Book Riot - The Podcast: Taking Stock of the Year in Adaptations

Release Date: December 18, 2024
Hosts: Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky

Introduction

In the December 18, 2024 episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the landscape of book adaptations that graced the silver screen and television throughout the year. They explore both the triumphs and pitfalls of translating beloved literary works into visual media, offering insightful commentary on what made certain adaptations stand out while others fell short.

Overview of 2024 in Book Adaptations

Jeff opens the discussion by reflecting on the state of adaptations in 2024, humorously noting, "I finally called peak adaptation. It took me six years, but we finally hit it." This sets the tone for an in-depth analysis of how the adaptation market has evolved, particularly as streaming platforms exhaust major literary properties and turn to backlist titles for fresh material.

Rebecca adds, "Most of the things that I really enjoyed on screen were not necessarily from big books or books that were my favorites but that made for great television or great movies." This observation underscores a shift towards diverse and sometimes unexpected sources for adaptations.

Movie Adaptations: Hits and Misses

Successes

1. Dune Part Two

   • Jeff expresses excitement about Denis Villeneuve's continuation of the Dune saga, anticipating its Oscar potential: "I think Dune Part two is the one that's going to be up for a bunch of Oscars."

2. It Ends with Us

   • Rebecca highlights this film as a commercial success, noting its profitability: "It earned 148 million at the US box office. This is a real US Phenomenon." They discuss how the movie, despite mixed reviews of the source material, resonated with audiences and secured a sequel.

3. The Wild Robot

   • Both hosts view this animated adaptation as a sleeper hit, praising its faithful translation and appeal to both children and adults.

Notable Challenges

1. Wicked

   • Jeff provides a critical take on the adaptation of the beloved musical: "The book is a mess... The music is so amazing that it holds a lot of water for a lot of rickety stuff in that show." They commend the performances but question the screenplay's effectiveness.

2. Argyle

   • A significant disappointment, Argyle failed to meet box office expectations, grossing $45 million against a $200 million budget. Jeff comments, "Underestimating Taylor Swift is a fool's errand," hinting at the film's reliance on star power without substantial storytelling.

3. Gentlemen in Moscow & Interior Chinatown

   • Both adaptations received lukewarm receptions. Jeff notes for Gentlemen in Moscow, "They struggled to capture that thread between the darkness and the lightness in a real way," while Rebecca criticizes Interior Chinatown for failing to translate its metafictional complexity to the screen.

Television Adaptations: Standouts and Stumbles

Standout Shows

1. Shogun

   • Rebecca deems Shogun a frontrunner for Emmy success, appreciating its cultural depth and suspenseful storytelling: "Shogun is the one that's going to win a bunch of awards."

2. Ripley

   • Praised for its faithful adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's work, Rebecca describes it as "stunning," especially lauding Andrew Scott's performance.

3. Slow Horses

   • Continues to impress with its consistent quality, prompting both hosts to anticipate future seasons eagerly.

Stumbles

1. Say Anything

   • Despite strong performances, Say Anything struggles to maintain viewer engagement, leading Rebecca to label it as not having a "sticky" presence with audiences.

2. Three Body Problem

   • Jeff describes it as a "deeply flawed show" that failed to resonate despite its ambitious premise.

3. Masters of the Air

   • Both hosts express disappointment, citing a lack of character attachment and relying too heavily on spectacle without emotional depth.

Upcoming Adaptations and Anticipated Releases

Jeff and Rebecca look ahead to adaptations slated for release in early 2025, expressing cautious optimism. They mention titles like Nickel Boys and Nightbitch, anticipating their potential impact based on ongoing discussions and limited market previews.

Rebecca teases an upcoming discussion on Argyle, hinting at further analysis in a year-end review episode: "We can talk about that maybe next week with the year end review podcast."

Trends and Insights

The hosts identify a notable trend of moving away from blockbuster source material to explore backlist titles, providing fresh narratives and diverse perspectives. Jeff observes, "Since the streamers have all gotten through most of the big hot properties... we're farther into back list and I think that makes it more interesting in like seven different directions." This diversification is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for creators to reinvent and breathe new life into lesser-known works.

They also discuss the impact of streaming services on the adaptation landscape, with platforms like Apple, Netflix, and Hulu shaping the types of adaptations being greenlit and distributed.

Concluding Thoughts

Jeff and Rebecca conclude the episode by reflecting on the mixed outcomes of 2024’s adaptations. While some projects have soared both critically and commercially, others have flopped despite high expectations. The conversation underscores the inherent challenges in adapting complex literary works while balancing audience expectations and creative integrity.

Rebecca summarizes their stance: "Some things just work as books in ways that are too difficult to try to translate to the screen." This sentiment encapsulates the delicate art of adaptation, recognizing that not all narratives are suited for visual storytelling.

Notable Quotes

• Jeff O'Neill [00:55]: "What was the adaptation of the year? Rebecca? Let's do one. What was it?"

• Rebecca Schinsky [02:04]: "I think it's fair to say that I finally called peak adaptation."

• Jeff O'Neill [07:57]: "I think it's Dune Part two, and I don't think it's Close is kind of what you may be hearing me say."

• Rebecca Schinsky [11:24]: "Ripley is right there behind it, which that came out so early in the year that I think it's suffering from it."

• Jeff O'Neill [25:33]: "I think it's very possible that the Wild Robot will be up for best adapted screenplay."

Conclusion

The hosts provide a comprehensive overview of the year's adaptation efforts, balancing praise with critique and highlighting the ever-evolving nature of literary transformations. Book Riot - The Podcast offers listeners a thoughtful examination of what worked, what didn't, and what to watch for in the future of book adaptations.

For more insights and discussions on the world of books and adaptations, visit bookriot.com.