League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Resurfaces On FOX

[Karloff]

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Resurfaces On FOX

Alan Moore isn't going to be involved in this TV project.

Alan Moore [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117989-Extraordinary-Gentlemen-Battle-Familiar-Boy-Wizard-in-New-Comic], one of the most talented writers out there, has worse luck that Stephen King when it comes to big screen adaptations of his work. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, with Sean Connery hopelessly adrift in the Allan Quartermain role, failed to make back its development cash, which normally means that the whole shebang vanishes from Hollywood's collective memory. Except maybe not this time, as FOX is about to make a pilot for a TV series based on Moore's Victorian adventure series. Interestingly, none of the noise from FOX so far has mentioned Quartermain, or his partner Mina Harker; confirmed characters in the series include Captain Nemo, the Invisible Man, Jekyll and Hyde.

There's no guarantee that a series will come of this pilot, but - under the terms of the deal - the pilot will definitely be produced and aired. Writer-producer Variety. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/3557-Green-Lantern] Here's hoping it's Doctor Fu Manchu; it'd be too much to expect Martians in the pilot.

Alan Moore isn't involved in this project, and it's probably just as well, for his sake as well as ours. This one's in development as of now.

Source: Screencrush [http://screencrush.com/league-of-extraordinary-gentlemen-tv-series-fox/?trackback=fbshare]


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[antidonkey]

I know the movie catches a lot of flack but I enjoyed it. I think I have a copy somewhere on DVD. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out. Since most people that remember the movie are going to groan about this I expect it to fail but you never know. After all, Glee is still on the air. Knowing Fox, it'll be pretty good and get cancelled after one season.

Still so very bitter about Firefly.

 

[Fanghawk]

Wait, if Moore isn't involved, how is this happening? I thought he and Kevin O'Neill owned the rights to League, which was why they could take the new books in the series to Top Shelf Productions. Wouldn't they have to approve a new adaptation, at the very least? Or is there something I'm missing?

 

[Genocidicles]

If done well then it could be a decent show. There's so much more the League does than what's shown in the comics, and is merely mentioned in the filler text at the end (like their showdown with their French counterparts 'Les Hommes Mystérieux') that I think they'd be able to mine it for a good few episodes

I just hope the invisible man is more like his comic counterpart (A murderous psychopath), instead of just a cheeky thief we got in the movie.

Plus Mina Murray needs to be the leader, and she isn't a damn vampire.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

I never get why he moans at other people making movies etc of his stuff. Ok, he writes the stories buy with League of Gentleman, none of them are his creations. In Watchman, they are other peoples characters they he changed and wrote a story for. An From Hell, well, we all know where he got that from. So why is it ok for him to take other peoples characters and change and write stories about them. But no one else can?

Now, im not saying he isnt a talented writer. He is. One of the best.....though his version of Supreme sucked.

 

[ron1n]

I highly doubt they'd overdo the characters with stupid powers as they did in the movie. In fact, I'd say the very reason they're interested in this particular group of characters is that they would be extraordinarily (heh) cheap to pull off effects wise.

Plus there's no doubt the douche execs would be keen on this seeing as though it taps into both the same kind of 'comic book supergroup' idea as S.H.I.E.L.D and it's set in Victorian England which seems to be brewing as something of a pop culture power house given the popularity of Sherlock Holmes of late.

Could be good. I really enjoyed the way Sanctuary sort of tied in with some of these characters, so looking forward to it. At least until it gets axed in favor of another shitty reality show.

 

[Flatfrog]

I actually think this is a great idea and it could be awesome with a good writing team on board. I was never really that bothered by the comics (I only read book 1, though) but the movie was pretty much unwatchable so I can see why Moore distanced himself from it. But a quality TV series could be the perfect format.

 

[Ace Morologist]

Dear The Movies and Television:

Let's make a deal. You take more risks on originality, we'll reward you with our slavish fandom when you do a good job.

--Morology!

 

[scotth266]

I highly doubt they'd overdo the characters with stupid powers as they did in the movie.

I thought that everyone's abilities in the movie made perfect sense, though I've never read the comic version of Extraordinary Gentlemen so I'm not sure if you're speaking from a "not a perfect adaptation" standpoint.

 

[Palindromemordnilap_v1legacy]

I never get why he moans at other people making movies etc of his stuff. Ok, he writes the stories buy with League of Gentleman, none of them are his creations. In Watchman, they are other peoples characters they he changed and wrote a story for. An From Hell, well, we all know where he got that from. So why is it ok for him to take other peoples characters and change and write stories about them. But no one else can?

Now, im not saying he isnt a talented writer. He is. One of the best.....though his version of Supreme sucked.

I've always wondered that too. When he commented on the Before Watchmen series saying "You wouldn't make a sequel to Moby Dick" my first thought was "well that'll be your next project then"

I'm wondering what kind of audience they expect to get for this though. They hoping the comic book origins will draw in the nerds while all the violence and nudity will draw in the likes of the Game of Thrones fans?

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

no one can ever get Moore's stuff right, can they?

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I misread the title and thought this was about the League of Gentlemen and I was pretty damn confused. Now I'm just disappointed.

 

[ron1n]

I highly doubt they'd overdo the characters with stupid powers as they did in the movie.

I thought that everyone's abilities in the movie made perfect sense, though I've never read the comic version of Extraordinary Gentlemen so I'm not sure if you're speaking from a "not a perfect adaptation" standpoint.

Well like someone mentioned, Mina isn't a vampire. Captain Nemo shouldn't be some super ninja master either and although he was cool, I think they could stand to tone down the size/style of Mr Hyde from the movie a bit. Guy's a brute, not a mutant ogre lol

Mostly though, I meant it in terms of presentation. I think they can portray the characters in a much more grounded manner so you can see more of their personalities which is what makes them interesting rather than cheesy ability action sequences.

 

[kailus13]

I highly doubt they'd overdo the characters with stupid powers as they did in the movie.

I thought that everyone's abilities in the movie made perfect sense, though I've never read the comic version of Extraordinary Gentlemen so I'm not sure if you're speaking from a "not a perfect adaptation" standpoint.

You could never get a perfect adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen anyway given what happens in the second book...

Interestingly, none of the noise from FOX so far has mentioned Quartermain, or his partner Mina Harker; confirmed characters in the series include Captain Nemo, the Invisible Man, Jekyll and Hyde.

Possibly because most people don't know who they are. The original Dracula isn't that popular anymore.

 

[randomrob1968]

the last film felt like the League of Extraordinary Alcoholics.

 

[Blindrooster]

I actually really enjoyed the film. I hope the show does well (of it's good, of course.) I liked Quartermain though. Ill be watching.

 

[Strazdas]

Its FOX people. this will likely be picked up, end up AWESOME, but get canceled after 12 episodes because someone at fox needed a time slot for shows like "Saved by the bell".