Summary
George R.R. Martin may not be at Nicholas Sparks' level when it comes to adaptations, but he’s getting up there. When asked about a film translation of his novelFevre Dream, theGame of Thronesauthor claims he is ready for it – and that he has been ready for years.
Published in 1982, Martin’s bookFevre Dreamwas written more than a decade before his hitAGame of Thrones. Unlike his popular works set in Westeros and focused on dragons, power struggles and noble houses,Fevre Dreamis a historical vampire novel set in the 1850s. It follows Abner Marsh, a struggling steamboat captain, who receives an offer from Joshua York to fund a luxurious steamboat. York is a mysterious individual who turns out to be a vampire with a unique vision for his kind. The book blends horror, fantasy, and historical fiction. When asked if he had any plans for adaptations ofFevre Dream, it turned out he had and the script was ready.
Martin recently sat down for an interview withColliderfor his newest movie,In The Lost Lands. According to Martin, he is busy with developing works in progress, and that studios “keep wanting other projects” from him as well. While his most popular works are those associated withGame of Thrones, the scribe admitted that his favorite work wasn’t set in Westeros. “I think maybe my favorite child is my vampire book,Fevre Dream, which, until I started withGame of Thrones, was definitely the best of my preceding novels.” It turned out that he already had a deal withDisneyfor it years ago, but it didn’t push through. However, he had already written the screenplay.
This time around, Martin is determined forFevre Dreamto be adapted, saying it is a “dream project.” He also revealed that he is in talks with at least three directors who could helm the movie. Martin revealed two conditions for the adaptation — that a new writer isn’t hired and that it be set in the proper historical era on a steamboat, just as what was written in the book. Martin said:
If it is made, I don’t want to hire some other writer to have his version. I want my version. I want to get a director on it who loves the material and would be a great director. We’ve had interest from at least three fairly major directors, two of whom I love. They’re great, great directors, and it would be amazing to work with them. The third is a good, solid director, but I wouldn’t say in the same category as the other two. But still, that would be a good movie from them.
Although some probably haven’t heard ofFevre Dream, his diehard fans are aware of it and are undoubtedly interested in a live-action project. Last year, Martin said he had conversations with Academy Award-winning directorGuillermo del Toroabout the film. The pair has also been eyeing Ron Perlman to play the lead character — Abner Marsh. Whether it’ll actually happen is up in the air, but according to Martin, “[e]verybody wants to do it.” However, they reportedly need $100 million to push through with the project.
Aside from the budget, another thing that probably is holding them back from this pie-in-the-sky version of an adaptation a bit is del Toro’s upcomingFrankenstein. Although he couldn’t commit toFevre Dreamjust yet, del Toro is reportedly committed to eventually bringing the story to the big screen. Here’s hoping it works out for all involved. Rabid GRRM fans would appreciate yet another adaptation of his work.
