Did Anne Rice Hate Interview with the Vampire TV Show?
When Anne Rice’s novel "Interview with the Vampire" was adapted into a film in 1994, it was met with both critical acclaim and commercial success. Tom Cruise played the iconic role of the vampire Lestat, and Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, and Kirsten Dunst also starred in the film. The movie’s success led to various other adaptations, including a short-lived TV series, "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" (2007). However, Rice, the author of the original novel, was not pleased with the TV show.
Rice’s Initial Hesitation
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian in 2007, Rice revealed her skepticism about the TV series from the beginning:
"I was very hesitant to let [the producers] do it because I thought it would be a bad idea… I thought, ‘Oh no, this is a mistake, this is going to be dreadful’."
Rice cited her concerns about the show’s low budget and the lack of creative input she would have as a driving factor for her hesitation.
Creative Discrepancies
During the show’s run, Rice publicly voiced her discontent with the creative decisions made by the show’s writers and producers. One of the main issues was the introduction of new characters and storylines that Rice deemed "unnecessary and inaccurate". She felt that these additions deviated from the core essence of her novel and compromised the integrity of the story.
Lestat’s Characterization
Rice was particularly upset about the portrayal of the character Lestat, played by Louis Gossett Jr. She contested the actor’s casting, feeling that Gossett Jr. didn’t embody the spirit of the character, saying:
"Lestat is supposed to be a very, very different character… He’s supposed to be androgynous, androgynous, androgynous… That’s the whole point of Lestat, and Louis is not that."
Rice’s Open Disapproval
The tension between Rice and the show’s production team was palpable throughout the series’ run. Rice actively spoke out against the show, publishing a series of scathing letters to the editor in Variety, criticizing the show’s plot twists, character development, and acting. She even went as far as requesting her name be removed from the credits, citing her disapproval with the show’s direction.
Table: Show vs. Novel Comparison
| Characters | Show | Novel |
|---|---|---|
| Lestat | Portrayed by Louis Gossett Jr. | Portrayed as androgynous, confident, and charismatic |
| Claudia | Portrayed by Jessica Clark | Originally depicted as a 10-year-old vampire, not a 26-year-old woman |
| Louis | Portrayed by Robert Ri’Chard | Originally depicted as more complex and nuanced, not as simplified as the show |
Conclusion
Anne Rice’s disdain for the TV adaptation of "Interview with the Vampire" was publicly evident throughout the show’s run. Her objections ranged from creative discrepancies to perceived misrepresentations of her original characters. Despite the show’s efforts to revive interest in the novel, Rice’s disapproval ultimately led to the cancellation of the series after only one season. This example serves as a reminder of the author’s strong attachment to their work and the potential consequences of creative differences.