RTW: Investment in Incredible Industry
It’s time for another Road Trip Wednesday/A-to-Z Blogging Challenge mash-up! And this week, the letter is “I” (as if you couldn’t guess), and the question is…
The Veronica Mars Kickstarter success makes us wonder, what YA book would you raise $2 million to see a movie version of?
My answer doesn’t start with the letter “I”, but it’s a no-brainer for me:
Of course, Scott Westerfeld’s LEVIATHAN series. Who wouldn’t want to see Keith Thompson’s wonderful illustrations come to life? That’s right, I’d want it animated. I don’t think live action/CGI would truly do it justice. But with Thompson’s work as the basis for the animation, I think it would be incredible!
For the uninitiated, LEVIATHIAN is a three-part steampunk series, set during an alternate version of the events leading up to World War I. It centers around two characters. Prince Aleksander is the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, but is on the run from his own people. Deryn Sharp is a Scottish girl disguised as a boy so she can serve in the British Air Service. She’s clearly more than able to fly the air ships, but she has to keep her true gender a secret otherwise she’ll be kicked out, and possibly imprisoned. In the strange course of events, Alek and Deryn meet and form a wary friendship, based on secrets neither can share. It’s one of the best series I’ve read since Harry Potter. Yes–that good!
Here are some examples of Keith Thompson’s artwork, to give you a flavor of what the movie might look like:
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(image source: www.scottwesterfeld.com)
Of course, it would probably have to be in color to get the attention of most audiences, but it would still look really cool!
What do you think? Would you like to see a LEVIATHAN animated movie? Is there a YA novel you’d raise millions to see made into a movie? You can answer in the comments, or join the Road Trip (details on the YA Highway blog).
Ooh yes. There is a serious lack of good steampunk on the big screen! Nice choice 🙂
I agree! And this would be an excellent movie to set the bar high. Thanks, Suzanne! 🙂
I think you hit the nail on the head and a lot of people would agree with you. Great choice.
Thanks, Christine. I hope some Hollywood studio (Disney… Pixar… Dreamworks…?) agrees with me! 🙂
I haven’t read this series, but it sounds fascinating. Love the pictures above—I can imagine them translating beautifully to the big screen.
What would make it even better would be if they preserved the line-drawn style. I can’t remember the last time I saw an animated movie like that. It could be a good hook–something different from the standard Pixar-animated look (which, btw, I have no problem with; Pixar make superb movies).
I know we’ve only just met, Kendra, but can I say: you really HAVE to read the LEVIATHAN series!! It’s such a cool story. You may not be into steampunk, or alternate universe-type historicals… but the thing that sold me on this series is THE STORY. So well written, and so compelling. You won’t be disappointed.
Nice to meet you! 😀
Haha! Okay, I submit! Adding to my TBR list. 🙂 I do actually need to read some YA steampunk – it’s a genre I haven’t delved properly into yet. And Leviathan’s premise sounds very intriguing.
Very true about the line drawings, that would be really unique.
I’m glad I this was the first steampunk I read. I haven’t read any since (too many books on my TBR and not enough time in the day), but if this is as good as it can be, I’d certainly read more.
That artwork is gorgeous! I would definitely prefer animated over live action/CGI if the animation was that phenomenal. Not that I have any right to state a preference considering I haven’t yet read LEVIATHAN. (*runs and hides*) Soon. I promise. 🙂
It would be so cool. Hopefully seeing the artwork has encouraged you to read the series. Especially since you actually have LEVIATHAN… *ahem*… 😉
Good answer- I said the same thing! Although I never thought about it being animated. I think I’d prefer it real life IF they could actually do it, which I doubt. But it would awesome if they could! (I have no idea who THEY is, BTW.)
Clearly great minds think alike! 😀
Honestly, I think I would rather see Keith Thompson’s artwork animated that I would actors and CGI try to recreate it. And whoever “they” are, I’m sure they are complete geniuses and more than up to the task! 🙂
I’ve heard consistently positive things about Leviathan, and this makes me even more curious. Road Trip Wednesday’s do such damage to the progress of my TBR list. I like what you said in the comments about doing an animated adaptation. Awesome idea — though very, very pricey!
There are only three books I can think of in the last two years that I have been this enthusiastic about: DIVERGENT, LEVIATHAN, and CINDER. They deserve the high praise they get. Really, Rebekah, your eyes will love you forever if you make LEVIATHAN the next thing you read. Seriously. Put it next on your TBR, block out an afternoon, or a day, or a day and a most of the night depending on how fast you read, and sit back and get drawn into the story. You won’t regret it. 😀
Animation would be pricey and time-consuming. But so worth it! 🙂
I am sold. 🙂
I think they need to consider making more YA book adaptations in general into animation film. Some of these stories are just begging for it, really! Good pick! I’m going to read this series real soon!
I haven’t given much thought to it, but you’re probably right, Kateri. Some YA novels would probably be better animated.
I like your name, btw. I might have to borrow it for a character some time, if you don’t mind… 😀
My sister has the first Leviathan book on her shelf…I think I’ll have to read it soon. Best series since Harry Potter, eh? That’s high praise!
And totally agree with you on Divergent (previous comment at 11:06). It is my favorite book, my best series since Harry Potter. I went a little crazy with Four/Tris day on 4/6…
I can tell you’re passionate about Leviathan – that more than anything else makes me want to read it!
I thought hard before making the Potter comparison, but I think it’s true. I didn’t count DIVERGENT because the series hasn’t finished yet. Maybe I’ll revise that comment after October… 🙂
Yes, Rachel! Read LEVIATHAN… and let me know what you think! 😀
I will, though it will be at least a month before I get there. I have a little thing called MY LAST MONTH OF GRAD SCHOOL to get through before I can take on new books to read. I read something every day, but I am forcing myself to be disciplined and not read something that will suck me in so hard and fast that I can’t resurface til it’s done. I’m anticipating that Leviathan will be one of those reads. (disclaimer: those caps were to express extreme excitement, nothing more).
But I will let you know what I think when I get to it!
And yes, I am DYING for October to come. I don’t know if I can make it.
This series is definitely incredible! And I would actually love to see it animated, and in black and white! Great pick!
Thanks, Emily! And thank you for your support of my glowing endorsement. 😀
See, I’m not crazy–Emily says it’s good, too!!
I haven’t read these yet, but fully intend on it some time in the future. We actually just ordered GOLIATH the other night, so we’ll have the complete set. Judging by the amazing illustrations alone, I think you’re right this would translate well to an animated feature! Nice pick!
Thanks, Erin! You really need to get on and read these–especially if you have the set. I’ve been badgering your sister about it for long enough, so it’s only fair I badger you, too. I’m an equal opportunity badgerer when it comes to LEVIATHAN. 😉
Ahhhhh!!!!! I love those illustrations so much!
Aren’t they wonderful? They would look so good on the big screen, animated… *sigh*… 🙂
Looks very cool!
Thanks, Heidi!
I haven’t read this series, but after this, I’m going to hunt that sucker down and dive right in! Those illustrations are stunning and your synopsis sold me.
What an attractive blog you have: clean, spare, elegant. It’s a treat to visit. I’m signing up for the email subscription!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Kern, Thanks for the compliment. The blog design is not mine, but it was the best I could find. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
I still haven’t read the series yet but I think the film industry could do with a bit of steampunk on the big screen. 🙂 Something new and interesting.
I’ll have to add you to my nag list, Robin! You really should read this series–I think you’ll enjoy it. And if Hollywood’s going to do steampunk, it should start with LEVIATHAN.
I checked out the first book from the library awhile ago, but I had to return it before I actually read it. I’ll have to try again because those illustrations look awesome, so I can’t even imagine what the story must be like!
For Keith Thompson’s illustrations to be so awesome, you know he had to be working from an equally–if not more–awesome story. I’m almost tempted to say these books are worth owning, so don’t even bother with the library. But I’ll temper my enthusiasm and not assume your budget allows for that at this time. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up in your collection after you’ve read them, though. 🙂
Steam punk is a relatively new genre for me but these look great, going to hunt them down. I’m finding the A to Z challenge rally interesting, I’m finding new friends and new books too. Thank you.
I don’t remember if I said it above, but this series was the best introduction to steampunk for me. If all steampunk is this good, I’ll definitely read more. 🙂