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Asimov’s Foundation rests with Ronald Emmerich
Drawing the short straw, Columbia Pictures got the screen rights to the legendary science fiction trilogy Foundation by Isaac Asimov. And it looks like Roland Emmerich, a man not easily scared off by epic films, is who they are setting up for the big comfy chair.
Originally published as a series of eight short stories in Astounding Magazine beginning in 1942, Foundation is a complex saga about humans who are scattered on planets throughout the galaxy, living under the rule of the Galactic Empire.A psycho-historian who can scientifically read the future sees an imminent empire collapse, and sets to work preparing to save the knowledge of mankind.
Personally I think the main reason no one has done this film and why its changed hands is that once they sit down with their prize they stand in awe and wonderment of the masterpiece it is they instantly realize that this cannot translate to a blockbuster film. Its a paradox, but something so perfect will just not translate into a summer hit. The human race just isn’t ready.
Its literary triumph will be buried in mockery should they even bother to try it, so in silent haste each of its previous owners close the book, and quietly pass on the rights to another studio.
And so the legend has been and will be passed down in the ancient ways.
I want this movie to come but it faces some challenges. Asimovs’ writing always steered away from fighting and car chase scenes. That’s why so many people hated I, Robot. It went so far away from the original material it wasn’t even the same story. The same thing can happen here. I am optimistic since they were able to make watchmen, so who knows. Just keep Will Smith away from it.