In concert with our agent, we’ve had preliminary discussions with a production company about adapting one of the PEOPLE books to either a motion picture or television pilot. No one should get terribly excited about this. It’s far from a done deal. We’ve been down this road several times before, and a great many hurdles remain to be jumped. Nevertheless, just like Las Vegas, there’s always now a chance that you might see one of your favorite Gear stories on the screen.
For the moment, a nondisclosure agreement is in effect so we can’t discuss any of the details about which book is under consideration, or who the production company is. Stay tuned to the Gear fan club for details as they are revealed. You can link from the website home page.
We’re positive, at least, that the producer we talked with understands and is sympathetic to the fact that prehistory doesn’t mean what Hollywood has always protrayed it as. He’s looking at the project in a very human and complicated way. He is also intrigued by the notion that no one has ever filmed a precontact story set in America before, so the film would be breaking new ground. Even Mel Gibson’s APOCALYPTO, set among the Maya, ended with Spanish coming ashore.
The pipe dream in all of this is that if the project comes to fruition, and if it is successful, film makers will have a whole new universe of cultures and environments to draw from. The film also has the potential to overturn stereotypes of “prehistoric” North America.
In the meantime, we’re delighted with the prospect. Having a producer contact you about one of your books is always flattering. We’re looking forward to exploring the potentials of the project. It is, afterall, exciting times.
11 thoughts on “A POSSIBLE MOVIE?”
December 15, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Oh, please do People of the River or a combo of People of the Weeping Eye and People of the Thunder. A movie about Mississippians really would change everything, because right now almost no one has any idea that there was even a such a huge, sophisticated civilization here.
December 15, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I hope this happens. Just don’t let them holliwoodize your work. Any of your books would make a great movie if done right. I hope you’re able to maintain some editorial control of the script and finished product.
December 15, 2011 at 1:23 pm
It’s about time ! There are a lot of Americans still out here that would enjoy these type of movies . The world also needs to know the other side of the story about early America and the first Americans .
December 15, 2011 at 2:09 pm
People of the Lakes would be an awesome movie I think. The journey the 3 of them take and the interactions they have with each other is captivating. That is my favorite book in the series.
December 15, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I agree with Thomas, and am also terribly excited at the prospect of seeing your work on screen!
December 15, 2011 at 8:37 pm
I am an Avid reader of all your PEOPLE of Series … I have ever book of the set created so far in my personal Library … I have been PRAYING for a Set of Movie Releases of all this complete set of Books … I read them because they are educational with both Geographical & Archaeological facts that have encouraged & enticed me to both Travel & Learn more about these areas … I am Very Intrigued by each of the Native Tales that you have thus written about & Anticipate each & every new book you add to the series … Please continue Your awesome creativity & work!! … ANTICIPATING the MOVIES of the Future!!
December 16, 2011 at 7:02 am
I think ANY of the books would be an excellent choice, although I would personally prefer to see a TV series (HBO? PBS?). What a wonderful way to present the human experience and history by introducing everyone to the precontact history of the Americas.
Also had a bit of a smile at your use of the phrase “pipe dream” – no pun intended?
December 16, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I have read every book you have written and can’t wait for the next one. I would love to see a TV series of the People series. A movie of the de Soto series would be great also.
January 9, 2012 at 7:02 pm
This is great news. Every time I read a “people” book, I have in my mind what each character looks like and am always wishing I could see it on screen.
I have often thought of who I think should play the parts. I believe there is a definite audience out there for this film genre. People of the River would be good and I would love to see People of the Moon. I was at Chimney Rock a year ago after I read the book…beautiful! Also, I must be slow. I read People of the Moon first and later on People of the River. It was so wonderful to see the story of Nightshade threaded thru these two books! She is one of my favorite characters. I wish there was a book that followed Nightshade, Badgertail and Orenda back to the Southwest.
They would probaby have traveled through Western Kansas (where I live) which would be neat, because there are so few books about people from this area. Just a thought. Keep writing please. I am not happy it seems, unless I’m reading one of your books. Oh…the Anasazi series would make a good movie/mini-series, etc as well.
November 19, 2012 at 10:51 pm
I would love to see Abyss of Light as a TV series. Maybe the next two would work well as season 2 and 3 also. I don’t know yet, they’re still next on my reading list. Thank you for the wonderful characters.
November 27, 2012 at 8:19 am
Dear Tony: We’d love to see that as well. Maybe if the PEOPLE OF THE MIST screenplay sells, ABYSS OF LIGHT would be an option? We’ll keep our fingers crossed.