What Creative Magic Makes Some Adaptations Succeed and Others Fail?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73qDLp2KA8

In partnership with the new fiction publishing platform Liberty Island, PJ Lifestyle is going to begin promoting and co-hosting a series of debates and discussions about popular culture. The goal is to figure out what works and what doesn’t so that in the future we can promote and create better fiction and culture of our own. These are public brainstorming sessions for writers and culture advocates interested in developing a more vibrant popular culture. You’re invited to submit your answers to any of these questions — or a related one of your own! — that interests you:

A) in the comments

B) Via email to PJ Lifestyle editor Dave Swindle.

C) at your blog, then let us know in the comments or via email.

The most interesting answers may be linked, cross-posted, or published at PJ Lifestyle.

Also check out the previous weeks’ writing prompts and email in your thoughts on any questions that strike your fancy: 5 Questions So We Can Figure Out the Cream of the Crop In Popular Music Genres, 5 Geek Questions To Provoke Debates About the Future of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, 5 Controversial Questions To Inspire Spirited Debates About Music.

1. Which Science Fiction Novels Should Be Made into Films and TV Miniseries?

2. Lord of the Rings Vs. Harry Potter: Which Film Series Better Captured their Books’ Spirit?

3. What Are the 10 Most Disastrous Comic Book Adaptations?

4. Is It Better To Adapt Books as Netflix Shows and TV Mini-Series Instead of Films?

5. Which Video Games Should Be Adapted Into Films or TV Shows?

1. Which Science Fiction Novels Should Be Made into Films and TV Miniseries?

And which previously adapted works failed to receive the treatment they deserved? What needs a remake?

A great email suggestion from Allston, one of PJ Lifestyle’s most thoughtful regular commenters, to start this week’s debates:

In regard to a new debate, here’s one – Science Fiction novels that should be made into movies/TV Miniseries, but never have been. In that regard, I’d throw out there Jerry Pournelle/Larry Niven’s Mote in God’s Eye. As a second choice, I’d mention Roger Zelazny’s 9 Princes in Amber.

Patrick Richardson: The New Human Wave in Science Fiction Literature

Book Plug Friday with Sarah Hoyt and Charlie Martin: Future Shock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmm5jeeH8mY

Walter Hudson: Is Man of Steel the Year’s Best Sci-Fi Film?

Chris Queen: John Carter: Old-Fashioned Sci-Fi Leaps to Life

Sarah Hoyt: 20 Things You Might Not Know About Robert A. Heinlein

Updates from Tuesday, May 27:

From Sandy C via email:

Be made into a movie?

I think that Rebirth (or the original English title The Chrysalids) would be a good movie. Have thought so since I first read in the 1950’s. I enjoy it every time I read it. Thanks for letting me voice my input.

From Brian M via email:

Hello There,

I would love to see the Stainless Steel Rat brought to life, think it would be fun and proper adult sci fi shows are hard to come by.

Also would like to see the Papa Schimmelhorn series by Reginal Bretnor. He was Douglas Adams before Douglas Adams, but ruder and bawdier.

Slightly more serious one would be an adaptation of the Culture novels by the late and much missed I M Banks. Consider Pheblas is ready made for it!

Cheers

From George T via email:

The Gray Prince by Jack Vance. Great conservative novel that refutes some of today’s most bogus issues. Other Jack Vance novels would make great movies, too, but his series novels would be too tempting for Hollywood to screw up. Of course, what isn’t?

Thank you

2. Lord of the Rings Vs. Harry Potter: Which Film Series Better Captured their Books’ Spirit?

Or are both solid examples of how to turn an iconic fantasy series into satisfying blockbusters for the whole family?

Dave Swindle: Harry Potter Is Better Than Star Wars and Star Trek

Hannah Sternberg: 4 Keys to Harry Potter‘s Success Missing From J.K. Rowling’s New Book

Roger Kimball: Harry Potter and the Deathly Shallows

Chris Queen: Sean Astin Opens Up About His Faith

3. What Are the 10 Most Disastrous Comic Book Adaptations?

Do some characters and concepts just work better on the printed page? Are some characters more difficult to adapt then others? Are some characters just too weak to make it on screen?