A Jekyll and Hyde Retelling Book to Big Screen
Dark Academia & Science Fantasy Book to Movie Adaptation
Xander Phanes is a non-binary self-taught artist and author, a DnD rookie, a Jekyll and Hyde enthusiast, and a pirate at heart.
This blog post will give you a glimpse of the beguiling world of Doppelganger, my debut Jekyll and Hyde-inspired novella, a tale rife with inner conflict and morally ambiguous decisions.
FROM THE AUTHOR
“I have always had an interest in channeling my stories through different media, and reader I cannot describe to you how surreal it feels to share my vision for Doppelganger: A Short Jekyll and Hyde Film with you.
If you’re willing to humor me, you will find this blog post quite enchanting, and the possibility of seeing Doppelganger on the screen quite delightful.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m Xander Phanes, a non-binary (they/them) artist and author who is interested, perhaps obsessed, with exile and the soul.
I also explore tales of intersectional LGBTQ+ identities, nature, and the natural world, and our relationship with it and its relationship with us.
I am enchanted by the experience of stories through different media, like the written word, comics, animation, film, and (my favorite) video games. Each medium channels the story in media-specific ways that bring depth and dimension to the experience of stories.
About the book - A Jekyll and Hyde Retelling
Oasis Utterson and Elliot Warlow endeavor to remake Dr. Jekyll’s formula and prove that it is safe in order to secure funding for their Institute of Lysology, an institute created by the late Jekyll and his husband, John Gabriel Utterson, to further the understanding of the soul.
Of course, no one is willing to be the test subject of such experimentation. So Elliot decides to test it on himself. But Elliot was unprepared for the formula to connect him with his soul, and certainly never expected his soul to uncover his past traumas.
Oasis is very cautious and monitors Elliot’s every symptom. She did not want to see what happened to her father, Dr. Jekyll, happen to her dearest friend. But when Oasis finds news that will break Elliot’s morale and strength, she must decide to balance Elliot’s life against the growth of her Institute.
Betrayal, retribution, forgiveness and closure come tumbling throughout the chapters of this dark academia tale.
CHARACTERS TO CAST
I often daydream about seeing Doppelganger on the screen, and I even shared who I would cast as actors on my Instagram once! (IG: @mxphanes)
The cast:
Elliot Warlow: I would cast Eddie Redmayne as Elliot. It’s got to be the heartbreaking eyes, the hair, the facial structure, the heartwrenching break of his voice. He sort of looks like Elliot too!
Oasis Utterson: I would cast Tessa Thompson as Oasis. Because she’s got that morally ambiguous air.
I have yet to introduce Anthony Carew, the big bad evil guy in Doppelganger. I would cast Christian Bale as Anthony because he has that smug face and sh*t-eating grin when he wants.
Directed By…
Yours truly, Xander Phanes. I remember wanting to be a director in long times past, and can only see myself directing Doppelganger for the big screen. I’ve learned that if I want something done right, I have to do it myself. Especially with matters that pertain to my tales.
I have a specific vision for Doppelganger if it were to become a film, and I feel that I wouldn’t feel comfortable trusting that vision in someone else’s hands but my own.
One can only hope and dream!
Doppelganger: Themes and Tropes
I’ve often included an addiction trigger warning when promoting Doppelganger because it does contain themes of addiction and self-hatred.
It would certainly be known that Doppelganger contains an addiction and self-hatred warning/themes as accepting one is struggling with addiction and extending forgiveness to oneself is one of the main focal points of the story.
Another theme in Doppelganger, and many of my tales, is exile. This theme always makes its way into my stories. Physical exile, but also spiritual and metaphorical exile.
Doppelganger has similar vibes to…
This is giving me comp title war flashbacks! I struggled to find comp titles for Doppelganger, but after some digging into what media I engage with, I settled with these vibes and genres: The Glass Scientists, a Jekyll and Hyde webcomic by Sage Cotugno, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde.
Beloved Quotes...
One of the quotes that I created merch was a dialogue line that Oasis and Elliot share throughout the story, one that has a bittersweet taste to it by the end of the tale. The quote? “Great.”
A Book With Original Soundtrack
I am the Jack of all trades, master of none. Yes, I created the original soundtrack for Doppelganger that comes with the book for free! And the thought of collaborating with musicians and artists to create the original soundtrack for Doppelganger’s film never fails to fill me with joy. Once again, one can only hope and dream!
A Jekyll and Hyde Retelling CONSCLUSION
Did I fulfill my promise? Did you find this blog post enchanting, and the possibility of seeing Doppelganger on the screen delightful? I hope I did, reader.
Thank you for reading this blog post, and thank you for giving Doppelganger a chance.
If my tale caught your interest, you can purchase Doppelganger from Bryson Publishing (brysonpublishing.com) and you can also follow me on Instagram @mxphanes for art, writing, DnD, updates, and more!
Don’t be a stranger, reader. I always love making meaningful connections.
