Comments on: Epic Fantasy still not on the big screen: Stephen R. Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant Trilogies

By: alec

alec — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:53:25 +0000

Ed, I agree. On the other hand, if The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are to be filmed, I'd like it in the hands of a first tier director, someone like David Fincher (cf. The Game for how well Fincher can handle light surrealism and disorientation). Fincher is busy with other projects, and not in the right spot in his career to want to take on a huge saga like this but he's indicative of the kind of director. Some of the directors from the first few seasons of Game of Thrones were talented visual fantasy/politics directors.

In retrospect, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogy seem fairly poor adaptations. While they were impressive at the time, rewatching is like eating cakes with too much sugar in the icing and without enough flavour.

In the meantime, a fantasy series which gave me quite a bit of pleasure and had its Stephen R. Donaldson type moments was Legend of the Seeker. Only some of the episodes had suitable gravitas, some were just silly. The element of adult fantasy, beyond just slash and burn, or chase the dragon, was definitely present, along with complex adult relationships. It would be possible to make a sophisticated adult fantasy series. Legend of the Seeker only managed to make it through two seasons before being cancelled, despite eleven books of source material.

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 23:35:46 +0000

Come on Amazon. These books are right up your alley and at least the first 3 novels are more worthy of movies than anything made since LOtR. And it should be filmed with as much light as possible because the darkness isn’t outside but inside Thomas Covenant.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 19:34:14 +0000

Gutted these books still have not reached the big screen!

By: John Lambert

John Lambert — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 12:00:46 +0000

I first read LFB in High School circa 1983. Had already read LOTR and Elfstones and many other epics. Actually worked at the public library so had access to so much F/scifi...captivated then and still now. This series would only be good for a big cable network (maybe competition to GoT) as it is too complicated for any of the books to be condensed to a 2:20 min adaptation. The work is too dark, such as the raping of Lena and then Covenant falling in love with the byproduct of that rape. It would need to be bloody and gory so not a kid friendly flick. Love to see it on the big screen though...lets keep hope alive!

By: Mouse G

Mouse G — Sat, 06 May 2017 19:38:45 +0000

With the vast success of 'series' books like Martin's GoT on HBO, and comic books like TWD, the Chronicles really could be great. Though Covenant himself is not usually a lovable or even likable character for the most part, he is the glue that holds the concept together… and the other characters would be so awesome to see on-screen… the blood guard, the waynhim, the giants, people able to shape stone and wood to fit their societies, the Lords… And btw, this epic is really nothing like LoTR… neither the setting, nor the concept, nor any of the characters.

By: Paul O

Paul O — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 18:24:25 +0000

Well, there's always the Gap Series. That would be easier to convey in movie form if you ask me.

By: Cliff W

Cliff W — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 18:03:28 +0000

I can tell you the biggest hurtle this series has is very early in the 1st book. it cannot be edited out because it is an integral path of the story. Then rape scene between Covenant and Lena! With this in it becomes a high PG or R and cuts out the young ones so there will be no merchandising, no action figures like with LOTR. That is BIG BUCK and the studios know it. So this becomes more Fantasy/Horror which in reality it really is. Another issue is all the internal dialog Covenant goes through. It also is an important part of the story. This does not play well in films.

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 06:12:42 +0000

I originally read the Chronicles during game high school some 34 years ago, and it is because of this series that I became an avid reader. Thank you Mr. Donaldson for your masterpiece! I agree that the time is ripe with the successes of God and other dark shows such as TWD. I can only hope that they will be done, that many more will be drawn to TCoTC.

By: ur-Lord Corey

ur-Lord Corey — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:05:31 +0000

Keep the Oath, Unbelievers!

By: Guy K

Guy K — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:52:32 +0000

I read "The Power that Preserves" when I was a counselor at summer camp during rest period when the kids were "supposed to be quiet." I have been a huge fan ever since. That was 38 years ago so I am very patient on this and besides I want the Movie to be a good one not just a lame attempt to cash in on the the fantasy/science fiction craze. Remember, LOR and Hobbit were both made into animated movies eons before they hit the big screen successes they are now. Also, I personally think that in today's world, the character of Linden Avery would be more interesting for Today's modern viewers.