Why the 2004 Adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days Departed from Tradition
In short: Director Frank Coraci intentionally overhauled Jules Verne’s 1873 classic for his 2004 film, introducing anachronisms and a new character arc for Phileas Fogg. Despite a high-profile cast led by Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan, the production struggled with a massive budget and ultimately became a notable box office disappointment.
The 2004 production of Around the World in 80 Days was an international co-production involving the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland. Director Frank Coraci sought to modernize the narrative by providing Phileas Fogg with a distinct character arc, a feature he felt was missing from both the original novel and the 1956 film adaptation. This creative choice led to a plot that diverged significantly from Verne’s source material, incorporating wild comedic deviations and various anachronistic elements, such as encounters with the Wright Brothers.
The film’s development was marked by significant financial turbulence. With a budget of $110 million, it was one of the most expensive films produced without an initial distributor. Paramount Pictures eventually stepped away from the project due to concerns regarding the high costs and the perceived bankability of the cast. Jackie Chan, who was cast as Passepartout in June 2002, received approximately $18 million for his role. Steve Coogan was later selected to play Fogg after studio executives rejected the idea of Johnny Depp in a family-oriented movie.
Upon its release in June 2004, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 32% approval rating and Metacritic assigning a score of 49 out of 100. While some critics like Roger Ebert appreciated the film's visual style and described it as "goofy fun," others, such as The Guardian’s Rob Mackie, criticized the lack of resemblance to the original novel. The film ultimately earned $72.6 million worldwide, leading the Los Angeles Times to list it as one of the most expensive box office flops in history by 2014.
The narrative follows Fogg and his valet, Passepartout, as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe to win a wager against Lord Kelvin. The journey is complicated by the theft of a Jade Buddha and interference from the Black Scorpions. Despite the film's commercial struggles, it remains a unique entry in the adaptation history of Verne’s work, characterized by its departure from the source material and its ambitious, albeit costly, production scale.
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