Monday, June 08, 2009 | 08:00 AM ET
Last week I mentioned Ghost World, and it struck me that graphic novels are a perfect fit to be adapted into films, maybe even more so than “regular” novels, or, the kind without pictures. I mean, literature evokes all kinds of imagery in our heads, but how easy is it to communicate that? Plenty of producers in Hollywood try day in and day out to pitch their “visions,” and there’s a reason why you hear about big-time $$ involved in these deals — sometimes selling a script is as likely as winning the lottery.
However, graphic novels are ready-made storyboards, which is always a movie’s first step, whether they’re live action or animated. All of a sudden, Hollywood’s love of graphic novels makes sense. Of course, superhero movies have been around for a long time. But as graphic novels continue to become more popular, so does their transition to film.
Are there any films that you looooved? Any that disappointed? I loved Ghost World and Persepolis. I remember thinking V for Vendetta was OK but was mostly taken by the stories the film spurred in the media regarding Alan Moore.
I don’t love superhero movies, but I’ve seen the Spiderman trilogy. I haven’t seen Hellboy, but I did by chance find myself on the set of the sequel, in the middle of nowhere outside Budapest (I heart Selma Blair!). (I was not stalking her!). (If you must know, my travel buddy and I met a crew member on the train from Zagreb to Budapest and he kindly took us on a tour of the set — really fascinating, especially hanging out in the costumes area).
Right now, the Scott Pilgrim flick is shooting all over Toronto. The Scott Pilgrim comic series is the über-popular series created by Canadian Bryan Lee O’Malley. Lots of anticipation for this film although it’s still just being shot right now around town in TO. Hands up if you’ve had a Michael Cera sighting!
Hannah
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Comments
American Splendor was a great film, but the innumerable comics Harvey Pekar did before, during, and after the fact about the whole movie making process were some of his dullest work.
Posted by: James | June 23, 2009 03:03 AM
I think the stories told in graphic novels tend to be shorter so fitting the entire story into a 2 hour or less movie is more feasible. Like you already mentioned there's already a visual style to start from.
Like a good movie, a good graphic novel can't be overly wordy. It's almost always best to show and not tell with both mediums. With novels it's all about telling.
Ghost World and American Splendor were great. The first Hellboy movie is a fun romp. The best superhero movie by far is The Dark Knight.
I'm not looking forward to Scott Pilgrim the movie oddly enough since I like the books. I guess it's because having seen Cera play the exact same character over and over, I think he's miscast as Scott whom I'd say is the opposite of the typical characters Cera plays. Maybe this will be his breakout role but Cera is dangerously teetering on becoming a one note type cast actor.
Posted by: davie | June 29, 2009 09:07 PM