Jules Verne was writing steampunk before anyone knew what it was. The French law school dropout and writer probably thought he was writing science fiction, although there wasn’t really a word for that at the time, either.
The term “steampunk” seems to have been coined by the science fiction writer K.W. Jeter (“Morlock Night”) as early as 1987. The word is in general usage now. Generally it refers to science fiction or fantasy with a 19th century (steam engine era) period, usually Victorian England or the American west. Anachronistic technology and/or supernatural phenomena feature prominently. Alternative history is also often big in this genre, which tends to be influenced by early writers like Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells and Verne, whose “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” in some ways is the granddaddy of them all. The subgenre is growing in popularity rapidly. Cross Creek Pictures and Hammer Films recently announced plans to bring Cherie Priest's steampunk zombie novel "Boneshaker" to the big screen.
The 2008 movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which helped launch the current 3D boom, is not exactly based on Jules Verne’s novel of the same title, but is sort of a late sequel. Starring Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson, the $60 million movie grossed over $240 million, and reintroduced a waiting world to the works of Jules Verne.
Warner Bros. is releasing a sequel, also in 3D, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” on February 10th. Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine co-star with the returning Josh Hutcherson this time around. Luis Guzman and Vanessa Hudgens also co-star.
Verne has been popular on the big screen before. When Disney adapted “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” in 1954, it took an enormous financial gamble that paid off. Cost overruns made it the most expensive motion picture made to date), exceeding the cost of “Gone with the Wind.” The movie was well-reviewed, won two Academy Awards and is now widely-regarded as an early example of steampunk.
The success of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” created a mini-boom in what would now be regarded as steampunk properties. George Pal had already adapted H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” the year before, as a contemporary story. In 1960, he produced, and directed, “The Time Machine,” based on Wells’ story, this time as a period piece. It remains one of the best-loved and most-enduring science fiction movies of all time, and a powerful influence on the steampunk movement. In 1964, Wells “First Men in the Moon” also came to the screen as a period piece, albeit with contemporary bookend sequences.
Verne has also had other movies incarnations, notably “Around the World in 80 Days,” produced on an epic scale by Mike Todd and directed by the renowned Michael Anderson in 1956. The movie won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and Best Score. But “From the Earth to the Moon” was filmed in 1958, and the first adaptation of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” was released in 1959. That one has been done numerous times for the big and small screens. Many fans point to the sixties high-concept TV western, "The Wild, Wild West" as an early example of steampunk. Barry Sonnenfeld's big screen reboot of that show nearly overdosed on steampunk trappings.
“Mysterious Island,” based on Verne’s 1874 sequel to “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” was first filmed in 1961, and like several of Verne’s stories, has been remade more than once.
In the new release “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” Josh Hutcherson returns as Sean Anderson, now living with his mother (Kristin Davis) and stepfather Hank (Dwayne Johnson). Sean has received a coded message from his long-missing grandfather. Even decoded, the note is couched in riddles and clues—but ultimately provides the location to Jules Verne’s “Mysterious Island.” Hank reluctantly agrees to finance Sean’s trip to the island’s supposed location in the South Pacific under the condition that he come along. They charter a rundown helicopter piloted by Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his pretty daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), only to crash-land on the island. Once there, they find exotic creatures, and Sean’s grandfather (Michael Caine). Radio messages for help can only be sent every two weeks when the right communications satellite is in position. They may not have that long. The island is sinking. And the only way off is in Captain Nemo’s Nautilus—if they can find it.
Like “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the sequel is not directly based on Verne’s novel, but uses it as a springboard in a modern setting. There’s an increased emphasis on “Vernians” this time around—people who are convinced that the works of Jules Verne aren’t novels.
Steampunk, with its often romantic combination of nostalgia and anachronistic, funky technology (or supernatural phenomena), has been building steam for a while now, and it seems likely that more literary properties in the genre are likely to hit the big screen. And the "Journey" movies appear headed towards franchisedom, introducing new readers to Jules Verne via the backdoor.
"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," opens on February 10, 2012.
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