Not long after we learned that Ridley Scott would be doing a take on Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, we now learn that first he’ll be doing a movie called The Forever War, based on a book by Joe Haldeman that he’s been trying to get the rights to for 25 years.
Once upon a time, Ridley Scott was the man behind most great Sci-Fi movies. Since then, he’s moved on to make a whole lot of [mostly] great movies from different genres. He’s even gone so far as to say Sci-Fi was “as dead as westerns” as a genre; but now, after the Western has showed a little life, it looks as if Scott is ready to help bring Sci-Fi back as well! This could be good with another big name in older sci-fi, James Cameron, working on the highly, highly discussed and anticipate Avatar.
The Forever War follows a soldier who fights a in a war that ultimately lasts 700 years, though when he returns home after only a few months, everything is destroyed and it’s 20 years later. The concept is supposedly a mirror of what Vietnam was as an endless war, but it all sounds pretty confusing with the extreme time differences happening. But what would a sci-fi movie be without some strong confusion? I’m sure it will all make sense when played out and who better than Ridley Scott for this one.
Scott added:
I first pursued ‘Forever War’ 25 years ago, and the book has only grown more timely and relevant since. It’s a science-fiction epic, a bit of The Odyssey by way of Blade Runner, built upon a brilliant, disorienting premise.
This is just another one of the now-many Ridley Scott projects to keep an eye on.
[Source: FS]
It’s an awesome book.
Hopefully he can do it justice on the big screen.
Comment by Jerry — October 16, 2008 @ 11:13 am
The guy in the picture reminds me of James Franco… Kinda.
Comment by JoJo — October 16, 2008 @ 7:14 pm
Ridley Soott is a genius at sci fi, he has been one of the most inspirational directors of our time. Intriguing.
Comment by Aron — October 17, 2008 @ 3:05 am
Blade Runner, Gladiator, Legend, Alien all the most fascinating of films.
Comment by Aron — October 17, 2008 @ 3:16 am
Forever War is a really superb book – one of the best sci-fi books ever written. It really is a masterpiece, a beautifully written paean against war which turns into a touching love story in the powerful finale – and it’s not in the least bit confusing.
It was book No. 1 in the Gollanz Sci-Fi masterwork series and you really should read it if you haven’t already:
Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forever-War-S-F-Masterworks/dp/1857988086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224339095&sr=1-1
Amazon US:
This seems to be sadly unavailable on amazon US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forever_War
Comment by dflock — October 18, 2008 @ 10:18 am