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How Syfy's Alice brings the classic into the modern world
Syfy's upcoming limited series Alice brings a modern interpretation to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, updating the 1866 book by imagining how Wonderland might have evolved over the last 143 years, the show's creators told reporters today.
Writer/director Nick Willing builds on that idea by envisioning a fantasy world with problems that drag real-world humans in, he said in a press conference in Pasadena, Calif., during the Television Critics Association summer press tour. "The White Rabbit is very different," Willing said. "It's not just one character; it's a secret organization that works for the Queen of Hearts and abducts people from our [real-world] land, so they can gamble in the Queen's casino. The 'oysters,' as these human beings are called, are put to play there so their emotions can be drained by the Queen. That is the currency of Wonderland. You can feel whatever you want when you want to feel it. Just take a sip of lust or euphoria."
The Queen (Kathy Bates) gives her people the instant fix of human emotions as a way to pacify them as they had become too unruly when left to their own devices. "The Queen's potions were her way of creating a world of instant gratification so she could control her population," Willing said.
By the evolutionary logic of the series, the original Alice died of old age in the last century. The new Alice (Caterina Scorsone) is very different from Carroll's, Willing said. "Obviously, she's not a little girl," he said. "She's a woman with all the kind of female problems that come from falling in and out of love. So that's one very different character."
In this version of Wonderland, the Mad Hatter (Andrew Lee Potts) may have moments of lucidity. "Hatter in my story; he's a little nuts, but he's pretty solid, too," Willing said. "He's a ducker and diver, as we say in England. He's got a lot of street cred. He's the guy that helps Alice try to find the man she loves, who's been abducted by the White Rabbit."
Carroll may not have envisioned flying vehicle chases and padded walls closing in on his heroine. "The flamingos in our version of Wonderland are flying machines, a cross between a Vespa and a Ducati and a biplane," Willing explained. "You grab the flamingo's neck, which is of course the joystick, and that controls the airplane."
With all these changes, why bother calling it Alice? Willing said that he still drew inspiration for all of his updates from the original source. "Basically, what we did is drew upon the kind of surreal aspects of that world and turned them into the surprises of a thriller and wove a very powerful love story throughout," Willing said. "It's not the Alice in Wonderland that you would've seen adapted many times before. This is a much racier, tougher, sexier, more driven [show] with a classical story, more like a kind of thriller with twists and turns and surprises."
Willing added that his telefilm is still consistent with Carroll's tone. "It's got to be funny," Willing said. "The original is very funny. It's still very fresh. It's got to be full of surprises. It's got to have a very, very strong visual flair. These are all touchstones that drove me when I was developing the show."
Alice premieres this December on Syfy.
By asfm at 9:21 PM ON 08/05/09
I'm not very familiar with Alice in Wonderland, but it's my understanding that Wonderland is a figment of Alice's imagination.
If that is the case, well, is that even going to be acknowledged? They make it seem like it's a real place.
By emilymargrit at 9:22 PM ON 08/05/09
If this is as acceptable as the adaptation of Wizard of Oz with 'Tin Man,' then I will be plenty happy. I'd rather there were enormous changes only touching on the original material than just a simple adaptation that sort of ruins the thing. Excited for this.
By Jabberwocky at 10:05 PM ON 08/05/09
Once again, taking something great and making it mediocre. Why does everything have to involve some tacked-on love story and evil conspiracies? Can't a story just be interesting without all the canned Hollywood formula. Lemme guess, the Cheshire Cat is now a global surveilance network that can force people to smile?
This is about as Wonderland as Mel's Diner. Visual flair doesn't scream at me from the photos either. I'll make it a point to avoid this dishonest walrus.
By Von Ether at 11:08 PM ON 08/05/09
Evidently the Tin Man was successful enough that in typical Hollywood fashion, it's going to be a template.
Please tells someone about "Hook" before they get to Peter Pan
By likeitis at 11:08 PM ON 08/05/09
Its all about trying to cash in on the new Depp movie coming out
By Kikstad at 11:10 PM ON 08/05/09
If it's as good as Tinman, I'll be happy.
By Hodo at 11:48 PM ON 08/05/09
If I remember correctly the original Alice In Wonderland (Through the Looking Glass) wasnt a very happy book, like Disney made it out to be. But Tinman was good so I look forward to this. A bit more than the Tim Burton Alice.
By cheshirecatgirl at 11:54 PM ON 08/05/09
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are my two most favorite books in the world, with that said I love watching any and all adaptations of the stories, because it shows what iconic and in the mind staying tales they are. So I am very much looking forward to Alice because it is a building upon of a classic story. Admittedly it could be horrible and a total flop, but if Tin Man is possibly any kind of indication to measure by I’m not worried.
By GQ at 8:48 AM ON 08/06/09
If you view the original Wonderland as an expression of a child's imagination, all colour and strangeness and, well, wonder, I suppose it's easier to go along with this new version which show's the land through the filter of adulthood- no longer is it a place of whimsy and mercurial change but one of rigidity and structure.
It makes sense to me.
Not sure it's more interesting but it's at least understandable.
By Noneofyourbusiness at 9:14 AM ON 08/06/09
Asfm, it's never clearly established that Wonderland is a figment of Alice's imagination. Actually, it's only the second book, set in Looking-Glass Land not Wonderland, that suggests she is dreaming her environs, and it also suggests that the Red King is dreaming her.
By rmatthewware at 1:57 PM ON 08/06/09
So Tim Burton is doing a big screen modern Alice movie, so Syfy-less had to quickly do a small screen modern Alice movie just to capitalize. Good job. You can bet which one I'll see.
By tati at 2:42 PM ON 08/06/09
I guess I need to revisit Tinman. Maybe I was in the wrong frame of mind to watch it the first time, but I simply wasn't enthralled.
Heh, my captcha says qqfuk LOL
By jb at 3:58 PM ON 08/06/09
Lame. I love how "syfy" is taking these properties with no copyright and re-making them. Plus, isnt this like stealing Burton's thunder?
By PhilHughes at 10:08 PM ON 08/06/09
Tinman ended up being pretty damn good, gotta give alice a chance.
Plus, Chief O'Brien is in it! Hell yeah, he was the man.
By KC at 11:05 PM ON 08/06/09
Like Tinman? I hope not - that was dreadful and the acting was awful.
By TamikaJPrice at 4:19 PM ON 10/13/09
Tin Man was great, I will admit that the girl that played DG's sister wasn't the best actress; but it was a darn good movie!!! Loved it. I'm excited about seeing Alice.
By WhiteRabbit at 3:53 AM ON 10/25/09
The White Rabbit is actually Father Time he controlls everything it's no Wonder Wonderland keeps showing up all the Time. Check out SynchronicityInWonderland.com the White Rabbit rules!
By BlackByrd at 7:21 PM ON 10/25/09
This looks really good! I hope the writing is better than Tin Man's was, I loved it, but I wasn't MOVED by it, y'know?
By Radecliffe at 3:18 PM ON 10/26/09
Tin Man was a lot better than I expected so I am more than willing to give this one a try.
@jb: Both the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland are in the public domain so pretty much anyone can do anything they like to them. You can even download an ebook copy of them from books.google.com.
By jeremy at 11:46 PM ON 11/01/09
This is all well and good, but what we really want to know is... WILL THERE BE BOOB MONKEYS?
(Ya know, like in Tin Man? Remember?)
By Alex at 8:44 PM ON 11/19/09
I'd like to see Lewis Carrols "The looking glass wars" story line incorporated into this movie. Having imagination as a power rather than a concept is far more exciting.
By romi at 3:12 PM ON 12/02/09
The Looking Glass Wars and Tim Burton would be an excellent combination..Tim Burton has enough "imagination" to blow up the universe.
By Feli at 11:43 PM ON 12/03/09
The Looking Glass Wars is written by Author Frank Beddor. Through The Looking Glass is done by Lewis Carroll. Sorry for correcting you…I work in a book store and adore both Lewis Carroll and Frank Beddor's versions. Though The Looking Glass Wars is a bit different from Through the Looking Glass, it's a bit darker and violent. Although if they did do a looking glass wars movie it would probably be crazy. Also dumb question but didn't sci-fi already do an Alice movie a couple years ago?
By Brian - Kafkacotton at 2:55 AM ON 12/05/09
I run a t-shirt shop (www.kafkacotton.com) that creates designs inspire by great books. We just came out with an "Alice in Wonderland" (actually "Through the Looking Glass") t-shirt last week. When we decided to make the shirt, we didn't know all these Alices were about to pop out....
By Lena at 10:18 PM ON 12/06/09
Well, I'm looking at the new version in the sci fi (too silly to call it "scify") channel and it's left me cold. In fact, it's pure crap. I guess an idiot or tween would like it, the rest won't.
By Eilonwy at 12:02 AM ON 12/07/09
I just saw the first part of 'Alice' and was extremely pleased with it. I have been a fan of Alice's 'Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass' for years and saw a lot in this new perspective that suggested a great respect for the books. I only wish they had extended this out into a series instead of a two night event. The only problem was that it seemed like there was too much going on all at once. With a series they would have been able to give everything the attention it deserved and still fit it all in. Why would you want to rush through the stunningly beautiful costumes, sets, and general design?
By 9v0lt at 10:53 AM ON 12/07/09
Well, I loved it.
The effects were brilliant and most of the actors were wonderful.
I think that these syfy remakes are love em or hate em.
Half of everyone is saying they loved tin man, half are saying it was awful.
I loved part one and I can't wait for part two.
Andrew Lee Potts rocks the guyliner....
:)
By Kyli McElhaney at 11:10 PM ON 12/07/09
I LOVED IT!!! ILL WATCH BOTH PARTS OVER AND OVER! i loved it! the hatter won me over from the first time he talked to alice! DONT LET NEGATIVE PEOPLE SPOIL THIS! PUT IT ON OTHER CHANNELS! PLAY IT OVER AND OVER! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
By Paul at 11:22 PM ON 12/07/09
I love it!! When is SyFy releasing the dvd? 2thumbs way up nice job guys! There are so few good SyFy movies by SyFy I can only think of one other and that is Dracula The Dark Prince again way to go!!!!!!!!
By LittleGirlGrey at 11:34 PM ON 12/07/09
LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I would always take the Diamond in the Rough over Prince Charming. Jack's character annoyed me, I understood it. But he was just stealing Hatter's Thunder. LOVED Hatter. Would watch it over and over for him. I wish they had spun it out a little more like Tin Man *which I LOVED by the way too*
Wonder what they will do next?
By Jag at 4:08 AM ON 12/08/09
LOVE IT!
It reminds me of what you did with Tin Man, which I now have on DVD because I had to buy it haha. Guess what else I'm gonna buy? Alice! It's too good to pass up! When will the DVD be released? I can't wait haha.
By alex at 10:21 AM ON 12/08/09
Syfy has done it again.... onlyy this time they done it in PUBLIC.
I kept watching, hoping for originality and creativity. Never found any. I found it an insult to my back side for having sat through it.
Seriously.. when syfy gets it right, they work wonders. but wen they get it wrong, stuff like this is the result.
By kelli at 5:26 PM ON 12/08/09
I thought it was a great flick, and an interesting take on the original. I wouldn't mind owning the DVD version.
By IsabellaCullen0016 at 5:39 PM ON 12/08/09
WHEN THIS COMES OUT OR WHEN ANYONE FINDS OUT WHEN IT COMES OUT PLEASE E-MAIL ME!!! I CANT WAIT BETWEEN THIS AND NEW MOON!!!!!
By jessica at 2:07 PM ON 12/09/09
i love this movie!!!!!!!!!!! i want it on dvd 4 christmas but have no idea wen it comes out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HELP!!!!!!!!!
By Cheap_Yankee at 10:35 AM ON 12/10/09
It was Alice's portrayal as a black-belt which drew me into this miniseries (I like strong women), but I must say that it was Hatter which stole the show. Like all SciFi movies, there was some unevenness in acting ability and things which could have been done better (I love Kathy Bates, but the Red Queen was a disappointment, as was the "blink and you'll miss them" appearances of other well-known actors).
Over all I have to say I give this show a thumbs up. Alice, Hatter and the White Knight had me rooting for them by the end of the show, and Pott's performance as the Hatter definitely has me looking at him in a new light as a serious actor. I'll probably purchase this show on DVD when it comes out (and I'm darned cheap and borrow 99% of my movies from free from the library, if that tells you anything). I hope Sci Fi goes on to cast these same characters in a remake of "Through the Looking Glass."
By lduke at 12:47 AM ON 12/11/09
I loved this movie!!! I totally agreed that Hatter stole the show! He had me rooting for him right away! He and Alice made a good pair and I also liked the White Knight, he was very entertaining. I would love to see these characters again. I also agree that I would liked to have seen more ending, maybe an overview, but I still really liked it!
By Amanda at 9:51 PM ON 12/11/09
I'm been a fan of stargate for years, and when I saw both of the movies, I didn't feel that strongly about having them on DVD. But when I saw Alice, I knew it was something I really wanted to own --and I rarely buy DVD's.
I agree with everyone else that I loved Andrew Lee Potts as Hatter, and have become a new fan of both him and Caterina Scorsone. I would love to see them in more Syfy productions. It was also a nice treat to see some familiar faces from Eureka, Stargate SG-1, and Stargate Atlantis.
I hope this is available before Christmas because I would love to be able to add this to my wishlist.
By Why-Fi? at 3:15 PM ON 12/13/09
The SyFy Channel: Lowering the bar for speculative fiction, fantasy, special effects and acting for two centuries.
The last good made-for-sci-fi-channel productions were the Dune adaptations. What happened? Did the filmmakers get fired for aiming higher than the dumbest common denominator?
By Megan at 4:15 PM ON 12/14/09
I just watched 'Alice' for the first time last night and I loved it. I could actually relate a lot of the scenes for the movie to the original book.
By Handle? at 10:54 PM ON 12/14/09
This miniseries gave birth to my undyingly loyal love to Syfy.
Thank you for such an enjoyable piece of work.
Best. Hatter. Ever.
By Blackmartagon at 9:39 PM ON 12/16/09
I have watched this movie 5 x and see more connections to the 2 stories each time. I re-read the books every couple years. Love the way both stories are meshed into a campy romance twisted to modern day. Glad they grabbed some British actors like Hatter (Andrew Lee Potts) to keep the British humour in the story. Whole thing is too short.
By tls at 2:25 PM ON 12/21/09
whre can I get the intro music to this miniseries?
By TexasTeacher at 10:54 AM ON 12/26/09
omg loved this movie! The Hatter was totally hot! lol I so want to own a copy... can this be bought anywhere??
By night at 2:11 PM ON 12/27/09
Loved it. Totally addicting, and like everyone else Hatter stole the movie for me. Liked him at first sight but when Dodo came into the picture, and Hatter was so protective of Alice, I was in love. And it kept getting stronger through out which I liked. He and Alice made an adorable pair I was routing them to be together from the beginning=)
By thankgodit'sfridays at 7:04 PM ON 12/29/09
i loved it, personally. Don' let haters spoil this movie. Both the origional Alice In Wonderland and SyFy's Alice were amazing. Hatter packs so much eye candy into each shot, and he definatley stole my heart. Alice is gorgeous and gives the movie colour. Kathy Bates is perfect for The Queen of Hearts. great.movie.
By 2Bluce at 2:35 AM ON 01/02/10
Brilliant! Can't wait to watch it again to catch more of the symbolism and creative surprises around every corner. I kept wondering what kind of insane genius or team of geniuses came up with this winner. The visuals are unbelievable. I'm so glad I recorded it.
By cheshirecat at 4:59 PM ON 01/06/10
much love to the syfy channel!!! i have a SMALL alice in wonderland obsession lol!! and i thought that this was a great twist on the origional. yes nothing can beat the lewis carroll's version but i think we all knew this would be different going into it!! I LOVE U HATTER!!!!! great actor for a great charachter.
By Twinkle*Twinkle at 5:43 PM ON 01/08/10
This Movie is Amazing!! I can't wait to get it on DVD!! I love Hatter!! He is amazing!
By kt at 12:42 AM ON 01/12/10
It's supposed to come out on the 2nd of March
By evil at heart <3 at 7:43 PM ON 02/05/10
where can i buy this movie i really wwant to know
By AliceQuestion at 4:40 PM ON 02/06/10
I also would like to know where I can get this movie. Imissed it when it was on.
Can someone advise?
Visit mobile.syfy.com/wire on your mobile device.
AliceQuestion:
I also would like to know where I can get this movie. Imissed it when it was on. Can someone advise?...More »