Screenplay in the works

[Robin]

Now for more good news. Several people have approached Michael in the past about writing a screenplay version of The Crown Conspiracy. While most were "well intentioned" they have no real clout in the industry (although one has worked as an assistant on many major movies).

We've been in discussions over the past few weeks with someone who is a "player". He was successful in getting his book made into a movie by 20th Century Fox staring Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Hank Azaia, and Oliver Platt (just to name drop a few). It will be released later this year and has made the top 100 releases of 2010 list.

Long story short he read the book and loved it. He wants to write the screenplay and shop it around and is very enthusiastic about the project.

This is only the first step on what will be a very long road - still its pretty damn exciting even if it never goes anywhere.

[Jim]

Even more good news! Congrats again!

[Elise]

That is really exciting! :)

[Chris]

That's awesome...

[Kathy]

All I have to say is that this person had better not butcher the screenplay, not that you guys would ever let that happen. Way too many movies never live up to the books.

[Jim]

Since the screenplay is generally out of the author's hands (once the movie company gets their grubby little hands on it, at least) Harlan Ellison put a famous stipulation in all his sales contracts. If he hates what they've done to his baby, he gets to change the author's name to 'Cordwainer Bird' in protest. Of course, Roddenberry ignored even that for the several times re-written 'City on the Edge of Forever' & got away with it. It's been voted the best original Star Trek episode of all times, but Ellison still said he hated what they'd done to it.

That was all back in the 60's, but I don't suppose Hollywood is treating authors any better today. I hope so!

[Heather]

WOW! That is so AWESOME! I hope it all pans out. I will be first in line for that movie! ;-)

[Adrianna]

Congrats on the great news!

[Melissa]

This would be great to see. And if they would stay close to the book, and it did well... just hope to get more than one book made into a screen play would be out of this world.

I would love to see this done up. Would be on my list to see. :)

[Robin]

The screen writer has a few changes that we know will be coming but so far nothing that looks "too problematic"

[Heather]

So exciting!

[Danielle]

Congratulations! This is exciting news! (Sorry, I'm late to the party.)

Here's what I wrote in my goodreads review of TCC back in March 2009:

It was laid out much like a movie - I could clearly picture this being filmable and entertaining. From the introduction that introduces a secondary character (as a means of introducing the lead characters) to the witty dialog. The dialog made me laugh without being too obnoxious...

[Robin]

yes I agree. We got the first scene from the screenplay writer - and it needed some work. I can see where they were going with this as they wanted to get Royce and Hadrian introduced sooner - but what he had didn't work for Michael. Luckily there is a new scene in the Orbit versions and the screenplay writer is working to "whittle" down that one.