Sahara

[Miker]

I've been a huge fan of the Clive Cussler series for years, and I was recently told that a deal has been made to make Sahara into a movie. Anyone have any of the details? First of all, is this true? Secondly, if it is, have they picked the actors? I think this book will be tremendous in movie form.

[Miker]

bump

[Zyphria]

Took them long enough! Hell those books were MADE for movies. Raise the Titanic was the only other movie based off Clive Cussler and it just sucked, period. In fact, Mr. Cussler said he'd never allow another movie to be made after that one it was so bad....well lets hope they don't mess it up this time.

Now Clive isn't exactly what I'd call a brilliant writer, but he's fun, and sometimes all I want out of a movie is just that.

[Zyphria]

Hell yeah!

Crusader Entertainment's much anticipated screen adaptation of the international best-selling Clive Cussler novel, SAHARA, is set to commence production on October 28. Paramount Pictures, who will release the film as part of a three year first look US distribution deal with Crusader, made the announcement today. Helmed by Rob Bowman (X FILES: THE MOVIE; REIGN OF FIRE), SAHARA is the first in a series of motion pictures based on the best-selling action-adventure books by Clive Cussler, featuring the immensely popular adventure hero Dirk Pitt(R).


Also Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to U.K., Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Other territories will be sold internationally through Summit Entertainment, the international sales agent on the picture.


"Clive's Dirk Pitt(R) books have an enormous, fanatical following, and his characters and stories demand the kind of big screen adaptation that Rob can deliver," said Sherry Lansing, Chairman, Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group. "We're excited by the possibilities SAHARA offers, and are thrilled to be working with Crusader to make this one of our tentpole releases for 2003."


Since publishing his first Dirk Pitt(R) novel, Iceberg, in 1973, Cussler has constructed one of the most enduring popular cultural literary franchises in the United States and the world. In the U.S., 17 consecutive Pitt(R) novels have been New York Times bestsellers. Pitt's(R) adventures have been published in over 40 languages in over 100 countries, and Cussler's publisher estimates his global readership at over 120 million books in print. The latest best-selling Dirk Pitt(R) adventure is Valhalla Rising; other titles include Atlantis Found, Night Probe, Inca Gold and Flood Tide.


"Getting SAHARA ready for the big screen is very exciting and a huge challenge," said Bowman. "We have an obligation to Clive and his devoted fans to bring a lot of heart-pounding action, intense drama and just the right amount of humor to be true to his original vision. We want fans to expect a lot, because we expect to deliver a lot."


Most of SAHARA will be shot in the spectacular sand dunes of Namibia. "The weather is perfect for shooting in late October," said Howard Baldwin, president of Crusader Entertainment. "Land, sea and the elements all play a big part in Clive's stories, so we're optimistic that we'll be able to capture an environment befitting the terrific story."


Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., which is one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace.

http://www.hollywoodbyline.homestead...mastudios.html

If they *don't* screw this up, we could very well have a new "Bond" type to add to the category of movies in the next decade or so. They better get someone in their mid-late 30's to do the role.