This represents just a taste of what the kind of story we're dealing with here, and thus an indication of why I think sci-fi fans worldwide should be excited that it's even being given the green light. The after-life debate that the film could spark might even to cross into the mainstream much like Inception asked questions about the possibility of influencing dreams, and Blade Runner asked less specific questions about the meaning of life.
Ubik is essentially an ideas book, like old fashioned sci-fi films that concentrate more on theories and speculation about the future than on special effects. If we we're to compare Ubik to any film of the last twenty years, then perhaps Source Code is the closest fit, with Duncan James's films looking at similar themes like life after death.
There has been some displeasure voiced about the selection of director Michel Gondry (The Green Hornet, 2011) to get this project underway. But people are quick to forget that Gondry brought us the simply magnificent Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In fact in wouldn't be such a bad idea to cast Jim Carrey as Joe Chip; Gondrey has a proven record of bringing out the best in the usually comic Carrey. I know that people didn't like The Green Hornet, but star Seth Rogan was part of the writing process, which I"m sure didn't help the situation.
With Ubik enjoying such a loving following, it's also important to note that the novel is considered by many to be the most accessible of Dick's works. "This is a good book if you have never been introduced to PKD's work," says one review on Amazon. If done correctly, Ubik has the potential to appeal to the masses.
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