SCIENCE FICTION for MOVIES
Would Unforced Error make a good movie?
As a writer of genre fiction, I’d of course like to see my novel make it to the silver screen. I’m also realistic. Unless Unforced Error succeeds in print, it’s unlikely to be picked up by Hollywood. Hollywood moguls like nothing better than a proven concept or a seemingly sure bet, and who can fault them for that.
However, despite their caution Hollywood turns out many movies that bomb at the box office. It’s not like they’re geniuses at picking winning concepts—or not screwing them up when they do. There’s a saying in the business: “No one knows anything”.
Purely to amuse myself, I’m going to set out the reasons why Unforced Error would make a superb action flick.
1. My concept of a genetically modified wolf doing heroic deeds is new and appealing. Hollywood like so-called high-concept concepts. I believe I’ve ticked that box.
2. Unforced Error has a plausible plot. You’ll have to take my word for this, or better still, read the book. Plausibility is hardly a necessity for Hollywood, but it can’t be a problem. Can it?
3. There is lots of action in Unforced Error. Have your doubts? Read the book.
4. Unforced Error features many appealing characters. What could be more appealing than an imposing, fearless and faithful wolf? His handler, Carl Racine, is a very cool dude with a great body. I can see someone like Will Smith in that role.
5. There is a romantic subplot. Carl falls for a beautiful police officer I called Saskatoon Van Bos. How’s that for a cool name? Who could play her role in a film? She’s athletic as well as gorgeous, so in terms of body type think Beyonce or Jamie Lee Curtis. This is no role for a fragile wee thing.
6. The potential for special effects is huge. Unforced Error is set on another planet that is populated by some very nasty predators. And if my selection of nasties isn’t varied enough for Hollywood, they have my blessing to add in a few of their own. The main predator on my fictional planet is the chameleon cat, which as the name suggests is a feline with an ability to change its colouring to match its immediate surroundings. Very dangerous to your typical non-sentient human from a big city, but Yukon has the ability to detect them by scent and sound, which is his reason to exist.
7. Unforced Error also has some very interesting bad guys. Every action flick needs a few of those. Monti Fassbender and his men are a group of onetime football players—big, bad and sometimes ugly. I’m sure Hollywood has a ready supply of beefed-up actors who fit this description—think Jesse Ventura. Monti and his men are the foot soldiers, the ones who do the dirty work. Further up the food chain are the intelligent bad guys. The chief of these is Philippe Savvides. He is charming and manipulative. Jack Nicholson would be perfect in that role.
Here ends my fantasy. It may never come true, but you can always read the book.
