Q&A With John Green

From http://www.sparksflyup.com

Q. Is "Looking for Alaska" being made into a movie?
A. That depends on what your definition of is is. About a year ago, the movie rights for "Alaska" were sold to Paramount, with Josh Schwartz (who created The O.C.) agreeing to write and direct the movie. The producers are also really great. Things are moving forward, but it will be quite a while before a movie starts shooting, so don't start standing in line outside your local theater just quite yet. (Incidentally, did you know that famous author Cecil Castellucci stood in line for like four months for Star Wars: Episode I?)

Q. How do you feel about the idea of "Alaska" being a movie?
A. Good. I think Josh is a very good writer, which helps keep me from worrying. But regardless, you can't worry too much about these things. To me, a book and the movie it is "based" on are only tangentially related. I've never been worried about the movie being an accurate adaptation of the book--partly because I'd rather have the movie be good than faithful, and partly because I don't think it's possible to make an adaptation that's "true" to a book. There's no way Alaska will look on screen like she looks in your head, is what I'm saying. And that's okay.

Q. Who is going to play Alaska? Pudge? Takumi? Do you think they'll cast the movie with people from The O.C.? Will Mischa Barton play Alaska? Etc.
A. I have no idea who will play anyone, but I rather doubt the cast of The O.C. will be featured in "Alaska."

Q. Have you met Josh Schwartz?
A. I have.

Q. Is he really really hot?
A. He's a nicely put together fellow.

Q. Is he hotter than Seth Cohen? Does he look like Seth Cohen?
A. Let's talk about issues of substance. (Also, this is not really one of my areas of expertise.)

Q. Will there be any open casting calls?
A. I don't know. But if there are, I will certainly let you know via this very blog.

Q. Do you know what's going to happen next year on The O.C.?
A. No. Honestly I don't even know exactly what happened this year on The OC, because we're always busy on Thursdays and so I wait for the DVDs to come out.

Q. Marissa dies.
A. Thanks, jerkface.

Q. Everyone says that Hollywood is dirty and horrible. Do you agree?
A. I don't know. It has its dirty and horrible parts. And I would never move there on account of how it seems to work out poorly for people in my family. But some of the writers I like the most live and work in Hollywood, and through the "Alaska" movie project I've met some people who I really admire. My experience has been very, very positive.

Q. So far.
A. Right. So far. You're quite pessimistic, aren't you?

Q. It's my nature.
A. Fair enough. Any other questions?

Q. I think that's it.
A. Okay. Well if anyone else has any questions, they should feel free to leave them in comments.

Welcome!

This is a blog dedicated to John Green's books, Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, and his latest book (which has not been released yet), Paper Towns.

This blog will contain book and movie info.

Links

John's Blog:
http://www.sparksflyup.com
The Vlogbrothers' YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers
John Reading the First Half of the First Chapter of Paper Towns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFNz0zoah9A
John Reading the Second Half of the First Chapter of Paper Towns:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te8fjMf35S8