Brad Pitt to star in The Odyssey
October 18, 2008 by Sherry
Variety.com is reporting that Brad Pitt is being pegged to star in The Odysseey, based on the epic Greek masterpiece written by Homer. While he hasn’t officially signed on, Warner Bros. is setting it up in the hopes of having George Miller directing, Plan B producing, and Brad Pitt in the lead role of Odysseus.
I think that this could be a really great idea except for one thing. WB has decided they won’t exactly be following the original story of The Odyssey, which follows Odysseus’ torturous journey home from Troy, a trip that takes years and leads him into dangers like Sirens, a Cyclops, and Hades. Instead, they’re adapting the story and setting it in a futuristic space story.
WHY? Why would they do that? The Odyssey is a brilliant piece of literature packed full of adventure and excitement. It most certainly does not need to be set in outer space in the future - Ancient Greek mythology is perfectly adrenaline-pumping all on its own. I’m wondering how Brad Pitt will feel about the adaptation. I know he reads a great deal in constant search for good movie ideas and having already done a film like Troy, I have trouble picturing him agreeing to do this total upheaval of The Odyssey. I guess time will tell, and if he does film it, I’ll watch it out of curiosity, but in all honesty, everything inside of me is cringing at the thought of such an incredible and ridiculously huge change in the original story.
What do you think?
(Thanks for the link, Ligaya!)
When I first read this post, I couldn’t agree more with Sherry on why, why, WHY would anyone want to turn The Odissey into some weird, hollywoodesque, sci-fi thing. I thought there’s more than enough action and adrenaline in the original story to make a great epic movie that could interest both Greek mithology fans and Hollywood fans.
However, I then remember a cartoon series I used to watch when I was a kid; it was called Ulises 31 (Ulises or Odiseo are the Spanish names for Odysseus) and guess what: it was a futuristic, space-era Odyssey. I can’t remember how accurately or loosely they followed the story, I just remember the main characters were Odysseus, Penelope and their son Thelemaccus (I’m not really sure about how you spell it in English…). But what I DO remember is that I absolutely LOVED it… How would that translate into a movie, however, I don’t really know, and anyway, I can’t really see Brad agreeing to be a part of something that could go very wrong…
Regarding who should play Odysseus… If this movie ever gets made, I understand it is not some Troy franchise, so I don’t see why should Brad not star just because he played Acchilles in Troy. Anyway, I suppose we would get a rather tough, scruffy-bearded guy instead of the babyface, perfect-hair-and-makeup one we got in Troy (I have to say that although I enjoyed Troy very much, I think Acchilles was one of Brad’s worst roles, even though I consider him a wonderful, very much undervalued actor).
And in relation to Troy not really following The Iliad… well, that’s true, but I once read an interview with the film’s director, who said he had read and loved The Iliad as a youngster (he read it in Greek, can you believe it…?!), but he had wanted to do his own thing, loosely basing it on the actual story.
allthough i love brad pitt( a very underated actor) and george miller one of the greatest storytellers, i seriously doubt that a futuristic odeyssey is a good idea.i thought troy was a good movie and i am a big fan of greek mythologies, + i remenber seeing an adaptation of homer`s story on the hallmark channel which was great.my advice, follow the story closely because it is a great one or drop the project.