LATEST NEWS
Splice Director Vincenzo Natali is Attached to 'Neuromancer'
by Ethan Anderton
May 7, 2010
It's been almost three years to the day since it was announced that Willam Gibson's bestselling sci-fi novel published in 1984, Neuromancer, was getting the big screen treatment. At the time, director Joseph Kahn was attached to helm the flick, but since the only thing we've heard about the project was a rumor involving Hayden Christensen joining the project more than two years ago, it seemed the adaptation was dead in the water. However, in some news about Canadian based productions, THR mentioned that Vincenzo Natali, who made waves at Sundance with his film Splice (being released this summer) will now be directing this.
They mentions Christensen's involvement when Kahn was attached, but no word on if he's still attached (I hope not). This is definitely a different move for Natali who is said to also be circling adaptations of Swamp Thing and High Rise as well. Neuromancer follows the story of Case, an out-of-work computer hacker hired by an unknown patron to participate in a seemingly impossible crime. The novel examines the concepts of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, genetic engineering, multinational corporations that overpower the traditional nation-state, & cyberspace, long before these ideas became fashionable in our popular culture.
Sounds like this is a project right up Natali's alley after tackling controversial moral issues such as genetic engineering and cloning in Splice. In January, Brandon had the opportunity to see Splice at Sundance and he called the film, "horrifying, mesmerizing, and always spine-tingling," so it sounds like Natali certainly has a bright future ahead of him. We'll just have to see if audiences are as creeped out and captivated by his work when Splice hits theaters during the busy summer. Fans of Neuromancer like the sound of this?
10 Comments
1
I can get behind him as teh Director... now we just need a good script and someone OTHER then whiny Christensen.
NeuroMan42 on May 7, 2010
2
Yessss! The movie Gods have been listening to the prayers of William Gibson fans after all! Majority of folks who love the sprawl trilogy Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Monalisa Overdrive were more than very worried about 'Torque' and Britney Spears music video 'Toxic' director Joseph Khan directing Neuromancer! This is very very good news 🙂 I say bring in Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play Case!
Chidi on May 7, 2010
3
The important thing is: do they do the Sprawl, the Matrix, Case, Molly, and the Aleph justice. If they don't get all that correct, they'll just end up with another Johnny Mnemonic. Joseph Gordon-Levitt would make a good Case.
Zantorian on May 7, 2010
4
This book turned me onto sci-fi. They have to pick the right cast for this. Thank god they got rid of that director.
Ives on May 7, 2010
5
That description sounds like Cube, Cypher, and Splice all combined into one film. So yes, Neuromancer would be perfect for Natali.
peloquin on May 7, 2010
6
@Zantorian Indeed, the Case and Molly relationship will be a bit too reminiscent of Neo and Trinity from The Matrix...then again Wachowski's did use some elements of the sprawl books for The Matrix. As long as they maintain the gritty cyber punk nature of the book it will definitely have it's awesome unique identity! I doubt they will even attempt to touch the Aleph, unless Neuromancer makes enough money to justify a sequel or two! PS. Johnny Mnemonic was a guilty pleasure of mine until someone stole my DVD copy lol As long as the movie has a decent budget and they don't cast Ice T...We're in good shape!
Chidi on May 7, 2010
7
Ice T!!! hahahaha! to play the "Ice"? Wintermute? That's heelarious. What happened to that Idoru anime they were making some years ago? nada?
tsouk on May 8, 2010
8
Another film that's doomed to fail because everything has been influenced by it and already made it's way into popular consciousness. Neuromancer was revolutionary as it overturned science fiction with its noir mood, gritty realism, and dystopian outlook. Now, all of that is commonplace. Many of it's story elements have already been represented with The Matrix and Ghost in the Shell.
SlashBeast on May 8, 2010
9
Well, happy to see it being made, 1 of my favorite books of the 80's. But...I'd rather see one of the Scotts do it, or Bigalow
David Banner on May 8, 2010
10
Who is going to play the Finn? Can't wait to see him!! ARN - wishing more Ghost in the Shell movies would be made
Arnold on Jun 24, 2010
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH