Revisionist History
The Variable Man with Gary Goldman and Angus Fletcher | Development Hell
Feb 29, 2024
Gary Goldman, the mastermind behind "Total Recall," teams up with Angus Fletcher, a story science guru, to unpack the struggles of adapting Philip K. Dick’s "Variable Man." They share wild tales of development hell, where even big names balked at the plot twists. The duo discusses how early AI attempts hindered their script's potential and explore the tension between human creativity and technological conformity. Their insights highlight the evolving landscape of storytelling in Hollywood, blending nostalgia with a modern twist.
40:08
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Quick takeaways
- The struggle to adapt Philip K. Dick's work stemmed from convoluted plot twists and AI script selection failures.
- Directorial influence plays a crucial role in shaping cinematic storytelling, highlighting the importance of vision and financial backing.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Contrasting Narratives and Autonomy
The movie explores the complex narrative of trusting artificial intelligence over human decision making, where the protagonist must choose between his heart and the dystopian world's prediction. This central dilemma challenges traditional Hollywood tropes, pushing actors and audiences to confront the unsettling consequences of personal choice versus algorithmic control.
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