TV in the Movies – Primeval goes Hollywood

This story broke a couple weeks ago, but I’m a little behind in my news gathering. Primeval — the BBC’s creature-filled sci-fi adventure series — has been tabbed to hit the big screen. Warner Bros. purchased the feature film rights and selected I am Legend screenwriter Akiva Goldsman to produce. At present, the newest season of Primeval can be seen on BBC America, while the first two seasons air on Syfy.

With any big screen adaptation comes a certain amount of apprehension from the die-hard fans, and deservedly so. The fact that Goldsman plans to transplant the setting of the series to America already has some loyalists up in arms. My guess is New York City will get heavy consideration, with Central Park replacing the Forest of Dean as the location of the initial anomaly. I’m merely speculating; I have no concrete proof.

What other changes can we expect? Let’s ponder, shall we.

One of the difficulties encountered when adapting an episodic television series is compressing the narrative into a two-hour runtime. Identifying key elements to include in the script is critical. Leave out a major plot device or character and you risk not only alienating the fan base, but also damaging the integrity of the original incarnation. (Of course, Hollywood cares little about integrity.)

Choosing a screenwriter skilled in the art of adaptation is vital. I suggest pegging series’ co-creator and primary writer Adrian Hodges to pen the script. I seriously doubt he’ll be the choice, though. Tinseltown folks like to work with their own. Goldsman co-wrote Angels and Demons with David Koepp; Koepp wrote the first two Jurassic Park movies; follow the bouncing ball. Koepp wouldn’t be a terrible choice, although the Jurassic Park scripts lacked in the depth department.

The one thing I’m not worried about — should Primeval make it out the development stage — is the budget. Warner Bros. won’t skimp in the effects department. The show already does an excellent job recreating its prehistoric and futuristic critters. Add hefty studio coffers to the proceedings and the beasties should only improve.

What about casting? Oftentimes, this is where things get screwed up. Cast the wrong actors and a maelstrom of controversy will infect the entire production before it even gets off the ground. Well, I’m gonna have some fun here and don my casting director cap. I’m a fan of the series. I think I can pick a group that will please the Primeval faithful, or at least prevent them from lighting torches and storming the Warner Bros. gates.

Keep in mind, I’m attempting to adhere to the methods utilized by Hollywood casting directors. Meaning, they will want as least one or two marketable “stars” to sell this thing. Also, I am basing this experiment on the season one cast of characters. Here it goes:

Professor Nick Cutter – Nick is the star of the series. He’s intelligent, dashing and conflicted. My pick: Pierce Brosnan. Cutter needs to have an accent and Brosnan can deliver the goods. Who better to tackle the role than James Bond and Thomas Crown? Brosnan has the smarts and appropriate action credentials to battle dinosaurs.

Stephen Hart – Stephen is the reckless hero type. He’ll sacrifice himself for the rest of the team. My pick: Chris Evans. My girlfriend tells me Evans is “hot.” I dunno about all that, but the dude is tall and strapping. Watch him in Danny Boyle’s underrated Sunshine. He plays the hero/martyr role perfectly.

Helen Cutter – Nick’s estranged wife and the series’ villainess. She’s sexy and cunning. My pick: Rachel Weisz. She’s done the Mummy movies, so she can handle action. Don’t think she can be evil? Watch The Shape of Things, then get back to me. She’s also in the running to be the next Catwoman.

Claudia Brown - A female suit and Nick’s would-be love interest. Claudia appears meek, but can hold her own. My pick: Amy Adams. Listen, I have a thing for Adams, but I still think she’s right for the part. She’s funny and has two Oscar nominations on her resume.

Connor Temple – The nebbish, comic relief of the gang. Connor always finds himself up a creek. My pick: Shia LaBeouf. After the monumental success of The Transformers movies, LaBeouf may be too big to land, but the kid would be ideal. Put a hat on him, he’s Connor.

Abby Maitland – How can you not love a cute herpetologist? The elfish Abby is chock full of gumption. My pick: Amy Smart. I’ve always liked Amy. She was great in 2007’s short-lived CBS crime series Smith. She and LaBeouf co-starred in The Battle of Shaker Heights.

James Lester – The Home Office big wig. His dry, sarcastic tone is one of my favorite things about the series. My pick: Kevin Spacey. Boy, has Spacey fallen off the map or what? This would be nice small role for him to shine in. He possesses the comedic timing to embody Lester. Would he do it? Maybe.

I’ve had my fun. Any Primeval fans out there? Chime in on who you’d like to see grace your local mutliplex screens when and if Primeval is moved into production.

Clacked by Scott Tunstall
on Jun 09, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT