Y: The Last Man- Movie

[LiddyRules]

Y: The Last Man, the comic series written by R+F fan Brian K. Vaughn got a director and screenwriter.

The director is DJ Caruso. He did this year's sleeper hit Disturbia with Shia LeBeouf. He also did Two For The Money with Pacino and McConnoughy. I didn't see those but I did see his first film "The Salton Sea" with Val Kilmer as a speed freak and thought it was great.

The writer is Carl Ellsworth who wrote Disturbia.

[TheMojoPin]

Coolnews, but it would definitely work better as a TV series on FX or premium cable.

[realmenhatelife]

I disagree with this as a cable series, then it becomes like quantem leap or x files where you have an uber story arc that you need to keep going as long as people are interested in the episode to episode arcs of the series. So the punch of the series gets dilluted. I don't really know these guys work, but the one guy has ties to Joss Whedon so thats positive.

[JustJon]

I agree with Mojo, it would work great as a finite series, but I'm really psyched for the movie.

[weekapaugjz]

this has the potential to be a great movie. it is probably my favorite series that ive read in a long time. the only thing, there is going to A LOT cut out to fit it into a movie.

who do you think would make a good yorick on screen?

[TheMojoPin]

I disagree with this as a cable series, then it becomes like quantem leap or x files where you have an uber story arc that you need to keep going as long as people are interested in the episode to episode arcs of the series. So the punch of the series gets dilluted. I don't really know these guys work, but the one guy has ties to Joss Whedon so thats positive.

Wait, how does the "punch" get diluted when the series is already structured over the course of several dozen issues? If anything, any "punches" are watered down by a movie that has to cram everything into less than 2 hours. One of the series strengths is that the characters are incredibly well developed and they grow and change as we travel with them, making the significant plot impacts that much more huge and meaningful when they do happen. I worry that a movie will turn these rich characters into barely scribbled together archetypes that are smothered under the weight of an "OMG, THIS WORLD IS FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT VAGINAS, ISN'T IT CRAAAAAAAAAZAAAAAAAAAY?!??"-ad campaign.

[sailor]

this has the potential to be a great movie. it is probably my favorite series that ive read in a long time. the only thing, there is going to A LOT cut out to fit it into a movie.

who do you think would make a good yorick on screen?

tammy faye?

[realmenhatelife]

It will get watered down if it's popular- there isnt one American series that hasn't stretched itself out when the audience has demanded it. Soprano's was supposed to be 4 seasons long, look what happened. So you have the big arcs Will Yorick find his GF? Will they figure out/cure the plague? What happens to Dr Mann etc but in the mean time you have to structure each episode with its own arc- some of this can come from the series like the acting troupe, the amazons, the dc stuff but the longer the show goes the more arcs they'll need and the longer they have to stretch out what the comic is actually about. It's a novel like any other, the story is completely finite but nothing about television is finite, its about making money.
Maybe this could work as a mini series, but it'll look like shit unless HBO or Showtime do it, which they wont. A movie makes the most sense to balance quality and content against budgetary and audience concearns- yes you'll have to cut stuff but thats what happens, more does not always equal better.
The book is not the same animal as movies- you're allowed alot more freedom with the plot and pacing. This is why I'm opptomistic but reserved about Watchmen- its a great book but can it make a great movie? You have to make alot of concessions, and they are necissary because if you shot everything on page it would be boring, same thing with Y.

Wait, how does the "punch" get diluted when the series is already structured over the course of several dozen issues? If anything, any "punches" are watered down by a movie that has to cram everything into less than 2 hours. One of the series strengths is that the characters are incredibly well developed and they grow and change as we travel with them, making the significant plot impacts that much more huge and meaningful when they do happen. I worry that a movie will turn these rich characters into barely scribbled together archetypes that are smothered under the weight of an "OMG, THIS WORLD IS FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT VAGINAS, ISN'T IT CRAAAAAAAAAZAAAAAAAAAY?!??"-ad campaign.

[TheMojoPin]

Some books simply should not be made into films, and I think this series is one of them. Short of somehow getting guarenteed to shoot a trilogy all at once, there's simply not enough time to do the characters and the storyline justice...not even close.

I'm dreading the upcoming adaptation of Watchmen. Short of it being 3 hours long (and even then a ton of stuff would have to be cut out), it's just not going to work. So much of the heart of that story are in the between chapter materials and the flashbacks and the little asides and side stories...stuff that mostly has to be cut out to trim it down to an approx. 2 hour film. I suppose it could be watchable...but it's not even going to sniff the greatness of the book. I'd much rather have the book exist on its own as opposed to people knowing of the movie instead, because the latter can't even possibly compare to how brilliant and incredible the former is.

I just don't think Vertigo and "Vertigo-esque" series can be adapted unless it's as ongoing series or mini-series. I find it ironic that you're saying it's a problem that they'd have to be "stretched out" if they were popular when series like this are typically at least 60 issues long. If you assume that 1-2 issues makes up an episode, that's at least 4-5 seasons right there (based on the length of cable and premium cable TV seasons). Shows that are monster hits that last more than 5 seasons are very much the exception, not the rule. I don't think you'd have to worry about a Vertigo adaptation being around year after year if it was adapted for television. Look how many "weird" TV shows we've had over the decades and look how long they've lasted. Stuff like the X-Files rarely last more than 3-4 years, and even that is generous.

Best bet would be to shoot for a 12-20 episode series on cable and edit things down that way. Anything less and I think you have to sacrifice too much essential stuff that makes the series so great in the first place.

[EliSnow]

Some books simply should not be made into films, and I think this series is one of them. Short of somehow getting guarenteed to shoot a trilogy all at once, there's simply not enough time to do the characters and the storyline justice...not even close.

I'm dreading the upcoming adaptation of Watchmen. Short of it being 3 hours long (and even then a ton of stuff would have to be cut out), it's just not going to work. So much of the heart of that story are in the between chapter materials and the flashbacks and the little asides and side stories...stuff that mostly has to be cut out to trim it down to an approx. 2 hour film. I suppose it could be watchable...but it's not even going to sniff the greatness of the book. I'd much rather have the book exist on its own as opposed to people knowing of the movie instead, because the latter can't even possibly compare to how brilliant and incredible the former is.

I just don't think Vertigo and "Vertigo-esque" series can be adapted unless it's as ongoing series or mini-series. I find it ironic that you're saying it's a problem that they'd have to be "stretched out" if they were popular when series like this are typically at least 60 issues long. If you assume that 1-2 issues makes up an episode, that's at least 4-5 seasons right there (based on the length of cable and premium cable TV seasons). Shows that are monster hits that last more than 5 seasons are very much the exception, not the rule. I don't think you'd have to worry about a Vertigo adaptation being around year after year if it was adapted for television. Look how many "weird" TV shows we've had over the decades and look how long they've lasted. Stuff like the X-Files rarely last more than 3-4 years, and even that is generous.

Best bet would be to shoot for a 12-20 episode series on cable and edit things down that way. Anything less and I think you have to sacrifice too much essential stuff that makes the series so great in the first place.

I'm not looking forward to either the Watchmen or Y:The Last Man. Watchmen has way too many layers and small hidden gems here for any adaption. The main story simply cannot be fit into a two to three hour movie very well.

Similar to the Last Man. If we were talking a mini-series, I'd be all for it.

[TheMojoPin]

I'm not looking forward to either the Watchmen or Y:The Last Man. Watchmen has way too many layers and small hidden gems here for any adaption. The main story simply cannot be fit into a two to three hour movie very well.

Similar to the Last Man. If we were talking a mini-series, I'd be all for it.

Just of the top of my head, one of the key things I'm 99.9% sure they'd cut out are all of Rorschach's sessions with the psychiatrist after he's arrested. All the flashbacks to his childhood and his earlier "cases" and how we see his words just completely destroying the doctor...gone. Why? In the grand scheme of things compared to the central plot, it's not "necessary." But it's such an amazing chapter and goes so far in investing you emotionally into the book...Moore is almost making us the doctor in that scene, and showing us just how fucked up these childhood heroes are when you get too close. I'd bet good money that all of it would be gone in a movie adaptation.

[EliSnow]

Just of the top of my head, one of the key things I'm 99.9% sure they'd cut out are all of Rorschach's sessions with the psychiatrist after he's arrested. All the flashbacks to his childhood and his earlier "cases" and how we see his words just completely destroying the doctor...gone. Why? In the grand scheme of things compared to the central plot, it's not "necessary." But it's such an amazing chapter and goes so far in investing you emotionally into the book...Moore is almost making us the doctor in that scene, and showing us just how fucked up these childhood heroes are when you get too close. I'd bet good money that all of it would be gone in a movie adaptation.

Another thing would be the "pirate" story the kid by the magazine stand was reading. A great layer for the story, but no way it makes any adaption.

[realmenhatelife]

If we're talking best case scenerio I'd agree that a series works better than a movie, but that best case scenerio relies on tv execs not trying to make as much money as they can without regard to literally every artistic aspect of a show. If we're going to make those allowances we might as well start talking about flying cars and unicorns and shit.
Maybe if it was a BBC production, cus they really dont mind giving you two seasons and walking away from a hit. Again that brings in budget problems though, and since its an American property it could be a hard sell.
I do, however, think you're way off thinking that 1 issue will translate into 1 episode- I dont think there's nearly enough content to make 22 minutes of screen time and I don't think every issue would work as an episode.
I made a thread awhile ago about not being sure about Watchmen because Alan Moore is so dead set against any of his IP's becomming movies, and we should just respect that. As fans we cant stop them from selling something that doesnt really belong to them just because they legally have the right, but we can deny them the audience to fuck them over. Second is it will be impossible to make a movie that represents the importance of this book. A summer movie that fan boys argue about and nets alot of money will be the one shot to share with non comic people the most significant graphic novel ever.

I think there are way more movie friendly books that noone seems into- Transmetropolitan would be perfect, and I'd line up to see the first arc on Powers or something from Invincible. They should really take another shot at Hellblazer and do it right too, john constantine is a perfect character for a movie.
Some books simply should not be made into films, and I think this series is one of them. Short of somehow getting guarenteed to shoot a trilogy all at once, there's simply not enough time to do the characters and the storyline justice...not even close.

I'm dreading the upcoming adaptation of Watchmen. Short of it being 3 hours long (and even then a ton of stuff would have to be cut out), it's just not going to work. So much of the heart of that story are in the between chapter materials and the flashbacks and the little asides and side stories...stuff that mostly has to be cut out to trim it down to an approx. 2 hour film. I suppose it could be watchable...but it's not even going to sniff the greatness of the book. I'd much rather have the book exist on its own as opposed to people knowing of the movie instead, because the latter can't even possibly compare to how brilliant and incredible the former is.

I just don't think Vertigo and "Vertigo-esque" series can be adapted unless it's as ongoing series or mini-series. I find it ironic that you're saying it's a problem that they'd have to be "stretched out" if they were popular when series like this are typically at least 60 issues long. If you assume that 1-2 issues makes up an episode, that's at least 4-5 seasons right there (based on the length of cable and premium cable TV seasons). Shows that are monster hits that last more than 5 seasons are very much the exception, not the rule. I don't think you'd have to worry about a Vertigo adaptation being around year after year if it was adapted for television. Look how many "weird" TV shows we've had over the decades and look how long they've lasted. Stuff like the X-Files rarely last more than 3-4 years, and even that is generous.

Best bet would be to shoot for a 12-20 episode series on cable and edit things down that way. Anything less and I think you have to sacrifice too much essential stuff that makes the series so great in the first place.

[TheMojoPin]

I do, however, think you're way off thinking that 1 issue will translate into 1 episode- I dont think there's nearly enough content to make 22 minutes of screen time and I don't think every issue would work as an episode.

Wait, since when are dramas only half an hour long? Y wouldn't be a sitcom.

I think there are way more movie friendly books that noone seems into- Transmetropolitan would be perfect, and I'd line up to see the first arc on Powers or something from Invincible. They should really take another shot at Hellblazer and do it right too, john constantine is a perfect character for a movie.

Transmetropolitan would make a good movie if you only did the very first mini-arc. Everything after that is too interlocking and would require multiple movies or a series.

Powers has stuff from the very beginning that carries on, namely the "KAOTIC CHIC" storyline. The basic concept could work very well as a film, but you really couldn't use any of the storylines we've read so far.

Hellblazer, and I say this as a diehard fan for almost 15 years now, is nearly impossible to adapt to a film. Constantine's ongoing story is one of the most intricate in comics, fully taking advantage of the 20 years or so he's been around (literally). You can't really adapt any one of his major or best stories without having them be reliant on at least a dozen things that have happened already. Besides, the one movie attempt couldn't even say his name right...if they can't do that right, what hope is there?

[realmenhatelife]

You said pulling 1 episode from 1-2 issues would yield 4-5 seasons, I disagree cus I dont think 1 issue will yield that much screen time- I was assuming half hour so the problem is only twice as bad if we're talking hour long eps.

I think the problem here is that you're thinking straight up translation and I'm thinking adaptation. Transmet is really involved but I think you could do the major arc, prune it down a little big to make it a little more basic, and wind up with something good. There arent really movies about politics in the future.
Again with Hellblazer, which has a long history I understand, but a movie based on Hellblazer would not fail because every aspect of that history isnt accounted for. You cover the really important stuff using exposition and then tell your story. Youre telling A story of John Constantine, not THE story of John Constantine. I think the character is a very cinematic character, he's so verbal.
Powers is pretty much the same issue, you can tell the retro girl story and set up the universe without having to explain every last thing. This premise for the book is really good and original, noir is a cinematic style.

I'll also throw in, and I think you'll probably disagree again, that the early Authority stuff would make a good movie.

Wait, since when are dramas only half an hour long? Y wouldn't be a sitcom.



Transmetropolitan would make a good movie if you only did the very first mini-arc. Everything after that is too interlocking and would require multiple movies or a series.

Powers has stuff from the very beginning that carries on, namely the "KAOTIC CHIC" storyline. The basic concept could work very well as a film, but you really couldn't use any of the storylines we've read so far.

Hellblazer, and I say this as a diehard fan for almost 15 years now, is nearly impossible to adapt to a film. Constantine's ongoing story is one of the most intricate in comics, fully taking advantage of the 20 years or so he's been around (literally). You can't really adapt any one of his major or best stories without having them be reliant on at least a dozen things that have happened already. Besides, the one movie attempt couldn't even say his name right...if they can't do that right, what hope is there?

[IamFogHat]

How are they possibly going to truncate this enough into a 2 hour movie? There's way too much. I hope they don't water it down.

[TheMojoPin]

You said pulling 1 episode from 1-2 issues would yield 4-5 seasons, I disagree cus I dont think 1 issue will yield that much screen time- I was assuming half hour so the problem is only twice as bad if we're talking hour long eps.

Twice as bad? You're losing me here...comics can be looked at as essentially being storyboards. Based on that, especially with a series as "linear" as Y, 1-2 (3 every so often) issues easily fills up a single episode.

I think the problem here is that you're thinking straight up translation and I'm thinking adaptation. Transmet is really involved but I think you could do the major arc, prune it down a little big to make it a little more basic, and wind up with something good. There arent really movies about politics in the future.

And there won't be if it's a "pruned" version of Transmet.

Again with Hellblazer, which has a long history I understand, but a movie based on Hellblazer would not fail because every aspect of that history isnt accounted for. You cover the really important stuff using exposition and then tell your story. Youre telling A story of John Constantine, not THE story of John Constantine. I think the character is a very cinematic character, he's so verbal.

The problem is, pretty much everything in the series at any given time is linked to a ton of other things that have happened or people we've met. Yes, you could tell A story, but it really wouldn't be the comic series as we know it. It would basically be a seperate entity with some similar traits and a similar name, like the movie we already suffered through. HB, as we know it, simply doesn't lend itself to film.

Powers is pretty much the same issue, you can tell the retro girl story and set up the universe without having to explain every last thing. This premise for the book is really good and original, noir is a cinematic style.

But the Retro Girl case hinges on "Kaotic Chic," and that stretches over dozens of issues. If anything, this is a series that definitely promises much more as a TV series as opposed to a movie. Cops dealing with super heroes is easily something that could go on for years if done right. It should be more "down to Earth," whereas a movie would want something "epic" in too short a timespan and in contrast with the tone of the series that has made it great. It's too much of a slow burn to be a movie, especially with Bendis' style of dialogue.

That said, his book Torso would make a fucking awesome movie, which I think David Finch is doing next.

I'll also throw in, and I think you'll probably disagree again, that the early Authority stuff would make a good movie.

Actually, I totally agree. The first two story arcs (Ellis' and then Millar's) would make two of the best popcorn flicks ever. Same with something like The Ultimates. Both series were very clearly made "cinematically," so I think the translation would be pretty simple.

In general, I don't think many Vertigo-type titles lend themselves well to being boiled down to being single movies. You lose to much of the details and development that made them such great series to read in the first place. I think series like Preacher or Sandman could work very well as films with a lot cut out, but again, really only if they had trilogies to work with.

Some comics are just better left to be comics.

[LiddyRules]

The one thing that gives me hope about Watchmen (which I absolutely loved and recommend to everyone) is how much Snyder seems to love the source material. That means a lot to me and gives me hope.

[realmenhatelife]

Sandman was a book I was thinking could never work as a movie- thats super involved- I dont think there is enough action to spread out over a trilogy and way too much to put into one film.

I dont know where the mix up is- I totally understand that comic's can work as story bored but think how many scenes are in one issue of Y, how much dialogue, how many things happen- and compare that to how much happens in 20 minutes of tv time- I just think youd be chewing up issues really really fast if you were following the books exactly. I was imagining this model as a half hour show and then you said make it an hour, so to me that doubles my problem. You have the same number of episodes to fill and are now chewing up twice the number of issues to make it happen.

Anyway, I think you really want to preserve the whole integrity of a book and any abbreviation of that is a failure to you- I think the idea's of the stories I've brought up can still be interesting enough in a more basic form to be good.

Incidentally Preacher is going to be an animated mini series on HBO

I wholesale dont like the idea of finite properties becoming ongoing series, I support the idea of doing well funded mini series, and will take the shortcomings of movies as a necissary evil.

[furie]

I haven't read the comic, but from what i've read here and from what other friends have said, i'm throughly interesting in this movie.

[kdubya]

I don't like when they make comics into movies. I just don't understand the need to change it into something new. Alan Moore talked about his books being made into movies. This is a paraphrase mind you, but he said that his books are prefect as comic books, he writes them to be comics so why try and make them something else. I have to agree.

Y The last man is a great comic, why mess it up by having Hollywood take it and turn it into some watered down junk. Just look at the League of Extrodinary Gentlemen, Tankgirl and Judge Dread. This is the same reason I hope they never make a Watchmen moovie.

[TheMojoPin]

I wholesale dont like the idea of finite properties becoming ongoing series, I support the idea of doing well funded mini series, and will take the shortcomings of movies as a necissary evil.

I don't think anyone wants ongoing series for finite titles. I think ongoing series can work with certain concepts, like Gotham Central, Powers Ex Machina or The Walking Dead, but not usually.

[JustJon]

I don't think anyone wants ongoing series for finite titles. I think ongoing series can work with certain concepts, like Gotham Central, Powers Ex Machina or The Walking Dead, but not usually.

But Ex Machina is a finite series spanning over 4 years, his first term in office.

[TheMojoPin]

But Ex Machina is a finite series spanning over 4 years, his first term in office.

True, which is why I think it would lend itself to being a series like, say The Wire, where the creators always had a plan for 5 seasons. EM could be a finite 4 season show...though I doubt anyone would touch it due to the 9/11 stuff where he saved one of the towers.

Something like Hellblazer would work awesomely as an ongoing series since you could take the time to build the the really intricate and detailed history and mythology of Constatnine and the supporting cast. A single movie makes him too underdeveloped a character and too much of an enigma. The beauty of HB is that we know so much about Constantine...we almost know him like a real person with as much as has been put into the character over the last 20 years, especially since he ages in realtime. A movie could never give you that.

[Ay Kay Forty2]

I could visualize it as a two season series on HBO. The first season would be the first 30 issues. maybe do 13 episodes. Add in new filler stories. And have the season finale be when they have to go overseas. I guess I'm kinda thinking this way because Carnivale was cool on HBO. Would have been great if they had another series but we all know that wasn't in the cards.

[weekapaugjz]

i just saw this searching around for some info

New Line has set D.J. Caruso to direct and Carl Ellsworth to write the comic book adaptation Y: The Last Man for producers Chris Bender, JC Spink, Mason Novick and David Goyer, reports Variety. The project reteams Caruso and Ellsworth following their work for Paramount/DreamWorks on Disturbia.

caruso has directed disturbia, two for the money, taking lives, salton sea, some episodes of the shield, plus episodes of a few other tv shows.

ive seen taking lives and salton sea and thought they were both decent, haven't seen anything else by him though. thoughts?