Rendezvous with Rama | Denis Villeneuve

[Cremildo]

After tackling Frank Herbert’s speculative classic Dune, Denis Villeneuve is set to direct an adaption of another sci-fi story from genre staple Arthur C. Clarke.

Villeneuve will helm Rendezvous with Rama for Alcon Entertainment, which worked with the director on the Hugh Jackman- and Jake Gyllenhaal-starrer Prisoners and Blade Runner: 2049. Along with Alcon co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosov, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreery will produce via their Revelations Entertainment banner, with Freeman having previously held the rights to the 1973 novel.

The story from Clarke, the writer behind 2001: A Space Odyssey, follows a group of human space explorers that are tasked with intercepting an alien starship that is hurtling through the solar system. It is believed that the missions will lead to mankind’s first contact with alien intelligence.

“This is one of the most intelligent works of fiction in the genre; it poses as many questions as it does answers, and is a work for our time,” said Johnson and Kosove. “It’s perfectly fitted to our friend and collaborator Denis’ brilliant sensibilities and specifically to his love and passion for science fiction. We are also pleased to work with Morgan and Lori, who have a long-standing passion for this IP.” Alcon will finance the project. [+]

[slumcat]

I mean if anyone can bring it to the big screen it's him.

Not the biggest fan but he's has a talent for creating worlds on screen for sure.

[HipsterTrash]

More interested in him finishing Dune (and Dune Messiah) then going to that R-rated Cleopatra.
But I'll take this regardless. He's great.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by HipsterTrash

More interested in him finishing Dune (and Dune Messiah) then going to that R-rated Cleopatra.

Dune - Part 2 is his next project.

I reckon he'll make Rama after that. I bet 10 dollars Cleopatra will fall through the cracks, what with the Gal Gadot version getting greenlit first.

[Richard Graham]

David Fincher, along with Morgan, were attached to this right after Se7en.

[Phillip c. Niethe]

This guy and Ridley Scott are toe to toe for my favorite Director

[Moonlight Shadow]

So after adapting my favourite scifi novel Villeneuve will adapt my second favourite scifi novel.

[HillSprinter]

Fantastic news. I never read much sci-fi beyond Arthur C, but I’ve always wanted to see this given the big screen treatment, and Denis is the perfect guy to do it justice!

[tcripe]

Ill watch anything Denis makes.

[Gacivory]

Sign me up!

[sandman slim]

Great news, and plenty of material for sequels if it's a hit. There's three direct followups (Rama II, Garden of Rama & Rama Revealed) and two others set in the Rama universe (Bright Messengers & Double Full Moon Night).

[vertigop1ayer]

Never read it, but it's Villeneuve so I am automatically in.

[imsounoriginal]

Wish Fincher had done it.

[spanky87]

Following up a Dune two parter with another sci-fi novel adaptation is such a boring choice.

[Elgie]

I held out some hope Fincher would circle back to this some day. I was also hoping Denis would take a break from sci fi after Dune. It’s not that I’m uninterested but whatever happen to that HBO miniseries he was developing with Jake Gyllenhaal?

[JoeKryten]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Dune - Part 2 is his next project.

I reckon he'll make Rama after that. I bet 10 dollars Cleopatra will fall through the cracks, what with the Gal Gadot version getting greenlit first.

Considering the history of Rama attempts (I think there was at least one prior to Freeman's well publicized, decade plus long go at it), it seems equally likely that Rama will be the one to never come to fruition.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Following up a Dune two parter with another sci-fi novel adaptation is such a boring choice.

Not sure how. Rama is a fantastic story, and utterly unlike Dune. To me it's the most exciting choice he could have made.

[Just_Discovered_3D]

Originally Posted by HipsterTrash

More interested in him finishing Dune (and Dune Messiah) then going to that R-rated Cleopatra.
But I'll take this regardless. He's great.

After Dune 2021, I'm hopeful that DV will let go of his ambitions for Cleopatra. Retconning fictional characters and novel plots is one thing, retconning archeology and historical record is another.


From what I recall of Rama, the source seems more up DV's alley than Dune was. Although once folks catch wind of Arthur C. Clarke's putative proclivities, the cancellation hammer might be dropping.

[unberechenbar]

Can’t wait!

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by vertigop1ayer

Never read it, but it's Villeneuve so I am automatically in.

It’s a good book and if done right, a film would be cool. So, therefore, I’m IN.