And don't forget that Shynola is involved! Anything they touch turns to gold, man.

j.

My most anticipated movie of the year.
The Casting is absolutely brilliant and what I've seen of the designs, this movie is going to be great.

Alan Rickman as Marvin is such a good choice!

You're f-ing kidding right? Mos Def as Ford Prefect.

hahahahahaaha

What's wrong with it? And please don't say "Ford should be white", Adams himself said he was never sure about the looks of his characters. I think Mos Def has the ability to portray the suave yet slightly skiddish character that is Ford Prefect.

I imagine Ford as a red hair irish with strange nose

I dont care if he's black, white, purple or whatever. I just dont like mos def, his acting or his "thang".

Maybe he will surprise me....but I seriously doubt it. I hope I am wrong because I really want this movie to be good.

I hope he absolutely nails it.

j.

C'mon man! If you discount Ford, all the other casting is still spot-on. I trust the makers not to make such a big mistake when apparently all their other choices are as good as they get.

And again, just because it's so friggin' cool:

Alan Rickman as Marvin! Brilliant!

Glee!

Hoopy!

Yes, and they went out and spent the money on a top director too....lets see....who did they get....oh, right....Garth Jennings. Who?
hmm...oh, wait, it looks like he has one other directing credit in his career, and it's......a 3 minute music video for Blur. wow. And the guys done nothing else in his career, ever.

Maybe he will wow everyone and become the next big thing....it just doesnt look good.

A couple of weeks back major film sites across the Net (incl. this one) were asked to send in questions for Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith, the two directors behind the upcoming "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" adaptation about how the film is progressing. The first part of that Q&A session has finally been sent out and here she is for your perusal:

Question: How did Jennings, a director with no Hollywood experience, end up helming one of the most anticipated films of 2005?

Garth: Good question!!! The short answer is that Nick and I came up with a big, fresh way to make the film that got everyone very excited, and we could do it for less than half of what it would normally have cost to make in Hollywood. Slightly longer answer: Nick and I have been making videos, commercials and short films together since we left art school. It was through making all this stuff that we met Spike Jonze. Jay Roach had sent the script to Spike but he passed and sent him our showreel as an alternative suggestion (we are forever in his debt!) Spyglass liked our reel too and sent us the script. Nick and I downed tools on a movie we had just written and spent the next 8 months working flat out on the HHGG script and the visuals. I also storyboarded about half of the film. 3 drafts, over 2000 drawings and ten million packets of Hob-Nobs later we had it all worked out. We had shot Zaphod head tests, made models of space ships and Vogons etc and burned all of it onto a nice little presentation DVD. The guys at Spyglass really liked what we had done so Nick and I flew out to L.A and presented it to Disney. The presentation, especially the storyboards, went down really well, so well in fact that they green lit the movie then and there. The stuff of dreams!

Question: When Hitchhiker's Guide was first being written, computer technology and more importantly PCs were very new and primitive and so the science fiction element of the story was very potent; it was a novel idea but something that simply couldn't be done. Nowadays we have all kinds of technologies and mobile devices: mobile phones, PDAs and other such gadgets. In this climate, how do you feel a modern Hitchhiker's Guide fits in, and do you feel the level of the 'fantastic' it once had will be subdued for a modern audience?

Garth: I think the Guide will always be a fantastic device for an audience because it's got such a unique personality and hilarious view of the universe. But you're right, technology has caught up with the original ideas but the technical side of the book isn't really that important. It's not about the buttons or the interface or how quickly it can stream audio. It's Douglas' take on life, and that will always fit in, even when they have invented the silliest and smallest of gadgets.

Nick: The modern Hitchhikers Guide now pretty much exists, but it almost has left itself behind, because now it can have whatever voice you want to give it. What Douglas did, and Garth has pointed out, is how in the film The Guide is clearly a character with its own very distinct opinions and thus in a way in today's world, is almost more fantastic than it used to be but for very different reasons.

Question: I don't know if it's a good point but in my mind your work is close to the movies/ads/music videos made by some guys like the French Michel Gondry (Human Nature, Eternal Sunshine...) and the American Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovitch). Do you feel somewhat similar to them?

Garth: High praise indeed. It strikes me that the thing we seem to have in common with those directors is that we are all very lucky to be able to make things the way we want to make them. We're all very privileged that studios have been willing to employ us to tell stories in our own, personal way.

Question: How does it feel that a project like this, with so many fans, was you first actual movie? What made you say yes?

Garth: our first reaction was to reject the script before it had even popped through the letter box. "They'll have ruined it!" we said to each other. But they hadn't ruined it. In fact, the script was fantastic and after some pacing about, we said yes. We aren't daunted by what the fans think because we are fans ourselves - and so are the people we were working with. We're all really proud of what we've done. The fact that it is our first feature film meant that we probably worked even harder than more established people to get the film ready to shoot.

Nick: The fact that our first film had so many fans already attracted to it, at times can be incredibly daunting, because there is such high expectation. But then you think about it from the point that you are making a film, which already has an audience, and how lucky you are. How could we not say yes?

Question: After viewing just about all your previous work (videos, commercials, shorts) on the Tongsville website, I must say that you seem to be the exact perfect match for Douglas Adams' sensibilities. Without unduly gushing, you two are geniuses at creating hysterical and original art on a shoestring budget. (E.g., the Wanadies videos, especially Big Fan). So now to my big question: Do you feel that having a big budget altered the way your sensibilities manifest themselves, or at least made you reorganize your accustomed creative processes? Was it a whole new experience, or just the same thing writ large?

Garth: Thanks for your kind words. If we had keys to the city of Tongsville we would certainly give them to you! Although we had a much bigger budget than anything you would normally be given to make a music video it was relative to the scale of the production. We didn't have to change the way we work, if anything, it was often more hands-on than our previous productions. We brought all of our usual crew with us too. Production designer, D.O.P, composer, costume etc. so it was pretty much business as usual.

Nick: The weird thing is that in all the work we have ever done, there never seems to be enough money, from the smallest job, to a huge feature film. It seems that with us, whatever you give us to make the thing, we will squeeze it dry for everything its got. The great thing is that when you financially come across a hurdle it forces you to come up with a more creative way to solve it.

Question: A lot of directors now document and prepare their DVD work alongside the creation of the movie. We've also seen directors like Del Toro and Jackson release very different versions of their films on DVD than what was released in the theatres. What has your team done in preparation for the DVD release and how has this impacted the creation of the theatrical film?

Garth: Ah ha! We had lots of fun working DVD extras out. We planned things very early on, like having Grant Gee direct his own making of/behind the scenes/round-the-bend film and a ton of great bits and bobs we made ourselves along the way (but we won't tell you about them yet.) If things continue as well as they seem to be going, then I think the theatrical release will be the directors cut - or at least a cut that director is extremely happy with. I have rarely seen a directors cut I liked more than the original - have you?

Nick: I like the idea, that when we release the DVD, you get the actual film as the bonus DVD. We have filmed a lot of extras.

Question: What have been your favourite parts of the production (funny moments involving the cast, favourite scene to film etc) so far?

Garth: I've loved the entire process. Except for all the annoying bits. And getting food poisoning. And the conference calls! I hate conference calls. I find it very difficult to tell if people are listening or they've popped out for a wee. It's been very hard but extremely rewarding work so far. I hope I still feel the same when it's all over. Favourite moments so far include; cycling along the canal to Hensons and designing Vogons with them late into the night, storyboarding the movie on our boat, waking up to find new pages from Karey, seeing Warwick bring Marvin to life, Martin & Zooeys' screen test, the day they finished the Heart of Gold set, testing Zaphod's 2nd head, dragging Mos Def by his ankles across the floor during the Magrathean missile sequence, seeing the 2nd unit's mice footage, listening to Joby playing the overture on his piano, watching Sam Rockwell dance on Viltvodle 6, Bill Nighy, driving a golf cart down the corridor of Elstree Studios and being chased by the Big Brother security team, the first assembly... I could go on forever. But then again, I could probably write an equally long list for all the irritating things that happened too!


The second part of the recent Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith Q&A session done for the adaptation of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" has been sent out and here's what they had to say in response to some of your questions:

Question: Everyone seems to have been surprised by the casting choices, but very few were disappointed. How hard was the casting process?

Garth: Casting was weird but turned out to be easy. We found people we really liked, then met with even more people who were interested, then got confused, then met with people who were considered to be helpful in our pursuit to get the film green lit, then got even more confused, then without cast on board we got the film green-lit, and eventually came back to our original casting ideas and patted ourselves on the back for being so decisive.

Nick: I could not have put it better myself.

Question: While I enjoyed Mos Def's performances in Monsters Ball and The Woodsman he doesn't seem the obvious choice for the role of Ford Prefect. What was it that won him the role?

Garth: Our casting director, Susie Figgis, had seen Mos in a play called Top Dog/Underdog and thought he would be great for the part. Nick and I only knew him as a musician but met with him on the strength of Susie's recommendation. We instantly clicked with him. Mos really is from another planet. Planet Mos. The idea of him sat next to Martin Freeman in a rural pub, downing pints as fast as he can and saying lines like, "What if I told you I wasn't really from Guildford," really appealed to us. He is an extremely intelligent and funny man, full of wonderful ideas for his character, from his clothes right down to 'how to shake hands with a car.' After we met with Mos we really couldn't imagine anyone we'd rather see carrying a towel across the galaxy.

Nick: Mos was so excited when we originally met him for the part, that I remember his legs shaking. We never thought he was an obvious choice, but then that is what makes the Ford character so interesting. The chemistry between Mos and Martin is fantastic, they are like The Odd Couple.

Question: Are you worried about premiering only a couple of weeks before Star Wars Episode III? Do you think you'll be steamrollered or do you think Hitchhiker's is a good counterpoint to Star Wars?

Garth: I'm not worried at all. Hitchhiker's is going to have Lucas quaking in his boots! (does George Lucas wear boots? He should. Big, red thigh high boots with spurs and golden toe caps. And a Fez. Don't you agree?)

Nick: I'm just worried about Garth.

Question: There haven't been a lot of pictures released so far, and those that have have been concept designs, not finished shots. Are you worried about the reaction from the fans, and have you been happy with fan reaction so far?

Garth: The reaction to the concept art has been great and we'll try and get some finished imagery out as soon as we can finish it. It'll be worth the wait.

Nick: We never really wanted to release too much too early. I think sometimes we get to know way too much about a film before it comes out, and it takes away a bit of the magic. I think the fans will love what we have been up to, because we are so happy with it, and the support has been fantastic.

Question: Are you aiming the movie at an adult audience or did you make any changes to make it more accessible to a younger target group?

Garth: I was about 9 years old when I discovered Hitchhiker's and I live next door to a 70 year old professor who can recite almost every word of the radio play. We found out that in Iceland, 16 year olds are given the book to read as part of their English studies and I am constantly meeting people from all walks of life who adore Hitchhiker's. It has always had a wide appeal and I hope the movie does too.

Nick: I like the idea that our film will work in a similar way to The Simpsons or a Pixar film, in the sense that it will appeal to a younger audience, but will also work on various other levels for an adult. Luckily the material that Douglas Adams provided us with goes to make it a much easier task.

Question: How have the cast members reacted to the interest and commotion within the fan community?

Garth: I don't know for sure, I never asked them. I do know that Martin Freeman is like a caveman and doesn't even own a computer and that if Sam Rockwell did have one he'd probably be looking at pictures of naked women on it right now. Mos Def is far too busy being a renaissance man to sit still long enough and read the chat rooms and I only remember Zooey using her computer to write songs on Apple's Garageband program between set ups. Maybe they all secretly read what people were writing but never told me. Who knows? They're a funny bunch.


The third part of the Q&A session with director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith about their Douglas Adams book adaptation has gone online, and here's the answers to your questions:

Question: Does Zaphod have two heads? How did they film that? If not, er... it won't be Zaphod, will it?

Garth: Zaphod has two heads. We've used some brilliant special effects to bring it to life and it looks wonderful. It's definitely Zaphod but no paper Maché or eye patch.

Nick: One of my favourite moments of the film was trying out the first Zaphod 2nd head tests with Garth and a video camera. There was a big smile on everyones face when we showed the results, because it really worked! As far as filming it was concerned it was never going to be easy, however hard we tried, we ended up using 3 different techniques depending on the shot to create the effect.

Question: Were the designs of Marvin, Deep Thought, the Heart of Gold, etc. made to exacting descriptions in Douglas's script, or are they all solely products of your vivid imaginations?

Garth: We would always start by clarifying the concept of whatever it was we had to design before we drew anything, and Douglas always had amazing concepts. It's very easy to design creatures and space ships and as a result, it can be difficult to design something that you haven't seen before. We wanted it all to look amazing, but different from what we've come to expect from Sci-Fi. And it had to be in-keeping with the original concept. We'd carefully work out what part the creature/ship/thing played in the story, then we'd fill our mugs with PG Tips, pick up a pencil and go mental.

Nick: And in some cases that cup of PG tips was in itself an inspiration!

Question: imdb.com mentions that Joby Talbot is doing the score for the film - can you describe how that's going, if it's adding an integral part to the film or just keeping itself alongside and not intruding on the film?

Garth: I think Joby Talbot is the greatest composer in the world. Hearing him play me demos on his piano is one of the best bits of the job. He's already been to Prague to record a temp score with a bloody huge orchestra. It was extraordinary stuff. I cannot wait to do it for real. You'll love it. I'll never forget asking him if he'd like to write the score for the movie. I said, "it's the Hitchiker's Guide to The Galaxy, do you know it?" "Know it?" he said. "The last 3 times I read the book, I read it out loud to my entire family!"

Nick: Joby has been amazing so far, we now like to get him along to whenever we decide a review a cut, because he always has so many ideas, without ever being intrusive. In a few areas of the film we have actually started with a score in my mind and then filmed or edited to that, so I would definitely say integral. Joby is also now working with Nigel Godrich on creating a specific sound of music for the Guide itself.

Question: Aside from Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the Paranoid Android, probably the most popular character in the HHG series is the narrator (aka "The Book"). Will the narrator's presence be as prominent as in the books and radio series and, if so, how will his pert be translated to the screen?

Garth: The Guide voice will be peppered throughout the film and accompanied by animated sequences created by the mighty Shynola.

Nick: We went through a strange process during the editing of the film. In the begininning we found ourselves stripping out the Guide bits, because they were taking you out of the film, but as we went further, and began treating the Guide more like a character, they are now all going back in, and we find ourselves looking for more.

Question: What differences can we expect to see regarding the characters both visually and psychologically that will expand from the radio show and novel to this newly updated version meant to appeal toward a more mainstream audience and why were they chosen? In short - how and why were characters altered from the original?

Garth: In general, all the characters have been given more depth, especially Trillian, in order that we care about who they are and where they are going. Once you get the chemistry right between the characters, the rest of the madness falls into place. Even in the earliest test screenings the cast have been enchanting everyone and allowed us more freedom in other more peculiar areas. We haven't had to change a character in order to make them appeal to a wider audience but we have had to add dimensions so that it's a more fulfilling story.

Nick: We also have some new characters in the film which were invented by Douglas, mainly Humma Kavula

Thanks for posting that, Buggy.

j.

Anyone else think Marvin is WAY too big?

After seeing the new trailer I'm pretty stoked on the way the film is turning out.

the Ugo trailer is so much better than the official one. The guide's entry for a movie trailer... awesome
And we get to hear Alan Rickman as Marvin

I just saw the TV ad for the film and it was great!

j.