maxbarry.com
Tue 10
May
2011

Freaking Syrup movie

Syrup I’ll be honest: I never expected this to get made. In fact, I’m still skeptical. I’m that cynical. It’s Hollywood, man. It eats you. But now there’s a cast and a budget and a production date and I’m starting to think it could be real.

This was supposed to be announced tomorrow, but word leaked out early and Variety reported it, so: they’re making Syrup. It’s what comingsoon.net kindly calls a “smaller production,” starring Shiloh Fernandez and Amber Heard. It’s based on a script I wrote, is to be directed by Aram Rappaport, and will shoot in June in New York City. This would be (will be, will be) the first of my novels to be filmed.

I am totally flying over there and doing some kind of cameo. I’m looking forward to seeing sets. I don’t know why. But I always imagine locations pretty clearly—more so than the characters, in the physical sense—and I want to see the chair that Scat swivels around in. I know it won’t be just as I imagined. But it will be something in my head made real.

Comments

This is where site members post comments. If you're not a member, you can join here. There are all kinds of benefits, including moral superiority!

Machine Man subscriber Max

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Quote: "I'm my number one fan!"
Posted: 4706 days ago

For anyone outraged by Amber Heard's blondness, here is a more 6-ish pic:

www.hotflick.net/pictures/big/009ETS_Amber_Heard_003.html

syrup6 (#1224)

Location: Arkansas
Quote: ""Truth always rests with the minority, and the minority is always stronger than the majority, because the minority is generally formed by those who really have an opinion" - Kierkegaard"
Posted: 4706 days ago

SOOOO freaking awesome!!!!

shabooty (#637)

Location: D.C./V.A/M.D.
Quote: "I will shake your foundation. I will shake the f**cking rafters. Nobody'll be the same -Danny Bonaduce ....& go visit my blog @: http://www.shabooty.com"
Posted: 4706 days ago

I wouldn't kick the Amanda Heard out of my bed for crackers.

Jenifer (#1868)

Location: Suwon, South Korea
Quote: ""I'll try everything once. If I like it, I'll try it again.""
Posted: 4706 days ago

This is SO cool! I can't even begin to express how excited I am for you. Congratulations! Of course, I'm also excited for me. I can't wait to see it.

Nate Murray (#1176)

Location: San Diego
Quote: "You can run, but you can't glide!"
Posted: 4706 days ago

Great news, Max(x)! The wait is going to kill me. Couldn't be more excited for you, and for this film.

Machine Man subscriber Mapuche (#1184)

Location: Darwin, Australia
Quote: "Inconceivable!"
Posted: 4706 days ago

Freaking Awesome is just the half of it...!!!!

Machine Man subscriber gstein42 (#585)

Location: 127.0.0.1
Quote: "That's not change! That's more of the same!"
Posted: 4706 days ago

also read the comingsoon.net article, and just as a reminder... who are the celebs that make cameos in the book? (it's been about 9 months since i read syrup)

Machine Man subscriber Alan W (#1427)

Location: Spokane, Washington
Quote: "Corgis are like potato chips"
Posted: 4706 days ago

Awesome! I would really love to see all of your works done on the big screen.

I'll definitely be pimping your movie for you out here on the west coast. =)

John Thomson (#5303)

Location: Gretna, UK
Quote: ""And that was how I taught them to stop asking me for help with Windows.""
Posted: 4706 days ago

Wow, nice. Haven't read Syrup (want to have, but can't afford it), but I sure can't wait to see the movie. Heck, I might actually pay to see it. ;)

Anyway, great job. I still think Jennifer Gov. would make a good film... well, it's still possible, isn't it?

By the way, the story I'm writing, I mentioned it to you a while ago, I was wondering if you'd find the time in your "busy" life to read it when it's finished. A review from Max Barry, even if no-one else read it, would probably be worth writing it for.

Thanks, John Thomson, JOT Tech Ltd. :)

Machine Man subscriber DucatiGuy (#4767)

Location: Northern NSW
Posted: 4706 days ago

Only fair to take your readers on set too ...

Machine Man subscriber Kyle (#3321)

Location: Burnie, Tasmania
Posted: 4705 days ago

The way its portrayed in TV and movies, writers tend to be unhappy on set because the director always represents their vision, in part, or whole, and the writer is seen as a whining backseat driver. Just hoping for your sake that you'll leave them to do the movie, and be hands-off.

Of course you could always call Mick Garris..

Simon (#3192)

Location: Melbourne
Quote: "I'd rather be arrogant than wrong"
Posted: 4705 days ago

What kind of coin do you get for that? Maybe I should write a movie <rubs chin thoughtfully>

Karan (#1376)

Location: Sydney, Australia
Quote: "Quid Quid Latine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur - Anything said in Latin sounds important"
Posted: 4705 days ago

Congrats Max! Looks like a good cast, even if I would have picked Anne Hathaway as 6, and chances are on the smaller production you'll get something closer to your vision. Now, is there anything about getting some of those cans of Fu*k? :D

Machine Man subscriber Alex (#3885)

Location: New York City
Quote: "But never met this fellow attended or alone without a tighter breathing and zero at the bone"
Posted: 4705 days ago

This is fantastic! I hope it goes really well. I will be wandering the streets of Manhattan in search of where you are filming. Maybe I can trade you tickets to Shakespeare in the Park for a chance to check out the set.

Machine Man subscriber Ballotonia (#4030)

Location: Netherlands
Quote: "Vote Early, Vote Often"
Posted: 4705 days ago

Oh yeah, I'm so totally outraged by Amber Heard's blondness ... NOT!

Seriously though, congratulations!

And FYI: you'd make a great guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. After all, the movie will need to be promoted, and I'm thinking he'd enjoy your perspective on society and sense of humor.

Ballotonia

Machine Man subscriber dabbeljuh (#4114)

Posted: 4705 days ago

grats. hope it really gets made and then published in germany, I will be there opening day >)

...and still dreaming of Jennifer Government ~

Phil Schroeder (#5336)

Location: Indianapolis
Posted: 4705 days ago

I'm happy to see this finally come to fruition although I have huge reservations about Rappaport seeing as he has very little experience and so far the things he has directed have been garbage. Hopefully this will be his chance to shine since he has good source material. I hadn't thought about Hathaway as 6, but I admit she would be perfect for it. Personally I'd lobby for another director but I have a feeling that is out of your hands. So we'll just hope for the best I guess.

stanley becker (#5283)

Location: black hole
Quote: "DON"T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!!"
Posted: 4705 days ago

I am very happy for you Max - hope it is successful and that all your books become celluloid monsters Love Stan

Swkoll (#5394)

Location: USA
Quote: ":)"
Posted: 4705 days ago

Aren't you worried that they won't stay true to the book?

Brittany O. (#1688)

Location: Montana
Quote: "people are kind of overrated "
Posted: 4705 days ago

Contrats Max!
I will be so excited to see it when it finally comes out.
I would have prefered to see J.Gov come out in movie form as someone mentioned previously but either way- if this goes well maybe others will follow.

Matt (#5127)

Location: SF Bay Area
Quote: "I love Max Barry crap."
Posted: 4705 days ago

This... is AWESOME! I freakin' LOVED syrup. I hope the actors can pull it off.

Machine Man subscriber Roger (#1653)

Posted: 4705 days ago

I'm not feeling the actor they got to play Scat. He has a very...punchable face. Kinda like how I imagined Sneaky Pete to look.

Thumbs up to Amber though.

Machine Man subscriber John Haughton (#4866)

Location: Sunderland
Quote: "Bugger it."
Posted: 4705 days ago

Brilliant!

Don't let the heathens screw it up.

jessica (#3063)

Location: austin, tx
Quote: "You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart."
Posted: 4705 days ago

Congrats! This is fantastic!!! Maybe this movie will be the catalyst to get Jennifer Government made?!!!

Tim (#3286)

Location: 0riginalsin
Quote: "Oderint dum metuant"
Posted: 4705 days ago

Yes!!!! can't wait to see it, to have followed you since I was in high school and now to finally see a movie made out of your books? this is awesome, and congratulations!

JBBdude (#1884)

Posted: 4705 days ago

Congrats! After the Jennifer Government thing went how it did or didn't, I was a little suspicious of the news that the movie was being made. Hearing there are dates in a month eases the tension.

I second DucatiGuy and Alex, please let local fans in on filming dates so we can see it, maybe even meet you or be free labor as extras!

Do you know how wide the release is planned to be? Will it be a 3-cinemas-in-the-Village-and-one-in-LA type, or more of a mid-range art-house piece at a few regional artistic theaters?

Been waiting on a movie of one of your films for ages. Hope that this one prompts more.

Machine Man subscriber Ben (#3924)

Location: Alberta, Canada
Quote: "I don't wanna ride the elevator."
Posted: 4705 days ago

Sweet, at least it is if it turns out well. If it is poorly done then it is still sweet if it doesn't cause problems for you later because that would suck.

Either way I look forward to seeing it. Good luck.

Machine Man subscriber Randy (#2374)

Location: Ravena, NY
Quote: "I could write a book about being lazy. I just don't feel like it."
Posted: 4704 days ago

Congrats! When you fly over to do your cameo, Max, you can crash at my place around Albany! I mean, why would you want to stay at in a ritzy hotel in NYC? Best of luck with your "film career"!

Rex (#5429)

Posted: 4703 days ago

So (SPOILER ALERT) given Amber actually is a lesbian, does that mean you're going to (I SAID SPOILER ALERT) be making the ending of the movie different to the one in the book, rather than having 6 turn out to be straight/Anne Heche-ing? Or will that not make a difference, acting being acting n'all?

Stijn (#5223)

Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Quote: "Seek nothing and you will find everything."
Posted: 4703 days ago

Good for you Max!

Machine Man subscriber Yannick (#3858)

Location: Heist, Belgium
Quote: "he reads things"
Posted: 4703 days ago

I am psyyyyyyyyyyyched!

Nigel (#5420)

Posted: 4687 days ago

Wow. Congrats. I talked to you about the Syrup movie at Literati (Robina) and you seemed to seriously doubt it would get made, citing previous experiences. I picked up Syrup at Literati (Awesome read, crap cover (I know you didn't choose it)) and it seemed really fresh and relevant, like the kind of comedic novel that will always be relevant. So I'm happy to see it get made.... finally. Regardless of budget. :-D

Machine Man subscriber Michael Harrell (#2372)

Location: Olathe, KS
Quote: ""Every day we must persevere. For we are engaged in a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress."Adapted from the masthead of "The Economist""
Posted: 4677 days ago

I'm getting excited for Max!!!
It will be great to see that guys dream come true. If he can do it, well then he can do it!

Beth (#5487)

Posted: 4656 days ago

Hi Max,
congratulations, thinking of you and the family.

Comments are now closed for this post.