One of the most prescient and chilling versions of our future society was outlined in George Orwell’s 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. Since then, terms used in the book have all made it into common parlance – Big Brother, Room 101, Thought Police – most of which whose origins we’re willing to wager most people aren’t aware of.
The book is set in Oceania, a society governed by strict laws that prohibit individualistic behaviour and independent thought. It’s ruled by the mysterious dictator Big Brother who oversees everything with the help of The Party. The protagonist is Winston Smith, a Ministry Of Truth employee whose nascent thoughts of revolution get him in trouble with the authorities.
Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment are looking at the rights along with artist Shepard Fairey (best know for his work on the Obama “Hope” poster). They’ll be teaming up with LBI Entertainment to hopefully bring the nightmare dystopian future to life once again.
It’s still early days and there’s no writer or director attached yet, nor a studio to drive the project so it could be quite a while before it sees the light of day. Tim Robbins was working on a version back in 2006 but that never came to fruition.
It’s a tough project given its far-ranging cultural influence and popularity. We’re reserving judgement till a writer and director are announced.
