In the vein of projects like 1984 and others that paint a vision of the future, Aldous Huxley’s brilliant “Brave New World” (one of the first books I ever read outside of school actually) looks ready to make to make the leap to the big screen with Ridley Scott in the director’s chair and possible Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead. The folks at RowThree give us this:
Huxley’s 1932 novel (trust me, it doesn’t read like it dates back to the 30s) takes place in a dystopian society where babies are biologically engineered and “hatched”, sleep learning plays a huge role in education and class segregation is law. This is no “1984″ (though many comparisons have been drawn between the two) but Huxley’s novel was and continues to be a visionary masterwork and only the tip of his extensive and brilliant writing.
Universal Studios has been trying to make the film for years but according to the Times Online, the studio’s wrangling over the terms of Huxley’s will have finally been settled and the long dormant project is finally moving ahead. Visionary director Ridley Scott has long been interested in directing the project and according to the article, the film has yet another big name championing for it: Leonardo DiCaprio who will play the key role of John the Savage.
This COULD make a terrific movie, and it seems to have the right names attached (at least rumored) at this point. The only question is, do we want another movie in this vein? Do we want another one, even if it’s superior to all the others in the genre? Personally I do, but I wonder if the general movie going audience will feel the same way.
Better than 1984? Dude, the novel had a few moments of clever thinking (like when Mond is explaining all toward the end) but I don’t think this book can touch 1984 for impact.
However, I would definitely go see BNW if it is made into a movie. The other film version with Peter Gallagher was absurd.
The book was a rant against socialism. Pretty accurate depiction of the future, just look at the people who now run our country, we’re already there.
Um jebs , 1984 was a rant against socialism . Compared to The World State , socialism is way more moral . And don`t get me wrong , I love democracy . Infact with its consumerism , sexual promiscuity , State-sponsored Drug Use & caste system , The World State is opposite to the ideals of socialism in several respects . Although , there are similarities in the glorification of The State , the encouragement to work & play but never think , the skewed view of happiness , the demonization of the family unit , fine literature & fine art being deemed ” heretical ” , the banishing of nonconformists to ” Free Islands ” & I hear Stalin flirted with the idea of ” test tube babies ” .
Mustapha,
“When the individual feels, the community reels.”
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The movie of this has long been due and i,m glad its been made in a time of computer technology as it gives the makers a chance to create this world easier…as with an earlier comment… read the book and checkout how much of Huxley,s vison has already come to pass!!!
Brave New World shouldn’t be made. Especially by Hollywood. The principles guiding the world described in it is not different from the real life Hollywood world in which everyone, no matter what their position, is conditioned or created to accept that personal happiness is the highest personal good and utility to society is the highest civic good.
If they make this movie, people might learn from it that there is a purpose to life other than maintenance of one’s well being and the well being of society as a whole– a purpose directed at some intensification and refining of consciousness or enlargement of intellect.
HIs non-fiction explanation of the themes behind the novel in his book ‘Brave New World Revisited’ make an excellent read in accompaniment to the book.
This is bizarre considering that we study another film made by scott in comparison to BNW… bladerunner!
I’m reading the book for the second time… and the whole time I’ve been thinking “this would make a great movie”. Hopefully they don’t make a hash of it. As long as the follow Huxely’s vision closely they can’t go wrong….. or can they?!
@ Bjorn Fogelberg Yes, the book is well worth the visit and it’ll likely surprise you with how well it reads. Certainly NOT like it was written int he 30’s.
This book seems to complex to translate into a movie, at least a movie that anyone would find entertaining.
I would love to see Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov made into a movie with Russell Crow as the lead. Virtual Reality and internet addictions would sure make the predictions in this novel plausible.
Haven’t read the book yet. It’s one of the classics that you always tell youself you’ll read later. Is it any good?
Psyched!
OHH!!YES PLEASE!!!PLEASE!!!! LET THIS BE TRUE!!!!
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Too bad it’s already become reality.
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It’s too little too late. This book was truly about the NWO and the Illuminati’s plans for mankind’s reproducing depopulation.
I actually have a quiz over the book in school tomorrow :)