Blade Runner writer drafting Ridley Scott's The Forever War

05 August 2010

John Howell

We told you almost two years ago now that Ridley Scott is working on an adaptation of Joe Haldeman's 1974 novel The Forever War, a book he's apparently been trying to adapt for over 20 years. Now Haldeman has revealed that David Peoples is the man Ridley Scott has chosen to write the screenplay. Peoples is best known for writing Blade Runner (with Hampton Francer), along with Lady Hawke, Twelve Monkeys, Solider, and the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven.

Now we have a great director, adapting a fantastic novel, with a brilliant writer. What more could you ask for?

"Scott has a script; last I heard," said Haldeman on his website, "it was the fourth rewrite. I've talked to the writer - he has good credits, like Unforgiven. I'm not among the people who assume that the novel will be desecrated by the movie. It will be interesting to see somebody else's take on it."

He also revealed that he wasn't asked to write a screenplay:

"Incidentally, I wasn't asked to submit a screenplay," he said, "though I've been a member of the Writers Guild for almost thirty years and have solid production credits. No surprise. They don't want the book's author saying 'Hold it! I wrote the book, and that's not the way it goes.'"

The Forever War tells the story of a soldier who, after a two month battle in space with an alien species called the "Taurans", returns to Earth 20 years later. Because of the time dilation effect while travelling through space he has aged only a few months, while Earth has moved 20 years into the future. He must adjust to a society and culture altered beyond recognition. The combination of an interstellar war, time travel, and social dislocation is a fascinating mix. I've read The Forever War and it's sequels many times now.

Ridley Scott also announced in April last year that The Forever War adaptation would be in 3D. "I've seen some of James Cameron's work, and I've got to go 3D. It's going to be phenomenal," he said.

The Forever War won both the Nebula and Hugo Awards and there are two sequels, Forever Free and Forever Peace. In the 80s Scott intended to follow Alien and Blade Runner with The Forever War, but acquiring the rights proved more difficult than expected, delaying his plans.

So now it looks like we'll see Ridley Scott's first Alien prequel, followed by The Forever War, with a Brave New World adaptation with Leonardo DiCaprio sometime after that? Ridley Scott really has become a born again science fiction fan.

(Via FirstShowing)

Related Articles

Blade Runner sequel and Prometheus update...
Director Ridley Scott is about to return to science fictio...

Ridley Scott directing Blade Runner follow up...
This is amazing news. According to Deadline, Ridley Scott is...

Guy Pearce confirmed for Ridley Scott’s Prometheus...
Australian actor Guy Pearce has joined Ridley Scott’s Alien ...

Blade Runner sequels and prequels happening...
The iconic science fiction film Blade Runner, based on a boo...

Ridley Scott's Alien prequel becomes Prometheus ...
Ridley Scott's Alien prequel is no longer an Alien prequel. ...

Ridley Scott and the BBC to adapt The Man in the High Castle...
Ridley Scott, director of Blade Runner and Alien, is wo...