Books Made Into Movies That The Author HATED!

Some of our favorite classic films weren’t necessarily loved by all.

3. The NeverEnding Story

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Initially, author Michael Ende wanted a film version of his book and helped to convince fans it was a good idea. However, after receiving a rewrite of the script, Ende declared that the 1984 film was more comic strip than book. He denounced the film and had his name removed from the credits.

2. Mary Poppins

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In many ways, a partnership between “Mary Poppins” author P.L. Travers and Walt Disney was doomed from the get-go. For two decades, Travers refused to sell the movie rights of her book to Disney. When she finally did, her many requests for edits and script rewrites were disregarded. Travers took issue with the film’s cast, including Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. She didn’t care for the movie’s animated sequences nor the musical numbers like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” One can only imagine how Travers felt about Van Dyke’s fake British accent. When the movie premiered, Travers openly wept.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

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When author Truman Capote wrote this novella, he had specifically pictured Marilyn Monroe as the lead female character and envisioned himself as the male counterpart. He felt betrayed over the casting of Audrey Hepburn in the lead role and didn’t care who knew it. On days when Capote visited the set, Hepburn felt anxious. He maintained after the film’s release Hepburn was miscast for her part in the movie.

It’s hard to believe that some of our favorite classic movies, including “Mary Poppins” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” were hated by the authors of their respective books. Of course, a written novel typically comes before the film, and the author of the creative work already has their own vision in mind for the story. Interpretations may vary, and expectations simply do not always meet reality.

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