The entry begins:
I would love to see Mad Skills adapted into a movie, because the novel is a bit of a commentary on Hollywood action flicks. Like all my work, it’s deliberately cinematic, and unlike my Xombies books it could probably be done on a comparatively low budget. My ideal director for it would be someone with a powerful visual sensibility and a flair for harrowing action scenes, yet also someone who could really explore the heavy emotional terrain of Maddy’s dark journey…while not neglecting the humor. When I think of all those elements combined, I think of something like Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón—he would be a great choice. Also ideal would be Guillermo del Toro, who directed Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth.Walter Greatshell's books include Xombies: Apocalypticon and Xombies: Apocalypse Blues.
In terms of actors, the lead role of Maddy Grant would have to go to an actress young enough to play the 15-year-old Maddy as a ditzy teen, but also mature enough to play the 17-year-old post-operative Maddy, whose artificially-enhanced brainpower causes her so much grief...and grants her so much power. My book describes Maddy as “pale, gangly-limbed, and freckle-faced,” so the actress playing her should be that type. Someone like...[read on]
Visit Walter Greatshell's website and blog.
My Book, The Movie: Xombies: Apocalypse Blues.
The Page 69 Test: Xombies: Apocalypticon.
Writers Read: Walter Greatshell.
The Page 69 Test: Mad Skills.
My Book, The Movie: Mad Skills.
--Marshal Zeringue