Yep, I heard about it. Not quite sure I'm too excited with the idea, though.

I rather liked the TV movies, all things considered, think that kind of format suits Pratchett's stuff better, but I'm especially worried about this "new material" idea... with some 40 books to choose from, why writing new stuff, especially if it's not Terry himself doing it?

Well, guess we'll just have to see... 'course I'll check it out, I'm a HUGE pTerry's fan, whatever way he comes...

I suppose it will all come down to the actors cast in the roles and how well they manage to bridge the different perceptions we all have in our imaginations.  Whenever anyone posts a "who would you cast as Terry's Vimes, or Granny Weatherwax, etc.," it usually engenders some very strange choices and occasionally some fights.  I certainly liked the film adaptation of The Hogfather more than I liked any of the animated films.  But then, that was the first time I'd ever seen Marc Warren work and I was blown away by him.  Followed his trail to "Hustle" and was happy that I did. 

Gomez,
I had no idea so many of pTerry's novels had been made into live-action features; most of them have never been shown over here; in fact, only Hogfather comes to mind.  Yet another avenue to pursue!

Nothing could be more true than your statement that our mental images can clash loudly with casting choices.  When I read your statement that David Jason played Rincewind I almost choked on a blueberry.  I have always heard Hugh Laurie's voice in my head whenever I read that character.  How different could those two be?  Now I am excited to hunt down these other productions, as your mention of Sean Astin as Twoflower has me in a complete quandary. 

I'm certainly glad to have found this forum.  Wish there were more of us active here.

Three feature-lenght TV movies have been made already, all available in both DVD and BluRay, here's a bit of a bargain...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pratchett-Collection-Hogfather-Colour-Postal/dp/B00428NATO/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1300915163&sr=1-1

... but it might be worth investing some more in the BluRays, if one's got the equipment, these are certainly a VERY good viewing in full High-Def.

"Going Postal" was supposed to be an inbetweener, while David Jason was otherwise engaged (I guess with the final episode of "A Touch of Frost"), and a fourth movie should be in the making, hopefully soon, the second chapter of Rincewind's adventures, "Sourcery", or at least that was announced some time ago, but I haven't heard anything about actual production starting, yet.

Yes, David Jason was a rather surprising Rincewind... I never thought of Hugh Laurie there, but now that you mention it, yes, he would've been good. My mind's eye, however, was seeing Robert Carlyle in the role.

Anyway, it appears Sir David's always been a great fan of Pratchett's work, too, and playing Rincewind, he said, had always been a dream of his. Glad it came true, strange as it may sound, he was VERY good and, as I often say, I'd probably appreciate him even if he played Huckleberry Finn...

Ah, and, as imaginary casting goes, I've also always thought the whole Monty Python gang would make a great Unseen University staff... can't think of a better archchancellor than John Cleese, a younger Michael Palin would make a perfect Ponder Stibbons, Terry Jones as the Dean, Eric Idle as the mad Bursar, and Terry Gilliam would make a great Librarian... OOOK!


UPDATE: Did a bit of digging around, and it appears plans have changed. As announced last year, there should have been "Sourcery" first, and then "Making Money" as a logical sequel to "Going Postal", but both projects ended up on the back burner for the moment being, while what should really go into production soon, to be shown in 2012, is apparently "Unseen Academicals", taken from the latest Discworld novel.

Apart from the TV movies produced by Sky, it's also worth reminding that two projects for the big screen had been rumoured for quite some time, Sam Raimi is said to be working at an adaptation of "The Wee Free Men", while Terry Gilliam has had a heads up for "Good Omens" by both Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, with Robin Williams and Johnny Depp cast in the main parts, but that was over 10 years ago... Gilliam said he hasn't given up yet, but I guess most companies are scared by his legendary cavalier attitude with production's money...

Ah, and, I didn't know anything about this, but looks like a movie is currently already in post-production, taken from the short story "Troll Bridge", featuring Cohen the Barbarian as the main character. No further info about when and where this one should pop up...

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that one... I have my reservations there, first because it doesn't seem there will be much room for humour, as the series is planned, and second because it's not Pratchett himself writing it... still, with the likes of Terry Jones involved, it might turn out good...

Didn't know about the "fantasy cops" trend, though, that is rather alarming, with more and more cop shows, especially American ones, being virtually undistinguishable from each other already these days...

Speaking of cop shows, yesterday the first episode of "Midsomer Murders" after John Nettles' retirement was on and, much to my own surprise, I quite liked it! The new inspector Barnaby (Tom's cousin) promises to be a good replacement, although, of course, he's quite different... they made a good choice there, with someone who's not trying to imitate John Nettles' rough charm, but with a style of his own, both the character and the actor. I WAS worried, of course, but it seems we'll be enjoying bucolic murder and mayhem for quite some more time...