Shannara coming to television

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Not to mention the new versions of the books that have been rebranded as "Chronicles of Shannara" adorned with covers featuring the current cast of the TV show. The MTVers who've never heard of the author/books are buying them up I hear. It could be a very lucrative move he's made. But I can't help but view it as trading the dedication of your current fanbase for a brand new fanbase. Smart maybe... but perhaps a little cold. I can't help but think the new fans of the show are going to be little disappointed when they find that none of the sexiness of the show came from the source material.

I've not seen MTV in about 30 years, and back in those days it did nothing but play pop videos. I think it's still essentially a channel aimed at teenagers, isn't it? Perhaps not a market segment that's particularly likely to go out and buy the books?

It is a shame; I always prefer that a TV adaptation is as faithful as practicable to the original.

[Conan46]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

A few years back, maybe 10 or more, I went to one of Brooks' book signings. There was a Q&A and the impression I got at the time was that it's all about the money for him. He was asked about movie/TV adaptations about his work and basically said, if they pay him for the rights, they can do what they wish. I remember being surprised at the time thinking that he would have more of an attachment to the worlds that he created instead of a "show me the money" attitude. Now, not so much.

He can't take the money with him when he is gone, but this TV series is a long-term stain on his work.
I'm at the point now that I don't want to see any more favorite books turned into movies or TV series. Occasionally something like The Martian comes along where the movie version is top notch, but too often that is not the case as with Shannara.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Really? Is it true? Are the released?!

I think so. But I think it's only new covers. I don't think they've been re-written or anything like that.

http://www.amazon.com/Elfstones-Shan.../dp/B000FBFOEG

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FBFOF0

[Conan46]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Depends how much they paid him. The primary purpose of being a professional author is to make money, not to produce "great art".

Don't you think it is possible to do both?
You can be sure Rowling was not going to let them ruin her story and insisted on best producers and writers for the movies, same with other authors. Terry should have said "No" as soon as he heard MTV. He could have done much better.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Conan46

Don't you think it is possible to do both?

I do, but I can understand why, given his age and the age of the books, Mr Brooks would decide to take the money.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I think so. But I think it's only new covers. I don't think they've been re-written or anything like that.

http://www.amazon.com/Elfstones-Shan.../dp/B000FBFOEG

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FBFOF0

I atually like the covers better than the very first (childish) original ones.

Funny. When you open the book, you'll see one of the older covers, but with the Shannara Chronicles mentioned on it; just as if someone typed the text onto the old cover using Photoshop

So... are they going to re-release all Shannara books in the order of the series; thus Channara Chronicles 1 being Elfstones, and so on?

They did that with the Drizzt books. Homeland, Sojourn and Exile were originally books 4-6 (prequels to 1-3), but they have been released as book 1-3 of The Legend of Drizzt. (Followed by all the rest of them, up to somewhere in the 20's).

[Conan46]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've not seen MTV in about 30 years, and back in those days it did nothing but play pop videos. I think it's still essentially a channel aimed at teenagers, isn't it? Perhaps not a market segment that's particularly likely to go out and buy the books?

It is a shame; I always prefer that a TV adaptation is as faithful as practicable to the original.

I'm trying to think of any way they could have used this mess. The only thing I can think of would be to remove all the language, sexual innuendo, and violence, edit about two hours out of the dreck, and sell it to Disney as a children's version of Shannara.

[Conan46]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I do, but I can understand why, given his age and the age of the books, Mr Brooks would decide to take the money.

I would be thinking about my legacy. How much more money do you need at that age and could you enjoy it anyway?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Conan46

I would be thinking about my legacy. How much more money do you need at that age and could you enjoy it anyway?

Oh, I completely agree with you.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

So... are they going to re-release all Shannara books in the order of the series; thus Channara Chronicles 1 being Elfstones, and so on?

No idea.
Keep in mind that I DID hear that the show would not be generational for the first few years (pending a renewal, of course). Meaning many of the same characters will be back. Pretty sure they're going to use Wil in place of Jair in any potential Wishsong adaptation.

If it does get renewed, I think they'll just throw the books completely out the window (with the exception of some of the basic premises, of course).

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

If it does get renewed, I think they'll just throw the books completely out the window (with the exception of some of the basic premises, of course).

Maybe that would have been the best idea all along. Just create new Shannara stories in the Shannara world, but not based on any of the books. Just like they did with the video game. (The video game falls between Sword and Elfstones, and basically comes down to: "Crap, the Warlock Lord is STILL not dead, and he broke the Sword! Get it fixed, and then kill him forever!")

I saw this in one of the Amazon reviews: "Create your own Shannara adventure using these easy steps!"

Spoiler:

1. An ancient evil (quite a lot like something in Lord Of The Rings) threatens the lands. Choose from
a. Wraiths
b. Sorcerer Lord
c. Demon Army
2. Allanon the druid (who's a bit like Gandalf) seeks out a placid peacful living half-elf (a bit like a hobbit) descended from the line of the Ohmsford family (a bit like the Baggins family) in the quiet town of Shady Vale (which is kind of like The Shire).
3. He asks them to seek out something from the following list:
a. Sword
b. Mystic Fire
c. Book
4. 7 pages explain why Allanon is not to be trusted.
5. Despite the previous 7 pages, the Ohmsford decides to go on the perilous quest with the following:
a. No Map
b. No weapons (maybe, just maybe a small dagger that will
never get used)
c. Enough supplies for two meals on a seven day journey.
d. One or more companions (preferably descended from other
lines of families - Ellesedil, Leah etc)
6. They eat some stew, cheese nuts and berries.
7. They get into a scrape where only a one-legged blind leprechaun can save them from certain death.
8. A one-legged blind leprechaun shows up and saves them from certain death.
9. They eat some beef stew and some bread and cheese.
11. The Ohmsford gets into another scrape near the Silver River where they are facing certain death. The King Of The Silver River resuces them in a floaty white light.
12. Allanon disappears.
13. They eat a small meal of stew and cheese.
14. Allanon re-appears where they learn he has been withholding information and lying about the nature of the quest. Doh! If only they'd listened to:
a. Uncle Flick
b. Great Uncle Flick
c. Great Great Uncle Flick
16. Oops! Someone lost the Elfstones.
17. Phew! Someone found them again.
18. The adventurers eat a hearty meal of berries, nuts and cheese before facing some evil, and finding the artefact which is not quite what was expected.
19. There's a final conflict where Allanon does such a fantastic job of fighting off the evil armies/wraiths etc with blue fire that the whole quest starts to seem like a totally uneccessary waste of everyone's time.
20. Somebody from the quest group dies.
22. Peace is restored.
23. They celebrate witha hearty meal of cheese, nuts and berries.

Corny like hell, but somewhat true, and I did found it at least mildly funny

[Fbone]

I've not read the book but watched the first few episodes. How is the TV adaptation different than the book?

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Fbone

I've not read the book but watched the first few episodes. How is the TV adaptation different than the book?

Where do you want to start?

Tree dying, quest to save tree/world, demon hordes escaping their prison, and people's names. Those are the things that are the same. Everything else is different.

[Fbone]

Thanks

So, it's somewhat recognizable?

Does Eventine Elessedil die so early in the book?

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Does Eventine Elessedil die so early in the book?

Early is relative. But no, Eventine does not die early in the book. The manner, the time, and the circumstances surrounding his death are different.