I like sci-fi, but have not read the books of this series.
I am looking forward to this show. But if this story is so huge and epic, is 10 episodes enough to cover the whole thing? Surely, they would need multiple seasons, no? Look at the Expanse. That's already on season 4.
So far, this is the second most anticipated show that I am looking forward to, along with band of brothers #3.
What I'm concerned with is Apple screwing up the series with a poor adaptation. Sometimes throwing money at a problem works and sometimes it result in really gross solutions. A bigger problem is that I'm not likely to sign up for Apples service so who knows if I will ever see the production.
What data points comprise your concern that “Apple” (Skydance Productions actually) will screw up the adaptation, vs any other platform?
I like sci-fi, but have not read the books of this series.
I am looking forward to this show. But if this story is so huge and epic, is 10 episodes enough to cover the whole thing? Surely, they would need multiple seasons, no? Look at the Expanse. That's already on season 4.
So far, this is the second most anticipated show that I am looking forward to, along with band of brothers #3.
The series is multiple books. I don’t imagine the first season is going to try to do them all.
This is one of those epic tails on the scale of Dune or LOTR. if they do it justice, a la Peter Jackson, they’ll be heroes. If they don’t, ehem... David Lynch, they’ll be pilloried for decades.
Don’t screw this up guys!!!
David Lynch's Dune is certainly a cult classic and loved by many, myself included. While there were some changes, and stylistic decisions made, I found most of them enjoyable and memorable. The sets and costumes are incredible and still look great today. The acting and casting excellent. So much so that there is rarely a month that goes by without myself or friends making a reference to his film. It's a Lynchian take on Dune, which is all anyone could expect from a David Lynch film. Hardcore fans were annoyed by the ending shots of rain, but at that point it was decided by his executive producer that there would be no additional sequels as originally hoped for, so they put a bow on it. Didn't see like a big deal.
Compare this to Sci-Fi's Dune books, which while more loyal to the books, are atrocious to watch, ridiculous costumes, etc.
Well, to each his own I suppose. I saw Dune in college and, having read the first three books, I was anticipating that it would be on the level of Star Wars. Hell, given the written material it had every chance of eclipsing Star Wars. Or so I thought.
I had no problem with the cast. But within the first 10 minutes I knew something was wrong. The inconsistent flow of the film and the way the dialog was done were nothing short of a travesty. Every few minutes or so there would be a small gem of a moment, only to be ruined shortly thereafter, and my heart would sink. Bottom line: I HATED IT. It was the most disappointing film I saw in my college days.
So here’s hoping that Foundation rises to the occasion.
This is one of those epic tails on the scale of Dune or LOTR. if they do it justice, a la Peter Jackson, they’ll be heroes. If they don’t, ehem... David Lynch, they’ll be pilloried for decades.
Don’t screw this up guys!!!
David Lynch's Dune is certainly a cult classic and loved by many, myself included. While there were some changes, and stylistic decisions made, I found most of them enjoyable and memorable. The sets and costumes are incredible and still look great today. The acting and casting excellent. So much so that there is rarely a month that goes by without myself or friends making a reference to his film. It's a Lynchian take on Dune, which is all anyone could expect from a David Lynch film. Hardcore fans were annoyed by the ending shots of rain, but at that point it was decided by his executive producer that there would be no additional sequels as originally hoped for, so they put a bow on it. Didn't see like a big deal.
Compare this to Sci-Fi's Dune books, which while more loyal to the books, are atrocious to watch, ridiculous costumes, etc.
The low budget sci-fi channel mini series shat all over that overproduced, opaque train wreck. Overly pretentious in fact.
Personal anecdote: I think the first time I made a move on Mrs Entropy was at the cinema watching this. I didn’t get far. She had never read dune, she thought it terrible and didn’t understand any of it. Took seven years to convince her to out with me again. She is more attracted to sci-fi like Gattaca.
back on topic, I expect this. 10 part series wculd almost be a separate story for each episode covering the first three novels.. Cue ignorant claims of Star Wars rip off the first time we see Trantor.
This is one of those epic tails on the scale of Dune or LOTR. if they do it justice, a la Peter Jackson, they’ll be heroes. If they don’t, ehem... David Lynch, they’ll be pilloried for decades.
Don’t screw this up guys!!!
David Lynch's Dune is certainly a cult classic and loved by many, myself included. While there were some changes, and stylistic decisions made, I found most of them enjoyable and memorable. The sets and costumes are incredible and still look great today. The acting and casting excellent. So much so that there is rarely a month that goes by without myself or friends making a reference to his film. It's a Lynchian take on Dune, which is all anyone could expect from a David Lynch film. Hardcore fans were annoyed by the ending shots of rain, but at that point it was decided by his executive producer that there would be no additional sequels as originally hoped for, so they put a bow on it. Didn't see like a big deal.
Compare this to Sci-Fi's Dune books, which while more loyal to the books, are atrocious to watch, ridiculous costumes, etc.
The low budget sci-fi channel mini series shat all over that overproduced, opaque train wreck. Overly pretentious in fact.
Yea, the SciFi adaptation of Dune wasn’t great. But it sure was an improvement over the film, which wasn’t hard given the low bar that the film represented.
This is the one I’ve been waiting for, along with Spielberg’s Amazing Stories. I read the three Foundation novels when I was a teenager (I’ll turn 70 this year). In fact I’ve read pretty much all of Asimov’s science fiction novels. Asimov, Heinlein, Clark, Poul Anderson, Ursula Le Guin, now those were science fiction writers.
Concur. This is the one thing that would make me put down a few quid to subscribe to see. Sadly, Isaac fell victim to the word processor in later years, and his attempt at follow-on material to the original 3 Foundation novels were...disappointing. But those first 3...that's the seminal SF works that all else is measured against. Concise, well crafted stories of characters and events that conjure the imagination. Sadly, many authors succumb to the scourges of the word processor, but Isaac maybe one of the first. Of note is Tom Clancy. Like Isaac, the original works are classics, well researched, thought provoking, and fine entertainment. Then comes the author's discovery that it didn't matter what they wrote - it would sell unedited, and it became total crap. Pretty disappointing.
I will buy to see this series.
I sure wish someone would plop down some quid to make David Weber's "Honor Harrington" into a CGI presentation. Live action likely impossible to be true to the spirit, but the stuff I see from Game engines would adept well. And Honor is...a...badass.
I think some moon colonisation/ war of independence analogy series might be entertaining sci fi for a streaming service How about the Aristillus Trilogy by Travis J. I. Corcoran? Got last year’s Prometheus Award.
and if you are a military sci-fi type, Stark’s War trilogy by John G. Hemry. or the granddaddy of them all, The Moon is Harsh Mistress, although a think the Arisitillus take on the story is more modern and would be more visually entertaining.
agree about Honor Harrington too, eightzero, although David Weber succumbed badly to word processor disease and you only really stick with it out of loyalty. I think once he departed too far from the Horatio Hornblower in space bit it got derailed.
in fact, a Hornblower or Jack Aubrey series would be awesome too!
a ten episode series sounds awfully short to tell the Foundation story.
Seasons? 10?
Curious I suppose to sew what story they are telling from the literary universe
Doubtful that they will cover the first half of the first book in one season. However, just covering the original short stories in a 10 episode run is enough. Then spreading out the rest of the first 3 books in following seasons is more than enough. 4 to 5 seasons at most.
Kind or curious if they will gloss over psychohistory with technobabble or will attempt to infuse the show with some examples of modern modeling. We are getting ever more closer to psychohistory. It’s been too long, I don’t remember anything from the books anymore. Dry read.
What I'm concerned with is Apple screwing up the series with a poor adaptation. Sometimes throwing money at a problem works and sometimes it result in really gross solutions. A bigger problem is that I'm not likely to sign up for Apples service so who knows if I will ever see the production.
What data points comprise your concern that “Apple” (Skydance Productions actually) will screw up the adaptation, vs any other platform?
Inexperience and micro management can be a huge issue. HBO has considerable experience bringing unique concepts to the small screen that ability to do so well didn’t happen overnight.
In any event your interests in data points makes no sense because there are none here which is the whole point of my comment. Apple is taking on a lot here for what amounts to its first year.
Hardcore fans were annoyed by the ending shots of rain, but at that point it was decided by his executive producer that there would be no additional sequels as originally hoped for, so they put a bow on it. Didn't see like a big deal.
Actually, to me the "big deal" was the stupid "Voice" powered blasters.
Kind of like making Starship Troopers without the powered suits.... Pretty much ruined the whole thing.
I think some moon colonisation/ war of independence analogy series might be entertaining sci fi for a streaming service How about the Aristillus Trilogy by Travis J. I. Corcoran? Got last year’s Prometheus Award.
and if you are a military sci-fi type, Stark’s War trilogy by John G. Hemry. or the granddaddy of them all, The Moon is Harsh Mistress, although a think the Arisitillus take on the story is more modern and would be more visually entertaining.
agree about Honor Harrington too, eightzero, although David Weber succumbed badly to word processor disease and you only really stick with it out of loyalty. I think once he departed too far from the Horatio Hornblower in space bit it got derailed.
in fact, a Hornblower or Jack Aubrey series would be awesome too!
Well..I didn't actually say I am sticking with Weber. Now that you mention it, I actually haven't and abandoned him a few books ago. But as you say, the original inspiration of Forester in the first line of Honor books made for excellent reading. I particularly got a kick out of Weber writing a scene where Honor was actually reading...Hornblower.
There was a try at a Hornblower TV series some year back and it didn't turn out well. Hornblower doesn't say much, and it doesn't translate.
I liked that Hornblower series. Only went for six episodes. From what I understand they did not have the budget to continue. Or an appropriately sized ship as Hornblower started moving up the ranks.
agree about Honor Harrington too, eightzero, although David Weber succumbed badly to word processor disease and you only really stick with it out of loyalty. I think once he departed too far from the Horatio Hornblower in space bit it got derailed.
Disagree there. Honor moved up through the ranks and began reaching a point where not every problem could be solved by shooting it with a missile or graser.
In fact, probably one of my favorite books is War of Honor, where you see all of the behind the scenes maneuvering and watch the inevitable train wreck that results.
What I'm concerned with is Apple screwing up the series with a poor adaptation. Sometimes throwing money at a problem works and sometimes it result in really gross solutions. A bigger problem is that I'm not likely to sign up for Apples service so who knows if I will ever see the production.
What data points comprise your concern that “Apple” (Skydance Productions actually) will screw up the adaptation, vs any other platform?
Inexperience and micro management can be a huge issue. HBO has considerable experience bringing unique concepts to the small screen that ability to do so well didn’t happen overnight.
In any event your interests in data points makes no sense because there are none here which is the whole point of my comment. Apple is taking on a lot here for what amounts to its first year.
1a) It didn't happen overnight but I also remember excellent original content from HBO going back to the 1980s. Considering HBO launched in 1972 that's not overnight, but it also effectively is if you consider that HBO Films launched in 1983. It sounds like you're saying Apple shouldn't even attempt it because HBO has a head start.
1b) What I don't get is why Apple can't carefully step into original content over several years like everyone else from Hulu to Netflix to HBO, but instead has to do it immediately and in a much grander scale than everyone else to be considered a worthy enough to be taken seriously. They have the money to keep this a value-added service indefinitely for people who buy their devices as they build up a catalog of original and licensed content. Netflix doesn't need you to like Stranger Things and Hulu doesn't need you to like The Handmaid's Tale to keep their service afloat.
2) So far all those rumours of Tim Cook personally going over scripts to remove things he didn't like have proven to be false so I'm not sure how the notion of Apple micromanaging the artists is still being brought up. Frankly, I was surprised by how unfamily a lot of the content turned out to be.
agree about Honor Harrington too, eightzero, although David Weber succumbed badly to word processor disease and you only really stick with it out of loyalty. I think once he departed too far from the Horatio Hornblower in space bit it got derailed.
Disagree there. Honor moved up through the ranks and began reaching a point where not every problem could be solved by shooting it with a missile or graser.
In fact, probably one of my favorite books is War of Honor, where you see all of the behind the scenes maneuvering and watch the inevitable train wreck that results.
He just got..wordy because he stopped editing. And when he wrote a second book that covered the same events from someone else's point of view - without advancing the story line - I gave up. One of the later books sorta ended like he had some publishing deadline. I thought I had purchased a defective copy, that the remaining chapters were missing. Very disappointing.
It was also clear he was working in "meanwhile" kinds of hooks so as to license the writing out to others. Neat way to make money off of not working. Sort of like a frachising agreement. That said, the YA "Stephanie Harrington" books are fun. Can't go wrong with a treecat story.
When I was a kid (8?) my dad put "Foundation" in my hands. I was hooked on SF. 40 years later, I put Honor Harrington in his. As an elderly man who was finding it difficult to see and read, and had given up on trying to continue reading, it changed him. We had many laughs over the HH stories before he died. I wrote a couple times to David Weber to thank him for helping my dad rekindle his lifelong joy of reading SF. I never did receive an acknowledgement, but really didn't expect one.
He just got..wordy because he stopped editing. And when he wrote a second book that covered the same events from someone else's point of view - without advancing the story line - I gave up. One of the later books sorta ended like he had some publishing deadline. I thought I had purchased a defective copy, that the remaining chapters were missing. Very disappointing.
Agree, War Of Honor was pretty good. It is the later ones after the war with the socialists in the Peoples’ Republic of Haven was finally resolved. should have ended then. All that maya /manpower/ genetic slave direction That followed is a poorly edited duplicative mess.
Comments
I am looking forward to this show. But if this story is so huge and epic, is 10 episodes enough to cover the whole thing? Surely, they would need multiple seasons, no? Look at the Expanse. That's already on season 4.
So far, this is the second most anticipated show that I am looking forward to, along with band of brothers #3.
Seasons? 10?
Curious I suppose to sew what story they are telling from the literary universe
Well, to each his own I suppose. I saw Dune in college and, having read the first three books, I was anticipating that it would be on the level of Star Wars. Hell, given the written material it had every chance of eclipsing Star Wars. Or so I thought.
I had no problem with the cast. But within the first 10 minutes I knew something was wrong. The inconsistent flow of the film and the way the dialog was done were nothing short of a travesty. Every few minutes or so there would be a small gem of a moment, only to be ruined shortly thereafter, and my heart would sink. Bottom line: I HATED IT. It was the most disappointing film I saw in my college days.
So here’s hoping that Foundation rises to the occasion.
Personal anecdote: I think the first time I made a move on Mrs Entropy was at the cinema watching this. I didn’t get far. She had never read dune, she thought it terrible and didn’t understand any of it. Took seven years to convince her to out with me again. She is more attracted to sci-fi like Gattaca.
back on topic, I expect this. 10 part series wculd almost be a separate story for each episode covering the first three novels.. Cue ignorant claims of Star Wars rip off the first time we see Trantor.
I will buy to see this series.
I sure wish someone would plop down some quid to make David Weber's "Honor Harrington" into a CGI presentation. Live action likely impossible to be true to the spirit, but the stuff I see from Game engines would adept well. And Honor is...a...badass.
How about the Aristillus Trilogy by Travis J. I. Corcoran? Got last year’s Prometheus Award.
and if you are a military sci-fi type, Stark’s War trilogy by John G. Hemry.
or the granddaddy of them all, The Moon is Harsh Mistress, although a think the Arisitillus take on the story is more modern and would be more visually entertaining.
agree about Honor Harrington too, eightzero, although David Weber succumbed badly to word processor disease and you only really stick with it out of loyalty. I think once he departed too far from the Horatio Hornblower in space bit it got derailed.
in fact, a Hornblower or Jack Aubrey series would be awesome too!
Kind or curious if they will gloss over psychohistory with technobabble or will attempt to infuse the show with some examples of modern modeling. We are getting ever more closer to psychohistory. It’s been too long, I don’t remember anything from the books anymore. Dry read.
Kind of like making Starship Troopers without the powered suits.... Pretty much ruined the whole thing.
There was a try at a Hornblower TV series some year back and it didn't turn out well. Hornblower doesn't say much, and it doesn't translate.
In fact, probably one of my favorite books is War of Honor, where you see all of the behind the scenes maneuvering and watch the inevitable train wreck that results.
1b) What I don't get is why Apple can't carefully step into original content over several years like everyone else from Hulu to Netflix to HBO, but instead has to do it immediately and in a much grander scale than everyone else to be considered a worthy enough to be taken seriously. They have the money to keep this a value-added service indefinitely for people who buy their devices as they build up a catalog of original and licensed content. Netflix doesn't need you to like Stranger Things and Hulu doesn't need you to like The Handmaid's Tale to keep their service afloat.
2) So far all those rumours of Tim Cook personally going over scripts to remove things he didn't like have proven to be false so I'm not sure how the notion of Apple micromanaging the artists is still being brought up. Frankly, I was surprised by how unfamily a lot of the content turned out to be.
It was also clear he was working in "meanwhile" kinds of hooks so as to license the writing out to others. Neat way to make money off of not working. Sort of like a frachising agreement. That said, the YA "Stephanie Harrington" books are fun. Can't go wrong with a treecat story.
When I was a kid (8?) my dad put "Foundation" in my hands. I was hooked on SF. 40 years later, I put Honor Harrington in his. As an elderly man who was finding it difficult to see and read, and had given up on trying to continue reading, it changed him. We had many laughs over the HH stories before he died. I wrote a couple times to David Weber to thank him for helping my dad rekindle his lifelong joy of reading SF. I never did receive an acknowledgement, but really didn't expect one.
I do hope this Foundation Series is good.