How were the rights to the Earthsea series obtained?
Le Guin expressed interest in granting the rights after viewing some of Miyazaki’s films. Her statement of, “If this book is to be made into a film, it should be done by Hayao Miyazaki” were communicated to Stuido Ghibli by Shimizu Masako, Japanese translator of the Earthsea series of books. Attempts to negotiate the rights in the early 80s were rebuffed by Le Guin as she wasn’t familiar with Miyazaki and anime: Twenty or so years ago, Mr Hayao Miyazaki wrote me expressing interest in making an animated film based on the (then only three) books of Earthsea. I did not know his work. I knew only Disney-type animation, and disliked it. I said no. Suzuki remarked that had the rights been secured “Nausicaa might not have been born”.
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- How were the rights to the Earthsea series obtained?
