Why does Craig Brown hope that Johnny Depp's new film is a flop?

[Liz]

Why does satirist Craig Brown hope that Johnny Depp’s new film is a flop?

Find out here in this pre-tidbit for The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery.

[shadowydog]

Thanks for posting that. What a shame that he won't get paid. But he did get a number of payments....so not a complete loss. I had read they made quite a few changes to the book; but hopefully his name will still be listed in the credits.

[nebraska]

Not much longer to wait, I need to start reading the book soon.

Intellectual property is such a complicated and fearsome topic. I think I see both sides of this, but I probably lean more to thinking that if nothing he wrote is used in the film, he shouldn't get paid for contributing to the film. Obviously, he signed an agreement to that effect, even if he regrets that decision now. My copy of the book lists him as having completed the book version and one chapter is copyrighted to his name, so he should still continue to benefit if the film becomes popular and spurs book sales.

[pinkpalace]

Mmm why should he wish failure on a film because of a contract he signed years before this film version was even thought of?

Seems a bit childish. Even if it is unfair it's not anyone who worked on this film's fault...

And after reading the book and comparing it to the trailers, it seems that it's nothing like the book at all apart from the characters and the moustache, all of which were created by Kyril Bonfiglioli. The plot is completely different.

[shadowydog]

Mmm why should he wish failure on a film because of a contract he signed years before this film version was even thought of?

Seems a bit childish. Even if it is unfair it's not anyone who worked on this film's fault...

And after reading the book and comparing it to the trailers, it seems that it's nothing like the book at all apart from the characters and the moustache, all of which were created by Kyril Bonfiglioli. The plot is completely different.

I think those comments from him were tongue in cheek.

[fireflydances]

Okay I need to share something about the book "The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery" and the movie. We all know movies quite often veer wildly around the edges of a story, sometimes changing every possible element until one wonders why they used the book's name.

This is not a case exactly like this. No, this is more complicated. It seems that the movie "The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery" is based on the OTHER three Bonfiglioli.

They just "borrowed" the Moustache title as it were. But they are not planning to tell the same story.

Which is very, very good.

Because we get to thoroughly enjoy Bonfigloli WITHOUT ever worrying that the film will let us down.

And besides, if you are reading along with us you have, by now, fallen thoroughly in love with old Charlie Bonfiglioli. That man is irresistible!

The book, therefore, becomes the world's most perfect appetizer for Charlie on screen.

So, do join us for a read-in with absolutely no fears of 'ruining' the movie. We are, rather, wheting our collective tongues.

Get the book and get on board.

[Liz]

I do think that the movie is playing up the moustache aspect, though. Not sure if the other books did that or not.

[shadowydog]

I do think that the movie is playing up the moustache aspect, though. Not sure if the other books did that or not.

Well I read the first chapter a bit ago and I seem to think it does go on about the moustache.