For as long as this blog has existed (5 years), on an annual basis, there has always been at least one post lamenting the fact that there still has yet to be a big screen adaptation of an Octavia Butler novel, especially given how adaptation-happy Hollywood has long been, and continues to be.
Butler is one of the most popular science fiction authors (forget that she’s black and a woman in a world that’s traditionally been dominated by white male writers) whose novels have been translated into numerous languages, and collectively sold millions of copies; A MacArthur fellowship grantee (the first science fiction writer to be so honored), who won 2 Hugo Awards from the World Science Fiction Society, and 2 Nebula Awards from the Science Fiction Writers of America, and who died from a stroke at just 58 years old in 2006.
I’m not one to pull the so-called "race card," but I’d like to believe that if she were white, with the exact same resume, and her novels reflected her realities and interests as a white woman, her entire oeuvre would’ve been optioned long ago, with movie franchises set up at one Hollywood studio or another.
But, for a long time, I’ve felt that any adaptation of an Octavia Butler novel would likely be made outside the Hollywood studio system, backed by independent financing. And of course, if that happens, and the movie is a box office hit (hypothetically speaking of course), I’m sure interest in adapting her other novels would explode. Nobody wants to be the first, taking that initial risk. But everyone’s lining up to be second.
Still, it’s a shame. These are 2 projects that really shouldn’t have to struggle for many years in uncertainty, to find necessary production funds.
But, as I said, any adaptation of Octavia Butler’s novels will very likely happen independently, outside of the mainstream, before they stir up mainstream studio interests.
If only I were a multimillionaire…
All that to share this scene that was adapted from Octavia Butler’s "Xenogenesis" trilogy, which I came across on the Afrofuturist Affair blog. Also titled "Lilith’s Brood," the trilogy comprises of 3 books: "Dawn," "Adulthood Rites," and "Imago." In short, the series tells the story of how humanity was saved from the war it waged on itself by an alien species known as the Oankali. The story focuses on the human resistance who want their freedom returned, at any cost, as well as the lives of the Oankali and humans who are trying to work together. Lilith Iyapo is the first character that the story follows. Later in the trilogy she seemingly becomes a lesser character, but the characters that become the major characters are all her descendants.
The scene below is from the opening of the first book in the trilogy, "Dawn," when Lilith is first awakened centuries later, from stasis, on an Oankali ship, after Earth has been destroyed (the few survivors are plucked from the surface by the Oankali). Startled and demanding answers, Lilith is engaged by an Oankali who, while certainly not human, is designed for "first contact" with humans, hence his human-like features (which she’s still repulsed by). The Oankali themselves don’t have eyes, or ears, or noses, but sensory tentacles over their entire bodies, with which they can perceive the world around them.
It’s not the greatest 5-minutes ever captured on film, but I appreciate the effort; And I share it in support of my suggestion that adaptations of Butler’s works will likely have to be undertaken by independent filmmakers who want to see her work on the screen – like the artists who adapted part of the opening to "Lilith’s Brood" below.
Also, I should note that I have no idea when this was actually created. YouTube says it was uploaded in 2007, so we can assume it was made that year, or before. I’ll go see what else I can dig up about those who were involved in its making.
And finally, by the way, if anyone reading this has ever attempted to adapt any of Butler’s novels – even if it’s just a scene like the one below – let me know. I’d be interested in seeing what you came up with. And I might also share what you send me here.
