Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. reportedly
    • ex. The actor reportedly married his long-time girlfriend last weekend.
  2. be set in [somewhere/sometime]
    • ex. I like reading books that are set in the 1800s.
  3. a sequel/prequel
    • ex. To be honest, I enjoyed the sequel, but I didn’t really like the prequel.
  4. an adaptation
    • ex. Many popular animated movies are adaptations of old stories.
  5. play
    • ex. Who plays the main character in the show?

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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TV streaming service HBO Max is reportedly working on two new spin-off shows that will be set in the world of the 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes. Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson, the movie and its 2011 sequel made over $1 billion (about ¥128.6 billion) worldwide. The HBO Max shows will focus on a new character who will be introduced in the upcoming movie Sherlock Holmes 3.

The new spin-off shows won’t be the first TV adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous books. From 2010 to 2017, Benedict Cumberbatch played the genius detective for four seasons in the BBC drama Sherlock. Around the same time, the US drama Elementary showed Sherlock solving crimes in modern-day New York City.

HBO Max has plans to create a number of other spin-off shows for popular movies. The streaming service is working on an IT prequel series called Welcome to Derry as well as a show about the Bene Gesserit from Dune. Colin Farrell will also reportedly play The Penguin for a limited series connected to The Batman.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Spin-offs and Adaptations

  • Would you like to watch any of the spin-off shows that HBO Max is working on (the two "Sherlock Holmes" spin-offs, the "IT" prequel series, the "Dune" spin-off, and/or the limited series connected to "The Batman")? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, which are better, adaptations or original shows/movies? Why? Discuss.
  • When making an adaptation, do you think it's okay to make a lot of changes (ex. add new characters, change the story)? Why or why not? Discuss.

Movies

  • Many people say that prequels and sequels are never as good as the original movie. Do you agree? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Movie studios have been releasing some new movies on TV streaming services because of Covid-19. Do you think this trend will continue? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What's the best movie that you've ever seen? Why? Discuss.