TV adaption of "Red Mars" in the works!

[Reno]

...and it's not like plenty of shit films haven't been successful.

I quite like the much maligned Mission to Mars until it's dreadful last ten minutes.

 

[Gromit]

Probably finally got the go-ahead thanks to the success of The Martian. Mars films and TV shows didn't have a hugely successful track record till then.

Having Mars in a title has notoriously been considered unlucky. It's why they changed John Carter of Mars to just John Carter. Superstition.

 

[Reno]

Having Mars in a title has notoriously been considered unlucky. It's why they changed John Carter of Mars to just John Carter. Superstition.

...because a string of previous Mars films flopped. It has nothing to do with superstition.

 

[Gromit]

...because a string of previous Mars films flopped.

Sounds pretty much the definition of unlucky to me. What are you arguing for?

 

[Reno]

Sounds pretty much the definition of unlucky to me. What are you arguing for?

You are arguing that Hollywood accountants are superstitious which is idiotic. When several Mars films flop you don't go "Let's make more Mars films", you just don't put any more of them into production. It's a simple business strategy, not witchypoo stuff. That is until a huge bestseller comes along like The Martian and an A-list star and director sign on. The Martian was a huge hit, so now Hollywood loves Mars.

 

[J Ed]

Just read a synopsis of the novel, it sounds amazing

 

[Crispy]

Just read a synopsis of the novel, it sounds amazing

The whole trilogy is one of my favourite works of sci fi ever in any medium. Not for everyone, but I highly recommend reading at least Red.

 

[J Ed]

The whole trilogy is one of my favourite works of sci fi ever in any medium. Not for everyone, but I highly recommend reading at least Red.

I'm about half way through it now, wow great book so far.

 

[fractionMan]

Ive put it on my to read list

 

[krtek a houby]

...because a string of previous Mars films flopped. It has nothing to do with superstition.

I can't remember if it flopped but "Mars Attacks!" was brilliant.

 

[Reno]

I can't remember if it flopped but "Mars Attacks!" was brilliant.

It flopped, but it came a few years before the double whammy of Mission to Mars and Red Planet which scared Hollywood off big budget Mars movies for a couple of decades.

It had its moments but "brilliant" would be taking it too far. Nearly worked on that.

 

[campanula]

Have you read Aurora, Crispy?

 

[Crispy]

Have you read Aurora, Crispy?

Not yet. I'm hoping someone knows me well enough to get it me for Xmas

 

[campanula]

If they don't, you can have mine - my new resolution is to read books and pass them on (house bulging to insane degree).

pm me after Xmas or I will forget - you will be doing me a favour

 

[kropotkin]

It was a disappointment, aurora

 

[Crispy]

It was a disappointment, aurora

Started well, gripping second act, sputtered out towards the end. Still miles better than the n signs of x books.

7/10

 

[stdP]

Mixed feelings about this... whilst I too love the Mars trilogy I'm suspicious whether it can be done justice. The scope of the books - terraforming an entire planet, arguments over geopolitics, resource wars, life extension, interplanetary commerce, all set over the span of a couple of centuries... really that's the kinda thing you need to devote a good 16-24 hours to to do the story justice, and then be perfectly prepared to say "That's it, we're done". Too much telly in my experience either a) doesn't have the budget to be long enough to cover most of the story or b) goes too far in the opposite direction and goes for a sprawling 100hr runtime full of filler episodes of the sort where Arkady takes a break from instigating a revolution to compère the Tharsis Ukelele Festival 2060 with a special guest appearance from Lady Gaga's Head In A Jar. Harumph.

As an aside, missed The Martian at the cinema; by most accounts it was firmly in the "Definitely Not Terrible" camp and maybe even edging towards good so I'm hopeful for more works tackling Mars on a semi-realistic basis. But remains to be seen if we're yet to have a proper sci-fi renaissance.

 

[bi0boy]

Not sure any TV show can have the budget to do it justice, simply because of the number of hours of CGI required.

 

[butchersapron]

I hate this thread. Every time it pops up i think the prol-dem hollywod outreach team finally has a victory. Then i remember it's not actually what i thought. Then my day is ruined.

 

[Crispy]

(apologies to butchersapron)

Showrunner Peter Noah *and* writer JM Straczynski have left the production, which is now on hold.

What a mess.

http://io9.gizmodo.com/red-mars-tv-series-now-on-hold-after-showrunner-suddenl-1767165161

At least Vince Gerardis is still exec. producer, and they have a competent director attached.

 

[J Ed]

Kim Stanley Robinson Makes the Socialist Case for Space Exploration

 

[Yogibear]

It's a beautuful piece of work, a trilogy, following all of us humans travelling to and inhabiting another planet.

 

[Kaka Tim]

It's a beautuful piece of work, a trilogy, following all of us humans travelling to and inhabiting another planet.

the science and the scope and the world it creates are very impressive. but the narrative and characterisation is dreary dull. Couldn't even finish the 3rd book.

 

[Yogibear]

the science and the scope and the world it creates are very impressive. but the narrative and characterisation is dreary dull. Couldn't even finish the 3rd book.

Yep i got lost on the third book too. If they try to produce this I believe they should be prevented in every way possible. These books need to be read before they try to steal them from us and co op them.