Neil Gaiman updates MTV.com on his various projects, including the upcoming Graveyard Book and a movie adaptation of Anansi Boys:
MTV: So by the end of this year, you’ll have “The Graveyard Book”; your new movie, “Coraline”; and then there’s the 20th anniversary of “Sandman.”
Gaiman: That’s always been the way of my life — things I’ve done years and years apart always seem to come out more or less at the same time. Last year, I was at the “Stardust” premiere in the U.K., and then two weeks later, I was at the “Beowulf” premiere, two things that were done years apart. I would never have expected “Beowulf” to be made. It was a script I wrote in 1987 that I thought was dead in 1988. But it clawed its way out of the grave, pulled itself up and coughed, and then you’re watching Angelina Jolie in it. That’s what happens. Right now, I’m writing an “Anansi Boys” movie.
MTV: That’s actually happening? What else is happening?
Gaiman That’s actually happening. It suddenly came to life when a film producer was stuck at an airport with a star on a tour, and they picked up the book, just as something to read on the plane. Halfway through, they were reading it to each other. When they landed, I got a call saying, “Can we make this into a movie?” And the lovely thing about “Anansi Boys” is that it’s more or less movie-shaped — it just needs a little trimming so it won’t be a five-hour movie. So I have to write that. And “Neverwhere,” which I walked off of in 1999, I was asked to come back and polish the script that I did then and bring that back to life, so I’m doing that.
I am really looking forward to seeing this as a movie
Comment by Christopher Shields — April 28, 2008 @ 10:32 am
I’m looking forward to it too… I hope Anansi Boys will succeed.
Has there been any talk of turning American Gods into a movie? That’s actually my favorite of his novels.
Comment by Shaun — April 28, 2008 @ 11:04 am
I haven’t read Anansi Boys yet, but American Gods was excellent. Is AB a sequel to AG?
Comment by snikt snakt — April 28, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Gaiman has said he doesn’t know how to make a movie out of American Gods.
Comment by Dave S — April 28, 2008 @ 11:20 am
American Gods would be a tough movie to make, just because there is so much going on in it. AB is sort of a sequel…basically the same world of sorts.
They really need to make a movie of Good Omens…that would be really fun if done right.
Comment by Bobby B — April 28, 2008 @ 11:33 am
I’d call Anansi Boys an “equal” to American Gods. Same root concept, very different take. Less about gods and religion and more about family and relationships.
Comment by Michael — April 28, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Please don’t stretch yourself too thin Neil.
Comment by ejulp — April 28, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
Yeah, Anansi Boys isn’t a sequel per se, but sort of a companion piece to AG? Anansi Boys is more humorous, but both are excellent books.
I agree that trying to make AG into a satisfying film would difficult, perhaps impossible, but I figured that wouldn’t stop someone from trying someday.
Good Omens… Good Idea!
Comment by Shaun — April 28, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
I am excited about the possibility of a decent Neverwhere movie. That’s pretty much my favorite book of all time.
Comment by Ben — April 28, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
You know, AG might be too lengthy for a movie, but would it be impossible to adapt it to a mini-series? Similar to how a lot of Stephen King books have been adapted as such?
Comment by ThatNickGuy — April 28, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Hopefully better than most of those King books have been adapted, Nick. I guess I could see HBO doing it.
Comment by Michael — April 28, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
This was my favorite of his novels and I’m so glad they’re making this one before American Gods because the story is much more adaptable!
Comment by Jacob Stebel — April 29, 2008 @ 12:30 am
coolness.
I was 1/2way thru Anansi before I realized the brothers were black! (and, yes, I know Anansi is an AFRICAN myth, but Thor was always a REDhead, not Blond!)
I could see a cast with: Mos Def, Andre ‘3000′ Benjamin, and Keith David, maybe Rosario and Freema as the girls?
(and I know who should be the old neighbor lady, but I don’t know her name!)
Just keep Will and Eddie FAR AWAY! and we’ll be fine.
Comment by Brainlock — May 2, 2008 @ 11:39 am