Just In Time? New "1984" Film Adaptation In The Works?

We love us some 1984 here at ATS and with all the turmoil going on around us, what better time than now to re-do a classic book and movie?

For those of you who may be new to the "Big Brother" thinking, and are just dipping your toe into all things conspiracy related, wikipedia describes George Orwell's Novel perfectly for you.

Nineteen Eighty-Four, sometimes published as 1984, is a dystopian novel by George Orwell published in 1949. The novel is set in Airstrip One (formerly known as Great Britain), a province of the superstate Oceania in a world of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance, and public mind control, dictated by a political system euphemistically named English Socialism (or, in the government's invented language, Newspeak, called Ingsoc) under the control of a privileged Inner Party elite that persecutes all individualism and independent thinking as "thoughtcrimes". The tyranny is epitomised by Big Brother, the quasi-divine Party leader who enjoys an intense cult of personality, but who may not even exist. Big Brother and the Party justify their oppressive rule in the name of a supposed greater good. The protagonist of the novel, Winston Smith, is a member of the Outer Party who works for the Ministry of Truth (or Minitrue), which is responsible for propaganda and historical revisionism. His job is to re-write past newspaper articles so that the historical record always supports the current party line. Smith is a diligent and skillful worker, but he secretly hates the Party and dreams of rebellion against Big Brother.

As literary political fiction and dystopian science-fiction, Nineteen Eighty-Four is a classic novel in content, plot, and style. Many of its terms and concepts, such as Big Brother, doublethink, thoughtcrime, Newspeak, Room 101, Telescreen, 2 + 2 = 5, and memory hole, have entered everyday use since its publication in 1949. Moreover, Nineteen Eighty-Four popularised the adjective Orwellian, which describes official deception, secret surveillance, and manipulation of the past by a totalitarian or authoritarian state.

I enjoyed reading this many years ago as well as Animal Farm. I think everyone should read each at least once. That being said... on to the movie news.

Orwell's '1984' Getting New Film Adaptation at Imagine Entertainment

George Orwell’s seminal literary work 1984 could be getting a new movie adaptation.
Imagine Entertainment, the production house run by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, and LBI Entertainment, the banner run by Julie Yorn, are teaming up to develop a new take on the 20th century classic.

Shepard Fairey, the street artist perhaps best known for creating the Barack Obama "Hope" poster, was instrumental in bringing the project to Imagine and LBI and might take some sort of producer role once the deals shake out.
Imagine and Fairey were pursuing Orwell's estate for the rights to 1984 and discovered that Yorn was simultaneously seeking the rights. The companies then decided to pair up. The producers are out to writers to find a take on the material before setting it up at a studio.

Ron Howard has done a few things that I like... aside from Opie of course. I am wondering if there will be a way "Hollywood" can spin this into something other than what it is. As with anything, I guess we will have to wait and see.

I would really like to see this redone now. I think, if done right it could do a lot to make people see some of the things that occurring around them today. A newer remake for a newer generation to see "for the first time" I guess.

I would also love to be a fly on the wall to hear who they may be thinking of casting??

What do you think? Good idea? Waste of money/time? Will they ruin a classic?

en.wikipedia.org...
www.hollywoodreporter.com...

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

Well I for one look froward to it! A more contemporary version would be interesting, tying in drones, NDAA and nano tech.
They say the film version is not yet in the works, but a stage theatre version is in the making. They have not yet obtained the rights for a movie but I think Howard would do a fine job.
Cast? I don't know if I would rather see big name stars or a cast of unknown up and comers. Naomi Watts comes to mind for some reason and maybe Javier Bardem? First thing off the top of my head.

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

teaming up to develop a new take on the 20th century classic.

That probably says a lot right there. While I agree the newer generations should be exposed to 1984 I fear they will use this remake to subtly shift the focus to suit current propaganda needs. In other words this could be spun to show the younger folks who have not read the book and are only aware of the old 1984 meme that "See, it isn't as bad as all those older people are making it out to be."

Ron Howard has made some good stuff though so here's to hoping and keeping my fingers crossed.

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


The new movie should be called "2014"

"Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the past"

"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give the appearance of solidarity to pure wind"

"1984" - US Government Department of Homeland Security instruction and training manual.

2 + 2 = 5.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Ron Howard puts all of this together

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


I think that they will twist the plot to make it look like "Big Brother" is protecting society from some outside threat, and that the people will actually appreciate it. There is no way that Hollywood will put out a movie that will wake people up to the tyrannical world around them.

reply to post by OptimusSubprime

There is no way that Hollywood will put out a movie that will wake people up to the tyrannical world around them.

Oliver Stone's JFK, Micheal Moores movies, the Matrix, Enemy of the State, The East, Conspiracy Theory, Syriana, V for Vendetta, The Watchmen, Platoon….I think Hollywood does what they want and that includes movies of awakening, artistic expression and reflections of truth are their duty, at least some of the time. This is my opinion

speculativeoptimist
reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

 

Well I for one look froward to it! A more contemporary version would be interesting, tying in drones, NDAA and nano tech.
They say the film version is not yet in the works, but a stage theatre version is in the making. They have not yet obtained the rights for a movie but I think Howard would do a fine job.
Cast? I don't know if I would rather see big name stars or a cast of unknown up and comers. Naomi Watts comes to mind for some reason and maybe Javier Bardem? First thing off the top of my head.

That would be an interesting take on it for sure. I hadn't thought of them adding drones and the like, but it would make it more like "today" if they did. I just hope they don't redo it so much that the original message is gone or altered.

I keep thinking Winona Ryder for some reason. She hasn't done anything in ages, but she pops into my head instantly.

Bassago
reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

 

teaming up to develop a new take on the 20th century classic.

That probably says a lot right there. While I agree the newer generations should be exposed to 1984 I fear they will use this remake to subtly shift the focus to suit current propaganda needs. In other words this could be spun to show the younger folks who have not read the book and are only aware of the old 1984 meme that "See, it isn't as bad as all those older people are making it out to be."

Ron Howard has made some good stuff though so here's to hoping and keeping my fingers crossed.

edit on 251pm3535pm112014 by Bassago because: (no reason given)

I've got my fingers crossed right along with you Bassago. Let's hope "New Take" doesn't mean "Completely Different" in this case. It would be a shame to ruin such a classic IMO.

Sublimecraft
reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

 

The new movie should be called "2014"

"Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the past"

"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give the appearance of solidarity to pure wind"

"1984" - US Government Department of Homeland Security instruction and training manual.

2 + 2 = 5.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Ron Howard puts all of this together

I read all of your posts in an Irish/Scotts accent now btw. It makes it hard to concentrate.

I think Ron Howard can do it justice....though I am not as familiar with the other half of the team to say as much. I am excited to see what they can do!

OptimusSubprime
reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

 

I think that they will twist the plot to make it look like "Big Brother" is protecting society from some outside threat, and that the people will actually appreciate it. There is no way that Hollywood will put out a movie that will wake people up to the tyrannical world around them.

I really hope not, but that was truthfully my first thought/fear when I ran up on the article. It could definitely be twisted that way if those involved let it. The amount of disappointment I would feel if that happened, would suck. Seriously.

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


You know the one in the 80's was so perfect normally I hate remakes when it was already done so well, but I think it would be wonderful for this story to get a whole new audience.

If I was casting director I would pick

John Goodman as O'brien, god he would be be perfect for it. James Gandolfini would have been good
John Hurt back but this time as Parsons. honestly, I loved him as Winston and would so love to see him at least in part of this film
I think Charrington would be best played by Kevin Spacey
Julia could be played by Jennifer Lawrence or honestly Jena Malone she is not as well known but looks the part and is good in the roles she is in.
Winston is the most important but i'm torn between Jim Cavezial, and Christian Bale


And Burt Reynolds mustache and all as the face of Big Brother

I wish it was Speilberg, but Howard would probably do it justice

brandiwine14
reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

 

You know the one in the 80's was so perfect normally I hate remakes when it was already done so well, but I think it would be wonderful for this story to get a whole new audience.

If I was casting director I would pick

John Goodman as O'brien, god he would be be perfect for it. Tony Soprano would have been good

John Hurt back but this time as Parsons. honestly, I loved him as Winston and would so love to see him at least in part of this film
I think Charrington would be best played by Kevin Spacey
Julia could be played by Jennifer Lawrence or honestly Jena Malone she is not as well known but looks the part and is good in the roles she is in.
Winston is the most important but i'm torn between Jim Cavezial, and Christian Bale

Kevin Spacey would be absolutely perfect I think. I still like Winona Ryder for Julia, I am not sure why. I can't think right off who I would pick for Winston. But you hit the nail on the head with Spacey.

So a propaganda, control and disinformation behemoth is going to do a new adaptation of a story about propaganda, control and disinformation.

LOL, OK got it, I'm sure big brother will be watching this one

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


Holy crap.

One of my favorite books + inspiration from one of my favorite graf artists = Mind blown.

Can you imagine "big brother" posters strung up by Obey? That is so rad!

Hopefully this deal pans out.

Kallisti

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


YES!! S&F!!!!! I was just wondering yesterday if some one would make a movie one that book and today i get the answer. This is awesome news, now if they can only remake 2001: a space oddessy then life would be perfect.

Ah well Hollywood destroying another great. I cant wait for the 3rd remastered 3D edition prequel they make. Hopefully someone with a six pack who knows how to shoot a gun and some women with massive breasts. Its gonna be awesome.

reply to post by speculativeoptimist


Id love to see a modern version of it...that could be done so well....I first read 1984 after smuggling in a copy into boot camp at Ft Benning Georgia...id slowly read a few pages a night with a flashlight hiding in the false ceiling...well they had an inspection and it turns out there was all kinds of stuff up there ....and it was all thrown away...including my book haha...so I had to finish basic then read the rest of it! Being in basic and reading that book related to me so well...Now I loved my time in the military but what a fun book to read while in basic where everything you do is monitored...I hope they redo Brave New World too

reply to post by cosmicexplorer


Equilibrium is about as close as youll get in recent times anyway.

I've also read the book some time ago and saw the/a movie of it some later time after it, i could say that between the book and the film there already is so much left out that i think even a new movie would be made in such a fashion that those who don't know about the book will know or understand even less of a new movie. Or the things you hope they will see around them, will not happen, if they haven't noticed yet how bad things are they surely will never get it from a pretty deep insightful book made into a hollywood production.

Even a lot of people who have read the book are not capable of seeing it in real life.

Still i will watch it if it will ever be.

reply to post by Bellor


Havent heard of it..ill give it a shot thx mate.

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


1984 is subversive, anti-social crap. We can only go forward by forging our own reality and making it true while being diligent for psychotic elements that would destabilize our finely tuned society. Only well trained authorities can guide the masses to greatness and cohesiveness... not.

But that said, the 1984 version with Hurt was pretty good but a more updated version that follows the book while adding modern elements wouldn't be a bad thing if done right... but Hollywood rarely achieves that.

And I was kidding with that first paragraph, however, many folks think precisely that way... especially since they are born into the "ruling class" (or hope to join it) and it's in their best interests to believe it... or so they are taught.

The cliche'd phrase "1984 was not a manual" is relevant... look at North Korea... look at China... look at the U.S., etc. Orwell was a smartypants and saw the more possible future... he was also a pessimistic realist about human nature and fear. Him growing up with and hanging out with the elitists of the U.K. gave him some insight into their minds... and that is truly scary.

And yes, everyone should read the book and not just cheat with a movie... and that goes for every single "classic."

Like most new movies these days, it will be interesting to see what kind of political spin in favor of the Government is ingrained in this film.