MovieChat Forums > Shooter (2016) Discussion > Changes from the Book Series

Changes from the Book Series

posted 9 years ago by JackD18
14 replies | jump to latest

Seems that they have replaced the character of Nick Memphis from the books and film adaption with that of Nadine Memphis.

Also, Shantel Van Santed is listed as Bobby Lee Swagger's wife, although at this point in time she should still be the grieving widow of Donny, Julie Fenn, definitely not married to Bobby.

They are changing things around I guess, to differentiate it from the film and books, begging the question on what other liberties they take with the plot and cast.

[–] frankenfinger1980 9 years ago

They will ruin it just like they did with the movie. Hollywood can't help themselves they have to ruin great books its what they do. I myself do not understand why the think they no better than the author. Stephen Hunter wrote a great story leave it alone and give us that product not some watered down version that barely resembles the original. I've waited a very long time to see Bob Lee Swagger brought to the screen i guess I'll have to keep waiting.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (4524359) 8 years ago

You talk about the book as if it's some kind of masterpiece. The book wasn't all that great. I mean it's basically a corny action novel, it's a decent beach or airplane read. It's kind of what you'd expect from a character named Bob Lee Swagger.

[–] pinerosp440 8 years ago

First of all, it may not be a masterpiece in the sense of greatest books ever written in history, but The Bob Lee Swagger series is definitely one of the best sagas of its genre, as well as best series about a sniper. Hunter is a very talented author who has crafted a unique and original character based off of pieces of real-life snipers. Although Shooter was not even one of the best books of the series, I have always been happy to see that received the recognition it has, and was adapted for the screen.

On the topic of changing the original story: I understand the changing of Swagger to an Iraq-era veteran, due to audience relatability. As for the changes already in the TV show, and surely there are more to come, it is seriously a pet-peeve of mine, made worse that it's one of my favorite series. I only hope that they make an effort to preserve the original story elements and characters as much as possible.

[–] aGuiltySoul 9 years ago

Each medium...print, screen, television series...has its strengths and weaknesses. To ignore that by not adapting would be to truly ruin it.

It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert

[–] frankenfinger1980 9 years ago

No to change the source material to the point that it barely resemblee the original ruins it.

[–] Tjanssen411 8 years ago

the primary change from book to film was the Time Line...
- moving Bob Lee from Vietnam Vet to Iraq Vet, and of course moving the film Post 9/11 (the book was Published in '93)

making a 2007 Film set in 1993 with a 40+ year old protagonist would have been Box Office Suicide

[–] The_NightRaven 8 years ago

"Each medium...print, screen, television series...has its strengths and weaknesses."

Yes. When it comes to telling the story, NOT when it comes to plot, characters, backstory etc. Those stand on their own, regardless of what medium you choose to showcase them.
That's why most adaptions that change things like that fail, because they fail to realize that the strength and weaknesses of the medium are in the presentation not the plot.

[–] JoeinFla 8 years ago

I liked the books so much that my kid and I became a rifle team in area competition. I'm disappointed that they made changes, but, ... it's certainly better than NO Bob Lee Swagger. Now, if we can get some of Mr Earl's story!

[–] thomas998 8 years ago

Why is this a surprise? Anything made in Hollywood has to have X number of females, X number of gay characters, X number of minorities.... and on and on.... Why do you think they made Nadine black? Again the powers in Hollywood just wont allow a show to be made as it was written unless it was filled with minorities and transgender homosexual hermaphrodites... I fully expect within the first episode they shall explain that Nadine was actually Nick before Nick decided that he was a woman trapped in a mans body and had a sex change.

[–] MariMcCabe 8 years ago

Why is this a surprise? Anything made in Hollywood has to have X number of females, X number of gay characters, X number of minorities.... and on and on.... Why do you think they made Nadine black?

The OP wasn't even talking about this.

And they didn't make Nadine black. The pilot Nadine wasn't black. The casting call was not for a black actress. Nick Memphis isn't Latino in the book either but he is played by Michael Pena in the movie.

Again the powers in Hollywood just wont allow a show to be made as it was written unless it was filled with minorities and transgender homosexual hermaphrodites...

So what you're saying is only white people (specifically male) can be on television?

And by "filled with minorities" you mean two people?

[–] thomas998 8 years ago

Did you actually bother to look at the person that is playing Nadine? She is black... Mom was from Ghana... lord just take one look and you can see she is black... But hey keep acting like she isn't, while you are at it why not pretend Hillary won and the Sky is green and grass is blue.

[–] aGuiltySoul 8 years ago

Thanks for clearing up that your racism is greater than your misogyny.

It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert

[–] thomas998 8 years ago

Oh... the racist card... nice move... BUT I am a racist, everyone is a racist... being a racist is natural for any human it is ingrained in DNA of every living human... So nice try but I'm a racist and proud of it as everyone should be... Unless of course you never thought your significant other was attractive, because the moment you thought one girl or guy was more attractive than another you were being racist because the way we look is largely a product of our race... So come on call me a racist again, the only thing it proves is you are too stupid to understand what a racist is and too stupid to accept it applies to yourself as well.

[–] MariMcCabe 8 years ago

Did you actually bother to look at the person that is playing Nadine? She is black... Mom was from Ghana... lord just take one look and you can see she is black... But hey keep acting like she isn't, while you are at it why not pretend Hillary won and the Sky is green and grass is blue.

Good lord, I was saying Emily Rios (who played Nadine from the original pilot) was not black. So the character was not changed to black, rather they chose the actress best suited for the part. Come on dude, you couldn't figure that out?