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Ridley Scott Talks About His Interest in Brave New World

by Alex Billington
October 6, 2008
Source: io9

Back in June we were excited to report that Ridley Scott was going to adapt Aldous Huxley's Brave New World as one of his next projects. Since that announcement we haven't heard too much about it, but given Scott's latest film, Body of Lies, is due out this weekend, some early details are finally trickling in. The gals over at io9 got Ridley to chat about Brave New World and delve into some details about the story and casting. "I didn't choose to do it, someone came to me with it. In fact it was [Leonardo DiCaprio's] production company that came to me with that." In addition to confirming that he's attached, he mentions that "the hardest single thing is getting it on paper" because it's "a very hard adaptation." Anyone who is familiar with the book definitely knows that is the case - and no one wants to see this get butchered.

Given that this hasn't even really started being scripted yet, Scott didn't have too much more to add. However, he hints that Leo might potentially be perfect for a role in the film (as the lead character Bernard Marx maybe?) and talks about the importance of the story. If you're a fan of the book or classic sci-fi in general, you'll be quite excited to hear what Scott has to say about Brave New World.

"And it's a big challenge, in fact. Because when you look at the two players or visionaries in the field, at that moment [it] would be Huxley and it would be [George Orwell] and that was 60 or 75 years ago. They were predictions in a way, they weren't aware at the time, but they were predictions. One could argue that Orwell kind of got there first and Orwell was closer to the notion of 'big brother,' [with the] Cold War. But I don't think that's it, I think that big brother may be the internet. I don't know but I think that's the way it's going to go. And so the Aldous Huxley's [novel] literally what is called Brave New World that's a very hard adaptation. So we're still dancing with that one, but it's a challenge."

Development of this project has been very interesting, to say the least. Scott made a statement last August, saying "sci-fi films are as dead as westerns." But then in June he confirmed that he was coming back to the genre because "I waited for a book for 20 years and I have got the book." After writing about the news that it was Huxley's Brave New World that Scott was adapting, I was told by numerous friends that it was one of their all-time favorite books, which left me a bit concerned. As long as everything keeps moving along smoothly, then we may not have anything to worry about in the end. Scott hasn't been as great of a director as he was "way back when," but with the right material, I'm sure he can still make amazing movies.

Filed under Movie News

From around the web:

Frost

"Sci-fi films are as dead as westerns" ? What a foolish thing for one of the godfathers of sci-fi to say! I've been waiting for Ridley Scott to get back to his roots because, frankly, I think that his more recent movies are as dead as westerns.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Ouch! Take that Ridley! Have you seen Body of Lies though?
Camei

I do not want Leonardo DiCaprio cast as Marx. He would not be right. But the notion of a Brave New World movie sounds fantastic, very exciting.
Frost

No, I haven't seen Body of Lies yet. But despite what I said earlier I am actually looking forward to it!
spanx

orgy porgy!!! anyone anyone remember that? ehh leave it alone, its better as a novel. besides i dont think it can be made with all the *Ahem* sex
werdnafaz

lol sci fi is dead like westerns go Ridley its your birthday.
rml

Well, considering that in these last few years we had Westerns like "Appaloosa", "3:10 to Yuma", "The Proposition", "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford", etc., then the statement could have other intentions!
djo

This one novel had more of an impact on me than any of Orwell's books. I actually know the Huxleys, his heirs. My friends live on their farm in SE Pennsylvania. They're kind of mean, but Aldous Huxley's writing has had a profound impact on my imagination and worldview alike. I sure hope Ridley gives Leo a good kick in the ass, to get a worthwhile performance out of the boy. Please oh please let him stop faking accents he can't pull off, and making that stupid, pouty, Whine-face he's been making for the past decade. One thing I've realized: Leo's no good when cast against another talented male actor. His ego won't stand for it. The only way this could work is if he's cast against talented no-names, maybe throw someone who could use a good jump in their career, like Jeremy Irons (who's currently resurging in Apaloosa), and, of course, requisite model-esque smitten early 20's female (note: Cameron Diaz doesn't count). Leo wowed me in the highly under-rated "The Aviator". Maybe he can do the same here. Give him HELL, Ridley.
Daaaave

I think he's referring to the perception studios have when he compares science fiction to westerns. He isn't saying he doesn't like science fiction, and he's been developing a western for years too, hasn't he? When you think how many proper sci-fi blockbusters we used to have, they seem to have been killed off - or at least subdued - by the superhero glut. With James Cameron back next year and Sir Ridley working on this, I think sci-fi fans can start getting excited again! P.S. Scott is still an awesome director. See the director's cut of Kingdom Of Heaven. Plus, American Gangster was a huge hit. The man is at the top of his game.
Carson Dyle

#3 - Camei If you've ever actually read Brave New World (which you apparently haven't) you'd realize that Dicaprio is perfect for Bernard Marx. #8 - djo You seriously need to stick a chainsaw up your whorish anus you cum-sucking lowlife. Brave New World is unadaptable for the simple reason that it lacks dramatically engaging characters. This is intentional and anyone who's read the book can understand why the characters are deliberately uninteresting (save for maybe Jack Savage). A movie version would likely have to sex up (ha!) the players to make it more interesting on a cinematic level but this would loose a large part of the point of Huxley's prose.