Renowned author George RR Martin has once again criticized Hollywood screenwriters for their approach to adapting books into film and television, claiming that most adaptations end up being worse than the original source material. In a recent blog post, Martin referenced a panel discussion he had in 2022 with fellow author Neil Gaiman, where they both expressed their frustrations with how screenwriters often fail to respect the source material.
Martin lamented the trend of screenwriters and producers taking great stories and attempting to “make them their own,” resulting in adaptations that rarely improve upon the original work. He cited examples of iconic authors like JRR Tolkien and Jane Austen whose works have been subjected to this treatment, with disappointing results.
Despite his criticisms, Martin did acknowledge one recent adaptation that he found to be exceptional – the FX series “Shōgun,” based on James Clavell’s novel. Martin praised the screenwriters for their restraint and faithfulness to the source material, resulting in a superb adaptation that stayed true to the original story.
In a rare moment of praise, Martin commended both the old and new screenwriters involved in the adaptation of “Shōgun” for honoring the source material and delivering a terrific adaptation without trying to impose their own vision on the story. The positive reception of “Shōgun” by critics, including a four-star review from Nick Hilton of The Independent, further solidifies Martin’s endorsement of the adaptation.