The Author and the Book:
The book that this entire project is based on is entitled “Buddy Holly is Alive and Well on Ganymede” by author Bradley Denton. It won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 1992 and is probably one of the oddest, most wonderful feel good science fiction books I have ever read. It is almost impossible to explain (or pitch for that matter) in a few sentences.
With an early draft of the script, we sat down with Bradley and persuaded him to give us the option to the book. He was gracious enough to let us have a go at, and was genuinely excited about the project.
5 years later, the script had under gone some pretty radical changes, especially over the past 6-8 months, and Bradley was itching to read the latest draft. However, I was a little hesitant. As a writer, I understand how closely attached to the material you become, and I had taken some “cinematic liberties” with the newest draft of the script, including some pretty radical changes to the trek that the main character drives. I wasn’t sure how Bradley was going to feel about.
Molly sent him the newest draft.
I won’t copy and paste Bradley’s email here on this blog, but I will throw out the first and last sentences regarding the script:
“I love it. I mean, I really love it…I feel honored and excited. I think your script will result in a film that’s both a) emotionally moving, and b) a hell of a lot of fun.”
This guy is just too awesome!
