Adaptations come with fear of disappointing fans, says Justin Kurzel

New Delhi, May 1 (IANS) His attempt to bring William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" alive on the silver screen and to give a visual translation to a video game with "Assassin's Creed" failed to elicit the expected response. Australian film director Justin Kurzel observes that with adaptation comes the challenge of "disappointing fans of the original source".

"There's always a challenge of living up to people's expectation... It also depends on what you are making... But that is unavoidable. If you are making anything extremely popular whether it is a play, a video game or book, I think you are going to fight that challenge of disappointing fans of the original source," Kurzel told IANS over phone from Australia.

Kurzel's "Macbeth", which made it to the Indian small screen on Sunday through Sony Le PLEX HD under the property 'Le Premiere', feature stars like Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, and narrates the story of grief that comes with war.

Starring Fassbender, Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling and Michael K. Williams, "Assassin's Creed" was set in the same universe as the video game, but also took it forward with a whole back story.

Talking about "Macbeth", Kurzel said: "There are many fond memories about the film. It was a very ambitious project and we were very fortunate to work on it."

Kurzel, best known for the 2011 film "Snowtown", also said that he is happy that independent films in Hollywood are not only being welcomed but being celebrated too.

He said: "Look at the Oscars this year... there were so many different films that were being celebrated in Hollywood from 'La La Land' to 'Moonlight'. They were refreshing films. People have an appetite for different stories and dramas but at the same time there are these huge blockbusters that obviously are extremely popular.

"I am encouraged to say that very unique independent stories (are) still being wanted (in Hollywood) and there is an appetite for them."