condensed into one book's worth of movie that wo..."Not to mention that all of the endless, unnecessary descriptions of clothing, scenery, food, people, etc. could fill several books by themselves. WOT is really a 6-8 book series badly disguised as a 14 book series.
I would casually suggest a 3-4 book/movie series....More than that and yeah you get too much BS....
I love the RJ books....but I think he was forced to drag them out.
Money....
Honestly, I think it was planned as a trilogy...
I don't think he was forced, he just had a shitty editor. He should have been forced to condense his work at least 50% Instead he was given free reigns and look where that got us.
Money....Tor has good editors....they basically thought.....how many more books can we sell?If you view it as a trilogy... that would be awesome!
But Wheel of Time wasn't edited by Tor's editors, it was done by his wife.
Publishers can reject edits, or manuscripts...Yeap....his wife did some editing. Honestly, from what I have heard she did some limited content or "substantive" editing.Blame at will...but I have seen so many authors get series under contract drawn out.
I also have seen a standard contract....you don't have to give them the next book, but you do have to give them first right of refusal.
And if Tor published these without their professional editors going through them....there would be many more issues in the final products.
The level of polish in those books means a team of editors reviewed them.
Yeah, maybe Jordan and his wife argued back....fought the suggested cuts...but I doubt that is what happened.
Publishers do not suggest massive cuts in a successful series...
Why would they?
I remember this being talked about 20 years ago so I doubt it will happen. Maybe with the commercial success of LOTR and GOT some studio will fork out a lot of cash and try it.
Wheel of time what a joke, how many books in the series has that clown released.come on guys it goes on and on and on, no movie no TV show.
Brent wrote: "Wheel of time what a joke, how many books in the series has that clown released.come on guys it goes on and on and on, no movie no TV show."14. And he's dead so no more are likely.
If you didn't like the series, that is your opinion and your choice. No need to spam.
And the whole idea behind this discussion is to give your opinion, you clown, the shannara books would make a much better series.anyway back to the topic did anyone see what was done to terry goodkinds the sword of truth they butchered it.wheel of time is to long ,its like pirates of the Caribbean one was enough then it just got silly.
The Terry Goodkind based show had a really small budget. It was okay to watch but really lame if you compare it with Game of Thrones. The latter has a budget at least 4 times larger per episode. Wheel of Time done right would probably be even more expensive then game of thrones.
This would have to be done like the Marvel Superhero movies. The books are immense and the story is to grand. A couple of the books might need multiple movies. If they managed to move it to HBO or Showtime, it might make a better venue. The only drawback is the overt sex that HBO and Showtime insist on. The Jordan books didn't need that element to move the books along.
universal has secretly been working on it for years! its got a huge budget and inside sources say there doing a really good job... jk i wish lol.
Mac wrote: "universal has secretly been working on it for years! its got a huge budget and inside sources say there doing a really good job... jk i wish lol."I hope so
As long as it didn't totally ruin the story as with the Terry Goodkind Wizards First Rule series. Absolutely awesome book series but terrible on screen.
Parker wrote: "Well, it looks like this is it. Wheel of Time TV Series on FXX tomorrow, February 9th. http://www.dragonmount.com/index.php/..."I think this has been pulled already. I don't see it on the schedule and apparently was not approved by anyone. I read that it was a low-budget 30 minute rendition of the prologue for EoTW.
I am still amazed at how this WoT Winter Dragon fiasco was filmed and released, while nobody knew
my opinien is a clear no. Many things in the WoT are abstract mind constructs which cant be completly visulised. The magic and the World of dreams can't be filmed. It will be as shallow as Night Watch.The gap between GoT und WoT couldnt be bigger in this aspact.
Hmmm tv series perhaps, definitely too big to fit into movies, although i don't know how they'll explain or show the weaving of the One Power.
I think it could be done if the movies were at least 3 hours long, with quite a few characters being non-famous new people, but they should still have some good known actors as well. I think they should film at least every 2 movies back-to-back, thus keeping actors young and cutting the cost. budget would have to be at least 150 mil for every movie, and it would probably just get higher with every one. I hope that they would use mainly miniatures and as little cgi as possible(obviously the true source would be cgi). I think Peter Jackson would not do these very well, but i also didnt really like the Hobbit--- loved LotR, but didnt like the Hobbit that much. I dont know the director, but hopefully they'd find somebody. I'll post my idea of the cast as well as director later.
The stars would all die of old age before they'd filmed half the series.
Lin wrote: "The stars would all die of old age before they'd filmed half the series."Honestly, a true to the book adaptation would be way shorter (But just as bad) than people think. The pages and pages of dresses being smoothed, witches being overly smug about tying a bowline and emotionally dead descriptions would take no time whatsoever in a film. Five hundred word description of a landscape? A five second panning shot will take care of that. Five pages devoted to the exact shade of red in Whatshername McRudesons hair? It'll show up in every shot of her, so we don't need to devote any time to it. And so it goes.
The truth is that a halfway decent editor could have pared each book down to a reasonable 200-300 pages at most and a reasonably competent film adaptation would make that glaringly obvious.
Lin wrote: "The stars would all die of old age before they'd filmed half the series."It's a while since I read the series, but I can't say I remember getting bogged down in description. I thought the first few books were superb. After that, to be honest, all I wanted was a satisfying climax and conclusion. I gave up after reading 500 pages of Book 12, I think it was, in which nothing happened.
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