Jerry London, who directed NBC’s 1980 version of James Clavell’s historical novel “Shogun,” has spoken out against FX’s modern take on the story in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. London, an experienced director, contends that the new series, following an English sailor’s adventures through feudal Japan amid political conflicts and cultural differences, disappoints American viewers by overemphasizing Japanese history instead of providing entertainment. This is just one more development in the ongoing impact of Clavell’s 1975 bestseller, which initially captivated readers with its sweeping story about a Western sailor named John Blackthorne who is shipwrecked in 17th-century Japan and finds himself caught up in the power struggles of Lord Yoshii Toranaga while developing an illicit romance with the enigmatic Lady Mariko.
London’s critique of the recent adaptation largely revolves around contrasting it with his interpretation of Shogun. As he puts it, “The two are vastly different from each other.” According to him, his rendition focused on the romantic tale between Blackthorne and Mariko, who were central characters in the story of Shogun. In contrast, the new adaptation appears to be more historically-oriented and heavily features Toranaga, who was the Shogun himself. The director voiced apprehension regarding the series’ complexity and accessibility for American viewers. He shared that many people have found it challenging to comprehend due to its technical nature, causing them to turn it off. Furthermore, he suggested that the makers of the new adaptation may not have given much thought to appealing to the American audience, instead primarily catering to Japanese viewers.
The original miniseries director didn’t limit his criticism to the show’s handling of the material; he also targeted the lead actor in the new adaptation, stating that the current actor lacked the charm of Richard Chamberlain who starred in the original. London expressed disappointment about the lack of recognition for his own production, suggesting that the new version’s recent awards success was more a result of a lack of strong competition rather than genuine merit. However, it’s simple to contradict all of his assertions.
Jerry London Is Wrong About FX’s Shogun Remake
The audience viewership data for FX’s Shogun goes against the assessment made by London about American audience interest in shows. In fact, during its first two weeks on various streaming platforms, this series topped the charts, making it one of the rare non-Netflix shows to secure consecutive number-one rankings in the U.S. The show’s success wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it managed to maintain strong viewership numbers throughout its run, racking up 9 million views on Hulu, Disney+, and Star+ within its first six days alone. This consistent viewership implies that rather than abandoning the series as London claimed his friends did, American viewers were instead deeply engrossed in binge-watching it.
It’s not accurate to claim that London’s show triumphed at the Emmys solely because it lacked strong competition, as Shogun indeed faced intense rivalry from esteemed series such as The Morning Show and Fallout in the Outstanding Drama Series category. Moreover, its 25 nominations placed it among other heavily nominated shows like The Bear (23 nominations), Only Murders in the Building (21 nominations), and The Crown (18 nominations). The 18 wins of Shogun were not bestowed without challenge – they were achieved amidst stiff competition from some of TV’s most acclaimed and popular programs.
A strong counterargument to London’s critique arises from FX’s choice to commission two extra seasons of Shogun. In contrast to many streaming platforms and networks that are swiftly canceling shows with moderate success, this multi-season order underscores the company’s belief in audience interest and engagement.
London’s 1980 television adaptation was groundbreaking and rightfully deserves recognition for bringing this story to American screens. The series, which won both Emmy and Golden Globe awards, including Best Limited Series, had impressive ratings on NBC due in part to the captivating performance of Chamberlain as Blackthorne. Despite his claim that the new adaptation may not resonate with contemporary audiences, this perspective seems to be influenced more by personal sentiment rather than actual viewer feedback.
The Shogun series on FX is set to carry on, and it’s anticipated that the filming for its second season will start towards the end of this year.
What are your thoughts on “Shogun”? Did you prefer its portrayal to that of London, or did you find the TV series more engaging? Don’t hesitate to share your opinions in the comments below!
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2025-02-20 12:40