Howard eyeing Lensman books
Ron Howard, who once ventured to the moon with Tom Hanks in APOLLO 13... is eyeing a return to space according to Sci-Fi Wire. Howard is said to be in discussions for the film rights to science fiction author E.E. "Doc" Smith's "Lensman" series of novels, with the hope of securing an 18 month renewal option for Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures. First published in the 1930s, the series is considered to be the first set of sci-fi novels actually conceived as part of a long running series and it's influence on the genre spread all across the 20th century canon of sci-fi books and films. The books are often regarded as being the first "space opera's"...
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The first book in the series is "Triplanetery", first serialized in the pages of "Amazing Stories" and if they doing the series in order, it will be the first movie shot. Dark Horizons give us more... The series spans millions of years, recounting the struggle between the good Arisians and the evil Eddorians. The books chronicle the rising role of humanity in the ultimate battle. All of the action is seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Kim Kinnison, who comes to control a key artifact: the lens, a bracelet that bestows telepathy and other powers.Interesting that this news came quite quickly after the announcement that Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End" was about to be pitched as a huge epic movie. Could a big return of classic sci-fi be on the way and would Ron Howard be interested in directing this? Like we've said his only dabble in the genre was the historical retelling of the failed APOLLO 13 (not really sci-fi is it when it's real?) mission and the mid 80's flick COCOON which wasn't so much sci-fi as it was a dramatic/comedic melodrama. Secure the rights to this, throw Tom Hanks in here... and you've got a instant tentpole movie.