Scott remained mute on exactly what the book was and declined to name it in the interview. However, observant readers were quick to point out numerous articles that have appeared recently that clearly say that the project is an adaptation of Brave New World, the classic Aldous Huxley novel first published in 1932.

Times Online published the news way back on March 23, 2008 when they published an article discussing how the feud between Hollywood and the Huxley family has finally ended and opened up the possibility for the film. They clearly state that Leonardo DiCaprio is interested in starring as John The Savage and that Ridley Scott had already volunteered to direct. DiCaprio’s father, it turns out, was actually friends with Huxley’s widow until she passed away last December. Scott and DiCaprio just worked together on House Of Lies (which was previously known as Body Of Lies) so that’s where his connection comes in.

For those of you who skipped high school English class, in Brave New World Huxley imagines a future world where children are processed genetically in bottles rather than conceived ‘naturally’, and belong to one of five classes according to their intelligence: from perfect “Alphas” down to moronic “Epsilons”. Learning takes place by repetition teaching during sleep, but basically this consists of enforcing certain behavior patterns through suggestion. This is backed up by the legal drug ’soma’ that pacifies people through a false sense of fulfillment.

You can actually read the entire novel online if you’re so inclined.

I can certainly see why Scott and DiCaprio might be interested in this project. Personally, I always thought the similar 1984 by George Orwell was a superior novel. I guess they’d have a hard time adapting it now, though, since we’re so far past that date.

What do you think? Is Brave New World the right project to return Ridley Scott to sci-fi?