The Lovely Bones — by Peter Jackson?

Rumour has it Peter Jackson will be directing The Lovely Bones, a novel about a 14-year old who is raped and murdered by her neighbour, and is told from her point of view (in Heaven).

The Herald reports that the director who was supposed to direct it, Lynne Ramsay, either quit the production or was pushed out because Peter Jackson had expressed an interest in the film.

I think The Lovely Bones would benefit from a relatively unknown, but respected arthouse director — it’s that kind of story. It doesn’t need super special effects, just good locations, because it’s a simple story and Susie Salmon’s death and afterlife should be enough to carry the film.

I can practically see it in my head now.

This is not to say Peter Jackson can’t do it, I enjoyed Heavenly Creatures immensely when I first saw it a number of years ago, and I also thought Bad Taste and Brain Dead were hilarious. However, now he’s got backers up the wazoo — what’s to stop him from using all sorts of special effects to create Susie’s heaven?

(Kristen gave me her copy of The Lovely Bones last year, and it’s one of my favourite books.)

• 28 Jun 2004

• Thinking