"I admire Tim Powers' attitude" Topic

Everything I have read about his "involvement" with "Pirates of the Caribbean-On Stranger Tides" is that he is thrilled and honored that Disney should take his book and throw a few elements into the plot of the latest entry into the franchise.
Unlike some authors who sell the rights and denounce what has been done to their baby, he is quite happy to ride the rides and cash the checks.
I hope he was "consulted" in the screenplay writing and gets a big fat check for his troubles.

I also like what he said about his work in general. It usually involves adding strange fantasy into historical situations:

"I made it an ironclad rule that I could not change or disregard any of the recorded facts, nor rearrange any days of the calendar – and then I tried to figure out what momentous but unrecorded fact could explain them all."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Powers

This is very much in line with the late GM Fraser's Flashman books. Would that more "historical" novelists shared that ethic. ("I had to set the Battle of Waterloo in the American Civil War so that Wellington could have an affair with his slave Caliope.")

I need a Powers fix. Borders is on my way to work tomorrow…

Good for you for sticking up for him. Prostitution generally gets a bad rap in Western society.

Allen

BTW, I hope that "The Drawing of the Dark" is in development.
Somehow I doubt it. It is unfashionable to see as Bad Guys the villains of this novel these days.
Pity.

Brian Blessed as the hero?
No, not Brad Pitt… Well, maybe, if it makes Tim more money.

Prostitution generally gets a bad rap in Western society.

Who is it who wondered why those who do a thing well for money get damned, while those who do it poorly for free get praised?

I have mixed feelings, personally.

I'm glad Powers is getting paid- finally- by Hollywood, and that he doesn't object to what's been done.

But as a diehard fan of the novel- and an at least casual fan of the PotC franchise- I really find the whole chimerical project rather unenticing.

If they'd made a semi-original 4th Pirates movie, I'd've been all over it.

If they'd made an actual movie of On Stranger Tides, I'd've been all over it.

Hell, if they'd've made what they made, and not called it "PotC: On Stranger Tides," I'd've grudgingly accepted it.

But just shoving the two together in a "Pirates is pirates, parts is parts" crapasaurus?

Speaking solely for myself, I'll pass.

- Monk

"The Drawing of the Dark" is still one of my top three favorite fantasy novels of all time – but I think you're miles off the mark on who's regarded as Bad Guys these days. If anything, there may be slightly too many people who automatically react negatively against that whole religion because of the actions of a few.

Not like the West in that book was a shining tower of virtue, either. Both sides had their creepy supernatural allies. :)

while those who do it poorly for free get praised?

Followed by expressions of shock when they die poor.

It would be really nice if it attracted enough interest that someone does a movie from "Drawing of the Dark" -- which is good fun, and silly enough that Hollywood really couldn't ruin it.

What I'm afraid of is "Last Call: A Jerry Bruckheimer Production."

- Monk

Or "The Anubis Gates: Sharpe's Magic".

Allen

"Die Hard 5: Declare!"

"Disney Presents: Hannah Montana: Earthquake Weather!"

- Monk

Oh, come on, you know the worst that could happen would be:

The Stress of Her Regard: A Scyfy channel original movie

I don't think Powers actually accepts doughnuts and sixers of Milwaukee's Best as optioning fees, though, Roderick.

- Monk

People slated Pullman for saying the same thing when the old man with the money flashed him the smile for 'Northern Lights'. I agree with Powers and Pullman – it's their money, if Hollywood want to buy my book and make it into 'The Eagle of the Tenth' they are welcome, as long as I get to shag hot chicks in a huge pile of money afterwards.

Pat

A starving beginning author jumps at the chance to sell the option for his book. It might be enough for another payment on his house!
He didn't HAVE to sell the rights, and it's just plain silly to think that you have any say in the matter after you cash the check.
The most successful ones are the writers who ARE screenwriters. William Goldman, for one. Marathon Man, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride, etc.

Did you hear the one about the blonde actress who was so dumb she slept with the author?

'Scriptwriter' not 'author'. very different beasts.

Have you read Joe Esterhas' Biography? not only quite a good book in itself, and in places so funny you struggle to breath, it's also a wonderful insight into scripting.

I remember reading an article about Joe Eszterhas and another guy who collaborated on Showgirls. The photos in the article had them both looking bearded and homely. "Showgirls" allowed them to hang around with hot naked actresses. That's what Hollywood is all about!
That's one of my favorite sleazy "guilty pleasure" movies. I think it's On Demand tonight…

Drawing of the Dark is one of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE NOVELS. I am very apprehensive as to how it will convert as a film. I think I might just miss on the film so my memories of the book remain!

If there is anyone out there who has not red this book – go and give yourself a treat and pick a copy up.

Tony
dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com

Well, if any one ever options anything of mine, I'll be happy to take the check… but I will have a clause in the contract to prevent some idjit from deciding to "R" it up. Other than that, I'm wise enough to know that sometimes you just have to cash the check and hope for the best.

I have a slightly different take on all this, being pleased at the number of additional copies the book will sell, and amused at the surprise many people will get on reading it (in much the same way that sales of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" must have shot up when it was re-titled "Bladerunner").

The Anubis gates – that would be a great film

Having just finished "On Stranger Tides", there is quite a bit in there that I cannot see them putting into the film.

Overall, I was not to hip on the book, and hope the movie is at least a fun watch.