Re-Reviewed: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a whole thing

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen highlighted why Alan Moore’s creations can’t be adapted to the big screen. 

When it comes to having his work adapted into other media forms, things have not gone well for celebrated creator Alan Moore. That’s the nice way of saying those movies have been terrible and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen might have been the worst of them all.

This was a film that missed the point of the comics entirely and created a soulless, Hollywood version of a dark and gritty story. If that’s not enough, this was the movie that was so bad it quite literally retired Sir Sean Connery from acting.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen rises

Set in the late 1800s, a group of strange and interesting people was recruited by the British government to stop an impending gang war in London. This group included Mina Murray, Allan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, The Invisible Man, and Captain Nemo.

This first arc set the stage for everything that was to come after it in this world Moore was building with artist Kevin O’Neill. It was dark, violent, and filled with mystery and intrigue on another level. The allure was undeniable.

Using previously existing fictitious characters was a key draw. Repurposing the aforementioned characters and more was intriguing, to say the least. But Moore took them all in a unique and interesting direction, which is more than could be said about the movie.

The League of Mediocre Gentlemen falters

On the surface, the 2003 film appeared to be quite similar to the comics. Existing fictitious characters were repurposed for a story set in the late 1800s filled with action and intrigue. Those similarities were superficial at absolute best.

The story was quite different from the comics and not particularly good. Much of what made Moore’s interpretations of Allan Quartermain and Mr. Hyde so intriguing was lost. Mina Murray, a strong-willed, intelligent woman in the comics, became Mina Harker, a super-powered vampire.

This film absolutely gutted everything that made The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen compelling as a comic book. It’s a problem that has plagued every single film adaptation of Alan Moore’s work over the years.

Alan Moore and Hollywood just don’t mix

Whether you’re talking about Watchmen, V for Vendetta, or The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Hollywood is either unwilling or unable to adapt Moore’s work correctly. And the smart money is on unwilling.

There are inevitably elements in Moore’s work that most Hollywood producers simply will not adapt into a feature film. Love Moore or hate him, his work is nuanced with exceedingly raw elements and plot points that Hollywood normally shies away from in comic book movies.

The recent Watchmen series on HBO actually worked because it was a follow-up to the original story instead of an adaptation. Honestly, a TV series might be exactly what The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen needs to succeed, as well.