Yesterday it was reported on the L.A. Times that the famous Japanese story, Battle Royale is being sought by The CW to adapt it to a TV Show on its network. My first reaction, was "fucking awesome!," but then I did a double take; The CW?
You see, Battle Royale is one of the most disturbing stories to ever hit the mainstream. What began as a novel by Takami Koushun, has been adapted to a Japanese film and manga (with sequels) to the glee of many, and to the horror of others. The film had long been speculated to be banned in the US, while inaccurate, it's true that fears of the repercussions of the movie reaching America prevented the movie of being distributed.
It was understandable. American society has become quite sensitive to issues that involve school violence and abuse. What would be the reaction to a story that involved students killing each other, beating the shit out of each other, among other twisted and disturbing scenes? All in its graphic violence glory. Thankfully, we now have a very nice blu-ray edition that came out in 2012. Do yourself a favor, and grab a copy, but certainly not for the faint of heart and those easily offended. Only for the curious of the twisted.
So why the major interest now? Well, those who have any knowledge of the Hunger Games phenomenon have probably stumbled upon the comparisons being made to this Battle Royale, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the potential for the mighty dough. But to The CW? I have a hard time seeing a proper adaptation being made. I mean, if it was HBO or Showtime, then I'd be more than ecstatic despite the whatever would get lost in translation as the story is Americanized.
Still, I can't help to be curious of what The CW might do with it if it gets its hands on it. I can't help but assume that they'd turn it to a romantic crap it was not meant to be to attract their demographics. Yet I see some of their attempts to be a bit edgy, with their Nikita adaptation, the recent Ringer show, and the ultra popular Supernatural, and I think it just might work.
Got to ask, Battle Royale to The CW...good idea?
You can buy the Battle Royale novel from The Book Depository.
For now, here's a trailer for the movie:
I don't think this would work for a number of reasons, outside of the whole Battle Royale/Hunger Games "rip-offs" Since there would need to be some major censoring and altering of some of the characters names and background stories. If this ws going to be on say HBO or Cinemax.
ReplyDeleteThere is some more info from this link too
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-07-26/l.a-times/cw-discusses-battle-royale-tv-remake-in-u.s
Thanks for the link. That's actually where I saw the news first, but yeah good info on their update. And the forum has a bit of good insight. Though the focus seems to be on the acceptance of the debate of Hunger Games vs. Battle Royale, while I'm more worried about the adaptation doing the story any justice, and taking too many liberties to attract a desired demographic to their TV network.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a terrible idea, and it sounds like they would borrow only a few elements of the novel and basically make their own version, which might end up more like Hunger Games than Battle Royale. Even with the edginess of a show like Nikita, I think being true to Battle Royale would require even a greater edginess which the CW just couldn'h handle. HBO, Showtime, etc. would be a far better place for this project.
ReplyDeleteThat's my thinking too. I don't know why go through the trouble of creating an adaptation for it if that's what they'll end up doing. I'm also skeptical that they'd keep the name. I guess it's the only venue to them to make a Hunger Games-like series, without coming off as a rip-off.
DeleteBad idea. Bad, bad, very bad idea :(
ReplyDeleteMihir
Can you repeat that please? I'm confused as to your feelings on the matter.
DeleteWith the hiring of Mark Pedowitz (and the firing of Dawn Ostroff [thank god)], the CW has been trying to change it's image. Their mid-Season series Cult looks like it could be promising as a more mature show.
ReplyDeleteYou might be correct here, but I haven't seen much different than what Dawn was doing back then, let's hope he brings us more shows that aren't about privileged teenagers.
DeleteHadn't heard of The Cult, but with T-Bag on board, looking forward to it.