But what about the movies that don’t ever make it to the screen? These leave behind the most interesting myths, fuelled by our own imagination of what might have been, and here’s where David Hughes’ book comes in. He pieces together the scripts, the storyboards, the costumes and the characterisations by interviewing the key players (whose stories very rarely agree) and shows us the projects that might have been something special. Of course, there are also the projects that sounded deeply misguided to begin with; it’s up to you to decide which unstarted/unfinished film belongs in what category. The woes soon start to become predictable as you read about them in a long line, and the names become familiar. The same writers, in particular, crop up again and again, putting their names on to treatments and scripts until the original idea usually gets buried underneath all the different versions. The act of losing what could have made for a great film in the first place is painful to read about every single time, particularly if it’s a book you love. One that particularly bothers me is the chapter devoted to the classic Alfred Bester SF novel The Stars My Destination, in which it is mooted that the story might be improved by removing the tattoos from Gully Foyle’s face. An honourable mention must go to the producer for one of the unsuccessful scripts for The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy who asked Douglas Adams to change the answer to the Ultimate Question so that it made more sense. If it’s not possible to make a decent film of a book without changing these components then perhaps some books really should not be turned into cinematic excursions at all. I know, I know, that’s hardly the correct attitude for a film lover to take. But it’s difficult to read about these things and not feel grateful that sometimes these projects didn’t work out. Having said that, I would dearly love to see a great and imaginative adaptation of The Stars My Destination or Arthur C Clarke’s Childhood’s End. I just don’t want to see a bad one, or even a passable one. The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made is undoubtedly a brilliant read if you’re interested in how deals are done and films get produced. But it comes with a warning – if you love science fiction it might well sadden you as much as it amuses you. Still, good reads should share that in common with good films; experiencing a range of emotions as you take in every little detail is surely the sign of being properly entertained. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
