NETFLIX PICKS SF-1ST-OF-6 FOR FLICK

December 7, 2017 11:05 AM

Congratulations to MeFi's Own jscalzi! Deadline reports Netflix Grabs Hold Of John Scalzi’s Sci-Fi Novel ‘Old Man’s War’ For Jon Shestack, Madhouse "EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has acquired John Scalzi’s modern sci-fi classic Old Man’s War to develop as an original film. The novel is the first in a bestselling six-book series and is considered to be one of the best of the genre over the past two decades, nominated for a Hugo Award. Jon Shestack Productions and Madhouse Entertainment will produce."
posted by Doktor Zed to MetaFilter-Related at 11:05 AM (33 comments total)

Hell yeah, jscalzi!
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:05 AM on December 7, 2017 [5 favorites]

Neat! They definitely could do some interesting stuff, TV wise, in that universe.
posted by Captain_Science at 11:30 AM on December 7, 2017

Indeed!

I feel like this is of general interest and someone should just post it on the blue.
posted by selfnoise at 11:39 AM on December 7, 2017

Congrats!
posted by zarq at 11:46 AM on December 7, 2017

I AM EXCITED SO SO EXCITED
posted by cooker girl at 11:58 AM on December 7, 2017

Here's jscalzis post about it Old Man’s War in Development at Netflix.
posted by skynxnex at 12:01 PM on December 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

Oh yeah, get you some of that netflix money jscalzi.
posted by Justinian at 12:06 PM on December 7, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'm sure you all are quite familiar with Old Man's War already but for the few who are not, it's probably the most Heinleinesque of Scalzi's novels. It's in the tradition of STARSHIP TROOPERS and Haldeman's FOREVER WAR though of course that's a large oversimplification.
posted by Justinian at 12:08 PM on December 7, 2017 [2 favorites]

Congratulations, but how's that Redshirts adaptation coming?
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:10 PM on December 7, 2017

Wow, when worlds collide! I love this book and will definitely watch the movie when it comes out! Congrats, jscalzi!
posted by Lynsey at 12:16 PM on December 7, 2017

Hopeful that Netflix can get MeFi's Own out of the Development Hell he was in with OMW before (Bad SyFy, Bad!) and still is with Redshirts (why do I suspect that people are saying "well, we already have The Orville", another reason to hate Seth Mc).
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:36 PM on December 7, 2017

Oh man, I'm loving that Netflix is embracing/adapting SF lately. Altered Carbon and now Old Man's War. This is great to hear. Congrats Scalzi!! This is just a reminder that I need to go back and read the rest of the books in that sequence, I've only read the first book (but if it makes you feel better, I've read it 3 times)!!

:)
posted by Fizz at 12:37 PM on December 7, 2017

Me on this very website less than 48 hours ago: The Netflix/streaming service funding model for movies is weird and we should talk about what it means to the future of the industry that produces those artistic endeavors.

Me now: Shut up nerd and let them give jscalzi that money!

(Seriously though, this is great news.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:43 PM on December 7, 2017 [10 favorites]

Hooray!

Now I'm imagining a comedy sequel depicting John Perry's time on Huckleberry.
posted by audi alteram partem at 12:45 PM on December 7, 2017

Woah, awesome!!
posted by Grither at 12:51 PM on December 7, 2017

If you have not read the book it has the potential for a really fine science fiction film, there's fairly unique scifi elements but also strong human issues on both personal and world galactic wide. Although the female solders may be, ah, reminiscent.

Do read the book!
posted by sammyo at 1:08 PM on December 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm willing to bet they ditch the color.
posted by Justinian at 1:39 PM on December 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

Congrats jscalzi! I picked up Old Man's War ages ago in a Humble Book Bundle (I think....) Definitely made me a fan. I keep meaning to read the rest of the series but you've got so many other great books I keep getting distracted! I'll be looking forward to this.
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 1:41 PM on December 7, 2017

GET HYPE
posted by boo_radley at 1:49 PM on December 7, 2017

Aw, congrats! How exciting.
posted by Secretariat at 3:26 PM on December 7, 2017

Holy shit, I have been very obtuse and never put together the author of that book and our member being one in the same. It's a good book, I enjoyed it without even knowing that I'd probably been spoken to by the author somewhere, somewhen. If that's not the sort of praise folks expect or appreciate then, well, I don't know what to say.

Congrats!
posted by RolandOfEld at 7:10 PM on December 7, 2017

Congratulations! I assume all relevant guild rules require him to be credited as ‘MeFi’s own.’
posted by Room 641-A at 11:43 PM on December 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

Wow, congrats!
posted by Fig at 3:25 AM on December 8, 2017

Excellent!
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:54 AM on December 8, 2017

Woohoo!
posted by lazaruslong at 1:41 PM on December 8, 2017

Congratulations, this is wonderful!
posted by SLC Mom at 2:26 PM on December 8, 2017

Awesome. I'm going to watch the hell out of this.
posted by Ragged Richard at 3:23 PM on December 8, 2017

I got super excited when I read Madhouse but it's a different one so I have been downgraded to very excited. Can't wait for the giant green orgy scene.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 4:20 PM on December 8, 2017

I was reahappy to see this news! Congratulations.
posted by OmieWise at 6:39 PM on December 8, 2017

Thank you, everyone! I'm very pleased.

Re: Redshirts -- the option lapsed and is back to me (and yes, The Orville probably had something to do with that) but we're fielding new offers on it, so we'll see.
posted by jscalzi at 5:23 AM on December 9, 2017 [10 favorites]

OMG that's awesome.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:55 PM on December 9, 2017

Congrats, jscalzi.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:40 AM on December 10, 2017

Yay John.

Never mind about The Orville.

.
posted by mule98J at 10:29 AM on December 10, 2017