This might be a redundant discussion now that ABC is looking to develop a television series based on Matthew McConaughey vehicle The Lincoln Lawyer but hey, lets give it a go anyway! The film, a fun throwback to John Grisham-esque legal thrillers, is begging for a sequel and if the TV series idea falls through then who knows, it might just get one. Here's four options for where they could take the story.
The Prequel
During the course of The Lincoln Lawyer there's plenty of reference to events that have happened before the film began. Maggie (Marisa Tomei) and Mick's (Matthew McConaughey) relationship isn't explored properly, nor is Mick and Val's (John Leguizamo). There's plenty of reference to the fact that Mick and Frank (William H. Macy) have worked together for a long time and there's a throwaway comment very near the start about Mick having only regained his licence to practice law very recently. Oodles of material to start the mind ticking on a prequel.
The Brass Verdict
The second novel in Michael Connelly's Micky Haller series sees the lawyer inheriting the caseload of a fellow attorney after he is murdered. One of the cases is that of Walter Elliott, a high profile Hollywood figure who is accused of murdering his wife. The plot spirals around a number of elements making it, once again, ripe for adaptation, as Haller attempts to work out a defence for Elliott in just nine days whilst simultaneously trying to work out if being his lawyer automatically makes him a target. Hollywood loves material about Hollywood and this would almost certainly have filmic legs.
The Reversal
In a neat twist in Connelly's series, the third book sees Haller turn from prosecution to defence attorney. The novel is, once again, very film-friendly with several returning characters (Maggie is back and Haller's half-brother Harry Bosch - the subject of earlier Connelly books and a character in The Brass Verdict - also features) and an appealing mystery, this time surrounding a cold case from 1986. If some audiences found Haller too difficult to identify with because of his defence duties in The Lincoln Lawyer then this could offer an immediate antidote.
The Follow-On (significant The Lincoln Lawyer spoilers, skip this one if you haven't seen the film)
At the end of The Lincoln Lawyer, Louis (Ryan Phillippe) is beaten to a pulp by the biker gang and looks set to be charged with several murders. None of that, however, has been confirmed. Louis could be free. Haller has killed his mother. There's definitely potential for the same conflict that occurred in the first film to be repeated in a straight follow-on. In order to keep it in the legal genre perhaps Louis could manipulate a case against Haller for something he didn't do. Maggie could be forced to turn defence lawyer, thus adding another nice character element and developing their relationship. Haller would be reliant on the cops he is shown to detest in the first film. Tasty.
Look further...
Scott Mendelson provides analysis on the decision to turn the film into a TV series.
Have you even read the books? The reason this movie was so great was because it almost had, if not had exactly the same storyline as the book. So why change it? Keep it the same as the book series, do the Brass Vervidt next, for the Michael Connelly fans who love Mickey Haller and his thrilling legal career.
ReplyDeleteBut what about the Chut-Lora series and the APNI-GAND-MAARO series for Harry Bosch? They could always make movies on that? Maybe you need to go back AUR APNA LORA CHOOS SALA GANDU!
DeleteI'm not sure at what point in the above you think I'm not suggesting that doing a THE BRASS VERDICT adaptation next is a bad idea - I'm not, I'm just considering other options.
ReplyDeleteThe second one in the series of books is obviously a logical next step but since when has Hollywood done things logically? The muted TV series for this, for example, came out of left field and, if another example is needed, look at the Jack Reacher film ONE SHOT - the first film but the ninth novel in the series.
The one issue I see with the other books is you would have to get Harry Bosch's character right. You could obviously spin off a number of good movies with him. You could build a franchise around him. It would take the right actor to do it.
ReplyDeleteThere's a series of books just focusing on Bosch isn't there? I've heard of them but not read any of them or even got round to looking into the details properly. Are they any good? Definitely film-worthy I take it from what you're saying?
DeleteThere are books on Bosch as well known as the CHUT-LOORA series and another follow up called APNI GAND MAARO. Both series should work really well with Hollywood adaptations.
DeleteConnelly has also written some brilliant one-off novels but still have cameos for characters in his other novels, all would make great movies: Void Moon, Chasing the dime. Would love to see The Poet turned into a movie with Steve Buscemi playing the "poet"
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read any of his novels but keep meaning to. I'll add those to my Goodreads shelf. Thanks for the recommendations!
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