All the time, we see horrible movies that never should have been made. Some of them are video game conversions, or lousy comic book conversions, or even worse, books made into movies. Well, I started to think about what books would really do well as movies, assuming they weren’t bungled or handed over to Michael Bay. Although those two really are the same thing, only just more so. So anyway, without further introduction, the Top Ten Sci-Fi novels that should be movies.
10. Top Dog / Dog Eat Dog
The two-novel series (that I know of so far) from Jerry Jay Carroll about Bogie Ingersoll, a reviled corporate raider turned into a dog for his refusal to aid a takeover plot by the devil himself. This would be fantastic for its great action sequences and rich plot and characterization.
9. The Gnomewrench in the Dwarfworks
Back in World War 2, a 4-F fellow still working as a sales rep for a machine shop discovers the eternally feuding world of dwarves and gnomes. Think about The Hobbit crossed with Pearl Harbor and you’ll understand why I want to see this one on screen.
8. The Wild Cards series
Going back to the eighties, this one assumes that ordinary people get incredible powers when an alien virus reaches earth–or become horribly disfigured. Spanning multiple novels, think of it as Watchmen, only a whole lot more so.
7. Ruled Brittania
An alternate history novel from Harry Turtledove, the king of alternate history, this puts a conquered Britain under the control of the Spanish Armada. At least, until disaffected elements of the British nobility convince playwright William Shakespeare to write his greatest play–and stir the masses to revolution. It’s a thrilling novel that would make a thrilling movie!
6. Headcrash
One of my favorite novels, this tale of the not-too-distant future puts a dis gruntled computer nerd up against a massive megacorporation. Packed with laughs and thrills, you’d have to love this one as a movie.
5. Ender’s Game
We’ve been hearing about this one off and on and off again for years upon, and I for one would love to finally see them actually pull it off this incredible Lord of the Flies meets Battlestar Galactica sort of setup.
4. The Deathstalker Saga
If Twilight can get a saga, then why not Simon Green’s Deathstalker saga, a huge, universe spanning tale of space-based ship battles, swordplay and killer robots? This practically has nine-picture deal written all over it.
3. California Voodoo Game
I personally can’t believe this one hasn’t been picked up already. Pitting several teams against each other in an incredible arena of buildings with virtual reality overlays, the game is about to get played…in every possible direction.
2. The Six Families
A three book series that basically boils down to “mobsters on the moon get attacked by aliens repeatedly”, The Six Families does a great job of recasting the Godfather epics to a science fiction field.
1. Star Risk
This just may be one of the greatest series of novels ever. Focusing on a small troubleshooting corporation, Star Risk, as it goes out on a series of jobs and discovers mayhem, intrigue and opportunities to make money everywhere they go. This kind of adventure is fantastic for the movies.
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