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Apple Plans TV Adaptation of Gregory David Roberts' Novel 'Shantaram'

Thursday June 7, 2018 11:25 am PDT by Mitchel Broussard
Following yesterday's news that Apple is partnering with producer J.J. Abrams on a show called "Little Voices," Variety today reports that Apple has now landed the TV adaptation rights to Gregory David Roberts' 2003 novel "Shantaram."

Multiple parties were said to be interested in purchasing the rights to adapt the novel as a dramatic series, leading to Apple's win in a "competitive situation."

Shantaram is a fictional novel based somewhat on Roberts' real life, and focuses on a character named Lin, a convict who flees an Australian prison and disappears into the city of Bombay.

Once in India, Lin's journey takes him through a hidden society of soldiers, gangsters, and criminals, all while figures from his life in prison hunt him down.

Previous plans for Shantaram had Joel Edgerton in the starring role of a feature film, but plans have now shifted into a television series. The show will be produced by Paramount Television and Anonymous Content, which also own the rights to the sequel novel called "The Mountain Shadow."

"American Hustle" screenwriter Eric Warren Singer will serve as the showrunner and executive producer of the new Apple series. Singer also worked on "The International", "Only the Brave", and wrote the script for the upcoming sequel "Top Gun: Maverick."

Tag: Apple's Hollywood ambitions
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citysnaps
19 weeks ago

T. Cook once again focusing on anything but innovation.


Apple will spend $14B on R&D in fiscal 2018. Has Mr. Cook revealed to you how that's being allocated within Apple, leading to your conclusion about innovation?
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
citysnaps
19 weeks ago

In 2017, Amazon spent more on r&d than Apple. What do you think about that?


"Amazon spent more on r&d than Apple."

Yeah. So?


"What do you think about that?"

I dunno... two different companies with different needs, and different priorities with respect to profits, etc.

I don't, but perhaps you have inside insight/knowledge about the two very different companies that for the most part provide very different products and services, leading you to draw some conclusions.

Do you feel Apple is not spending enough on R&D? If so why? Be specific. I hope your answer is not simply, "Amazon spends more!"
[doublepost=1528402324][/doublepost]

R&D Spending Last fiscal year is below. Apple's R&D investment significantly lags the leaders Amazon & Alphabet. They are behind in key areas relative to other tech companies, and chose to buy back $100 Billion in stock with the recent tax windfall. The buy back is especially worrisome.

In Billions:
16.1 - Amazon
13.9 - Alphabet
12.7 - Intel
12.3 - MSFT
10.0 - Apple



Apple will spend $14B on R&D in fiscal 2018. How does that compare with Amazon? You may not be aware Apple and Amazon are two very different companies with different products/services and objectives.

How much should Apple spend on R&D? Be very specific on the amount and reasons why, and how those R&D dollars should be allocated among Apple's different internal research efforts.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
Rogifan
19 weeks ago

R&D Spending Last fiscal year is below. Apple's R&D investment significantly lags the leaders Amazon & Alphabet. They are behind in key areas relative to other tech companies, and chose to buy back $100 Billion in stock with the recent tax windfall. The buy back is especially worrisome.

In Billions:
16.1 - Amazon
13.9 - Alphabet
12.7 - Intel
12.3 - MSFT
10.0 - Apple

What is included in those numbers? Do they all classify R&D spending the same way?
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
Kaibelf
19 weeks ago

T. Cook once again focusing on anything but innovation.


Because Apple and all it’s employees can only do one thing at a time? I suppose diversification is a foreign concept, as well as recurring revenue.
Rating: 7 Votes
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alex00100
19 weeks ago
Actually sounds interesting. The only show on their list I'm cautiously excited about.
Rating: 6 Votes
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macrooster
19 weeks ago
T. Cook once again focusing on anything but innovation.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
citysnaps
19 weeks ago

Money spent on R&D is not the same as effective R&D.

The only way you can tell is the results. How is the Mac doing? Siri? iPad? Level of bugs in the OS?

If you are not satisfied with the output, you have a case. Then again if wanted to be narky you could look at R&D as a proportion of profits of all those companies.


Of the Macs that I own, I currently use three, a 2017 MBP, a 2015 5K iMac, and a 2013 MBA. They all work fine without issue and are a joy to use. With respect to Siri, it does what I want it to do, which is mostly interfacing with Apple Music and HomePod (I absolutely do not want a so-called digital assistant hooked into google 24/7).

My iPads have been working issue-free for years. They're also a joy to use. And with respect to MacOS, no complaints. It works every time I use it, without issues.

I also thoroughly enjoy using HomePod, usually 3-4 hours a day. Can't wait to buy another now that AirPlay 2 is out.

And my AirPods? Totally brilliant. Love them. Especially on phone calls.

I guess that makes me satisfied. Not stoked about the OLED display on my iPhone X. But that's the only Apple nit I have.
Rating: 5 Votes
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orbital~debris
19 weeks ago
I’ve had this book on my ‘To Read’ stack for so long!
Think I’ll start reading it soon so I can picture the characters before they’re depicted in televisual form.

This is great - so far I’m interested in nearly every show Apple are said to be readying.
Rating: 4 Votes
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blackcrayon
19 weeks ago
Really enjoyed this novel. In audio format (over 40 hrs!). Better to have it made into a TV series than to try cramming that into a 2 hour movie...
Rating: 3 Votes
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macfacts
19 weeks ago

Apple will spend $14B on R&D in fiscal 2018. Has Mr. Cook revealed to you how that's being allocated within Apple, leading to your conclusion about innovation?


In 2017, Amazon spent more on r&d than Apple. What do you think about that?
Rating: 2 Votes

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