Here's to these guys hopefully not screwing it up...

[jimkopelli]

http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. As a movie. Hmm.
There was talk of this happening before Adams died... but now it looks like it's actually going to happen.

Think it'll be good, or will it flop?

(I hope it's good... too soon to tell so far, though.)

[Edmond Zedo]

They DID. I think it was early 80s, maybe British. Terrible production, but some of the humor came through.

[jimkopelli]

Well, there's a new version, being released in the States. Still hoping.

[Dunearhp]

A quote from one of the people involved. From www.42words.com:

Yesterday I watched a robot with a brain the size of a planet, traverse a wind blown quarry in Wales, whilst a man in a dressing gown and slippers chatted to the President of the Galaxy. I wish Douglas had been there. 42 words.

Robbie Stamp

http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/hitchblog/blog.htm

I am quite hopeful.

[Bluehaze]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was originally a radio broadcasted show in Britain before Adams, after working on the radio script, decided to make it into a book. By the time the equivalent of the third book was released on radio, he began his 'novelization.'

The wonderful thing about the cult, six-part 1981 series on BBC was that every voice actor who starred in the radio broadcast played the characters on the TV-series, leaving no fan, in that point in time, unsatisfied. The show was not based off what most on this forum might be familiar with, the adapted book version, therefore many of the tones, environments, and characters may seem off.

Luckily, for anyone interested, the six-part series was re-released on DVD in 2002 as 2disk set, and is easily one of my favorite DVDs landing in my top ten spot. I usually do not watch movies/series etc. more than once, but this is easily one of my few exceptions.

On the topic of this new movie, after viewing the TV-series, I will be weary in hopes that it can even compare to the BBC broadcast. In addition, I am interested as to how this movie with take the storyline. The six-part series has 190 minutes to it, but will there be multiple movies to divide the story, or will they cram the entire story into one movie? However, regardless, I think that Adams ideas are brilliant enough to be seen through almost any cast of producers, directors, and actors. Another take on the series could never hurt.

[EternalCynic]

Is Edmond Zedo referring to the BBC series? I own that on dvd! :). It was.. not as good as hoped, but I had high expectations. Anyway, I hope they do a fabulous job on the movie! I had a spazz attack in the theatre when I saw the trailer. I'm excited, no matter what the end result will be :)

[Warrior413]

It looks like it might be pretty good. The trailer was slightly odd so I guess that's a good thing...

[BritainOphira]

I hope it's good. I love the books. (I don't know why I do, but I do...)

[int]

Good timing. I'm almost through the third book right now and will have them all finished by the time the movie comes out. B)

[jimkopelli]

I'll probably reread them all (I have the omnibus rat-killer edition) before I go see it... but I won't start reading till maybe a week or two before it comes out. I read fast, though.

[jimkopelli]

Also noted: the name of the section that this paticular branch is in... yay for small cultural references.

[Groty]

Hmmm... I don't expect them to get more than half way through the book. I think they are banking on a series here. I knew that Disney had the rights in the 90's, hence Buena Vista. They could never agree with Adams though...

The ship DOES NOT look even remotely like a shoe. I wonder what else is going to be different. And why is it just a 'thumbs up'? What the hell happened to Raspberry!?!?!?!

http://home.att.net/~Chem237/dontpanic.gif


Casting Notables:

Martin Freeman (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293509/).... Arthur Dent
Mos Def (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0080049/).... Ford Prefect
Sam Rockwell (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005377/).... Zaphod Beeblebrox
Zooey Deschanel (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221046/).... Tricia McMillan ("Trillian")
Bill Nighy (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0631490/).... Slartibartfast
Warwick Davis (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001116/).... Marvin the Paranoid Android
John Malkovich (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000518/).... Humma Kavula - Malkovich's character was created specifically for the movie by Douglas Adams, he's a religious leader

Sam Rockwell will ROCK as Zaphod!

I usually don't buy movie shwag. If this is good, I will definitely buy the towel.

[Mysticforce]

We all know Douglas Adams is a genius. He is one of the most unique writers of the 20th century, not to mention an irresistible personality. I'm confident, as has been said, that his brilliance will shine through in the movie regardless of intervening cast/crew/studio executives. However, HGTTG on film (by virtue of medium and subject matter) isn't going to be like anything that has come before and I don't think Adams would have wanted people going in with such preconceptions in any case.

[jimkopelli]

If they haven't thought of towels, they shouldn't be working on it. I would definitely buy one.
Agree with the selection for Zaphod... but I thought Ford was a white alien... oh well. It'll be... interesting, at least.

[jimkopelli]

I just had a great idea. (Thank you , Mysticforce... you gave it to me.)

When I go to see this... I'm going to take a towel.
Who's with me?

[Mysticforce]

Brilliant. I'm sure I've got a slightly tattered towel sitting around somewhere.

[Warrior413]

Well they didn't. I just saw it and I thought it was great.