# Made the Name Simpler for the Movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2018, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424 "2018-03-12T11:52:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/21 "2018-03-12T21:56:46Z")
The book ‘Harry Potter and the **Philosopher’s** Stone’ became the film ‘Harry Potter and the **Sorcerer’s** Stone’. Apparently this was for the benefit of US audiences. ‘The Madness of King George III’ was changed to ‘The Madness of King George’ so that the US audience didn’t think it was the third of a trilogy. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/22 "2018-03-12T22:24:27Z")
The change from “Philosopher’s Stone” to “Sorcerer’s Stone” was before the movies, though. The American versions of the books all used the stupid version of the name, too. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/23 "2018-03-12T23:13:11Z")
The 1989 James Bond film _Licence to Kill_ was originally titled _Licence Revoked_. MGM changed the name after test screenings, in which US audiences were confused about the title – since, apparently, “license revoked” made them think of having one’s driver’s license revoked. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/24 "2018-03-13T00:15:00Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Gnut, klatu barada nicto. Necktie? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/25 "2018-03-13T00:40:32Z")
Game of Thrones, changes mostly made because they’re not confusing when written out, but are when spoken aloud: Robert Arryn -\> Robin Arryn, to avoid confusion with Robert Baratheon Asha Greyjoy -\> Yara Greyjoy, to avoid confusion with Osha Nolastname the Others -\> White Walkers (“which other guys?”) And a few minor characters. Netflix Jessica Jones: Patricia “Patsy” Walker -\> Patricia “Trish” Walker, though she used Patsy as a stage name. ---
**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 13, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/26 "2018-03-13T00:48:27Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Another one just occurred to me, but the reasoning behind it is different > > In Ralph Bakshi’s **Lord of the Rings** they changed “Saruman” to “Aruman”. It reportedly wasn’t Bakshi’s choice. Apparently the Powers That Be thought that the audience would be confused by the similarity between “Sauron” and “Saruman”. Thank Iluvatar that Peter Jackson didn’t have the same advisors. [DM of the Rings](http://shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1140) (I strongly recommend this webcomic to anyone who hasn’t read it.) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/27 "2018-03-13T01:07:44Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Netflix Jessica Jones: > Patricia “Patsy” Walker -\> Patricia “Trish” Walker, though she used Patsy as a stage name. I guess this one isn’t simplified really, just different. I drifted from the OP too much towards the end. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/28 "2018-03-13T01:10:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > [DM of the Rings](http://shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1140) (I strongly recommend this webcomic to anyone who hasn’t read it.) thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou. This is hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/29 "2018-03-13T01:47:11Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > In _The NeverEnding Story_ novel by Michael Ende the world is called “Fantastica”. In the movie it is “Fantasia”. It bothers me because the rather more famous _Fantasia_ movie by Disney causes you to wonder if there’s a connection. It’s not like pronunciation is any easier, they are each of equal complexity. I’m pretty sure the name was “Phantasien”, with a “ph” and no “c”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/30 "2018-03-13T01:52:05Z")
It might vary with translation. I’m pretty sure my (English) copy says “Fantastica”, too. But I can’t say what the original German was. The original was German, right? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/31 "2018-03-13T01:57:16Z")
Furthermore, since it (φαντασία) is spelled “fantasy” in English, the fantastic land pretty much has to be called “Fantasia”. Or does it? Either way, nothing is simplified anywhere. ETA the dictionary also lists “phantasy” as an older English spelling. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/32 "2018-03-13T02:06:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The original was German, right? Yes, it was published in 1979 as _Die unendliche Geschichte._ I do not have a copy handy to check the spelling. The thing is, a lot of the names in the book were meaningful and/or evocative, so one hopes the translators took some care. Also chapters start with consecutive letters of the alphabet (so what about the Chinese edition??), and maybe some other stuff I don’t remember. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/33 "2018-03-13T03:38:51Z")
> [@glee](#): > > The book ‘Harry Potter and the **Philosopher’s** Stone’ became the film ‘Harry Potter and the **Sorcerer’s** Stone’. > Apparently this was for the benefit of US audiences. > > ‘The Madness of King George III’ was changed to ‘The Madness of King George’ so that the US audience didn’t think it was the third of a trilogy. Milton Berle would like a word with you. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LrKMJ8u94gc/hqdefault.jpg "Milton Berle and Terry-Thomas discuss America, England and bosoms") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrKMJ8u94gc) ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/34 "2018-03-13T03:58:32Z")
I would have thought this would be one of the first mentioned: _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?_ became _Blade Runner_ when translated to the cinema. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/35 "2018-03-13T04:16:53Z")
Here’s one I should’ve remembered earlier, given my Doper name. In the novel **This Island Earth** by Raymond F. Jones the name of the head Metalunan\* alien (the guy played by Jeff Morrow), the one who recruits that other Cal Meacham, is named _Jorgasnovara_, which sounds like its a mixture of Indian and Swedish. For the movie, that name was changed to the classy and British-sounding _Exeter_ \*actually called the “Llanna”. I think the planet name “Metaluna” was invented for the film, another example of the extreme dumbing-down the story got in its transition to celluloid. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/36 "2018-03-13T05:37:59Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > I would have thought this would be one of the first mentioned: _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?_ became _Blade Runner_ when translated to the cinema. The name, itself, was taken from[a novella by William S. Burroughs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner_(a_movie)), which had begun as a film treatment of the novel [Bladerunner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bladerunner), by Alan E. Nourse. Neither book has any connection to Dick’s novel. When the producer and director of the movie we know as _Blade Runner_ were trying to find a title they liked (having rejected the title of the Dick novel), the bought the rights to use the title from the other book. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/37 "2018-03-13T16:11:01Z")
Not a name, but a relationship: In the books, Bilbo and Frodo are first \*and \*second cousins, once removed either way. But in the film, Frodo just refers to Bilbo as his uncle. ETA: Granted, they used that terminology in the book, too, but the movie never bothered to explain that it was just a shorthand way of talking. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/38 "2018-03-13T19:24:48Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > In _The Incredible Hulk_ television series, Bruce Banner’s name was changed to David Banner. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Depending on whose story you believe, the change was made because: > > - “Bruce Banner” followed a comic-book trope of characters whose first and last names start with the same letter, and the producer didn’t want to make the TV show feel too comic book-y > - There was, in that era, a perception that “Bruce” was a stereotypically gay name > - The producer wanted to name the main character after his son They didn’t completely eliminate the name Bruce, though. It was shown as his middle name on his tombstone. He was never referred to as Bruce, though, always David. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/39 "2018-03-13T19:58:12Z")
I’ve also heard that they were worried about people confusing him with Batman. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424/40 "2018-03-13T23:57:47Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Not a movie but I’ve wondered why the Scara Brae ruins were never anglicized into Scarbury. I can’t imagine why (or how) you think that might happen. 😕 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/made-the-name-simpler-for-the-movie/810424.md?page=3)