Alright - Give it to me straight about The Hitchhiker's Guide Movie

Is it gonna suck? Is it gonna blow? Is it gonna be good? Will it do my dishes for me? Why does it seem that the way Zaphod looks in the trailer he couldn't possibly bang his heads together as is often suggested by creatures he runs into? Am I justifiably psyched that one of my favorite Hip-Hoppers is cast as Ford Prefect? Is Douglas Adams spinning in his grave? Am I really Pizpot Gargravaar in disguise?

What the deal?

Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.

If not that, I'll smash you over the head with a large gold brick, wrapped in a slice of lime . . .

I also love the idea Mos Def will be Prefect.

I wonder who will be the Book's narrator. It'll be hard to top Peter Jones, with his superlative voice and presentation.

who is as good a choice as any. William Franklin, an older and more minor British actor (and friend of Peter Jones) did the book in the 3rd radio series - quite well, but Fry should be able to do a good job.

I expect you'll know him (your knowledge of British TV seems extensive), but if not, he was in Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster, the 'Wilde' movie, and a lot more.

They're doing two books at once, I hear, when there was enough material to give each book their own movie.

which was most of the first 2 books (and was of course the original, the radio series predating the first book).

after all, his own radio scripts and books clashed with each other on such important things as the fate of Trillian. So although "go bang your heads together" is a nice insult, I can live without it. And Ford Prefect has already been played by a different actor on radio and TV. I'll give Mos Def the benefit of the doubt until I see the finished product.

What pisses me off is the gratuituous replacement of Marvin's voice. The original, Stehpen Moore, is still acting - and age obviously is no problem. Early rumours said he was going to do the voice - I think they went for Alan Rickman purely for American name recognition. Moore's Marvin is the definitive depressed cynic (he ought to be doing the voice for Eeyore as well) and I cannot believe Rickman can do as good a job.

If you're a real fan, did you know the BBC did a radio adaption of the third book last year - with orginal (radio) cast where possible (and Adams himself playing a part)? It wasn't bad - though the novelty value wasn't there for me, knowing the books so well (which I'm slightly worried about for the movie). The fourth book is due on radio sometime this year.

just saw the trailers for the first time this weekend (just noticed the site was updated).

it looks like it is going to be great.

from what i have read, Adams actually wrote the screen play so i am not nervous about that, also keep in mind that he allowed this story to be fluid, i.e. the books are based on an original radio story, the movie is based on this same story but it will not be exactly like the book(s).

i am ver optimistic about it.

CG effects have never been used for such a good thing, i have been waiting for a movie like for years ever since i watched the hitchiker's TV special thing where zaphod has that fake plastic head.

I may camp out at the box office!

And a great cast can elevate an okay script to a decent movie. With a good script? A GREAT movie!!! Let's hope, anyway!

My biggest concern is that I have heard that there may be a love connection between Arthur and Trillian - which runs counter to the story of HHG that I know. Typical Hollywood. However, as another poster said, Adams had no problems with some screwy continuity between the various adaptations of his story.

I am, however, interested in how their gonna fit Humma Gravula, as played by Malkovich, into the story. Apparently Adams wrote this character in especially for the movie before he died. My take is that Gravula is some kind of missionary to the Jatavartid people (remember the Great Green Arkelseizure).

Overall, I very interested in seeing the movie, but I will have to treat it as I did with Jackson's LOTR: an adaptation of the story, not a point-by-point recounting of the original tale. This approach seems to result in less pain and dissatisfaction.