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Spike Lee Adapting and Directing Ronald Mallett's Time Traveler

by Alex Billington
June 18, 2008

Whether you agree or disagree with his statements about Clint Eastwood, it's hard to argue that Spike Lee isn't at least a great director. He's definitely created some great films throughout his career and I've got high hopes for his next feature Miracle at St. Anna. Lee has officially signed on to co-write and direct a feature adaptation of Ronald Mallett's book Time Traveler that was first published in November of 2007. He has become intrigued by the subject of time travel and science recently and bought the rights with his own money and is producing the project through his own production company. Lee called Time Traveler a "fantastic story on many levels (and) also a father and son saga of loss and love."

The book, officially titled Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality, is a memoir written by Ronald Mallett, one of the nation's first African-Americans to earn a PhD in theoretical physics. Mallett recounts his rise from poverty to a distinguished academic and scientific career, and it lays out the technical specs for what Mallett envisions as a workable time machine. Developing a time machine became an obsession for Mallett from the age of 10 after his father's death. His goal was to travel back in time to save his father. You can pick up a copy of the highly praised book on Amazon.com.

I don't have anything against Spike Lee and won't be getting into the debate between him and Eastwood. I prefer to focus on his filmmaking talent. Time Traveler sounds potentially great, especially in the hands of Lee, but there's also a part that concerns me. The aspect that Mallett has envisioned an idea for a time machine and published it in a book just sounds too quirky. I could see that idea being twisted in the film and I'd rather see a tragic drama than a comedy. Time travel is always an interesting subject and I hope this turns out good either way. I'll be keeping an eye on this as well as The Time Traveler's Wife.

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tommyturner

If he would only keep his mouth shut, I could focus on his filmmaking talent. Must be hard being so talented, rich, and angry.
V.

You need him to keep his mouth shut, so you can focus on his film making? Can you walk and talk at the same time?
http://www.thestopbutton.com Andrew Wickliffe

Unfortunately, he's only co-writing. When Spike doesn't write the whole thing... trouble starts (SUMMER OF SAM). As for TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE and the comparison... this book's well-reviewed, right? TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE is a romance novel in sheep's clothing.
Pickle

As long as he DOES keep his mouth shut!!! BTW, is this film going to star Denzel Washington and Derek Luke as the father and son??????
http://www.modelmayhem.com/kevjohnphotography kevjohn

tommyturner, it's hard but I do the best I can dammit! I'm glad this site hasn't dipped its toeseys into the Lee-Eastwood pit. I'd much rather focus on what these guys are putting on the screen rather than whatever they're saying or doing in between gigs. I feel the same way with Tom Cruise, Brangelina (eww, I can't believe I even wrote that), Sharon Stone, whoever. I think I heard Mallett interviewed on the radio about his book and I thought it sounded like it would make an interesting film. I'm glad to see Lee's taking up the reins.
PimpSlapStick

Sounds pretty damn good, also for all the bitch made fuckheads saying Spike should shut his mouth know this he is right for all the WWII movies made not one centered on African American's contribution to the war and the irony of fighting to save europe and jews, while not even being considered human and treated equally in America. Spike is trumping up press for his movie sure, but truth is truth.
Sampine

Wait how is his envision and publishings of work on a time machine quirky? If you think its unrealistic then you are wrong, many scientists believe this to have great potential. Ron Mallet is not some fantasy author. This is real and I hope Spike Lee will portray it that way.