Michael Chabon Joins PIXAR's 'John Carter of Mars'
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John Carter of Mars news always seems to fly under the radar, and this delightful little blurb was no exception. Hidden in a Deadline Hollywood Daily post about Michael Chabon switching agencies was far more interesting little footnote that he was now writing the script for Andrew Stanton's Mars.The Amazing Website of Kavalier & Clay (a very dedicated Chabon fansite) decided to just do the obvious and ask the man himself. Surprise! It's true: "I've been hired to do some revisions to an already strong script by Andrew Stanton and Mark Andrews. I wrote my original screenplay The Martian Agent back in 1995 because I wished I could do [Edgar Rice] Burroughs's Barsoom. So this is pretty much a dream come true for me."
Back in January, Stanton was pretty candid about how difficult the story was to adapt, but insisted they were past the writing stage, and into pre-production and casting. Clearly they've backtracked a little, but can anyone really be worried that they've stopped work to bring on Michael Chabon? This is a win-win situation all around, particularly since Chabon still hasn't managed to see any more of his work on the big screen. If John Carter spawns a Kavalier and Clay film, how happy the world will be!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-15-2009 @ 11:32PM
Chris said...
I love Michael Chabon and would love to see a K&C film, but what do you mean "This is a win-win situation all around, particularly since Chabon still hasn't managed to see any more of his work on the big screen"? Mysteries of Pittsburgh was just screened at Sundance. I realize that Chabon has been writing for sometime now, but he's only written 6 novels. Even having 2 features made from that collection is impressive.
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4-16-2009 @ 2:25AM
Elisabeth said...
I wasn't really thinking of his novel adaptations, as much as his original screenplays. They seem to just get rejected outright.
Compared to guys like Justin Theroux, Alex Tse, or J. Michael Stracynski, Chabon just hasn't had the kind of offers or projects you'd expect. He worked on "Spider Man 2," it just seems like he should be one of those go-to script guys.
And I am still surprised Kavalier and Clay has languished in pre-production for so long.
4-15-2009 @ 11:42PM
Brice_J said...
elisabeth,
not sure what "PIXAR" is doing in your headline? did you or did you not know that "john carter of mars" is a departure for andrew stanton from pixar? it is actually a live-action disney film. if you already knew that & were trying to catch the eyes of your readers by putting "PIXAR," it should definitely work.
but for me, the only thing your articles need is your name on the byline to catch my eye!
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4-16-2009 @ 2:25AM
Elisabeth said...
Well, thank you Brice. :P
But actually, John Carter will be Disney / PIXAR ... it's supposed to be their first foray into live action. Since Andrew Stanton is helming it, I gave Pixar the credit over their Disney masters. :)
4-16-2009 @ 3:54AM
Brice_J said...
you're welcome, elisabeth! =)
i certainly could be wrong, or things could have changed since last i heard, so any references pointing to this info regarding "john carter" being pixar's first foray into live action would be greatly appreciated! everything i've heard/read solely credits disney. on scifiwire.com from january, earlier this year:
[scifiwire.com:] Is developing a live-action movie the same process as developing a Pixar animated film?
[Andrew] Stanton: Well, it's not being done by the Pixar crew. It's being done by Disney, and I'm sort of being loaned out. We're sort of using any element that we need to to make the film right. We're not being purist with Pixar, but Pixar's a brand that you have to trust that's for all ages. This story of John Carter is not going to be an all-ages film.
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4-16-2009 @ 3:59AM
Elisabeth said...
Ah -- admittedly, I was going off its IMDB profile (which still lists Pixar as producer) and memory -- I think it was Jim Hill who initially sold it as a live action PIXAR?
Thanks for the update. Sci Fi Wire always jams up my wireless (I have no idea why) and I miss 95% of what they run there. :P