More League thoughts

Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll are, I think, the closest to Alan Moore's opus League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

I read it some years ago in Powerbooks, actually, scanned is the better term but I remember resolving, when and if I have the money to buy the whole volume together with a boxed set collection of The Sandman. As it happens I am still poor and penniless, so, alas.

The movie as I've mentioned before made changes that did nothing to benefit the movie. Save of course the addition of Dorian Gray.

Sean Connery is not suited for the role of Allan Quartermaine, Quartermaine is not a gentleman, he's a ruffian with a drug problem. Connery's version is still connery.

Mina Harker on the other hand, I've two minds on the changes but of course my big qualm was taking the leadership position away from her. Even Peta Wilson, in a Starlog Magazine interview didn't like the changes:

When it's suggested that the cinematic Mina is more true to her comic counterpart than any of the other League members, Wilson is taken aback. "True to the comic book? You know, in the comics, she's in charge," Wilson points out. "So it is not true in that sense. She's not in charge. The big man [Quatermain] is in charge. All of that stuff has been cut. But Mina likes to think that she's in charge. She's is definitely an equal. She's one of them."

**From http://petawilson-online.com/projects_main.html

It's clear from the interview that Peta had some other ideas for the role, and she does have some interesting insights about Mina Harker.

Mina Murray and Mina Harker are two different feathers stemming from the same bird. Murray was able to battle the vampirism and remains human, though her eyes are now a brighter green than they were and she aided Van Helsing in killing Dracula. She's almost always annoyed, she doesn't scare easy because after Dracula nothing can be scarier.

***Mina: "I fear that you are somewhat harsh to our fellows, Mr. Hyde."
Hyde: "Call me Edward."
Mina: "What makes you think me any better?"
Hyde: "I don't know. Frankly it confuses me and makes me furious with you. Sometimes I think I should just rape you and behead you. But a voice in me still fiercer than my own tells me if I did that I must next take my life. It's puzzling. Perhaps, it is that I would then have killed the only living thing thatdid not fear me. D'you think that's it?"
Mina: Y-you would be mistaken, sir. I fear you very much.
Hyde considers this, his face half in shadow and half in lit by candle light: "Perhaps. Perhaps you do. But not like all the others. I believe you not hate me. I believe you have perhaps met someone worse than me. Would that be right?"

Mina touching her red scarf, permanently wrapped around her neck says, quietly: "Yes."

Interesting passage from Mr. Moore, but Wilson's take on Harker is also interesting, and I think I find the dhampil thing fascinating. *smirk* I know me and vampires.
My fascination is due in part of Wilson's lovely performance her sudden change from demure, repressed Victorian into a wild, uninhibited vampire. One of the few people I consider who can play a convincing vampire.

( Additional Quotes from Peta Wilson )

It certainly would be intersting where Wilson can take Harker. If and when there would be a sequel I hope Harker becomes the leader of the League as it should be, and Tom Sawyer vanishes, or better yet Harker eat the boy. Oh, and Connery? Bond did you good but please, please never return as Quartermaine.

Oh, and Dorian? So mine!

Steward would have damaged Aragorn, and did damage Lestat but as Dorian he made it.

**From Peta Wilson fan site (link above)
*** Excerpt from Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen vol. 2, text copied from sample page. Check Britania Waives the Rules site for more Leauge info and news.