Deep Blue Goodbye/Travis McGee film? - Page 5

Well it is made by the fine people who brought us Bones! Which hasn't worn out it's welcome whatsoever.

And yes all this should be read with withering sarcasm.

I've been a MacDonald fan since the early '60's.  If Hollywood hadn't been too afraid of taking a chance on John D's stories during that period, with the exception of Cape Fear -- the original -- they might have started the McGee franchise with the first book in the series, The Deep Blue Goodbye.  The only person who could possibly have fit snugly into McGee's skin in that time period would have been Sam Elliott.  The comments about Paul Newman, Leonardo DiCaprio -- jeezus, are you serious? -- and laughably George Clooney and Robert Downey Jr are ludicrous.  The Rod Taylor outing in Darker Than Amber was an embarrassment ... he didn't fit the genotype, the descriptive images of McGee, nor  the mental image of the iconoclastic slayer of dragons that John D painted in the 21 book series.  I can understand the MacDonald estate wanting to continue to make money from his vast catalog of writings, but I really wish Dorothy would take a firm hand to control what the Hollywood scumbags try to do to John's legacy by putting forth the sissy-boys named to be the face of T. McGee in movies about him.

Hey hey! Somebody more irrationally possessive of this property than me! I mean that as a compliment. Welcome, in all sincerity!

I still hold that Fantasy Paul Newman Who's Six Inches Taller And Fifty Pounds Heavier would have been the absolute ideal McGee. Meaning that even more important than the (yeah, necessary) body type, it's the charm, intelligence, and potential ferocity of someone who could play both Butch Cassidy and Hud that's required. While the intimidating physical type needs to be there, if the wit and melancholy don't come through as well or better than they may as well cast David fucking Hasselhoff. As for Rod Taylor -- and I initially agreed with you, but have since reappraised -- MacDonald himself eventually approved of the casting. At first thinking Taylor was "maybe too squat and hairy and direct" (I love that description), MacDonald met him in person and

Which is entirely what we need to hope for from any film adaptation. Gotta get Trav's soul right, and then worry about the body; I'm to the point where I'll compromise on the latter before the former. Unfortunately, Leo probably has the acting chops to get there, but hoo-wee does he not have a face that looks lived in, or a voice that could deliver McGee-isms without, as someone earlier in the thread said, sounding like a Fight Club douche. He doesn't fit the physical description of Junior Allen, either, but I actually think that'd be a great role for him. Anyway, it feels like with the absolute lack of news on this front, his Deep Blue Good-By is kaput for now.

Missed the Bones introduction and the pilot, but caught last night's "The Finder" on a cold watch. And... Yeah, other than being set in Florida, Casey, I really don't see the McGee influences. Maybe in the sense of the "finding" business being some sort of take on "salvage consultant"? But seeing as this guy works entirely (?) with the establishment/law enforcement, and compulsively, not just to get some coin in his pocket, that's not getting there, either. But I didn't hate it, it killed an hour last night, and wasn't terrible, and it was nice seeing Michael Clarke Duncan being allowed to play an intelligent man. But I'll be surprised if the show gets any legs under it. It's part of that weird modern sub-genre of Violent Crime Via Quirky Fluff.

Willis too old. Clooney too short. DiCaprio taller than most think...the best thing about him is that he studies his parts better than most. I suspect he would read every book and know the character well. He would help cast Meyer as most fans know would be crucial.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckchud 

Willis too old. Clooney too short. DiCaprio taller than most think...the best thing about him is that he studies his parts better than most. I suspect he would read every book and know the character well. He would help cast Meyer as most fans know would be crucial.

I still say

Hi to all Trav fans out there who have posted. I just recently found this site, and I too have been/am a Trav fan. The following was posted by me on another site some time ago, but I still think its relevant in regards to the collective thoughts posted. Some of the actors I mention are no longer with us- Patrick Swayze- but I hope my ramblings are taken in the spirit  as written, so here goes-I've been/am a longtime Travis McGee fan. In 1970 , when "Darker Than Amber" was released, I was delighted, enthralled and because I was employed as a feature assistant editor/writer/reporter for a Sydney-based film/media monthly I was able to review the movie.It was a great movie-Rod Taylor-as advertised"is Travis McGee" He was a great choice for the character. Like many others, I am a great fan. I only hope-again like those many others- that whoever is in charge of casting is also a fan. There has been a lot of "chatter" about this, and -again redundant-I can only hope that "the Powers that Be" in the so-called "Studio System" of today-that someone "Out There"
will be as responsive(and responsible) to consider the many thousands of fans -not only domestically,but world-wide of John D. MacDonald's creation.
Many actors have been nominated for the new production. I have yet to hear anything from the production company. re any actor.
I'm skeptical-in this. While I want to believe that good sound judgement will prevail, I have to look at recent terrible "Hollywood" style thinking in past/recent productions. Will Smith as James West in "Wild, Wild West"?? The pitiful remake of "I Spy", "The Honeymooners"? If this is any indication, I'd say Trav will be portrayed by Chris Rock, and Meyer by Jackie Chan(vice versa?) I really don't have much faith in Hollywood "moguls", as the only thing "those people" think about is the opening weekend.

But to more germain matters- my choices to play Trav would be- Dennis Quaid; Patrick Swayze;EricRoberts(Julia's Brother);Tom Janes;Harry Hamlin;Kurt Russell(sp?)Those named are actors with some reputation-they are also "of a certain age" (except Janes) If the franchise were to continue,(and that is always an option in Hollywood) they have to consider the actor in the part)Trav was in his late 30's-early40's in "Deep" and aged-remarkable for a contemporary hero in the books-Not many(if any) actors would consider committing to a continuing series.I can only hope-like countless others-that whoever is in charge of this production really does love the character and John D's novels as much as the countless fans out there, and try to his/her best to stay true to the portrayal in casting.The sad fact that there is little-if no- info on the production/casting- doesn't bode well in my book.I hope I'm wrong. The Travis McGee series is a great series/character and deserves a great production value.Personally,I'd love to see a TV series ala "Columbo" -I think a TV production would adhere to a better series. But again, its the money-that's the bottom line. I don't know how much influence/input John D's son/heirs have in this-I -like many other true fans -can only hope they didn't "sell out"

I've been losing a lot of productive hours the past couple weeks after having discovered this John D. MacDonald-centric blog. The author has done some amazing, impressive scholarship and reportage, especially on the subject that led me there, the long-mythologized A Black Border For McGee. Apparently, MacDonald was working on McGee #22....

His research is impeccable, and there's hardly a dud entry. I really like his write-ups of the non-McGees in the catalog. I'm getting that urge again to do a hard-target search of every used bookstore in a 30-mile radius in a hunt for more JDM paperbacks. Meanwhile, I'm about to crack a well-preserved hardcover of One More Sunday.

Back in 1963 a fellow at work handed me a book and said, "You will like this". He knew I enjoyed Science Fantasy. The book was "The Girl The Gold Watch and Everything". Late that night I put the book down and thought, what else has this John D MacDonald fellow written? Well...70 or so books later including the Travis series I know him well. And so do my 4 kids who also know him well.

If 'Deep Blue' is done properly, it will start a francise and make someone a whole bunch of money. If done poorly, I will just re-read my books. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trav McGee 

I've been losing a lot of productive hours the past couple weeks after having discovered this John D. MacDonald-centric blog. The author has done some amazing, impressive scholarship and reportage, especially on the subject that led me there, the long-mythologized A Black Border For McGee. Apparently, MacDonald was working on McGee #22....

 

His research is impeccable, and there's hardly a dud entry. I really like his write-ups of the non-McGees in the catalog. I'm getting that urge again to do a hard-target search of every used bookstore in a 30-mile radius in a hunt for more JDM paperbacks. Meanwhile, I'm about to crack a well-preserved hardcover of One More Sunday.

What a great site. Thanks for posting it here. I'm guessing there's no good way to find most of Macdonald's non-McGee books without scouring the earth or paying through the nose? Wish they'd set these up as ebooks.

Spader would be a bad Meyer. We need someone like Gene Hackman but younger.

I have every book that MacDonald wrote (and no, I will not part with any). Thats not quite true since I can't seem to locate my copy of, "Wine of the Dreamers". I have a few copies of some so that I can lend them out without fear of having an incomplete collection. And I have 3 copies of, "The Girl The Gold Watch and Everything". That is the Science Fantasy book that made me aware of JDM and a big fan. And to make some fans really be envious, I have DVR's of, "Darker Than Amber" with Taylor, the very bad west coast "Travis McGee" on a sailboat instead of a houseboat for God sake, and both pilots for, The Girl The Gold Watch and Everything". Like I have often said, I want "Deep Blue" to be a good movie...one that will begin a series of films. If they screw it up, I will just keep reading my old books.