When it comes to TV series adaptations, the risk is always very high. We also think only of series like Game of Thrones oThe Witcherproductions that while experiencing a huge success they have not been exempt from comments from hardcore book fans.
Then there are those less famous series, unsavable and literally butchered by critics. The main problems, as well as a totally to be reviewed writing, have often been identified in a cast that does not live up to expectations.
Here are 7 adaptations of TV series that flopped spectacularly
1) 666 Park Avenue
Let’s start with 666 Park Avenuean American television series created and produced by David Wilcox but based on the homonymous novel series written by Gabriella Pierce. The series tells the story of the inhabitants of a historic building in New York, victims of strange supernatural forces.
There were countless expectations from readers around this series, however something didn’t work as it should.
According to many active fans on Rotten Tomatoes, the script contains few surprises, so viewers are unlikely to be intrigued let alone scared. What is in fact scary in the book, in the TV series it is almost vapid, not enhanced by bad writing and terrible pacing.
2) Animorphs
Among the adaptations of the most criticized TV series we also find Animorphs
Animorphs (also known under the promotional title AniTV) is a television adaptation made by Protocol Entertainment based on the homonymous Scholastic book series by KA Applegate.
The series tells the story of 5 teenagers who, after choosing to take a shortcut through a construction site, end up meeting Elfangor, an alien who offers them the power to transform into animals to save the Earth from an insidious secret invader.
The major criticisms leveled at the adaptation were that the characters in the books were between 12 and 14 years old, the television cast were at least 18, in addition, the level of acting is very low. Not to mention the special effects and costumes, according to many bordering on the ridiculous and with a very poor budget invested.
3) The Firm
The partner (The Firm) is a Canadian-American television series created by Lukas Reiter, based on the homonymous novel by John Grisham and its 1993 film adaptation. A sort of adaptation of the adaptation, which also in this case has not led to great results.
At the center of the story we find a lawyer and his family, who after bringing the ruin of a powerful law firm and hiding for years, come back into the open.
Basically the initial part was much appreciated by the fans, who deemed it lived up to expectations, the problem arose later. After that the main story ends, in fact, continues a secondary story made of clichés, forcibly carried forward without a logical sense. Also in this case, moreover, the acting of the actors was not appreciated.
4) Dracula (2013-2014)
When you go to touch the giants of cinema, the risk of a flop is always very high, and this is exactly what happened in Dracula. The American and British fantasy TV series created by Cole Haddon, adaptation of the book of the same name by Bram Stoker, Dracula.
According to many, Haddon’s TV series was one terrible retelling with almost no relation to the source material and no deserving characters. The other criticisms are aimed at the poor lighting (which unlike series like GOT here does not enhance the scenes), the slow plot, the casting errors, the poor writing and the ridiculous sex scenes.
5) Lipstick Jungle (2008-2009)
Another flop among the adaptations of the TV series
American comedy-drama television series, created by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, is based on theCandace Bushnell bestseller of the same name, author of the famous book Sex and the City. The series follows three powerful women and friends who try to manage the ups and downs of a life lived at the top, amidst various problems and vicissitudes.
Again the criticism that unites all fans of disgruntled books it was the bad acting of the actors. Furthermore, the humor that characterized the pages of the book is absent, not present in any episode and at any time. Boring plots, with a story that literally changes in every episode.
6) Tarzan (2003)
A bit like in Dracula, we have seen adaptations on Tarzan of all colors and in all sauces. But this 2003 TV version just didn’t work.
With a 25% vote on Rotten Tomatoes, Tarzan was literally torn apart by fans. The lightheartedness and typical involvement that one has when thinking about this character disappear in this adaptation, a sort of superhero adventure crossed with a detective show.
Other criticisms, as in previous instances, were leveled at the poor acting.
7) Emily’s Reasons Why
We end this list with a television series starring Heather Graham, adaptation based on thenovel of the same name di Carrie Gerlach.
There are so many criticisms of this series, not only are all the characters built with one absurd characterization bordering on childishbut the main character is so boring and dull that many people just refused to continue with the vision.
Furthermore, many were horrified at the idea that this series was often compared to Sex and The City (here you can find the list of the best episodes), arguing that similarities will never exist.
