BRIEFINGS & BLOGS
MICHAEL CRICHTON DIES
As many of you have heard, author Michael Crichton died from cancer the other day. Naturally, the Sci-Fi community extends their warmest concerns and care to his family.
His writings were accessible and blended the essence of science fiction - a fact or series of facts was taken and extended out through the imagination. The first Crichton book I read was COMA. I even enjoyed the movie when it came. I had a 'thing' for Genevieve Bujold back then which probably influenced my taste.
But when I look at his body of work translated to the screen, it is impressive. When I think about the first time I saw THE ANDROMEDEA STRAIN, I walked away loving intelligence coupled with the cinematic tension it exhibited. Sure some of his films didn't live up to the written word, but all of them displayed an intense curiosity. It is that curiosity and exploration which draws me to science fiction.
Here are a few great bits of trivia about Michael Crichton.
• When he was hired to do the screenplay of THE ANDROMEDEA STRAIN, he was given a tour of the studios by a young employee, Steven Spielberg
• He was exorcised in 1986
When writing he would enhance his concentration by having egg salad sandwiches with extra pepper for lunch.
From this vantage point, it sounds as if he led a complex, interesting and fulfilling life.The loss of Michael Crichton is a loss for science fiction and for science fiction films.
What was your favorite Crichton film?
ROBBIE REDUX
J Michael Straczynski the man who created Babylon 5 is set to write the script for the 're-imagining' of FORDBIDDEN PLANET. The writer has been getting more than normal Hollywood attention becuase he also wrote the script for Eastwood's THE CHANGELING, but for those of us who enjoyed Babylon 5, this could ease the pain of seeing one of our classics mangled by crass Hollywood types.
That's the good news. The bad news is after much moving about in Hollyowood, the producer of the new film will be Joel Silver. Joel is credited with creating Ultimate Frisbee as well as producing THE MATRIX, SPEED RACER, THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE and WEIRD SCIENCE. So his body of work is a mixed bag.
Speaking of writers, SPIDERMAN 4 looks like ti has found a writer. It is Pultizer prize winnig playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Although not set in stone, the trades are reporting the deal is in 'final negotaitions'.
Lindsay-Abaire won a Pulitzer for his drama "Rabbit Hole' and we'll get a glimpse at his script writing talent this January in "Inkheart". He adapted his own work for the screenplay. The trailers don't look all that good, but it is too early to tell. The good news in all of this is Lindsay-Abaire says he likes to write about outsiders looking for clarity in their lives. That sounds a bit like Peter Parker doesn't it?
