Is there anything original left in fantasy?

The Pashing Smumpkin · 10-25-2006, 11:12 AM

I just read the following summary about a fantasy novel that has been optioned for a movie:

"Dark Is Rising" For David Cunningham
Posted: Wednesday October 25th 2006 12:37am
Source: Variety
Author: Garth Franklin

Director David Cunningham ("The Path to 9/11") will helm fantasy epic "The Dark Is Rising" for Walden Media and 20th Century Fox reports Variety.

Part of a five-book series by Susan Cooper, "The Dark Is Rising" focuses on a youth who discovers at age 11 that he's a Sign Seeker, last of a group of immortals dedicated to fighting a growing presence of dark forces. He comes to the realization that he's charged with saving the world.

Cunningham has already headed to Romania, where he'll prep the film for an early 2007 start and a September 28th release. The studios hope to launch a major kiddie fantasy franchise along "Narnia" lines.

Is it just me or does this sound very generic? I've already heard of the backlash that Eragon is getting (and the movie isn't even released yet) because the books are apparently very average...

HorseflyKing · 10-25-2006, 11:23 AM

"The Dark Is Rising" is like 20 yrs old though.
Prolly wasn't generic at the time. I think I read the first 3 books when I was a kid.

The Pashing Smumpkin · 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorseflyKing

"The Dark Is Rising" is like 20 yrs old though.
Prolly wasn't generic at the time. I think I read the first 3 books when I was a kid.

My mistake, I thought they were recent.
Ive heard that the Dark Tower books were brilliant up until the 5th or 6th book when it spectacularly crashed and burned. I've got the "His Dark Materials" trilogy which I'll get around to reading when I get off my lazy arse to do so...!

barden · 10-25-2006, 11:32 AM

Maybe it has to do with archetypes.

barden · 10-25-2006, 11:33 AM

Maybe.

barden · 10-25-2006, 11:33 AM

But maybe not.

The Pashing Smumpkin · 10-25-2006, 11:34 AM

Aeroplane · 10-25-2006, 11:43 AM

i know David Cunningham. well, i did as a kid. he's a christian.

Dead · 10-25-2006, 01:00 PM

I bet he plays The Bible Game.

Orenthal James · 10-25-2006, 01:20 PM

george rr martin

Elrohir · 10-25-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

I bet he plays The Bible Game.

or this one
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/im...35/n176495.jpg
hahahhaa..

Luke de Spa · 10-25-2006, 03:43 PM

robin hobb's the farseer, the liveship traders and the tawny man trilogies
george rr martin's a song of ice and fire series
r scott bakker's the prince of nothing trilogy
china mieville's perdido street station and the scar
steven erikson's malazan book of the fallen series (although the first book is a bit of a mess)

all solid. the first three authors are among my favourites of any genre

10-25-2006, 11:12 AM	#1
The Pashing Smumpkin Apocalyptic Poster Posts: 3,128	Is there anything original left in fantasy? I just read the following summary about a fantasy novel that has been optioned for a movie: "Dark Is Rising" For David Cunningham Posted: Wednesday October 25th 2006 12:37am Source: Variety Author: Garth Franklin Director David Cunningham ("The Path to 9/11") will helm fantasy epic "The Dark Is Rising" for Walden Media and 20th Century Fox reports Variety. Part of a five-book series by Susan Cooper, "The Dark Is Rising" focuses on a youth who discovers at age 11 that he's a Sign Seeker, last of a group of immortals dedicated to fighting a growing presence of dark forces. He comes to the realization that he's charged with saving the world. Cunningham has already headed to Romania, where he'll prep the film for an early 2007 start and a September 28th release. The studios hope to launch a major kiddie fantasy franchise along "Narnia" lines. Is it just me or does this sound very generic? I've already heard of the backlash that Eragon is getting (and the movie isn't even released yet) because the books are apparently very average...

10-25-2006, 11:34 AM	#7
The Pashing Smumpkin Apocalyptic Poster Posts: 3,128	lol!

10-25-2006, 11:23 AM	#2
HorseflyKing Apocalyptic Poster Location: in ur computron! Posts: 1,849	"The Dark Is Rising" is like 20 yrs old though. Prolly wasn't generic at the time. I think I read the first 3 books when I was a kid.

10-25-2006, 11:32 AM	#4
barden Braindead Location: The Ghetto Posts: 19,611	Maybe it has to do with archetypes.

10-25-2006, 11:33 AM	#5
barden Braindead Location: The Ghetto Posts: 19,611	Maybe.

10-25-2006, 11:43 AM	#8
Aeroplane Minion of Satan Location: fine. i must finally admit it: LA, CA Posts: 8,587	i know David Cunningham. well, i did as a kid. he's a christian.

10-25-2006, 01:00 PM	#9
Dead Deaddy is your daddy! Location: Veronica Mars played with my Wii. Posts: 39,187	I bet he plays The Bible Game.

10-25-2006, 01:20 PM	#10
Orenthal James Minion of Satan Location: standard hotel accommodation Posts: 9,399	george rr martin

10-25-2006, 03:43 PM	#12
Luke de Spa someone more...punk rock? Location: Ice cream pig out in M1-aud is why i don't play plug in baby the wrong way, like you Posts: 22,217	robin hobb's the farseer, the liveship traders and the tawny man trilogies george rr martin's a song of ice and fire series r scott bakker's the prince of nothing trilogy china mieville's perdido street station and the scar steven erikson's malazan book of the fallen series (although the first book is a bit of a mess) all solid. the first three authors are among my favourites of any genre