A Scanner Darkly Film Preview

Jason K writes "Hi, webmaster of PhilipKDick.com here. Thought that the Slashdot community might like to see this exclusive report that was just added to the official Philip K. Dick web site by his daughters about the 'A Scanner Darkly' film production. The film production of A Scanner Darkly is based on the classic PKD drug novel of the same name. It is directed by Richard Linklater (Slacker, Dazed and Confused, School of Rock) and stars Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr. and Woody Harrelson. Linklater is using a more sophisticated version of the 'rotoscoping' animation technique that he debuted in 'Waking Life'. This is shaping up to be the most faithful adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel or story to date." Waking Life was a little odd.

Comments

The PKD story so far...

[damieng]

Blade Runner (1982) based on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" - A rather decent movie with not much to do with the book.

Total Recall (1990) based on "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" - A fun movie vaguely based on the short story.

Drug-Taking and the Arts (1994) based on "A Scanner Darkly" - Alas I've not seen.

Screamers (1995) based on "Second Variety" - An enjoyable movie but nothing special.

Impostor (2002) based on short story of the same name (at last). Okay, enjoyable and starting to get near to the fiction...

Minority Report (2002) - Again, enjoyable but deviating from the book in several critical respects.

Paycheck (2003) - My favourite short story ruined by the "joe scientist" suddenly being some sort of stick wielding stunt biker.

When are Hollywood going to realise the appeal of PKD is that these are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances?

Instead we keep getting movies aimed a dumb audience with a simple plot and an action hero.

Sigh.