HHGTTG won’t help Dwarf News Posted by Mr Flibble on 17th March 2005, 18:44 I felt it was time I posted explaining why the success of a Hitchikers Movie is unlikely to help Red Dwarf get made. Douglas Adams was always adamant that he wanted a British Movie made in Britain, by Brits. Like Red Dwarf. For many years he tried, and failed to get it funded. Like Red Dwarf. The owner of the concept died. Unlike Red Dwarf. The owners of his estate sold it to an American firm. Unlike Red Dwarf. And thus the movie is funded and made.
I was always under the impression that Adams had already made the deal with Disney as he wanted the movie version to be properly ‘Hollywood’. I don’t think it was eveyr hios intention to keep it totally British, as he was back and forth from America during his movie negotiations… I could, however, be totally wrong.
I’m sure I read somewhere that he fought to keep it British. I may, however be wrong, and would like to be proved so.
I do think that perhaps the whole HHGTTG being the *key* to getting Dwarf made is overstated. For the exact reasons you’re saying – Dwarf certainly isn’t in the same situation. But I think it could *help*- because it will create an environment where British comedy SF (dreadful phrase, but I can’t think of a better way of putting it) has been successful. This can only be a good thing, and might give some investors the confidence to invest. But I agree that it won’t be the major consideration.
Doug wants to make it with the original cast and him as director. If it was sold to an American company both those things would go out the window. Hitchhikers needs a new cast, it’s not as though it’s been a series recently, or is really a spin-off of a series. It doesn’t matter who’s cast. As for Dwarf, it would have been a disaster for fans if Doug had sold off the movie. People would have been clamouring for a TV movie instead.
I’m starting to wonder why he doesn’t just MAKE a TV movie. Don’t get me wrong, I want to see it made, but we still have no guarantee it will get made. If it’s between a low-budget TV film and a TRULY AWESOME AMAZING BIG BUDGET CINEMA BLAST that never gets made…well, I’d rather have the TV film.
“When it comes down to it, my principle is this?Arthur should be British. The rest of the cast should be decided purely on merit and not on nationality.” –Douglas Adams Granted, that’s about the cast. But the way he said it would imply that his statement would apply to the crew of the film, as well.
“The owner of the concept died. Unlike Red Dwarf.” Which point in time are you speaking from? The Red Dwarf movie hasn’t yet been made. Unlike Hitchhikers. “”When it comes down to it, my principle is this?Arthur should be British. The rest of the cast should be decided purely on merit and not on nationality.” –Douglas Adams” Evidence there that Douglas Adams wouldn’t have chosen bloke-from-the-office on the basis of merit rather than nationality. SO WHY WASN’T I CAST?! Okay so I didn’t audition, but still.
