Rumours about a film version of Hitchhikers have been circulating since the mid-1980s when Douglas Adams began work on his adaptation for the big screen. The film was on the verge of finally becoming a reality when Douglas died.
The loss of the Guide's creator didn't halt the project, though. The film finally began shooting in the summer of 2004, directed by Garth Jennings, one half of Hammer and Tong, with a script by Douglas Adams, Karey Kirkpatrick and Jennings himself. In keeping with every other adaptation, the film defiantly deviates from the story as and when it sees fit, so there will be lots of surprises for fans new and old.
The cast includes The Office's Martin Freeman as Arthur, with American actors Mos Def and Sam Rockwell as Ford Prefect and Zaphod Beeblebrox. Other stars include Zooey Deschanel (Trillian), Warwick Davis (Marvin, the Paranoid Android), Bill Nighy (Slartibartfast), and John Malkovich as Humma Kavula, a new character to the Hitchiverse.
The first view fans got of the film was a teaser trailer, unveiled at San Diego's Comic Con in July 2004. It depicted the Earth being blown up to the accompaniment of Louis Armstrong's stirring What a Wonderful World and a rather reassuring Don't Panic caption.
Now the wait is over - with the film scheduled for release in the UK on 28 April, 2005.
Jim Sangster
Official Film Website
Hammer and Tong Website
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Hear Douglas Adams talk about the film.
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