Nov 20, 2009 06:45 PM
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Tue Feb 9
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We've all had our hearts broken by movie and television versions of our favorite book characters. You know the adaptation will never be as good as the beloved original, but sometimes it's hideously worse. Here are the absolute worst offenders.
The Spirit - The Octopus
Samuel L. Jackson's Octopus was probably the most insane translation of a comics character to the screen I've ever seen. Frank Miller just let the actor run wild, drawing eyeliner lightning bolts on his face and saying just about whatever the hell he wanted. At least they got the gloves right.
Bicentennial Man - Andrew Martin
From Isaac Asimov's novella/ I just wanted to know who thought it would be a great idea to make a Robin Williams robot that will last forever. That will give children nightmares.
Elektra and Daredevil
What else really needs to be said that hasn't already? This Jennifer Garner-Ben Affleck disaster was so bad, it's being remade, completely — as if the first one never even happened. Who thought, "Greek assassin? Let's get Jennifer Garner!"
Fantastic Four - Victor von Doom
With one bad film, one of the better villains went from bad-ass to just some neurotic dude muffled behind a mask.
Wolverine - Emma Frost
For years, we waited for the real, live-action version of Emma Frost. And what we got was a dorky girl, in an ugly leather coat/prison outfit. The cosplayers at Comic Con are better, and that's saying something.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Grinch
Who painted my cat green and shoved it in a Santa suit? This isn't a Grinch; this is a fever dream, and there's nothing enchanting or magical about a Jim Carey gesturing about, covered in green fur, while salivating over the Whoville hussy.
I Am Legend - Vampires
They went from complex creatures with a fully realized society to zombie people who were all CG-ed to look alike. The best part of the novel was when Neville found an old friend who was too far gone. That went out the window, along with most of Neville's character, in the movie. But we missed the actual vampire people the most.
Speed Racer - Racer X
Hey, your Dad dressed up like Racer X. Cool, we guess.
Watchmen - Ozymandias
This was not actor Matthew Goode's fault. He was terribly underwritten and thrown into the part very late in the game; we understand. Sadly godlike genius Adrian Veidt, he was not. We're not sure if it was the look or the writing — either way, it just didn't work.
Send an email to Meredith, the author of this post, at meredith@io9.com.
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