Self-Help Book ‘Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus’ To Be Adapted By ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ Writers/Directors Harry Elfont And Deborah Kaplan
We’ve entered a new frontier, so desperate for preexisting properties on which to base films that any semblance of an actual narrative has become strictly optional. The latest up-and-coming trend: self-help books. After the box office success ofHe’s Just Not That Into You, studios have been actively scrounging up other self-improvement books to make into movies, one of themore recent examples beingHow to Talk to Girls(whichDate Nightdirector Shawn Levy is in the process of developing).
Now there’sMen Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, based on the enormously relationship book by John Gray that, since its release in 1992, has sold over 50 million books and even spawned a board game and a short-lived talk show. Summit Entertainment has hiredHarry ElfontandDeborah Kaplan, the writing-directing team behindCan’t Hardly WaitandJosie and the Pussycats, to adapt and direct. Learn more after the break.
Deadlinesays that Summit plans to turn the book, which provides practical ways that men and women can communicate better by acknowledging the differences between them, into — surprise, surprise — a romantic comedy. In other words, expect that thoughtful practicality to be substituted for comedic misunderstandings and assorted sexual escapades.
Now, I’m not dismissing the possibility of something good being able to come from this. There’s already been at least one instance of a quality flick being made from a self-help book, with Tina Fey using one (Queen Bees and Wannabes) as the basis forMean Girls. And considering that this particular book is intended to highlight the mindsets and emotional needs of each sex, it’s comforting to know that both male and female perspectives will receive equal treatment with the writing-directing team that Summit’s brought on board. Then again, they’re also the duo responsible for writingLeap Yearand co-writingMade of Honor. So, maybe not.
