In a new blog post, famous writer George R. R. Martin discussed book adaptations for movies and TV and expressed doubt about most of them. He said Hollywood's rush to adapt books often leads to disappointing outcomes, with adaptations not living up to the original.

Martin estimated that only one out of every thousand adaptations is truly good. He did make an exception to the recent FX series adaptation of "Shogun," which was based on the novel by James Clavell. He thought it was an excellent example of adaptation done right.

Criticizing Hollywood's Approach to Adaptations

Martin lamented the trend in Hollywood where filmmakers and producers seek to 'make stories their own,' believing they can improve upon the original material. However, he argued that most adaptations make the story worse rather than better.

Martin also reminisced about a joint event with Neil Gaiman in New York City a few years ago. The event, marked by the enjoyable atmosphere typical of Gaiman's gatherings, featured discussions on various topics, ranging from books and comics to serious themes.

Martin and Gaiman discussed throughout the event the need for filmmakers to respect the original work when adapting literary works for the big screen. Both authors expressed frustration concerning making the content 'their own,' stressing the significance of being true to the original work.

Martin recounted instances where changes were necessary due to practical constraints, such as budget limitations, but highlighted the importance of maintaining the essence of the story. Both authors stressed the need for authenticity and respect for the source material in adaptations.

READ ALSO: 5 Books You Must Read After Watching 'Shōgun'

Martin Applauds FX's 'Shogun' Adaptation

Despite this, Martin found the FX adaptation of "Shogun" a rare example of an excellent adaptation. He praised the series for its superb acting, directing, set design, costume, and faithful adaptation of Clavell's novel.

Martin was pleasantly delighted by the quality of the new "Shogun" series, especially considering his appreciation for the 1980 miniseries adaptation and the original novel. He had been skeptical about it at first. He pointed out that although the new series differed significantly from its predecessor, both adaptations managed to stay true to the original work in their own unique ways. Martin felt that the new and old screenwriters did Clavell's novel justice by not wanting to 'make it their own.'

In this historical epic of power struggle, a conflict between Lord Toranaga, a Japanese daimyo, and English seaman John Blackthorne ensues. Some of the stars portraying the show include Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. More specifically, many positive critiques were given to the show because of its directing, script, performances, technical aspects, and even its adherence to the source material. Critics called it a masterpiece, noting that its politics are intricate, similar to "Game of Thrones."

With GOT-level acclaim, it initially earned a perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes, lauded for its visual splendor and cultural authenticity. Despite a slight decrease in critic ratings, it maintains a strong audience score of 90%.

Encouraging others to watch the series and judge for themselves, Martin hoped its success might lead to adaptations of other Clavell novels. Meanwhile, Martin is developing another spinoff series based on his "Game of Thrones" books.

RELATED ARTICLE: 'Shōgun' by James Clavell Book Review: A Captivating Saga of Cultural Clash and Political Intrigue in Feudal Japan