# If TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD were just now being adapted to a movie today, how would they screw it up? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 30, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545 "2011-03-30T19:19:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/41 "2011-03-30T21:49:58Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > Call me naive, but I think they’d do it right. TKAM is held in near-reverence by anyone who cares in this country. They might not make a masterpiece, but I can’t see it becoming a near-parody like \*The Scarlet Letter \*(which, let’s face it, had it coming–God, I hated that book). I won’t call you naïve. Just…sweet. :: pats StusBlues on the head and gives him a butterscotch :: ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/42 "2011-03-30T21:52:27Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I won’t call you naïve. Just…sweet. > > :: pats StusBlues on the head and gives him a butterscotch :: You better have a marriage license in your hand if you’re doing that, son! ---
**Author:** ![Tess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@Tess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tess)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/43 "2011-03-30T23:39:47Z")
At least one racist character is given a backstory explaining he’s prejudiced because of a misunderstanding or misperception early in childhood. After Atticus gives his closing argument, said racist will be brought to tears and realize the errors of his way. He’ll help clear Tom’s name. Barring that, the racist who’s been whipping everyone else into a frenzy will learn he, in fact, is black! Much soul searching ensues. Once their instigator backs off the others are shown to be not such bad people after all. Hugs all around. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/44 "2011-03-31T00:06:22Z")
Even assuming the story was handed to somebody who actually got it and the studios didn’t meddle to give it a happy ending, I think there’s three major screwups that would be nearly inevitable: 1. They’d try to portray the kid’s “adventures” and playing around in an artsy, CGI dream / fantasy world. Just showing kids screwing around and talking wouldn’t pass. 2. There’d almost certainly be an attempt to make some of the black characters more fleshed-out and “human,” which would likely soften the undertones of racial division. 3. They’d tell the kid playing Dill to to his best Hoffman-as-Capote impression. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/45 "2011-03-31T00:35:57Z")
Put the entire story in a racially divided neighborhood of New York City. And while we’re there, instead of dressing up as a ham, Scout can be a portobello mushroom. > [@Tess](#): > > At least one racist character is given a backstory explaining he’s prejudiced because of a misunderstanding or misperception early in childhood. After Atticus gives his closing argument, said racist will be brought to tears and realize the errors of his way. He’ll help clear Tom’s name. I’ll go with that. Let’s make it the sheriff, so we can start out with him being just another ignorant redneck Southern stereotype. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/46 "2011-03-31T00:57:21Z")
I don’t think they’d mess with the story; it’s a great story. They might make Scott older, have her attracted to Dill, and be a bit ugly when he came out to her (from embarassment, not natural hatefulness). They would definitely never get gentile slightly run-down sense of the town. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/47 "2011-03-31T02:57:05Z")
Seth Rogen as Atticus Finch. He’ll need a buddy, maybe Luke Wilson. Ellen Page as Scout, Will Farrel as Jem. At least one chase scene. Rabid dog won’t be put down, but cured. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/48 "2011-03-31T03:24:10Z")
I agree with what some others have said. If they were making _To Kill a Mockingbird_ nowadays, the studio would decide it needs to reach a “YA” demographic. They’d make Scout, Jem, and Dill high school age (and cast actors in their early twenties). ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/49 "2011-03-31T03:34:55Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I’ve noticed that it has recently become fashionable to hate Johnny Depp. I don’t get it either. I certainly don’t get it. I’ve adored Johnny Depp from day one, and he’s never been in any real dogs. Just my opinion. So because of “The Tourist” now we have to start hating him?? That’s more to do with the stink of Angelina Jolie, they definitely had no chemistry. But that’s a real exception. TKAM would have to be remade as a period piece, wouldn’t it? More PC, though. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/50 "2011-03-31T03:45:40Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I’ve noticed that it has recently become fashionable to hate Johnny Depp. I don’t get it either. He’s a good actor but he’s been omnipresent the last couple of years. It’s just fatigue. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/51 "2011-03-31T03:54:21Z")
Dakota Fanning as Scout and Zac Efron as Dill. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/52 "2011-03-31T04:49:52Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Dakota Fanning as Scout and Zac Efron as Dill. Efron? That’s so 2008! Bieber is the new Zac Efron. Get on with the times. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/53 "2011-03-31T05:01:07Z")
Isn’t Zac Efron going to be in the Lorax, though? That’s why I thought of him. He’s going to ruin one classic, why not another? ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/54 "2011-03-31T05:27:20Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Will Smith as Tom Robinson. > > “Mr Robinson, you are charged with rape” > “Aw _HELL_ no!” No, they would cast Will Smith as Atticus Finch, never mind that it makes absolutely no sense. Willow and Jaden would be Scout and Jem. Please don’t even let them remake this movie. Gregory Peck is perfect, I don’t want to see anyone else in that role ever. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/55 "2011-03-31T10:44:36Z")
> [@gwendee](#): > > Whether Johnny Depp is a great actor or isn’t I don’t see him as Atticus Finch. I think he’d play the hell out of Boo Radley, though. And steal the movie from under everybody else, that’s the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/56 "2011-03-31T12:04:26Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > And steal the movie from under everybody else, that’s the problem. Yeah, Boo would still be eccentric but he would pop out and do a little dance every time anyone walked by. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/57 "2011-03-31T13:12:53Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Dill would also be older, and he’d be the Sassy Gay Friend helping everybody cope. And then he and Boo (played by Robert Duvall, natch!) would form the first chapter of [North American Man-Boy Love Association](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-92133.html) > [@notfrommensa](#): > > or Justin Bieber. > > Oprah as the housekeeper. Hell, no. Whoopi would be perfect! Directed by Steven Spielberg. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/58 "2011-03-31T13:34:01Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Oh, and Atticus would win his case. > [@Ogre](#): > > Ding ding fucking ding. > > Really, that’s all they would need to do to completely implode the story. This - and when the mob comes to the jailhouse to lynch Tom, Atticus decks the leader, and disperses the mob, rather then Scout (played by Selena Gomez), shaming them into dispersing. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/59 "2011-03-31T15:38:26Z")
As Atticus walks out of the courtroom, instead of saying, “Jean Louise. Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passing,” Rev. Sykes would start a “slow clap.” Oh, and Scout would be played by Miley Cyrus! ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545/60 "2011-03-31T18:36:35Z")
Modernize it by placing it in the future on a distant planet. Will Smith & clan are the Fitches. The defendant is an Alien! Boo is played by Owen Wilson, doing his usual shtick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-to-kill-a-mockingbird-were-just-now-being-adapted-to-a-movie-today-how-would-they-screw-it-up/576545.md?page=4)