I’ve mixed feelings about the news that The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Movie has been given the green light to proceed (via /.). Douglas Adams had worked on the screenplay for years, and had been doing so when he died. He’d struggled to adapt the story to the format, and had commented that Hollywood just didn’t get the Arthur Dent character (although Hugh Laurie would do it well).
I’m worried too by Ford Prefect. Jim Carrey could do it well, or terribly. I just have trouble with the idea of Americans in the film. The whole story, and so many of the characters (perhaps with the exception of Zaphod) just demand some British reserve. Even the damn Vogons. The TV version Simon Jones, David Dixon and, of course, Peter Jones as the voice of the Guide were just exceptionally well cast (Or maybe I’m just being sentimental to the originals)
Still, the delightful thing about the story is how very different it is in every format it’s been adapted to. My favourite really has to be the Radio version, but each has it’s own delightful elements. The book is engrossing and more detailed, and the TV version delightful in it’s imagery, if not it’s slickness (BBC special effects ropey as usual, “neither special or effective” as they say).
Definitely one to look forward too. Hopefully they’ll treat it well, and incorporate Douglas Adam’s irreverence and humour in copious doses. And, whilst it’d be a shame to see a big divergence from the Radio/TV and book, hopefully Adam’s work up to his death will come through and surprise us.
And don’t forget your towel.
