Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Replaced by Gen-X Version

Fox News ^ | Friday, August 01, 2003 | Roger Friedman

[Trust but Verify]

I agree with your assessment of his best books. To this day, for some reason, Red Storm Rising is my favorite. Red October was the best of the movies made from the books. I haven't read a new Clancy book since Executive Orders. I have them all, but could neverreally get into them.

[Justin714]

I think Brad Pitt would be a good fit for the new Jack Ryan, Jr.

[Justin714]

It'd be awesome if they make Rainbow Six.

[Justin714]

I thought he was too goofy to play Clark.

[Justin714]

I'd like to see Christopher Walken, or Brad Pitt.

[El Gato]

after the PC release of "Sum of All Fears" alongside Ben Affleck, whatever Clancy interest I once had vanished. Could care less now.

In the commentary that accompanies the Special Edition DVD of SoAF, Clancy introduces himself as "the author of the book that they paid no attention to. Don't judge Clancy by the movie versions of his books.

As it turns out, SoAF is my least favorite Clancy book, but not because of the story line, but because he tried to draw the tension out for too long, to the point where it got boring. Not too fond of "Red Rabbit" either, but "Bear and the Dragon" which is the "last" book (so far) in a the sense of the flow of time within the series, not by date of publication.

[Poohbah]

People--including authors--want money.

[El Gato]

Ok. I didn't remember that it was a Japanese sympathizer.

I wouldn't call him a mere sympathizer. He was a Japanese pilot for JAL. His brother was a JMSDF ship captain killed in the mini-war, and his son, IIRC, was also killed flying his Mitsubishi built F-15.

[breakem]

I saw an interview a couple of years ago with Clancy. They were questioning him about creative control on Sum of All Fears. He said he sells the book to the studio and they can do what they want with it. He takes the money and runs.

[Sloth]

Exactly. So he's a sell-out. Case closed.

[Poohbah]

He's a businessman.

I'll continue to read his books, play the videogames, and pass on the movies.

Case closed.

[Sloth]

It's a poor business model. I won't read his books or go to the movies anymore. That equals less money for Clancy.

[stationkeeper]

Or CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER'S

"RECKON YOU USED ENOUGH DYNAMITE THERE, BUTCH?"

[Poohbah]

It's a poor business model.

Since the purpose of a business is to make money, and Clancy is making large amounts thereof, that remark is pretty inane.

[Sloth]

Some prostitutes make lots of money. That doesn't mean that their approach is wise in the long term.

[RightWingNut]

I agree. Dennis Quaid would be a perfect choice for Ryan !!!!

Now if you had suggested Randy Quaid ??? ......

[RightWingNut]

Too bad Charles Bronson is old. He would have been a perfect choice !!

Charlie Sheen ??

James Woods ???!!!

[wbill]

Clark would be pushing 60, now, I'd think. Vietnam in his mid-20s, plus at least 30 to 35 years. He'd be 50+ anyway.

I can always suspend a little disbelief. I enjoy Matt Helm books (the books only, movies were horrid). Matt Helm got his start as a government assassin during WWII. He was still going strong in the early 1990s, making him......never mind.

[Ex-Dem]

I'll forever remember Randy Quaid as the crazy cropduster from Independence Day who rams his fighter into the alien ship (while yelling "UP YOOOURS!!!").

[Ex-Dem]

Clark's age made sense when Clancy first started writing. Around then, he'd probably be in his late 30s/early 40s. It's a little farfetched that he's still an operative when Ryan becomes president. Oh well. He's still a great character.

On another note, Clark kind of reminds of John Mullins. He's the real life Vietnam vet that the Soldier of Fortune games are based on.