Shibumi - The Movie - Scriptwriter Contact & Update [REPOST]
Nikura...@yahoo.com
From: Nikuradse - view profile
Date: Fri, Feb 24 2006 12:35 pm
Stumbled across this weblog and asked a few questions awhile ago:
http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/01/writing-characters-and-race.html
Anonymous said...
Totally Off Topic
But I noticed that there is a John Rogers credited with the 3rd rewrite
of the Script for "Shibumi" being developed by Weed Road.
http://www.hollywood.com/movies/fulldetail/id/375360
I was curious if you are one of the same (presumably).
Also, were you aware that Rod Whitaker (Trevanian) died December 14th?
As a long-time Trevanian buff I was wondering if you are at liberty to
discuss your involvment with this project.
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To which Rogers replied..............
Well, had no idea that was out there.
Yeah, I did the latest draft -- although I didn't read that plot
listed, I didn't read any of the previous drafts -- on adaptations, I
always go all the way back to the source material. Bastard's been in
development for twenty years, you know.
I just heard Trevanian died. Pity, as I dug all his stuff back in the
day, and we made a hell of an effort to both keep the great stuff about
the book and update the rest for the movie. Some of the political stuff
won't work anymore, while quite a bit of it was terrifyingly relevant.
And some of the sex was very turgid 70's stuff. But there's Nicolai,
there's Hannah, there's the Basque, caving, and the Mother Company. And
Keanu was a MASSIVE fan of the book, which is how I got involved. So
the fans will be happy.
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To which I then further asked.....
Anonymous said...
Thanks for the info. I appreciate the detail.
If you hit the "More on this Movie" link in the right hand upper
quadrant your name pops up:
Writer Credit
Cyrus Nowrasteh - Screenplay (2nd rewrite)
Bud Trevanian - Source Material (based on novel: "Shibumi")
John Rogers - Screenplay (3rd rewrite)
Robert Resnikoff - Screenplay (rewrite)
Nicholas Meyer - Screenplay (Adaptation)
Did you get to consult with Trevanian / Whitaker via Email or
correspondence about the script.
I found the reference to a "Bud" Trevanian providing source material to
be somewhat cryptic and intrigueing.
I am a huge fan of the book myself.
I have been wondering off and on if this movie would ever appear.
I did do some research at the library of congress some time ago
(online) and Rod Whitaker / Trevanian optioned the film rights to
Steven Seagal (Yuck)circa 1992. Seagal assigned the option to Warner
Brothers and then the option was exercised and has kicked around ever
since.
I am glad that Seagal appears not to be involved (anymore).
I must say that the brief description of the plot on Hollywood.com
disturbed me (as a Trevanian purist). I found the thought of
"Assassin Nicholai has tried to find peace away from violence, but the
killing of his good friend, Asa, by Nicholai's old rival brings him out
of retirement to join Asa's niece in seeking revenge."
to be somewhat disturbing myself, part of the charm for me of the
original was the stereotyped character "Hannah Stern". I do hope that
the other Hana is left in the story.
I have been running a Google Group site about Trevanian if you are
curious.
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=trevanian&hl=en
Any idea if this thing will actually get filmed?
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to which I never got another reply but oh well
END