On The Run With William F. Nolan
- Discussion of the past and future film adaptations of Nolan’s book, Logan’s Bustle.
Jodi Lee: Over the years, a Logan’s Run remake has been planned, shelved, planned and re-shelved. As of February 21st of 2007, Silver Pictures and Warner Brothers (producers) were stating that the remake is of high priority, but it sounded like Bryan Singer (X2, Superman) has been pulled from the project. Given this situation, and the right station of circumstances, who would be your favorite to direct the remake?
William F. Nolan: Indeed, it seems that Bryan Singer has (alas!) pulled away from Logan’s Run after almost two years of development. However, he may return as a producer when he completes his next film assignment (another Superman? ) and may even resume plans to direct the picture. He’s very high on the novel. He would be my number one choice as director. I have, at present, no connection with Joel Silver or Warner Bro.—though I hope to be on hand for the shoot as a consultant, allowing me to write a book on the production, Running With Logan.
JL: Will you have any input on casting?
WFN: I have no hand in casting. MGM moved up the compulsory death age from 21 in my book, to 30 for casting reasons. I’ve been told that Warner’s will bring the age down again (to??? ) but I have no say in the matter.
JL: For someone that has never read the series (plain!), but has seen the movie can you clarify the conception behind calling the Sandmen, Sandmen?
WFN: In fairy tales the Sandman comes to put you to sleep. In Logan’s world the future cops are DS men (Deep Sleep) and their job is to track down runners and end them (put them to sleep). Thus, the title fits.
JL: Do Logan and Jessica ever find Sanctuary?
WFN: They find it in the novel, but who know what will happen in the remake?
JL: If you were so inclined to classify, how would you view the Domed City – utopian or dystopian?
WFN: I classify the Domed City as stupid. Since the air outside is breathable, why should anyone live under a dome? (There are no domes in the novel.)
JL: Is the Logan series at an end, or is it possible there could be more stories you’ll be telling?
WFN: Why should the Logan series end? There are countless books about Star Wars and Star Trek, so why not Logan? When the movie is released I’ll have new editions out for Logan’s Run, Logan’s World, and Logan’s Search. And right now I’m working on a new Logan book, Logan’s Journey.
Believe me, Mr. Logan will continue to accelerate. Why shoot a derby-winning horse?
JL: Have you seen The Island, and what did you think of the somewhat poorly concealed similarities to Logan’s Run?
WFN:The Island was heavily influenced by Logan, but it wasn’t a total rip off like Wild in the Streets in ’68. You can’t control this sort of thing. Any successful film will demolish up being copied in some form or another. I don’t worry about it.
JL: In your understanding, have the advances in technology been a boon to science fiction movies, or has the flashiness taken away from the stories being told?
WFN: I think special effects are great, and what they are able to do now will enhance the new Logan film. Help in ’75, when MGM did Logan they didn’t have the effects available today. So long as you gain real three-dimensional characters based on genuine human emotion, then special effects are fine. But they must never replace the human story. If they do then the film is a failure.
JL: You spent the early years as an artist. What made you switch from art to writer?
WFN: I won several awards in art during my high school period. Went on to attend the Kansas City Art Institute and worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards. Had my own art studio in San Diego, selling watercolor and outdoor murals. The reason I switched to writing is simple. I knew I could compose a career out of my writing but doubted I could do the same with art. Oh, I’ve kept my artistic hand in, illustrating the covers (and interior art) on several of my books. Very recently, I got an offer to illustrate a children’s book, and may do that. Time will advise.
JL: You’re a very diversely read writer, from science fiction to mystery to westerns. Do you feel this has helped with your enjoy creativity?
WFN: As a working pro, I’ve functioned in a dozen fields over the past decades: science fiction, mystery, dark fantasy, horror, auto racing, biography, showbiz, tech writing, hard-boiled, aviation, westerns, and “mainstream.” Plus scripts for TV and films. I write whatever excites me at a given time. That way, I’m never bored, so I don’t bore my readers. It’s all creative, no matter the genre.
JL: What were the inspirations behind “Mommy, Daddy, and Mollie” and “At the 24-Hour” in issues 8 and 9 of Apex Digest?
WFN: “Mommy, Daddy, and Mollie” was my attempt to write an offbeat ghost story from a child’s point of view. “At the 24-Hour” was based on my longtime habit of writing in all-night coffee shops and listening to some very odd conversations. Since giving up coffee I now write days, in my den.
JL: Do you glean you prefer to write short stories over novel-length material?
WFN: Yes, I prefer short stories to novels—as clearly established by my pro credits: 166 short stories to 12 novels. But both forms are very rewarding, and each has its place. I waited a long time to do my first novel. I was 37 when I wrote Logan’s Run. For a first novel it has exceeded my wildest hopes.
JL: You’ve won a number of honors and awards. Which of these do you believe the most satisfying?
WFN: I’ve functioned, mainly, in three fields: mystery, horror, and science fiction. I’m pleased to state that I have won major awards in each. I’m twice-winner of the “Edgar Allan Poe Special Award” from the Mystery Writers of America, was voted a “Living Legend in Dark Fantasy” by the International Horror Guild, and was declared “Author Emeritus 2006″ by the Science Fiction Writers of America. All very satisfying.
JL: Who do you feel are necessary authors for the science fiction fan’s bookshelf?
WFN: Not many of the best SF writers, for my taste, are still active, and many are deceased. When I think of great SF I think of Philip K. Dick, Heinlein, Clarke, Bradbury, Asimov, and Alfred Bester—to name a few. I don’t read today’s SF. Too much of it has turned High Fantasy with wizards and dragons replacing spaceships and aliens. Not my cup of SF tea. Honest last week I bought a paperback collection by the late Henry Kuttner, The Last Mimzy. I was moved and charmed by a novelette in the book, “The Big Night,” which invoked that special “sense of wonder” that the best Golden Age writers achieved.
JL: Since you have done biographies of Ray Bradbury, what do you think of the national read-in program centered around Fahrenheit 451?
WFN: Ray deserves any honor bestowed upon him. We’ve been terminate pals for 57 years! He’s worked hard every day of his adult life at writing, and taught me to do the same. Most people are unaware of his vast output: 600 stories and over 130 books, plus uncounted poems, essays, plays, etc. Talent only counts when coupled with constant work.
JL: You’ve led a very interesting life; besides being a writer of improbable fiction, you’re a noted screenwriter, you’ve raced cars, been an illustrator, and the biographer of well-known people. Is there any part of your life that stands out as the most enjoyable?
WFN: It’s all been a joy. People tell me that, after 50 years at the keys and over 1500 sales, that I should take a vacation. I tell them that my whole life is a vacation. I love to write. It’s the oxygen I breathe. Of course, it can’t go on forever—so I intend to retire on my 100th birthday.
For more information visit www.williamfnolan.com.
Update: As of September 2008, IMDB has eminent that production has begun to move forward, under the direction of Joseph Kosinski. Logan’s Run is scheduled to be released to theatres in 2010.
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