|
Executive Producer is really a non-title. It is usually given to people as a sop, to flatter their ego and keep them happy, but it really means "Producer in charge of bugger all" (look at the second Harry Potter film, one of the executive producers was a 12 year old schoolboy). I know that Adams was never keen on a "Hollywood" production of his radio show, and has at least once turned down obscene amounts of money for the rights. So I would guess that when the project started he was still alive, and they offered him "Executive Producership" to get him to sell the rights.
Also it will probably help sell it to die hard fans who will object to any "Hollywoodisation". It sounds more "genuine Hitchiker's" if they can say that Douglas Adams was Executive Producer (it sounds good if you don't know how little it means).
(P.S. Sorry if my English becomes grocery with "genuine Hitchiker's", I think I mean "belonging to HHGG", but I am not certain.
P.P.S If you don't understand the P.S., don't sweat it.)
|