About a week ago I posted a rumor that Robert Pattinson could potentially play Case in Apple TV+'s Neuromancer series. That series is now officially announced at Apple TV+ but they only named the showrunners (no cast). I assume this means Pattinson declined the role, otherwise they would’ve mentioned him. Or maybe they’re still in talks, who knows. I just think if Pattinson was close to signing on they would’ve waited to make this announcement so they could include his name.
Also, I absolutely hate linking to twitter, but William Gibson discussed his involvement in the series here. I can’t read any of the replies, but someone posted it elsewhere so I assume this is accurate:
“I’m not going to be answering many questions here, about Apple TV’s adaptation of Neuromancer. I’ll have to be answering too many elsewhere, and doing my part on the production. So I thought I’d try to describe that, my part.”
“I answer showrunner’s and director’s questions about the source material. I read drafts and make suggestions. And that’s it, really, though my previous experience has been that that winds up being quite a lot of work in itself.”
"I don’t have veto power. The showrunner and director do, because the adaptation’s their creation, not mine. A novel is a solitary creation. An adaptation is a fundamentally collaborative creation, so first of all isn’t going to “be the book”.
“Particularly not the one you saw behind your forehead when you read the book, because that one is yours alone. So for now let’s leave it at that.”
Particularly not the one you saw behind your forehead when you read the book, because that one is yours alone
I love this sentiment. Seems like a good attitude for an author to have about their work
I’m expecting this to get the Foundation treatment by Apple. They will hire some writers who don’t understand the book so write their own story and slap “Neuromancer” on it for marketing.
It will be Game of Thrones of the Tessier-Ashpoole dynasty with a side story about a street punk named Case who solves problems with gun fights.
The Halo Paramount series was 100% a Mass Effect series until the last minute. Those Sangheili are Krogans
God that makes me so mad. A mass effect show would’ve been awesome, and a halo show that just adapted the already amazing lore also would’ve been awesome. Instead we get the worst of both world’s, no mass effect show and a very sub par halo show.
Think about it, why is Master Cheeks always getting naked? Cause Commander Shepard always is. Why is Soren (A character who famously cannot manage his own emotions or solve problems diplomatically) a suave pirate king with a wife and kids? And why’s he wearing the MJOLNIR he couldn’t wear in his story? Cause he’s ACTUALLY supposed to be a pirate from Omega. Why do the Covenant have a human? Cause those are actually Krogans wrapped up in some kinda Geth, Reaper, or Collector plot. Why is Miranda Keyes randomly a scientist instead of the captain of a warship? Because the original version of the script had a scientist playing a key plot role. Probably Mordin or someone. Why does Reach not look like Reach at all? Why is it all sleek blacks and whites instead of UNSC blocky green or ONI techy dark grey? Cause it’s actually N7 headquarters. Why are they mining deuterium on a fucking DESERT PLANET??? Cause they’re actually mining eezo.
I’m annoyed that William Gibson didn’t just post the same exact thing verbatim on his Mastodon account. It sucks that Twitter is still the default place to post things, especially when someone already has a Mastodon account and could’ve easily used it.
"I don’t have veto power. The showrunner and director do, because the adaptation’s their creation, not mine. A novel is a solitary creation. An adaptation is a fundamentally collaborative creation, so first of all isn’t going to “be the book”.
“Particularly not the one you saw behind your forehead when you read the book, because that one is yours alone. So for now let’s leave it at that.”
Unironically based.
These statements actually give me hope that it might be something very good.
I think Apple TV has surpassed whatever SciFy has become as the prominent science fiction studio.
Say what you will about adherence to source material, they have consistently produced high-quality television that isn’t afraid to address darkness and ditch the weird horniness of 90’s-2010’s shows.
Think the general consensus is it’s different from the books but still good. Arguably the best part is original to the show.
It just suffers from the common issue today where all new shows have to be based on some other popular media in order to guarantee initial popularity.
