The Netflix adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s classic novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” will premiere on December 11.
Getting the novel to the big screen means it will be a two-part series, with each part having eight episodes. Márquez authored “One Hundred Years of Solitude” in 1967. Since then, more than 50 million copies have been sold. It has also been translated into 40 languages. The series was directed by Alex García López, known for his work in “The Acolyte” and “The Witcher,” and Laura Mora, known for “The Kings of the World” and “Killing Jesus.” It was shot in Colombia, and yes, it will be in Spanish.
What is “One Hundred Years of Solitude” About?
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” is a fictional story based on several generations of the Buendía family, tormented by what can only be described as generational chaos, beginning with two cousins getting married. The series follows cousins José Arcadio Buendía and Úrsula Iguarán as they get married against their families’ wishes, move away, and create a place called Macondo. What follows is nothing short of a heart-capturing novella of love and war.
UPI described it this way: “Several generations of the Buendía lineage will mark the future of this mythical town, tormented by madness, impossible loves, a bloody and absurd war, and the fear of a terrible curse that condemns them, without hope, to one hundred years of solitude.” The “One Hundred Years of Solitude” trailer can be seen on YouTube by clicking here.
Who Stars in “One Hundred Years of Solitude”?
According to IndieWire, the following will grace the screen to bring “One Hundred Years of Solitude” to life: Marco Antonio González (as young José Arcadio Buendía), Diego Vásquez (adult José Arcadio Buendía), Susana Morales (young Úrsula Iguarán), Marleyda Soto (adult Úrsula Iguarán), Moreno Borja (Melquíades), Claudio Cataño (Aureliano Buendía), Viña Machado (Pilar Ternera), Andrius Leonardo Soto (young José Arcadio), Edgar Vittorino (adult José Arcadio), Loren Sofía Paz (elder Amaranta Buendía), Akima (Rebeca Buendía), Janer Villareal (Arcadio Buendía), Ruggero Pasquarelli (Pietro Crespi), Jairo Camargo (Apolinar Moscote), Jacqueline Arenal (Leonor Moscote), Ella Becerra (Petronila), Cristal Aparicio (Remedios Moscote), Rafael Zea (Alirio Noguera), Salvador del Solar (General Moncada), Álvaro García (Father Nicanor), and Jerónimo Barón (young Aureliano Buendía).
Opinion: Give This a Watch
If you’re worried about books coming to the big screen, don’t worry, I’m that person too. I’m always worried that the characters will be changed and that the live adaptation will be “based on the book” in the sense that they will change what they desire. Many viewers will cite how Netflix did a great job bringing “The Witcher” to the big screen until they moved away from the source material. This is why the actor and former star of the series, Henry Cavill, left the franchise.
In a 2022 article from Screen Rant, senior editor Thomas Bacon cited this as the primary reason, saying, “The problems stem from the very fact he [Cavill] is a fan of the source material – both the books and the games. He’s clearly wanted to be part of a faithful adaptation, one that brought to life everything he loved about Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and those classic games,” he wrote. He added, “In contrast, however, the creative team behind ‘The Witcher’ has clearly shown little respect for the source material, and the story feels as though it’s increasingly deviating from the one Cavill loves.”
Besides “The Witcher,” Netflix has had great success with other adaptations as well, such as “Bridgerton,” “One Piece,” and “Shadow and Bone.” Will Netflix keep to the source material in “One Hundred Years of Solitude”? They better, or they will risk being known for ruining what is considered a literary masterpiece. Give it a watch, and do what we all do: Give the thumbs up, thumbs down, or double thumbs up when you’re done with the series. Also, if you’re looking for background reading, Amazon.com has the book on Kindle, Audio, Hardcover, and Paperback.
