Can a Canadian graphic novel series become a summer blockbuster?
I was introduced to the Scott Pilgrim series by a colleague in the first year that I worked at the library. She dragged me to a signing at some bar near Christie Pits. I had never heard of Bryan Lee O’Malley, let alone ever heard of the name Scott Pilgrim. I went to be her moral support and to keep her somewhat entertained as we waited in the longer than I had expected line. She showed me her copy of the first two novels and how they both contained scenes at a Toronto Public Library. I had to admit I was somewhat impressed that this author had included scenes at two different libraries. There must be something to him I mused.
I went to work the next day and I found out that Scott Pilgrim was much more popular than I thought, I was going to be waiting a good long time until I got my copy of the first book “Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life”, but my branch did have a copy of one of his other works entitled “Lost at Sea”.
I don’t know how to describe this graphic novel to you, so I won’t – but I will say I was mesmerized by it. His story telling, the imagery, the plot, all of it was so well done and I was immediately hooked! And of course I was now annoyed that I had to wait for my hold to come in.
Finally after waiting almost a month I got to read the first book (I was wise and placed the others available on hold so that I would not have to wait as long for them after I finally got to read the first book). I thoroughly enjoyed how the novels combined young adult romance with some ninja styling and the ongoing theme of unrequited love and the difficulty that one can have when dating someone who has dated more than they have.
Now five years later there is to be a movie. I have seen the trailer; I am very excited for this movie. In part it is because I am hoping to get some of that original excitement and feelings from when I was first introduced to Scott and his gang of friends. The weird things is that so many times a book being made into a film ends up just being awful, or they leave out important things, or they change important things for the sake of the plot or to make the film transition more smoothly. I hate that! Books to me are so very important that when a book I love is being made into a movie I usually grit my teeth and wait for them to ruin it. More often then not they usually do ruin it. However for Scott I have some high hopes. I like the films that the director has previously done (“Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”). And also the cast seems pretty solid and I know for a fact that they shot the movie in
But will the movie live up to my expectations? That is the big question. I am fairly certain that the film company is expecting it to be a big hit and that is why they are releasing it in August, to come out right after the final novel in the series. I want the film to capture the spirit of the graphic novels, but at the same time be its own entity as a movie. I just wonder if it will be able to do it. I am hoping, and holding in there that I won’t be disappointed.
Check out the movie's trailer:
23 thoughts on “Can a Canadian graphic novel series become a summer blockbuster?”
I think that Canadian graphic novel could be a summer blockbuster. I mean, why not? There’s plenty of American graphic novels like Batman, Spiderman and Superman that became hit movies. So why can’t a Canadian be one?
The movie looks hilarious. I think I’ll become hook with the action too…overall, I think it will be a good movie. The only thing that I don’t like is that the sound effects are being put into words.
To be honest, I hadn’t heard of the graphic novel series until I saw the trailer for the motion picture. It looks innovative and funny. I bet the graphic novels are even better! After this movie comes out, the series will gain some deserved recognition. Not sure if it will become a blockbuster, but it will probably become a cult hit, which is great, in my opinion.
Yes, I do think a graphic novel series can become a summer blockbuster if it has the strong potential to grab the readers’ attention and if it is enjoyable, which can lead to great success for a motion picture in the future. Canadian graphic novels are as good as American graphic novels, in my opinion.
With publicity it might, in my opinion the only reason American Graphic Novels are more well known, is because the publicize more and let the books be known 🙂
I really liked Scott Pilgrim!!!! I have only read a few of the graphic novels but the novels I read from the series were really good! Although Scott Pilgrim is an idiot he does manage to fix things quite effectively when he mucks things up.
Has anybody noticed that the guy who plays Scott pilgrim always plays shy-ish, ditzy, idiot-like characters? (He always plays characters with the same personality. I’m pretty sure I used the word ditzy incorrectly but I’m typing on my I-pod touch so I’m too lazy to.)
I have never heard of Scott Pilgrim in my life and didn’t expect to be surprised by the trailer. As I watched the trailer, I noticed that they cleverly integrated SFX into the movie as he was either being pummeled to death or being Bowser-styled punched (or being hit by guitar frequencies) I really liked how they did that I really want to see the movie now. I noticed that in many movies there are a lot of romances so in the beginning, I was like, “What?”. I thought that it was actually going to turn out to be one of those movies that follow up Twilight, and since the “general audience” is being fascinated by these vampire romances, and since the girl dressed the part. I was immediately in the “WOAH.” state. Ahaha, I hope to see this movie real soon.
So Yes, a Canadian graphic novel series for the win!
It sounds really awesome! Especially the part about it being shot in TORONTO @ a TPL branch =D!
As for the literary critique, often when books are made into movies they don’t turn out good. They leave out important parts for the sake of time. Hopefully this one will! I’ll be sure to read the book first though.
I have never heard of the series but I did see the trailer for this when I went to go see another movie. I think it will be a good movie because it totally kept my interest. It seems like a “normal” movie but then there is all this comic to it!
I was like whoa when I saw the bus and was like finally t.o!
I’m going to be honest I never ever heard of the series but I saw the trailer and I think the movies going to be awsome especially because its Canadian and it is going to be shot in Toronto and yes I think this movie is going to be a summer blockbuster
Is the series about vampires? I’m confused. I think I’ll have to check out the graphic novels…
Duh, of course a graphic novel series can become a summer blockbuster. Graphic Rules!!!!:)
I agree with Hikari, May and Sashki. As an a American graphic novel, Canadian graphic novels do have the same potential to be a blockbuster. However as all American related products and items, they are more publicized and acknowledged through the media. However, I really do believe that this movie could be a a great hit, and perhaps even change the media’s perspective on Canadian literature and media arts. Something I love about this movies is that they cast Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, this being that Michael is a “Canadian” actor in a “Canadian” movie.
I have never heard of the series but after watching the trailer i think the movie might have a chance. it looks pretty funny and recent movies that have come out aren’t quite like this one.
I don’t think it matters if it is Canadian or from any other country, because there are alot of Canadian actors out there who have made it big. Micheal Cera being one of them.
I think it can be a summer blockbuster…after all who doesn’t love graphic novels…and scott pilgrim is just an AWESOME SERIE!!!
I’ve never even heard of the series before today but I have to say that the trailer looks promising! I think this movie has great potential!
I am so psyched for the Scott Pilgrim movie! My friend bought the graphic novels last year and I’ve read them all up to the current one. We’re going to the Volume 6 release/book signing on July 20 too.
Man, it seems like they’re making a Scott Pilgrim EVERYTHING now. Movie, soundtrack (with Metric, Broken Social Scene, and Beck playing the fictional bands’ songs), and even a video game! O_o
I can’t wait!
i for sure think that this canadian graphic novel can become a hit blockbust. I mean look at the trailer it looks funny, action packed, and all the things most people like in one movie, its going to be awesome cant wait
. (= GOOOO SCOTT PILGRIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(=
I really hope it’ll be a hit…go canadians!
Of course it could be a summer blockbuster! I think it seems insanely funny myself. =) Canadians Rule!
Yes, I think a Canadian graphic novel series can become a summer blockbuster – it’s not entirely impossible. But if it’s going to be Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, we’ll just have to see.
I’ve heard about the Scott Pilgrim novel series about a year or two ago from my school library, but I didn’t bother to read it until today. I prefer the graphic novels to the trailer for the movie, though.
I think Michael Cera is a good match for Scott Pilgrim’s character.
In my opinion, Canadian graphic novels are just as good as American graphic novels. My school library has that series but I never knew it was by a Canadian author, I have different feelings for the manga series now.:D
hell no
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