When Movies Miss the Mark: Wicked, Dune, Ender’s Game & Why Books Still Win | Logic Dictate Hot Topics #27

In this lighter weekend episode of Logic Dictate Hot Topics, host Steve Gibson steps away from policy debates to explore why books still triumph over their movie adaptations. From Wicked to Dune to Ender’s Game, Gibson shares honest insights on storytelling, production value, and why live theater remains unmatched. Plus—a reminder to dive into his own sci-fi political thriller, Logic’s Dictate.

🎧 Perfect for fans of political commentary, sci-fi literature, book-to-film discussions, and sharp cultural insights.

Welcome back to Logic Dictate Hot Topics, the podcast where we examine culture, politics, and critical thinking through a lens of clarity and common sense. I’m your host, Steve Gibson. Many of you have noted that my commentary is often heavy, deep, and packed with policy—and you’re absolutely right. That focus is intentional.

But today, for this weekend report, let’s take a lighter turn. Recently, I watched Wicked—the movie—and as someone who has also seen Wicked on Broadway, I have thoughts.

Spoiler: the magic didn’t translate. This sparked a broader reminder that books—and sometimes live theater—simply outshine their on-screen adaptations. Whether it’s Ender’s Game, Dune, or Broadway itself, there’s a gap between the written page and Hollywood’s attempt to capture it.

Let’s talk about why.

Why do some of the greatest stories fall flat when Hollywood gets involved? Why does Wicked live on stage but stumble on screen? Why does Dune thrive in print but struggle in film after film? Today we’re unpacking exactly why books still reign supreme—and what this means for how we engage with stories, art, and culture.

And while you’re diving into great reads…

📘 Read Logic’s Dictate for only $0.99: https://amzn.to/4oAo6AJ

A sci-fi political thriller that does live up to the page.