In the Lost Lands
director Paul W. S. Anderson reveals how George R. R. Martin reacted to an early screening. Based on Martin’s short story of the same name, the fantasy film follows a sorceress who travels to a realm known as the Lost Lands in order to obtain the magical ability to turn into a werewolf in order to free her people. Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista lead the In the Lost Lands cast as Gray Alys and Boyce, respectively, with the first trailer having teased an action-packed ride for the two actors.
In a recent interview with SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar+), Anderson shares that he’s now shown In the Lost Lands to Martin, and pressure was high. According to the director, Martin ended up having very kind things to say about the film, including the admission that it “captured his voice” better than any other adaptation of his work. Check out Anderson’s recollection of the feedback below:
“I have to say, having been in this industry for a little while and made a bunch of movies, it’s the most nervous I’ve ever been having a screening. I’m sitting there going, ‘Sh*t. This is George R.R. Martin.’ But at the end, he loved it. He said he felt that I had captured his voice better than anyone had in an adaptation, which made me feel amazing.”
The author’s response to the movie was so promising that Anderson now feels hopeful that Martin will write another entry in the Gray Alys saga, thus opening the door for more films:
“The movie has a closed end and, I feel, a very satisfying end. But if George wanted to weave more Gray Alys stories, I’d be very excited.”
What Martin’s Praise Means For In The Lost Lands
Anderson’s Filmography Explained
The most notable adaptation of Martin’s work is, of course, HBO’s Game of Thrones, which ran for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019. The early seasons of the show adhered fairly closely to Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, and were highly acclaimed, in addition to major viewership successes. Eventually, the series surpᴀssed Martin’s books and reviews became less glowing, culminating with the controversial Game of Thrones season 8. House of the Dragon, a spinoff show, adapts the events of Martin’s Fire & Blood, but given the nature of the source material, it makes some fairly significant changes.
With Martin having proclaimed that In the Lost Lands most effectively capture his voice as a writer, even over early seasons of Game of Thrones, fans of the author could be in for a treat. It’s worth noting, however, that most of Anderson’s movies haven’t been well-received critically. Anderson is best known for directing multiple installments in the Resident Evil film series, as well movies like Monster Hunter (2020), Pompeii (2014), The Three Musketeers (2011), and Death Race (2008).
Jovovich previously starred in all of Anderson’s Resident Evil movies, as well as The Three Musketeers.
Our Take On Martin’s Response To In The Lost Lands
Will The Fantasy Movie Break Anderson’s Unfortunate Movie Trend?
Martin has a unique voice and storytelling sensibilities as an author, and it’s evidently not always easy to capture this on screen. From what has been revealed in the trailer, In the Lost Lands will have Anderson’s own unique sensibilities, too, especially when it comes to action. If the film can effectively translate Martin’s voice to the screen in a way that hasn’t been done before, however, it certainly has the potential to be a standout adaptation, potentially ending Anderson’s long streak of movies that earn middling or poor reviews.
Source: SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar+)
