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Murderbot TV Series
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Betsy
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Dec 27, 2023 01:32AM
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Exciting! When I read the article about Apple TV ordering the series, my first thought was this: Animated or Live-Action? I think it could work either way, but somehow, I envision an "Adult Swim" type of cartoon show a little better. But I'd just as easily watch a live-action space opera/drama version. The way the book series is written, in short installments, it should be fairly straightforward to adopt this to an episode-based format. My only concern is that the showrunners will run out of written material after one season and "Game of Thrones" it-- unless Ms. Wells gets cracking and starts writing more novellas!
In my head Murderbot leans more feminine, so I was imagining someone like Gwendolyn Christie (Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones, Captain Phasma from Star Wars), so I’m not super excited that they cast Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot. He also doesn’t seem to have the snark needed for Murderbot.I’ll watch it if they ever make it — “optioned” is a very long way from production — but I’m skeptical going in.
I also think Gwendoline Christie would be great. I think Skarsgard can definitely do snark though. I wonder if they will play up the anti-corporate elements.
MadProfessah wrote: "I also think Gwendoline Christie would be great. I think Skarsgard can definitely do snark though. I wonder if they will play up the anti-corporate elements."I think he can be very funny, especially when he does deadpan jokes like in True Blood, or goes over the top like in Documentary Now! or Zoolander, but it’s that subtle sarcastic thing I’ve never really seen him do that I think is the heart of Murderbot.
I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because I’ve liked him in everything I’ve seen him do, he just doesn’t feel quite right for this.
i do not like Skarsgard or Christie for this. i think it needs to be someone who is androgynous yet bulky and big. i follow somebody (Kel Leigh aka bigsexy81) on socials who fits that description but she is not an actress. She is 6'5 and broad. MANY folks mistake her for a man until they hear her talk or see her chest clearly.
i do like it is a tv show and not a movie. then they can include more details from the books! hoping the writers are good so they can make up new muderbot episodes independent of the books.
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https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/murderb..."
Not based on the Martha Wells books, the first of which was published in 2017.
I am excited about the possibility of _Murderbot_ as a television series. I am a little bit concerned by the casting of a man in the role as I have come to see Murderbot as more gender nonbinary than either a female or male gender role. That wouldn't stop me from watching the show. It just feels a bit off.
Someone mentioned Elliot Page as Murderbot, and that’s a really interesting choice. He’s not tall enough, but they could just pull a Mandalorian and have someone else in the suit while he does the voice.
Mod
That's an interesting choice, but I agree he's too slight. I envision Murderbot as male and well developed, if not beefy. But maybe somewhat androgynous.
I was just thinking about robots in TV and movies, and it occurred to me that I don’t gender them. Even though B9, Robby and C-3PO are voiced by men, I don’t think of them as “male”, with all the baggage that entails. Ditto for AMEE, who is repeatedly referred to as “girl” but doesn’t speak. I have never once thought of it as female.On the other hand, cyborgs like Robocop or the Terminator definitely come across as men, even though they don’t have the equipment. Hopefully the showrunners of Murderbot can manage to lean into the former group rather than the latter.
OG Robby on whether he’s male: https://youtu.be/snLleErh-i8?si=TuJh9...
B9 versus new Robby: https://youtu.be/gv3kBLKXrkc?si=MV4Sg...
AMEE: https://youtu.be/KTcOOzD-JQs?si=3k2aw...
OG Robocop: https://youtu.be/PcPElnvb6bI?si=F21qU...
Reboot Robocop: https://youtu.be/d-SLhDmaTqI?si=SfZm7...
I can see Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot even though I read Murderbot as gender neutral not male. I wasn't especially fond of True Blood but Skarsgård's portrayal of Eric Northman makes me think he can successfully portray Murderbot.
Betsy wrote: "Start date May 16. https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-skar..."
thank you! the helmet def makes it look like a scary robot. alexandar still looks too male for me. his face does not make me wonder ehat gender he is.
Mod
And I think the casting is pretty close to my visualisation of Murderbot.
I loved these books so wow a TV show, looking forward to seeing it
the trailer looks good. funny action scifi. still not sure if i like skarsgard as murderbot though. he is too handsome.i REALLY hope they give us shorts of the soap opera. it looks hilarious
Kay Dee (what is your storygraph name? wrote: "the trailer looks good. funny action scifi. still not sure if i like skarsgard as murderbot though. he is too handsome.i REALLY hope they give us shorts of the soap opera. it looks hilarious"
I would sign that petition. Anyone want to start it?
I’m cautiously optimistic. It definitely looks like they’ve preserved the tone of the books, and any time David Dastmalchian shows up I’m interested. Apparently Skarsgard is the driving force behind this adaptation, so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
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My biggest gripe is that the episodes are so short -- less than 30 minutes. So, I'm waiting to watch the next three episodes this weekend.
Betsy wrote: "So I watched the first three episodes and enjoyed them. I think Skarsgård does a good job and the other characters are good. Some slight tinkering with plot, but not enough the really bother me. ..."
are they doing just one book so far?
Mod
I don't know. Haven't heard otherwise. Anyone else?
Yes, just the first book for the first season.
Trike wrote: "Yes, just the first book for the first season."Thanks! i like the sound of that. also explains why the episodes are so short since the books are as well.
My spouse and I just started watching this, and well…we blew through the available episodes in a single night, ha ha. I think the show writers did a great job adapting the book and the plot changes made sense to me for the different medium. I was a bit skeptical of Skårsgard at first but his awkward delivery definitely fits the character.
I loved this adaptation! I was a little nervous during the first episode, feeling they might have leaned too far into humor, but I was quickly won over. I think they made some smart choices to make the story work in the visual medium. Totally agree with Caitlin above! The Ink to Film podcast will be doing an interview with Martha Wells about this adaptation during World Con next week. They'll post to their podcast which might be interesting to check out.
I also watched the entire series and I liked it quite a lot. I think maybe 3-1/2 stars out of 5 for me. My two sticking points were Skarsgard as Murderbot not aligning with my mental image (but I thought he was great in the role), and Mensah in the book was more poised, practiced and a professional politician than in the show. Her character was the biggest departure for me. The other changes were pretty minor in comparison.I think anyone coming to this show cold without preconceived notions would really like it. It’s definitely a quality show.
I’m enthused that Apple renewed it for a second season. Apparently word of mouth pushed it up the streaming charts, being #2 or #3 on Apple, and consistently in the top 10 for all streaming series. So that bodes well. Hopefully it doesn’t take 3 years between seasons.
