The Sot-Weed Factor is a book that’s difficult to appreciate. But when you do “get it,” you really appreciate it.
The novel’s style of humor reminds me of something you might see in Monty Python or The Princess Bride. It’s certainly a twisted satire.
For the life of me, though, I can’t see how this novel would ever translate to screen, big or small. It’s more than 700 pages, set in the 16th century, and includes dozens of stories within stories.
But Steven Soderbergh apparently likes a challenge. You know him as the director of the Oceans 11/12/13 movies, Traffic, Magic Mike, and a crapload of others. Earlier this year, he told Entertainment Weekly that he’ll be adapting The Sot-Weed Factor into a series containing 12 one-hour episodes.
“I think I’ve come up with a solve to do it cheaply. It’s bold. If it works, it’ll be super cool. And if it doesn’t, you won’t be able to watch ten minutes of it,” he says. “I don’t want to make a f—ing $85 million, 12-hour comedy set in the [1600s]. That’s why I started thinking this way.”
Let’s hope it’s super cool and we’ll be able to watch more than 10 minutes of it.
No word yet on where or when the series will air. Soderbergh says he’s open for web-only distribution or a Netflix exclusivity deal similar to House of Cards.
I’ll definitely tune in.
This is one of the most unique novels I’ve ever read, and I’m interested to see how Soderbergh makes it work on screen.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
