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Screenwriter Selected for Film Adaptation of Funny Sci Fi Novel
According to Deadline, Universal has selected Joe Epstein to write the screenplay to Catherynne Valente’s funny sci fi novel, Space Opera. The plan is to give the movie a music theme, which makes sense: the novel’s story involves a galactic music competition. The story’s heroes are Decibel Jones and his band, the Absolute Zeroes, who represent Earth in the competition. The prize? The winner’s species will be held in high honour. . . and spared annihilation. The movie will be produced by Oscar-nominated producer Mark Platt (La La Land, Bridge of Spies), Adam Siegal and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World).Epstein's credits include a feature screenplay titled Health and Wellness which was put on the Black List for 2017. However, the Black List may not be all that bad like most people would think. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it is an annual list of unproduced screenplays that are selected as favourites through a film industry survey. But it can also be a bad thing since, well, after all, they don't call it the Black List for nothing now do they? Therefore it’s a list of the best of the worst. Still, seriously, that's a sign that a writer's work is moving up to some extent. Also, there have been good screenplays that have been far too underrated. So Space Opera the movie has hope.
YA Series of Horror Novels To Be a TV Series
Deadline has also reported that Elizabeth Massie's YA series of horror novels, Ameri-Scares, is being developed into a family TV anthology series. The theme of the show will be a cross-country road trip: each episode will be set in a different state in the U.S. and will emphasise that state’s local legends or frightening historical events. Deadline says the series will broadcast either on traditional television or streaming television and so has not been decided which yet. The TV series will be produced by Margo Robbie, Brett Hedblom and Josey McNamara.Massie is a Bram Stoker Award two-time winner and a Scribe Award recipient. Her Ameri-Scares horror novels have targeted an audience of middle-school kids which Deadline says to be defined as ages 8 to 13. The books are published by Cross Road Press.
I'll admit, I have not read the books and so cannot say much about how promising this TV series will be. However, I am a lover of family entertainment but by no means exclude myself to it. I think horror primarily made for a juvenile audience is a great way to introduce young people to the genre without overwhelming their heads with extreme and graphic violence. However, as an adult, when I watch horror I like to be scared or, at the very least, creeped out. But who knows, this series may do that in a way that’s suitable for both adults and kids.
The Return of the Horror Fiction Boom
The Toronto Star reported last month that there’s been a return of popularity in horror novels since the genre went out in the late 1980s. But, if you are in the U.S. like yours truly, there’s no need to worry because this news doesn't only pertain to The Star's home Canada. The Star says that this rise in the demand for horror fiction is happening throughout North America (and the U.K.) and so, of course, that includes the U.S.! Read more about it at The Star's website.Wednesday will be the Insecure Writers Support Group's monthly blog hop, so be here then for that!
Do you think a screenwriter whose work has been "blacklisted" can make or break a film adaptation of a book? Do you think a TV show based on a series of YA horror novels can work both on the adult and kid level? Have you noticed a rise in the popularity of horror fiction, especially novels (e.g. in bookstores, writers' markets, the library)? Feel free to leave your answers or any other comments in the box below.
Until next time . . .
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