Adventure Author Clive Cussler is arguing in court that the script to “Sahara,” based on his novel, was so bad it has hurt his career. His lawyers claim that Crusader Entertainment altered the screenplay without his consent, essentially ruining his main character and the story. Crusader Entertainment is countersuing, claiming Cussler exaggerated his sales to win the film contract.
I can understand suing over alterations without consent, if that’s a contractual agreement, but making a lousy movie based on my book? That’s Hollywood–get over it. And Crusader’s claim may have merit, but on the surface, it looks like whining to me.
I often remember SF author David Brin, who said about the movie “The Postman,” based on his novel, “They carefully cut out my heart, and filled the hole with money.” Or words to that effect.
If Cussler thought he actually had the power to tell moviemakers what to do, once he’d signed his baby away, he was very naive.
If the moviemakers think he’s not a blockbuster bestselling novelist, they’ve got their heads up under their armpits.
If Cussler thinks he’s a good writer, he’s lost touch with reality.