'Outlander' To Show Moviegoers What's Underneath a Kilt
Filed under: Independent, Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Scripts
All right girls, which one of you out there sold your soul for Jamie Fraser to finally make it to the big screen? Because you succeeded! According to Variety, Essential Films has optioned the enormously popular Outlander series, and snagged none other than Braveheart scribe Randall Wallace to write it. The script is being shopped out to directors as we speak, with an eye to making it a franchise.For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, Outlander is a series of historical romance novels by Diana Gabaldon. They center on Claire Randall, a strong-willed English nurse who has just been reuinted with her husband after World War II. While on a second honeymoon, Claire steps through a stone circle and is swept back to 18th century Scotland. She becomes ensnared in the life of the Fraser clan -- and is forced to marry the impossibly handsome Jamie Fraser. And then the sex begins.
While there are a lot of very good adventures and plot twists (and the series is much more historically accurate and well written than the usual bodice ripper), I think we can be honest and admit it was the sex that kept everyone going back. While Claire ostensibly wants to get back to her own time and husband, it doesn't stop her from having fun with Jamie every time there's a flat surface. Of course, it turns out that true love is clad in a Fraser kilt, and all ends reasonably well. I confess, I never read past the second book, so I don't know what further diasters await the passionate couple.
Fans have been clamoring for this series to be made since the first book was published -- and I'm surprised it has taken as long as it has. It couldn't have gotten a more perfect writer than Wallace, that's what makes this positively eerie. Now if Gerard Butler signs on to play Jamie, I'm really going to know the dark arts were involved.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-30-2008 @ 3:03PM
Liz said...
A friend bought me the first book and I couldn't get into it... but I agree, if Gerard Butler was cast I would be there no matter what.
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10-30-2008 @ 3:07PM
Julie said...
This news has to be rockin' the world of Diana Gabaldan fans. Despite the fact that I never made it past the first book, there are loads of devoted readers that must be fainting with excitement at the thought of Jamie Fraser come to life at last. I agree Randall Wallace is the only person who could give this all the romantic bodice ripping required. I wonder how he'll handle all those sex scenes?
I did love Jamie Fraser, it was Claire I never warmed to, and there was only so much hot and heavy rolling in the hay, bush, rock, etc. I could take.In spite of all that, this is a film I'll have to see, especially if they cast the right guy for Jamie. I know what a whole bunch of Tarts we'll thinkin', and I'd have to agree with them! He's got to be a Scot, and how many of those are there out there in the acting world? Not that many to be sure...
Here's a toast to Diana Gabaldan, her fans, and Jamie Fraser. Remember, only REAL men wear kilts!
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10-30-2008 @ 3:10PM
Rufus said...
Wasn't that Jim Caviezel (sp?) viking movie called, Outlander?
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10-30-2008 @ 4:12PM
Jimmy said...
I read the first book, which I could barely get through, and haven't had any desire to read the others. Yes, it's a bodice riiper (much to my chagrin to discover), but you're correct that it's far more historical fiction than the usual romance novel. That being said, Gerard Butler it utterly wrong for the role of Jamie Fraser since the character several years younger than the female lead character. Besides, is Butler the only Scottish actor out there?
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11-02-2008 @ 10:26AM
Sillabub said...
you're right. he's not the only one, but he's the best.
10-30-2008 @ 5:32PM
Jill said...
This is so exciting! I find these books great because of the amount of historical detail, PLUS the romance. I do have friends who couldn't get into them - mainly because they found the amount of pages daunting. I cannot wait for this!
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10-30-2008 @ 7:32PM
Cathy Hassett said...
I am so stoked!! I own the series and have read them all 3 times.The truth!! Not only can I not wait to see Jamie on the big screen. I want to buy it on Video and I don't care if I have to mortgage my house to do it!
Hang on a minute while I do a Happy Dance around my kitchen. Yes!
Thank you Diane!
Cathy in Canada.
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11-01-2008 @ 8:07AM
MJ said...
I am so Happy Happy about this,I have waited for so long for this. I just hope Gerard Butler signs up for this, I love the ser. from begining to end.Thank you Diane for such a wonderful story.
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10-30-2008 @ 8:40PM
Sorcha said...
I find it incredibly surprising that Outlander is continuously referred to as a bodice ripper. I detest those kind of books and haven't picked one up in over 15 years. Outlander does have a love story, and the characters DO engage in sex, but don't most newlyweds? The sex is FAR from the meat of the story. It's about emotion, humility, deceit, war, family, love, honor, loyalty, brotherhood, obligation, poverty, opression, tyranny, passion, accomplishment and defeat. It's about fighting against the odds. It's about flawed characters who make the best choices they can even if they seem wrong.
I've read this book 17 times since 1992. When Ms. Gabaldon so kindly signed it for me last summer I was able to show her the tic marks I started keeping in the back to keep track of how many times I've read it. She wrote that she hoped I'd find something new on my 18th read. My husband has read and enjoyed it, as well as the rest of the series, and he's about as manly as they come. This is NOT a bodice ripper and there is much more to it than meets the eye.
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1-14-2009 @ 1:23PM
ROBIN IN KY said...
I AGREE!! I CAME TO LOVE THIS SERIES BY WAY OF MY MOTHER. SHE IS A FAN, AND I LOVE TO READ SO HERE I AM. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIES TO BE MADE, BUT I FEAR JAMIE COULD NEVER BE LIVING & BREATHING AS HE IS IN MY MIND.
10-31-2008 @ 3:09AM
Silvia said...
Ahhh!!! Great news these are for my ears (and eyes). I loved the saga (I'm right now starting the second half of the second book - In Italy the publisher split every book in two parts...) and I'm really looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.
And if Gerard Butler is going to be attached to the movie, I will be veeeeeeery pleased with that!
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10-31-2008 @ 9:21AM
bongo123 said...
sounds a bit pants tbh...
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11-07-2008 @ 2:08PM
Ruth said...
Ummmm . . . .not to sound daft, but what does pants mean in this instance?? Not good I imagine, but could you pleas elaborate?
11-01-2008 @ 4:02PM
Margo said...
Great and long awaited news !
I can assure you , that whilst the Outlander Saga is very historically accurate, it's no more a bodice ripper past the second book. Unfortunately in my country too, the editor had to split every book in two parts, making a HUGE profit.
Dragonfly in Amber ( English version) 12 Euro.
Dragonfly in Amber 1
Dragonfly in Amber 2 ( Greek version) 45 Euro.
No comment.
By the way, i can see no other than Gerard Butler as Jamie Fraser - especially after Culloden. Although he's not young enough to play the part of young Jamie, he's the perfect choice for mature James. He just IS James Alexander Malcom Mckenzie Fraser !!!
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2-18-2009 @ 9:11PM
Elizabeth M said...
I hope this is one of those rare examples where the movie is better than the novel, a recipient of the Best Book of the Year Award from the Romance Writers of America. The heroine, Claire, is supposed to be an English woman born around 1919, but she sounds more like a contemporary North American than anything else. It is hard to even believe that Jamie falls in love with her because she is a shallow (a month after trying to get pregnant by her husband she is happily bedding Jamie at every opportunity), selfish, obnoxious know-it-all and she is the reason I read no further than Outlander. If Jamie was a short, balding and paunchy Scot instead of a beautiful Highlander this book wouldn't have made it to a second printing because the writing just doesn't stand on its own. Where was her editor?! I nearly went mad trying to get through one of the many, many descriptions of Mrs. Fitzgibbon's girth. I mean, you had me at meaty arm.
I like Gerard Butler, but I really doubt he can play a 23 year-old virgin. He could be the uncle, Dougal.
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11-04-2008 @ 10:59PM
Heather said...
I have to agree with Sorcha, I cant believe someone is calling this series a bodice ripper. yes there is steamy scenes but there is so much more to this entire story. I cant believe that someone cant get past the first book. You dont even realize what you are missing. This is not only a love story but is about a romance that will span a 50 year period. Its about love, sacrafice,
about love of country, love of family , love of heritage. But you have to keep going. Yes some of it can be alittle far fetched but for the most part it is very real and theirs a great morale to it if you let yourself get past the first parts.
its an incredible read that I personally could not put down. I guarantee if you take the time to go thru the first book and get into the next two, you will be on a great journey that you will read thru the 6th book and be waiting for the 7th to come out this next year.
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11-06-2008 @ 6:48PM
Miriam said...
I love all of the books in the series, but Outlander will always be my favourite. Gabaldon just wrote such a great historical novel. I really dislike how it is being categorized though as a 'bodice ripper', there is a heck of a lot more to the story. History anyone? War? I sailed through the first three novels. I have been a fan of the series for over ten years. Gabaldon just has a gift for great story telling, and giving detailed and accurate accounts of the period she is writing about.
Now as to Gerald Butler, an older Jamie, yes, but a young Jamie, no. I agree with splitting the role between Butler and a younger actor.
As for Claire, I know I am going to get knocked for this on this board, but I really see Keira Knightley being fantastic as a young Claire. She has played similar roles in the past and been great at them. I know she doesn't have some of the physical attributes as Claire, but that can be aquired for this role. Point is in terms of persona and vivacity, she would be a great young Claire, in my opinion.
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11-07-2008 @ 12:54AM
Cherokee1020 said...
I beg to differ with the poster who hopes the movie will be better than the book. The only book greater than Outlander is Gone With The Wind. As a rabid Gabaldon fan and multiple consumer of all six books (soon to be seven!), it will be a challenge to bring the books to the screen. I will venture Jason Issacs as Black Jack Randall, but cannot cast anyone else. Claire is marvelous. Just marvelous - and terribly British, despite her twenty years in Boston as a doctor. I will reserve judgment, but no cinematic effort can come close to the wonder of the entire Outlander series.
The books are daunting, and likely not for everyone, but everyone who reads them feels the magic of Lallybroch.
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11-19-2008 @ 7:05PM
Ang said...
All I can say is "Yeah!". I have been looking forward to this for years - have read all the books and thought they were all great. I don't have the same issues with Claire that so many of you seem to have. She is human, like the rest of us, but she had someone who loved her to the ends of the earth anyway... what a love story!
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11-20-2008 @ 5:02PM
Jessica said...
I just started the series a week ago and I'm now half way through the second book. I find them amazing and I'm glad I don't have to wait as long as some of youother fans for the movie to come out.
For casting, I also think Kiera Knightly would be the perfect Claire. I always pictured her. I saw some photos of Jason Isaacs, and now I do think of him as Frank/Jack Randall. For Jamie, I always picture a hairy, buffer, red-haired version of Robert Pattinson. He does have the accent, and he's the right age. And I know she doesn't come in untill the second movie, but Brianna should be played by a red-haired Blake Lively (I know some won't agree, but it's who I picture).
Can't wait!!!
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