Before Twilight There Were The Vampire Diaries!!!
So I'm surfing on YouTube when I come across a teaser trailer for "The Vampires Diaries." A little research and I find that it's a new show coming to the CW on Sept. 9, 2009 based on the book series of the same name by L.J. Smith. Cue major fangirl flailing. For those of you who have know idea what I'm talking about. Let me explain.
Back in the day I was precocious young thing and devoured books like they were candy. I read the classics of course, but was also rather fond of the young adult section at my local library, and bookstore. Unlike other children, tweens, and teenagers however, I was not enraptured by the incredibly popular horror stylings of "Goosebumps," or the "Fear Street" series by R.L. Stine (For reals, R.L. Stine was like the J.K. Rowling of the late 80's and mid 90's) or the coming of age tales of Judy Blume. Instead I worshiped at the altar of Christopher Pike, Robin McKinley, and L.J. Smith.
L.J. Smith the least known of the 3 wrote the "Vampire Diaries" as a 4 part tetralogy (Although a new trilogy of books in the series is planned beginning with the already published "Nightfall"). It tells the story of the main protagonist Elena (who is blond, beautiful, and popular) and Stefan and Damon who are two vampire brothers in love with Elena. The brothers, one good and one evil are locked in a battle for Elena's heart and ultimately her soul, and the souls of her family and friends. It's the battle for good and evil in microcosm that will eventually spill over into a fight to save the very town. Sound familiar?
Truly, on the surface "The Vampire Diaries" seems like a hybrid of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Twilight." What you have to remember is that this series of books came out way before "Twilight" and was printed 6 years before Buffy was even a gleam in Joss Whedon's eye. The books are filled with twist and turns and really take the time to flesh out the characters. Although I prefer L.J. Smith's later work, such as "The Forbidden Game" trilogy (Think the "Labyrinth" movie, and the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone) and the "Night World" series. "The Vampire Diaries" besides taking advantage of the latest vampire craze are actually a great choice for adapting from print to the small screen.
The series does diverge somewhat from the books. Changed names where the produces couldn't secure the rights. Elena's older brother doesn't exist. Stefan and Damon are younger and from the U.S. While Bonnie who is Elena's best friend is African American instead of a Caucasian red head. That particular change is one that I appIaud since the book is less then culturally diverse. Plus, after hearing all the whining from a certain segment of fandom about how dare Bonnie not be a white, red head, Elena not being blond is stupid, It sucks that Stefan doesn't have green eyes..........yap, yap, yap! I would be down if the producers made Bonnie an Asian transsexual if only to make the haters heads explode, and shut the hell up. Casting wise my main concerns lied with Stefan, Damon, and Elena the main characters. If their right everything else would follow.
Personally, I think the casting for Stefan and Damon is spot on. I've seen both actors in similar roles so I know they can handle them. It's Elena that has me concerned. Not the non-blond, blue eyed thing. I got over that fast. But the actress who plays her seems pretty generic and average to be at the heart of such an explosive triangle. From what I've seen I'm finding it hard to believe that both Stefan and Damon would be so desperate to have her. Also this Elena seems to be more introverted loner less social butterfly then the Elena of the book (It's like the writers are trying to turn her into Bella when Elena was definitely of the Cordelia Chase, Blair Waldorf mold. Only less bitchy and manipulative. In fact she most closely reminds me of a pre-called Buffy). Since Elena is the very fulcrum of book with everything radiating out from her this lack of spark worries me. Still, I felt the same way about the cast of "Gossip Girl" who I came to love and Kevin Williamson who is producing the show (love him or hate) is known for is excellent casting. There's only so much you can tell from a teaser. And the longer trailer I found does make me feel a bit better on the Elena front. I'm just going to wait and see. Otherwise, everything else I've seen makes me really excited about this project but don't take my word for it. Check out the 2 teaser trailers, and the extended trailer below.
Teaser Trailer 1
Teaser Trailer 2
Extended Trailer
Back in the day I was precocious young thing and devoured books like they were candy. I read the classics of course, but was also rather fond of the young adult section at my local library, and bookstore. Unlike other children, tweens, and teenagers however, I was not enraptured by the incredibly popular horror stylings of "Goosebumps," or the "Fear Street" series by R.L. Stine (For reals, R.L. Stine was like the J.K. Rowling of the late 80's and mid 90's) or the coming of age tales of Judy Blume. Instead I worshiped at the altar of Christopher Pike, Robin McKinley, and L.J. Smith.
L.J. Smith the least known of the 3 wrote the "Vampire Diaries" as a 4 part tetralogy (Although a new trilogy of books in the series is planned beginning with the already published "Nightfall"). It tells the story of the main protagonist Elena (who is blond, beautiful, and popular) and Stefan and Damon who are two vampire brothers in love with Elena. The brothers, one good and one evil are locked in a battle for Elena's heart and ultimately her soul, and the souls of her family and friends. It's the battle for good and evil in microcosm that will eventually spill over into a fight to save the very town. Sound familiar?
Truly, on the surface "The Vampire Diaries" seems like a hybrid of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Twilight." What you have to remember is that this series of books came out way before "Twilight" and was printed 6 years before Buffy was even a gleam in Joss Whedon's eye. The books are filled with twist and turns and really take the time to flesh out the characters. Although I prefer L.J. Smith's later work, such as "The Forbidden Game" trilogy (Think the "Labyrinth" movie, and the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone) and the "Night World" series. "The Vampire Diaries" besides taking advantage of the latest vampire craze are actually a great choice for adapting from print to the small screen.
The series does diverge somewhat from the books. Changed names where the produces couldn't secure the rights. Elena's older brother doesn't exist. Stefan and Damon are younger and from the U.S. While Bonnie who is Elena's best friend is African American instead of a Caucasian red head. That particular change is one that I appIaud since the book is less then culturally diverse. Plus, after hearing all the whining from a certain segment of fandom about how dare Bonnie not be a white, red head, Elena not being blond is stupid, It sucks that Stefan doesn't have green eyes..........yap, yap, yap! I would be down if the producers made Bonnie an Asian transsexual if only to make the haters heads explode, and shut the hell up. Casting wise my main concerns lied with Stefan, Damon, and Elena the main characters. If their right everything else would follow.
Personally, I think the casting for Stefan and Damon is spot on. I've seen both actors in similar roles so I know they can handle them. It's Elena that has me concerned. Not the non-blond, blue eyed thing. I got over that fast. But the actress who plays her seems pretty generic and average to be at the heart of such an explosive triangle. From what I've seen I'm finding it hard to believe that both Stefan and Damon would be so desperate to have her. Also this Elena seems to be more introverted loner less social butterfly then the Elena of the book (It's like the writers are trying to turn her into Bella when Elena was definitely of the Cordelia Chase, Blair Waldorf mold. Only less bitchy and manipulative. In fact she most closely reminds me of a pre-called Buffy). Since Elena is the very fulcrum of book with everything radiating out from her this lack of spark worries me. Still, I felt the same way about the cast of "Gossip Girl" who I came to love and Kevin Williamson who is producing the show (love him or hate) is known for is excellent casting. There's only so much you can tell from a teaser. And the longer trailer I found does make me feel a bit better on the Elena front. I'm just going to wait and see. Otherwise, everything else I've seen makes me really excited about this project but don't take my word for it. Check out the 2 teaser trailers, and the extended trailer below.
Teaser Trailer 1
Click to viewTeaser Trailer 2
Extended Trailer