Yeah, I know he's Goddamn Too Sexy.

You probably know "Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" is made into a most important film of the 21st century (um...for nerds and scifi fans like me, to be exact). Now did you know that our boy Jack was originally considered to play the lead, Arthur Dent? And he was declined because he is too good-looking for the "everyman" role? Oh, but Simon Jones, the original TV cast for Arthur REALLY looked like JD!
If JD starred in such a big budget film, it could be the very first chance he would come all over to the tiny nation in the far East. Oh, Jack, why can you be so sexy...when you are not required to be? :P

21世紀で最も重要な映画（対オタク、SFファン限定）「銀河ヒッチハイクガイド」がイギリスで公開プレミア！レヴューも段々出揃い始めてます。主演のマーティン・フリーマンが「ジャック・ダヴェンポートがやった方がよかったとか言われてるけど」とボヤいていたのが気になっていたんですが、ようやくその発言の理由が分かりました。
なんと、当初は我らがジャック・ダヴェンポートが主演に考えられていたそうなんです！が、「ハンサムすぎるので」却下された模様。
ダベさん、ダベさん、あんたはなんでそうタイミング悪く美形なの・・・主演なら文句なしにプレミアで来日出来たはずなのよ〜！！！
EDP24 What's On

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (PG)

VIV THOMAS

April 29, 2005

Don't panic – the eagerly-awaited movie version of Douglas Adams' cult radio series/books/TV series is finally here, boasting an Anglo-American cast rich in comic talent.

At this point, I think it's only fair to admit that I've never read, heard or seen a significant chunk of The Hitchhiker's Guide although certain phrases and characters have filtered through over the years and I've seen the odd clip. But, fear not, I had an avid fan by my side in the preview screening to pass judgement on the film too.

Adams fought for 20 years to get Hollywood interested in a film version of his work, but he died in 2001 as the project was still in its infancy. Fortunately, he had already started re-working his creation and the final film, backed by Disney, has his stamp all over it.

Director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith (who run Hammer and Tongs and previously worked on music videos and adverts) make their feature film debut here and it's a clear homage to Douglas, keeping true to the original story for the most part – although some bits have been altered to take the story into a new dimension.

As well as several members of his family having cameos in the “end of the earth” sequence, the final image in a rapid sequence right at the end is of Adams himself, with the subsequent credits beginning with the simple words “For Douglas”.

The rapid advances in technology mean that the low-budget look of the TV version can now be given the full cinematic treatment and the special effects certainly impress. However, the film-makers wisely don't go overboard on computer graphics where other tricks of the trade can be employed; for instance in use of elaborate costumes or puppets – most notably for the wonderfully grotesque Vogons, brought to life by Jim Henson's Creature Workshop.

Guide fans will pick up on the nods to previous incarnations of the Guide, such as the original Arthur, Simon Jones, appearing as a computer image, and the square robotic Marvin standing in a queue.

With adaptations you're inevitably going to lose something of the original, so some lines have been sacrificed while other elements have been introduced. There's a “point of view” gun which comes in handy at times, and a new character (created by Adams) puts in an appearance, religious leader Humma Kavula. He is played by John Malkovich, complete with fancy specs, bad barnet and scores of spindly metallic legs where his lower body should be.

But the most notable change is the amount of screen time given to Tricia/Trillian (Zooey Deschanel who was in Elf), bringing her to forefront as the love interest of Everyman character Arthur Dent.

While including American actors to entice new audiences from the States, the essence of the film remains firmly rooted this side of the pond – and thus it is entirely appropriate that quintessential Englishman Stephen Fry, one of Norfolk's finest exports, is narrator for our inter-planetary expedition.

He is absolutely perfect for the role, making a wonderful job of providing the friendly and informative voice of the electronic guide book, which also has the secondary use of giving the audience extra information it needs along the way.

Arthur Dent is successfully brought to the big screen by The Office's Martin Freeman who, along with co-star Bill Nighy (Slartibartfast), has had a few successful forays into the film world with Love Actually and Shaun of the Dead in recent years.

Incidentally, UEA graduate Jack Davenport was originally considered for the Dent role but was considered too good-looking for the role and can currently be seen in new rom/com The Wedding Date instead.

The film begins well with a great sequence featuring dolphins trying to warn humans about the danger of the planet being blown up, with Fry's soothing and amusing voiceover.

Then the action switches to Arthur Dent, who is having a particularly bad day. Still dressed in his pyjamas and a dressing gown, he decides to take drastic action to prevent his house being knocked down – by lying in front of one of the diggers.

But something altogether more devastating is about to happen. His friend Ford Prefect (rapper Mos Def) turns up and announces that Earth is about to be blown to smithereens to make way for a “hyperspatial expressway”.

Ford is actually a space traveller, a writer for the aforementioned guide, and he whisks Dent off into the planetary system just before the big bang.

Taking the role of the clueless and vain president of the galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, is Sam Rockwell (Charlie's Angels), who looks uncannily like Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame when he first appears. Instead of having two heads side by side (as portrayed extremely badly in the TV series), the new-look Zaphod has a second head appearing where his neck should be when he suddenly snaps his other head back – another of Adams' new ideas.

Marvin, the Paranoid Android, is voiced by Alan Rickman and the realisation of this character is liable to divide fans. I found the design distracting – it looks too cute and baby-like for the voice which spouts forth and although I normally like Rickman's deadpanning, I actually prefer the TV version's melancholic tones.

There are some delightfully inventive touches like the Babel fish translator and the Vogon's diabolically bad poetry while much fun is had in showing that dull bureaucracy and queueing are not just facets of human life.

Watch out also for a running joke which features cruelty to crustaceans, plus gags about Ayers Rock and a light-sabre style knife. Another highlight is Bill Bailey's philosophical monologue as the voice of the whale during free-fall.

Of course, the ultimate question as far as a film review is concerned is simply 'is the film worth seeing?' The answer is yes.

As a newcomer to the story, I found it a highly imaginative and entertaining world to dip into for a few hours, with some good performances and laughs along the way. Inspired lunacy.

As for die-hard fans, many will relish the fact that the story has pretty faithfully been taken to a new dimension in the way Adams envisaged. Others may enjoy the film but, at the same time, feel slightly unsettled by some of the changes made.

One thing's certain – the film (with its PG rating) will ensure that Douglas Adams' unique creation gains a whole new generation of fans.