Written by: Samuel K. Sloan (FarPoint Media Executive News Director)
In April 2002 the SCI FI Channel had issued a press release that gave a listing of all their ambitious miniseries projects. One of those was to be a 4-hour miniseries based on the “The Complete Amber Chronicles,” written by the late Roger Zelazny.
Since that original, one-time notice, little or nothing has been said about SCI FI’s plans for the series.
What I do know is Zelazny’s 10-part chronicle has earned a place as one of fantasy literature’s all-time classics and deserves a well intentioned miniseries or, better still, a franchise of films for the big screen created by a major film studio. If SCI FI has backed down from its proposal of 6 years ago to make the miniseries due to its inability to do the books justice, then I hail them for not slighting fans by creating a less than honorable visual rendition of the books. However, regardless of SCI FI’s reasons, I also think that fans deserve an update from the cable channel on the future of this enterprise.
So, tell us SCI FI — “What happened?”
it doesn't have wrestling in it..... so the sci-fi channel is out.
I agree with you. If it's worth telling us in the first place, let us know what the general deal is as it progress or not.
One of my (few) favorite series, and one of my favorite authors.
I'm wondering if the story arc would be a little too complicated to translate into film. I should say . . . to translate into film well.
If it's like most of the Sci Fi movies, than I think it'd reek so bad Zelazny would haunt everyone who watched it. And WTF is up with wrestling?!?!? What does that have to do with Sci Fi?
And thank god they didn't make it. The important question, though, is who has the film rights now, and what do they want for me to acquire them? Only a fan could ever do those books justice, and they need justice.
I belive that whoever makes this movie/mini seris will instantly win over thousands(millions) of veiwers. I think four hours isn't enough time to show the full seris though. I REALLY LOVE THESE BOOKS!!! If a movie/mini seris ever come out It will be big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why oh why hasn't the Chronicles of Amber made it to the big screen? I agree that if Sci Fi were to create a miniseries Zelazny's name would forever be tarnished. There is hope though, I heard a rumor that they are making a movie based off of Micheal Moorecock's Elric, the Stealer of souls. If you enjoy reading Zelazny, Moorecock has a similar writing style, so all hope is not lost.
instead of remaking old tv shows, why oh why won't they dive in and do The Chronicles of Amber... It's got to be a whole three or four years worth of shows... come on, somebody wake up out there..... I mean, they finally did John Carter of Mars, and wow, actually stuck to the book!! ERB estate holders be praised!
Maybe they just need suggestions for Casting:
Corwin: Thomas Jane
Merlin: Toby McGuire
Random: Jude Law
Dara: Mira Sorvina
Oberon/Ganelon: Harrison Ford-Oberon/Viggo Mortenson-Ganelon
Brand: Damien Lewis
Fiona: Cate Blanchette
Bleys: James Marsters
Caine: Ray Liotta
Eric: C Thomas Howell
Julian: Julian Sands
Gerard: Vin Diesel
Dierdre: Liv Tyler
Benedict: Brian Dennehy
Martin: Ethan Hawke
Luke/Rinaldo: James Marsden
Dalt: Ray Liotta
Flora: Nicole Kidman
Llewella: Rebecca Romijn
Dworkin: John Rhys Davies
but regardless, I would like to see this movie in my lifetime. hey, maybe all of us who really want to put this movie on should get together and do it ourselves.. after all, if you want something done right, do it yourself...
of course that's right up there with " where is the movie for "The Dragon Riders of Pern" and all the Pern books? not to mention, the Riftwar Saga, Magician Apprentice/ Magician Master and the Servant/Daughter/Mistress of the Empire series by Feist and Wurts as well> so much literature, so few made into movies, no wait, let's just rehash old worn out TV Series, let's see, what's left,? Dragnet, no that's been done, Hawaii 5-0, being done, hmmm. Addams Family, nooo, Bewitched.. no.. I Dream of Jeanie.. no, Bonanza? oh wait, All in the Family... yeah.. that's still available, and oh, yeah, THE FBI or 77 Sunset Strip..
Two other series I would like to see: the Snow Queen AND The Summer Queen by Joan D. Vinge, or Tanith Lee's the Flat Earth Series.. of course, that goes right up there with Andre Norton's Witch World Series, or Anne Mccaffrey's To ride Pegasus Series.. that would make for a great TV series.
i would really really love to see Amber on the big screen, BUT not unless someone can do it justice. It should not be made unless done so on the scale of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter - with all the money it takes to bring together the very best artists in all categories in the world of movie-making. Anything less just wouldn't do it. And it would have to be several movies - 4 hours just couldn't possibly do it justice..
If we are talking about great Fantasy works to do in film, lets not forget The Book Of Swords by Saberhagen, but please, not by SyFy. After seeing the train wreck that was "Riverworld," I would rather see them leave adaptive screenplays from Sci-Fi authors alone.