Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? [Archive]

Jammer

08-06-2003, 08:35 AM

Does anyone have (or know where to find) any information on the 'rumoured' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy film?

I have just read Douglas Adam's last works (The Salmon of Doubt) and there is a great deal of reference to it and the fact that is was 'making progress' and this was as far back as 1999/2000.

I'm assuming that the whole project has been scrapped...

Cheers:

Jammer

OzzMosiz

08-06-2003, 08:40 AM

No, nothing of recent. This has been in development hell since the mid 90's.

darthspielberg

08-06-2003, 08:12 PM

Recently Jay Moore (Director of Austin Powers and Meet the Parent) was in talks to direct this. but he left but it is in the scripting process now. Too bad Adams has dies, huh?

Fanible

08-07-2003, 02:01 AM

The original made-for-tv movie is out of course. Which was helped along by Adams thankfully. Probably why it was quite fun to watch.

The current movie is suppose to be moving along. Got a push start by Adams actually, but yes, it's a tragedy that he died. Im not sure how it'll come along or turn out now that he won't be able to produce or help with it. Although he was one reason the film hasn't been made so long, as he would take quite a long time with scripts and his decision on when it should be made.

Heres all the news as of now:
It will be the series of Adams' books, maybe through several films. The original TV series combined a couple books, but as even the HitchHiker's Guide is pretty long, im not sure what they're planning on doing compressing it down to atleast a 3 hour film.

We'll see though. Rumors has it that they're hoping to get Jim Carrey for the lead role.

sunflower03

08-07-2003, 03:23 AM

under yahoo movies go to greg's preview's, which tells the progress of different movies that are supposed to be coming out. it should tell what is currently going on with this project, if it will be made soon or not, or if a director has been found, etc.

Fanible

08-07-2003, 04:56 AM

http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808404419&intl=us
There's a link to what you were speaking of, to buy people some time... although there's not too much information on it.

Im waiting for it to come to IMDB. That's usually a sign of films happening for sure.

Riddle

08-08-2003, 06:51 PM

Apparantly, Adams finally had a script that he was satisfied with. But then he died. And I wouldn't be surprised if the movie was quite a bit different from the book/radio series/TV series. Since they were ALL different from each other. But they all translated very well to their respective mediums.

Omega Supreme

08-09-2003, 07:49 PM

I thought it sucked the first time around. I'm a big fan of British comedy, but this is one of the few shows I couldn't get into.

Fanible

08-09-2003, 08:36 PM

I think I watched them before I read the books, which maybe why I enjoyed them. I dunno, the twisted craziness of it all just seemed ridiculously appealing to me.

And so far everyone of my friends that I've shown it to has also enjoyed it. It's just really crazy humor.

Omega Supreme

08-09-2003, 11:08 PM

Like I said, I love my British comedy (Red Dwarf, Blackadder, Faulty Towers, Monty Python, Mr Bean, Britus Empire etc) Just that this is about the only show I really couldn't get into.

For me, all the shows I just listed are really crazy, twisted comedy, but for me Hitchhiker was one step too far. A little too crazy, so that for me it goes beyond being funny to just plain dumb.

Riddle

08-11-2003, 04:38 PM

Adams Universe is supposed to be insane. It's not supposed to make any sense what-so-ever.

A galaxy where the last message from dolphins, before they take off is: So long, and thanks for all the fish; and the final message from God, before he moved into a shack is: We apologize for the inconvenience.

You're supposed to leave every physical and theoretical law at the door!

Fanible

08-11-2003, 08:42 PM

True that

I will say its not your common British humor, and definitly took a higher step as far as that goes. But I like it =). I mean it just has to be your taste, like said you have have to throw your imagination into disbelief. A fish in your ear for translation? Aliens destroying Earth, in literally a second with no plot pushing it up, just happens at the beginning, and it happens because they're making a highway like thing in outerspace, and Earth is in the way. The stories in his line are all so ridiculous, and you read and watch them as they change so easily and out, and when you finally see the end, the meaning of it all, what 42 really was, from the theories, and the earlier stories.... you just sit there going "That was INSANE". But insane in a good way. I can't take the madness, but it throws you around with it's completly outrageous humor. It's something on it's own. You really can't compare it to other British comedy, except for the quality aspects.

P.S.
Red Dwarf is the greatest, and you forgot Thin Blue Line

cg124

08-11-2003, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by darthspielberg
Recently Jay Moore (Director of Austin Powers and Meet the Parent) was in talks to direct this. but he left but it is in the scripting process now. Too bad Adams has dies, huh?

It's actually Jay Roach.

Omega Supreme

08-11-2003, 11:54 PM

Originally posted by Fanible
Red Dwarf is the greatest

You've got that right. Red Dwarf is the funniest series I've ever seen. I still laugh watching my DVDs for the millionth time now.

It's a pity the movie keeps getting delayed though.

Longshanks

08-12-2003, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Fanible

We'll see though. Rumors has it that they're hoping to get Jim Carrey for the lead role.

God that would suck.

The last article I read said that Adams wanted a British cast - and that he himself fancied Hugh Grant in the Arthur Dent role.

This shouldn't be 'Americanized' any further than the Zaphod Beeblebrox role - I suggest Bruce Campbell for that part.

Riddle

08-12-2003, 04:52 PM

The only way this movie would work is with a British only cast...

Omega Supreme

08-13-2003, 12:01 AM

Hugh Grant is a good suggestion. I could see him as Arthur Dent.

Who would be good for Ford Prefect?

Longshanks

08-13-2003, 06:28 AM

Richard E Grant?
Alan Rickman? :D

Peter Jones should remain the voice of The Book - even though, sadly, he's not longer with us :( , there's a huge amount of material remaining in the radio and tv performances to use in the film.

Stephen Moore should remain the voice Of Marvin

Riddle

08-14-2003, 05:01 PM

Despite what I said before, I think Ben Stein would be great doing the voice of Marvin.

Longshanks

08-14-2003, 05:06 PM

who?

Riddle

08-14-2003, 05:15 PM

Ben Stein....you can win his money.

Spaceman Chris

08-15-2003, 12:25 AM

.The last article I read said that Adams wanted a British cast - and that he himself fancied Hugh Grant in the Arthur Dent role.</

Actually I think you're mistaken with that. Adams wanted Hugh Laurie (Blackadder 3+4, Stuart Little) for Arthur Dent, personally I think he's perfect.

I read in a local newspaper that Jim Carrey was (or is) being considered for the role of Zaphod, which I wouldn't mind providing it didn't turn into Jim Carrey in The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Garth Franklin, who apparently directs music videos is now 'connected' to the project.

Longshanks

08-15-2003, 02:40 AM

Oh well - in SFX magazine it said Hugh Grant, but I could see Laurie in the part too (although maybe he's not enough 'box office' in the States?)

Jim Carey as Zaphod is a DREADFUL idea :rolleyes:

Tasty Humans

08-15-2003, 04:07 AM

I think it should just stay as a book. I despised that british TV show they made.

Fanible

08-15-2003, 04:24 AM

Well with that kind of criticism, we wouldn't be enjoying some of the greatest films of our time. Namely some books by a guy named Tolkien?

Longshanks

08-15-2003, 06:30 AM

For the budget and the time at which it was made I thought it was pretty ok, not great, but not dreadful - despised is a bit strong I think.

If you really want to experience HHGTTG at it's best, get the original BBC radio broadcasts available on CD - THAT'S the way it should be done.

BrodieBruce

08-15-2003, 03:03 PM

Don't get me wrong, A bigger fan of these books you will not find, but I don't see how this could be properly made into a movie. Adams' comedy has so much to do with the description and such. I never saw the MFTV movie so maybe I'm wrong but I just don't feel good about it.

But anyway, I don't know any decent british actors, so I won't bother casting arthur ford or trillian, but I think Matt Dillion was born to play Zaphod.

Longshanks

08-15-2003, 05:21 PM

Matt Dillon? *shudder* - Get the radio version - you WON'T regret it I promise.

btw: No decent British actors? - wash your mouth out - without us Hollywood wouldn't have a single bad guy :p ;)

BrodieBruce

08-15-2003, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Longshanks
Matt Dillon? *shudder* - Get the radio version - you WON'T regret it I promise.

btw: No decent British actors? - wash your mouth out - without us Hollywood wouldn't have a single bad guy :p ;)

I'm not saying they aren't out ther, i just don't know them, Also Slartibartfast will always be Donald Sutherland

Megacles

08-17-2003, 07:30 AM

I know he's American, but Mike Myers would be an awesome Zaphod. The rest of the cast should be British though.

Longshanks

08-17-2003, 10:55 AM

Yeah - I'd be ok with Myers - just - Donald Sutherland for Slartibartfast? - you know, if he was pissed enough it just.could.work.

;)

Fanible

08-17-2003, 12:37 PM

Well if it NEEDS be, you can still have American actors in it, and still have it be like a British made film... especially, though, if you want it to appeal to a larger audience. I think that point is obvious from Lord of the Rings.

Longshanks

08-17-2003, 12:58 PM

Trust me - I'd much prefer to have an all-British cast - if Harry Potter can do it and still be watched in the US, then maybe - just maybe - the US audience will accept another very British production. It would be a refreshing change.

Fanible

08-17-2003, 01:00 PM

Hm, yeah... see the difference with that is that the Harry Potter books were unbelievably popular here in America, so it didn't matter WHO they got to be in the movies, of course a large sum of Americans were going to go see it.

Millions less of Americans are familiar with Adams' books. To make this more successful in America, or anywhere outside European English speaking countries for that matter, an international cast would be a wise thing to do.

Longshanks

08-17-2003, 04:54 PM

Agreed - the word 'international' is the crux though - not a vehicle for American actors to play English parts, or to 're-imagine' it as an American product.

I think it's more than time that the US audience got used to seeing someone other than their own countrymen in the starring role as has been the Hollywood habit for toooooo long.

Fanible

08-17-2003, 10:06 PM

Well when did I, or anybody, say that the whole cast should be Americans. The only American actors in Lord of the Rings are Sam, Frodo, Arwen.... and I think one of them is Canadian come to think of it.

The movie is being done by the Brits. Thats whats going to make the movie different, not the actors. It's going to be the British style of filming and comedy.

Longshanks

08-18-2003, 03:06 PM

Sorry - usually American actors playing English/British parts is one of my pet peeves..breathing deeply into a paper bag now ;)

BrodieBruce

08-18-2003, 03:58 PM

Zaphod doesn't need to be played by a britsh actor. They never say he has a british accent or whatnot

Longshanks

08-19-2003, 04:49 AM

Absolutely - if you get the radio series (do it - do it NOW) - Mark Wing-Davies who plays Zaphod does it in an American accent, the same goes for Eddie the ship-board computer on the Heart of Gold.

In fact most of the Heart of Gold's machines have American accents except Marvin.

See loads of opportunities for US cameo's, no need to nick our parts ;)

Seriously - buy the BBC radio series, not the audio book, but the actual dramatised series (2 of em).

I'm sure you can find a link here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/search/results.pl?q=hitchhikers+guide+galaxy&tab=allbbc&go=homepage
for the CD somewhere.

BrodieBruce

08-19-2003, 06:04 PM

I looked at the episode guide and a a little disgruntled. I can't find a date for when it aired but I assume that it is between the 3rd and 4th books. All that stuff about zaphod orchistrating Earth's downfall was a little harsh. I'll have to hear it before I pass full judgement, though.

Fanible

08-20-2003, 02:20 AM

Well, whatever works. That's why Red Dwarf was such an appealing sitcom. Besides it being some of the best humor and writing ever, but the characters had a range of different accents. It was a clever approach.

TyRoss

08-20-2003, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by Megacles
I know he's American, but Mike Myers would be an awesome Zaphod. The rest of the cast should be British though.

Bite yer tongue man Mike Myers is one hundred percent beer-blooded Canadian