Book I Most Want to See as a Movie #2: BAD MONKEYS

New series of posts. Working in the book-to-film business for 20 years, I’ve read a ton of books that I wish were made into a movie — but haven’t yet for a million reasons. What are yours?

Next up: BAD MONKEYS by Matt Ruff, which I first read as a manuscript around 2006, a year before it published. (Please don’t confuse this with the Apple series based on the Carl Hiaasen novel which is fine — but a very different beast!) Jane Charlotte is arrested for murder and spins a wild tale about a secret organization that takes out society’s worst people, like child predators. Only the more she talks, the more surreal the “organization” sounds. Is it real or is she nuts? Now a cult book from the LOVECRAFT COUNTRY author, it’s a bit of a female FIGHT CLUB  — but also way ahead of its time. It would resonate even more today.

Last time it was available? I was still an exec and my boss balked. Too weird. Specifically, the part about Charlotte shooting people with “heart attack guns.” He didn’t get the tone. Whatever! This book always worked for me and Charlotte is a great role.

No wonder Margot Robbie has been attached to play her for years! I think it’s still set up at Universal with her company Lucky Chap producing. But I’ve heard little else about the development. Truly hope they stick with it and someone cracks the adaptation. It would be so fun to see this finally hit the screen! What are your picks?