Cyberon Novelization: An Interview with James Hornby

Arcbeatle Press Lead Supervisor Hunter O'Connell spoke with our very own James Hornby, the Range Editor of our P.R.O.B.E series, about his upcoming novelization of the BBV film Cyberon! Look for it this fall.

Q: What can the audience expect to see in terms of changes, or additions, to the original plot of Cyberon? 
A: I think with a project like this it's important to be respectful to the person who wrote the original material. Lance's script is something truly special, and I intend to keep it as intact as possible. As you might expect, there were a few sections of the script that needed slight alteration in order to make the transition to prose. That being said, the prose format has allowed me to delve into the character's heads, to reveal how they react to the troubles posed to them by the plot. With a psychological thriller like Cyberon, I think that's really important.

I think the main change is that, unlike the original film, this release of Cyberon will act as a companion to the upcoming P.R.O.B.E. series. 

In terms of additions, I've gone for the "Shakedown" approach to how the book will be structured: the original story will be the middle section of a three act tale. Act one will explore the story of how the Cyberon drug came to arrive on Earth, and the final act will pick up the loose plot threads from the end of the drama, bringing in familiar characters from the P.R.O.B.E. series.


Q: What’s your favorite scene in the BBV film, and how do you plan on expanding it?
A: My favourite scene is where George Cooper, a resident at the hospital where Lauren works, wakes up in the middle of the night, to be confronted by the spectral form of a Cyberon. In the original film, the scene is a wonderful work of horror, but in the novelization, we'll get to see what happens from George's perspective. 

Q: Could you list off a few reasons for others to check out the Cyberon novelization?
A: The story gets into some really important issues around mental health that still affect our lives today, it contains a strong, character-driven plot and, of course, Cyberons!

Q: What other Doctor Who connections do you have planned for the book that weren’t in the original film, besides the obvious?
A: The original Cyberon film stands very much alone in terms of the world in which it is set. These characters have grown up in the Doctor Who world, so some of the things they say will reflect that. For example, with the kind permission of Iain McLaughlin, the TV show Doctor X from the Erimem series will receive a mention. Eagle-eyed readers will also spot links to P.R.O.B.E. and Cwej: The Series. 

Q: What can you tell us about the P.R.O.B.E. series? Are there any details you can reveal to the audience?
A: I'm very excited to bring the P.R.O.B.E. series to people's attention. After so many years away from the public eye, we'll finally get a chance to see what P.R.O.B.E. has been up to, and the challenges the organisation faces in the modern world. Readers can expect to see a whole host of aliens and monsters, both original and new; characters and concepts from the Virgin New Adventures, the Past Doctor Adventures, and the Erimem series will all appear in our stories. For now that's all I can say on the matter, but in time all will be revealed...

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