The NOVA System Book to Big Screen
The NOVA System movie adaptation
Hello, I’m Jon Scott Lee. I am an indie author who is currently working on a trilogy of books called The NOVA System Series. The first book is the series title runner: The NOVA System.
I am going to give you the reasons this book is perfect for a movie adaptation. From specific scenes, to actors I had envisioned, or the tone and feel of the movie, I will break it all down, while trying to keep spoilers to a minimum.
Everything to know about the author of The NOVA System, Jon Scott Lee
I had no intention of becoming an author or writing a book. I hadn’t written anything of significance since college, which had been almost 10 years prior. It just had never crossed my mind until I started reading fanfiction of my favorite tv show.
When the TV show was canceled, the only way I could find to experience a similar vibe to it was through fanfiction. So, I was reading all I could. After reading hundreds of stories, I had a different ending in mind that I hadn’t seen anyone else do. I tried to get authors I had seen on the site do it, but they all said no and that I should write it.
I started writing with the intention of it being a short story, no more than 10,000 words, but once I finished the first chapter I found I had written 6,000 words. By the time I got to chapter 18, I had written for about 2 months and about a show that had been off the air for over a decade, but my story had 150 likes and 200+ following it. I was also getting contacted by hybrid publishers.
After doing my research I found that I could self-publish. And so after a lot of work, my debut novel The NOVA System, was published.
Keep a look out for the rest of the series. The second book, The Mental Takeover, is out now. Books #3 and #4 are in the works.
About the book
This fast paced, action packed, spy technothriller is more than a typical spy tale
WHO ARE THE ACTORS?
Gavin Woodford:
Gavin is the main male character. He is a computer genius and hacker who has settled into a mediocre life working IT for a call center. He had always been a nerd and a bit of a social outcast. Didn’t have a lot of close friends, but was always friendly to everyone. Kind to a fault, and always cared about people. He is goofy and nerdy and fun loving, but he is capable of deep emotional conversations and introspection.
I imagined him being played by Skylar Astin. I feel he has the demeanor and most of the look and attitude in his past roles that fit Gavin well.
Alexandria Katelyn Kowalski:
Alexandria, aka Alex, aka Agent Johnson, aka Stacy Moore is the top spy of the CIA. She is an off the books operative who specializes in assassination missions. She has deep trauma and a lot of emotional baggage. She wants to be loved for who she is.
I haven’t seen her act, but as for visually Alexandra Daddario is ideal look. Especially with deeper blue contacts.
Robert Charles:
Aka Mato Acothley. Is a top NSA black ops agent and former marine. He is Comanche Native American. He is the typical grunt to communicate grumpy partner who cares but refuses to show it. He cares about his people and is a protector. Even if they don’t need it. But he respects his team and their abilities.
I envisioned him being played by William J Finley. His look fits the character in my mind, and given he has been on NCIS and Criminal Minds I feel he would have a good idea of how the character may be.
Who would be my dream Director?
I would love for Jon Favreau to direct it. He seems to have a magic touch for how to see a vision and create timeless classics. There have been very few shows and movies he’s been involved with that I haven’t throughly enjoyed. And I would let him produce it or pick his producer.
Where to view it?
I would want it to be picked up by a streaming service. Ideally it would be Netflix or Prime as they have shown that they can create original content and support it with the needed advertising.
Major themes throughout the movie, and a scene from the book.
There are heavy themes of family and trauma throughout the story. Along with a romance story, conspiracy, brainwashing, found family, and lost family.
There is a scene in the middle of the book where Alex starts to learn to accept her darkness. When she allows it to take over in a moment of need, being trapped by a group of enemy soldiers, her borderline superhuman abilities come out. It shows exactly why she is the best, as she destroys every enemy. It is similar to the popular hallways scenes now.
She is strategic and calculated how to kill every single enemy there.
Shows/movies with similar style and vibe
The book started as a fanfiction of the show Chuck, and there are still some scenes from it that are in the book. So that would have a strong similarity, but my story is more serious.
There is still some comedy, some light hearted banter and quick witted lines, but over all the story is much darker and serious. The Bourne series of movies would be another good inspiration. The action I feel would be similar to that, with the fast pace and hand to hand combat.
Along with deep state conspiracy to some level.
What would sell for this movie?
Within the storyline there is plenty of diversity, and there is room to have more. There is Native American representation that doesn’t get much attention, especially in the sequel. And that’s on top of the fun character building and development, the action sequences, and deeply emotional scenes that would draw in and keep people’s attention.
The subtitle of Nerds, Spies and Games of the Mind would be a good slogan for the movie.
CONSCLUSION
I feel that my debut novel, The NOVA System, is ideal for a movie adaptation for many reasons. It has a high sale value with its fast paced action, deep emotional scenes, and interesting conspiracy elements.
The strong female character, who doesn’t always need a man to save her, and often does the saving herself. Without having to take away from the men’s ability in the story.
Representation of a minority group that doesn’t often get good representation. And a wide range of characters for everyone to identify with.
The story has the visuals for a strong and good series of action movies. With the action, cool tech, and captivating villains that are conducive of the action genre.
