249: Corporate Fanfic

[Redd the Sock]

I'm not sure I equate adaptations and sequals as fanfiction entirely. It's not like Watchmen was made specifically to fix the ending, whereas that is the reason a lot of fanfic gets written. I see the similarities, but it's rare an author / filmaker can get away with re-writing someone else's work simply due to taste. If anything I agree with the decision: if you're going to adpat something anyway, no point in leaving in any major faults of the original.

I say rarely because you missed the most glaring example of fanfic attitudes brought to professional work: Spider Man - One More Day / Brand New Day. Quesada wasn't happy with the Spidey books, so he takes a quick cheap shortcut story to "magicaly" change or remove anything he didn't like, not just the marrage to Mary Jane. I had no problem with the concept of the story, but the way it was shoved down our throats so Joe Q could have his single Spider Man again really left me wondering if he took lessons from Fanfictiong.net.

And it certainly isn't always a disaster. Edits and changes aside, Lord of the Rings came off very well, as did Battlestar Galactica.

 

[rddj623]

Few things. First, being a film guy, I take your signature line as a challenge to adapt your article into a short film...consider this my official "I'm taking your challenge" statement. Second Couldn't agree more with your use of Watchmen as a prime example of this corporate fanfic. I love the book, liked the movie enough to buy it.

My example of corporate fanfic comes from the original author. Kick-Ass the movie, vs Kick-Ass the comic. The movie was dumbed down with the author's blessing, I find it intriguing that he did that. It assuredly got corporat-ified. Love the book and the film, and while the film is alot more fun, the book is a much better deconstruction of the genre in my opinion.

 

[burymagnets]

I love finding some of the escapist's great old articles.

Its definately true that the majority of cinematic adaptations are just fan-wank. I think hollywood needs to put more effort into getting the creators on board.

What happens when a great creator directs an adaptation of his/her own work? Look no further than Akira

Although thats getting remade by a poor horror director so I guess nothing is safe