Adaptational Attractiveness: Difference between revisions

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You've just learned that your favorite book, ''The Life And Times Of [[Alice and Bob]]'', is being made into a [[The Movie|movie]]. In the book, Alice is average-looking and slightly overweight, and Bob is a balding middle-aged guy. So why does it star [[Angelina Jolie]] and [[Brad Pitt]]?
You've just learned that your favorite book, ''The Life And Times Of [[Alice and Bob]]'', is being made into a [[The Movie|movie]]. In the book, Alice is average-looking and slightly overweight, and Bob is a balding middle-aged guy. So why does it star [[Angelina Jolie]] and [[Brad Pitt]]?


An adaptation and biopic trope, [[Adaptational Attractiveness]] is when a someone who was originally fat, plain, or even downright ugly is played by a much more conventionally attractive actor. This also applies to clothing: characters whose attire is described as grotesque will become fashionably dressed.
An adaptation and biopic trope, '''Adaptational Attractiveness''' is when a someone who was originally fat, plain, or even downright ugly is played by a much more conventionally attractive actor. This also applies to clothing: characters whose attire is described as grotesque will become fashionably dressed.


Although sometimes it's who can play the part best, while finding actors who look like the way the characters are described can be problematic.
Although sometimes it's who can play the part best, while finding actors who look like the way the characters are described can be problematic.
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* The live-action adaptation of ''[[Nana to Kaoru]]''. The short and ugly Kaoru was transformed into an average-height, moderately attractive young man; moreover, the actress playing Nana is ''shorter''.
* The live-action adaptation of ''[[Nana to Kaoru]]''. The short and ugly Kaoru was transformed into an average-height, moderately attractive young man; moreover, the actress playing Nana is ''shorter''.
* Scar is younger in the ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' [[Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)|anime]]. Ed, while not ugly at all in the manga, doesn't quite have the same sort of facial structure as his manga counterpart originally did; it's less square. While Ed in the manga and second anime hits a growth spurt eventually, towering over Winry, in the anime he becomes taller by [[The Movie]] but is still shorter then his biologically thirteen year old brother despite the fact he's 18-19 (the movie takes place 2 years after the series). He also seems to only be about Winry's height.
* Scar is younger in the ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' [[Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)|anime]]. Ed, while not ugly at all in the manga, doesn't quite have the same sort of facial structure as his manga counterpart originally did; it's less square. While Ed in the manga and second anime hits a growth spurt eventually, towering over Winry, in the anime he becomes taller by [[The Movie]] but is still shorter then his biologically thirteen year old brother despite the fact he's 18-19 (the movie takes place 2 years after the series). He also seems to only be about Winry's height.
* Quite a lot of ''[[Metal Fight Beyblade]]'' characters had their appearances changed from the manga to make them more attractive in the anime. One of the most notable is Ryutaro Fukami. He went from [[media:Ryuutarou_1_9953.jpg|looking like a bratty kid with buckteeth]] to [[media:150px-Ryutaro_4826.jpg|actually being quite pretty]].
* Quite a lot of ''[[Metal Fight Beyblade]]'' characters had their appearances changed from the manga to make them more attractive in the anime. One of the most notable is Ryutaro Fukami. He went from [[media:Ryuutarou 1 9953.jpg|looking like a bratty kid with buckteeth]] to [[media:150px-Ryutaro 4826.jpg|actually being quite pretty]].
* Compare Motoko Kusanagi's [http://www.anime-planet.com/images/anime/screenshots/ghostintheshell1.jpg original appearance] in ''[[Ghost in The Shell (film)|Ghost in The Shell]]'', to her [http://www.anime-planet.com/images/anime/screenshots/gitstv3.jpg later appearance] in [[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex|Stand Alone Complex]].
* Compare Motoko Kusanagi's [http://www.anime-planet.com/images/anime/screenshots/ghostintheshell1.jpg original appearance] in ''[[Ghost in The Shell (film)|Ghost in The Shell]]'', to her [http://www.anime-planet.com/images/anime/screenshots/gitstv3.jpg later appearance] in [[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex|Stand Alone Complex]].
** Less frizzy hair?
** Less frizzy hair?
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* In ''[[Sense and Sensibility (novel)|Sense and Sensibility]]'', Colonel Brandon is described as being not nearly as handsome as Willoughby. He's described as the 18th century version of "okay looking," and someone that Marianne became attached to because he was kind to her when she was ill. In [[Sense and Sensibility (film)|the 1995 film]], he's played by [[Alan Rickman]]. [http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3424226816/nm0000614 Willoughby who?] Plenty of women would have snapped up the movie version of Colonel Brandon without a second glance at Willoughby. Kind, honorable and Alan Rickman sexy? Sign us up!
* In ''[[Sense and Sensibility (novel)|Sense and Sensibility]]'', Colonel Brandon is described as being not nearly as handsome as Willoughby. He's described as the 18th century version of "okay looking," and someone that Marianne became attached to because he was kind to her when she was ill. In [[Sense and Sensibility (film)|the 1995 film]], he's played by [[Alan Rickman]]. [http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3424226816/nm0000614 Willoughby who?] Plenty of women would have snapped up the movie version of Colonel Brandon without a second glance at Willoughby. Kind, honorable and Alan Rickman sexy? Sign us up!
* Velma in the first live action ''[[Scooby Doo (film)|Scooby Doo]]'' film goes from [http://www.selectspecs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/velma3.gif this] to [http://humordistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/velma-movie-196x300.jpg this]
* Velma in the first live action ''[[Scooby Doo (film)|Scooby Doo]]'' film goes from [http://www.selectspecs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/velma3.gif this] to [http://humordistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/velma-movie-196x300.jpg this]
* It's difficult to claim this trope for adaptations of theatre productions, because the characters are played by so many different actors it's hard to claim which actor is the "right" amount of attractive. However, comparing the original castings of [[media:Lansbury_Hearn_Sweeney_Todd_4505.jpg|Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett]] in ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (theatre)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]'' with the versions shown in [[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (film)|movie]], and it's hard to claim [[Johnny Depp]] and [[Helena Bonham Carter]] are accurate, especially given Todd's backstory, and while Benjamin Barker was supposedly attractive before he was exiled at least to Mrs. Lovett, after his ordeal he'd probably look a little more messed up than Johnny Depp with a skunk stripe.
* It's difficult to claim this trope for adaptations of theatre productions, because the characters are played by so many different actors it's hard to claim which actor is the "right" amount of attractive. However, comparing the original castings of [[media:Lansbury Hearn Sweeney Todd 4505.jpg|Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett]] in ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (theatre)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]'' with the versions shown in [[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (film)|movie]], and it's hard to claim [[Johnny Depp]] and [[Helena Bonham Carter]] are accurate, especially given Todd's backstory, and while Benjamin Barker was supposedly attractive before he was exiled at least to Mrs. Lovett, after his ordeal he'd probably look a little more messed up than Johnny Depp with a skunk stripe.
* In the novel ''Taffin'', the title character is overweight and unattractive. In the movie, he's played by PIERCE BROSNAN.
* In the novel ''Taffin'', the title character is overweight and unattractive. In the movie, he's played by PIERCE BROSNAN.
* Partially lampshaded in ''[[American Splendor]]'', when Joyce talks about how Harvey is depicted in his comic:
* Partially lampshaded in ''[[American Splendor]]'', when Joyce talks about how Harvey is depicted in his comic:
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** The new BBC series ''[[Sherlock]]'' averts this: Watson is played by [[Martin Freeman]], whose nice but average looks have been securing him everyman roles for the past who-knows-how-many years. [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], who plays Sherlock, may or may not be unconventionally attractive (there has been [[Serious Business|serious]] debate and [[Fan Wank]] on this issue), but he is ''not'' a stereotypically handsome leading man like the others listed above. Played straight with Lestrade, who's a handsome [[Silver Fox]] rather than a thin, ferret-like man the way he is in the books.
** The new BBC series ''[[Sherlock]]'' averts this: Watson is played by [[Martin Freeman]], whose nice but average looks have been securing him everyman roles for the past who-knows-how-many years. [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], who plays Sherlock, may or may not be unconventionally attractive (there has been [[Serious Business|serious]] debate and [[Fan Wank]] on this issue), but he is ''not'' a stereotypically handsome leading man like the others listed above. Played straight with Lestrade, who's a handsome [[Silver Fox]] rather than a thin, ferret-like man the way he is in the books.
* In Dozerfleet Comics' [[Ciem Webcomic Series|Gerosha universe]], [[The Scarlet Letter|Hester Prynne]] is [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|remarkably]] more like a [[Disney Princess]] than Nathaniel Hawthorne ever described her being. Makes Dimmesdale ''that much more'' sympathetic. Hero Machine render [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111003201556/dozerfleet/images/0/06/Hester-HeroMachine.png here].
* In Dozerfleet Comics' [[Ciem Webcomic Series|Gerosha universe]], [[The Scarlet Letter|Hester Prynne]] is [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|remarkably]] more like a [[Disney Princess]] than Nathaniel Hawthorne ever described her being. Makes Dimmesdale ''that much more'' sympathetic. Hero Machine render [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111003201556/dozerfleet/images/0/06/Hester-HeroMachine.png here].
* For Chinese literature, this tends to happen to the main characters in modern Asian adaptations of [[Jin Yong|Jin Yong's]] work. One rather noticeable example can be found in a 2008 adaptation of ''Legend of the Condor Heroes'', where the protagonist Guo Jing is played by teen idol and heart throb Hu Ge. Guo Jing is normally described as being a rather stout, muscular man who is not exactly known for being incredibly handsome or refined. Hu Ge, on the other hand, is pretty much a [[Real Life]] equivalent of a [[Bishonen]]. Needless to say, it can be rather unnerving for certain fans to see other characters mention how "manly" and "plain" Guo Jing is, when [[media:[[U 1735 P 28 T 3 D 1319149 F 326 DT 20061108153936]].JPG|he]] [[media:200837173742479.jpg|looks]] [[media:220H553P07_small.jpg|prettier]] than some of the ''female cast''.
* For Chinese literature, this tends to happen to the main characters in modern Asian adaptations of [[Jin Yong|Jin Yong's]] work. One rather noticeable example can be found in a 2008 adaptation of ''Legend of the Condor Heroes'', where the protagonist Guo Jing is played by teen idol and heart throb Hu Ge. Guo Jing is normally described as being a rather stout, muscular man who is not exactly known for being incredibly handsome or refined. Hu Ge, on the other hand, is pretty much a [[Real Life]] equivalent of a [[Bishonen]]. Needless to say, it can be rather unnerving for certain fans to see other characters mention how "manly" and "plain" Guo Jing is, when [[media:[[U 1735 P 28 T 3 D 1319149 F 326 DT 20061108153936]].JPG|he]] [[media:200837173742479.jpg|looks]] [[media:220H553P07 small.jpg|prettier]] than some of the ''female cast''.
* In the novelisation of ''[[Star Trek: First Contact|Star Trek First Contact]]'' the [http://img.listal.com/image/384123/600full-alice-krige.jpg Borg Queen] is described as being dark-haired and beautiful, while [http://www.thepostcard.com/walt/show/sta544.gif Data with human skin grafted to his body] is described as being brown-eyed, tanned and handsome.
* In the novelisation of ''[[Star Trek: First Contact|Star Trek First Contact]]'' the [http://img.listal.com/image/384123/600full-alice-krige.jpg Borg Queen] is described as being dark-haired and beautiful, while [http://www.thepostcard.com/walt/show/sta544.gif Data with human skin grafted to his body] is described as being brown-eyed, tanned and handsome.
* Averted with [[Erin Brockovich]] as Julia Roberts and the real life Erin Brockovich look enough alike that they could be mistaken as sisters.
* Averted with [[Erin Brockovich]] as Julia Roberts and the real life Erin Brockovich look enough alike that they could be mistaken as sisters.
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* In the TNT series [[Rizzoli and Isles|Rizzoli & Isles]], Jane Rizzoli is played by the gorgeous Angie Harmon, despite the fact that in nearly every book that the TV series is based on, Rizzoli is consistently described as plain or average looking and so hung up on this that she frequently displays an irrational hatred of women who ARE beautiful. Similarly, while Isles is described in the books as being attractive, as played by Sasha Alexander, she's now a knockout.
* In the TNT series [[Rizzoli and Isles|Rizzoli & Isles]], Jane Rizzoli is played by the gorgeous Angie Harmon, despite the fact that in nearly every book that the TV series is based on, Rizzoli is consistently described as plain or average looking and so hung up on this that she frequently displays an irrational hatred of women who ARE beautiful. Similarly, while Isles is described in the books as being attractive, as played by Sasha Alexander, she's now a knockout.
* In the ''[[Discworld]]'' series "Nobby" Nobbs is described as so incredibly ugly that he has to carry a certificate (a letter from the Patrician) to prove he's human. In the ''[[Discworld/Hogfather|Hogfather]]'' mini-series, he's played by a slightly overweight, slightly bucktoothed man. He strangely looks more like the description of the series' Fred Colon.
* In the ''[[Discworld]]'' series "Nobby" Nobbs is described as so incredibly ugly that he has to carry a certificate (a letter from the Patrician) to prove he's human. In the ''[[Discworld/Hogfather|Hogfather]]'' mini-series, he's played by a slightly overweight, slightly bucktoothed man. He strangely looks more like the description of the series' Fred Colon.
* [[Doctor Who]]'s Eighth Doctor is 5'8" and 160 lbs fully [[Gorgeous Period Dress|over]]dressed and with shoes on ("I just lost twenty pounds!"), with a solid, athletic build. For some reason, a lot of the authors of the books felt it necessary to describe him as if he's a tall, skinny [[Bishounen]]. Most other male characters seem to be shorter than him, yet it never comes up that a man who's noticeably shorter than him is quite short indeed. But he's unconventionally gorgeous [[Mr. Fanservice]] without being tall, thin, and long-legged. It's even worse in the comics, where you'd think they could just draw him the way he actually looks, but as a matter of fact gave him enormous cheekbones, absurdly long legs, and made his 19th-century three-piece suit inexplicably [[Form-Fitting Wardrobe|clingy]] (although the effect is often to make him look more severe rather than more attractive). Seriously, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
* [[Doctor Who]]'s Eighth Doctor is 5'8" and 160 lbs fully [[Gorgeous Period Dress|over]]dressed and with shoes on ("I just lost twenty pounds!"), with a solid, athletic build. For some reason, a lot of the authors of the books felt it necessary to describe him as if he's a tall, skinny [[Bishounen]]. Most other male characters seem to be shorter than him, yet it never comes up that a man who's noticeably shorter than him is quite short indeed. But he's unconventionally gorgeous [[Mr. Fanservice]] without being tall, thin, and long-legged. It's even worse in the comics, where you'd think they could just draw him the way he actually looks, but as a matter of fact gave him enormous cheekbones, absurdly long legs, and made his 19th-century three-piece suit inexplicably [[Form-Fitting Wardrobe|clingy]] (although the effect is often to make him look more severe rather than more attractive). Seriously, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
* In the Mrs Bradley novels by Gladys Mitchell, she's described as "a hag-like pterodactyl". In [[The BBC]]'s ''[[The Mrs Bradley Mysteries]]'', she's played by [[The Avengers (TV series)|Diana Rigg]].
* In the Mrs Bradley novels by Gladys Mitchell, she's described as "a hag-like pterodactyl". In [[The BBC]]'s ''[[The Mrs Bradley Mysteries]]'', she's played by [[The Avengers (TV series)|Diana Rigg]].
* [[The BBC]]'s Adaptation of Sarah Waters’ ''[[Tipping the Velvet]]'' cast Rachel Stirling (daughter of Dame Diana Rigg) as Nan, who was so plain in the book that she passed successfully as a boy for years on the street.
* [[The BBC]]'s Adaptation of Sarah Waters’ ''[[Tipping the Velvet]]'' cast Rachel Stirling (daughter of Dame Diana Rigg) as Nan, who was so plain in the book that she passed successfully as a boy for years on the street.
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* In the [[Agatha Christie]] novels that feature her, Poirot's secretary Miss Lemon was frequently described as "ugly" or "hideous". In the ''[[Poirot]]'' series she was portrayed by Pauline Moran, who was well past her hey-day, but certainly not unattractive.
* In the [[Agatha Christie]] novels that feature her, Poirot's secretary Miss Lemon was frequently described as "ugly" or "hideous". In the ''[[Poirot]]'' series she was portrayed by Pauline Moran, who was well past her hey-day, but certainly not unattractive.
* In ''[[Brideshead Revisited]]'', Charles' narration describes the adult Cordelia as very unattractive, even ugly. In the mini-series, the actress has bad skin and an unflattering haircut, but is still quite attractive. Possibly justified, in that Charles is obsessed with aesthetics and thus an [[Unreliable Narrator]].
* In ''[[Brideshead Revisited]]'', Charles' narration describes the adult Cordelia as very unattractive, even ugly. In the mini-series, the actress has bad skin and an unflattering haircut, but is still quite attractive. Possibly justified, in that Charles is obsessed with aesthetics and thus an [[Unreliable Narrator]].
* Major and minor examples from ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. Tyrion Lannister, in the [[A Song of Ice and Fire|books]], is not only a dwarf human but [[The Grotesque]] as well, with a misshapen head and mis-matched eyes. In the television adaption, he's still a dwarf, [http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7EaYVLcQGM/Tama49et7OI/AAAAAAAAAyo/4dpA2GJLlZE/s1600/Dinklage+as+Tyrion%255B1%255D.png but] [[media:Tyrion_5_6967.jpg| quite[[ [[media:tyrion_627.jpg| attractive]] and [[media:tyrion2_8854.jpg| far]] from [[media:tyrion-shield_2752.jpg| ugly]]. Minor examples include Arya, who is supposed to have a long, slightly horsey face and overall be quite plain (to the point that she is often mistaken for a boy when not dressed up), but the actress is instead [http://images.wikia.com/gameofthrones/images/3/3d/Arya-stark.jpg quite cute], though not to the point that she would be considered as attractive as her sister (a defining trait in their relationship, Sansa being the "pretty one"). Other examples fall under [[Informed Attractiveness]] instead, not quite living up to their descriptions in the books.
* Major and minor examples from ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. Tyrion Lannister, in the [[A Song of Ice and Fire|books]], is not only a dwarf human but [[The Grotesque]] as well, with a misshapen head and mis-matched eyes. In the television adaption, he's still a dwarf, [http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7EaYVLcQGM/Tama49et7OI/AAAAAAAAAyo/4dpA2GJLlZE/s1600/Dinklage+as+Tyrion%255B1%255D.png but] [[media:Tyrion 5 6967.jpg| quitemedia:tyrion_627.jpg| attractive]] and [[media:tyrion2 8854.jpg|far]] from [[media:tyrion-shield 2752.jpg|ugly]]. Minor examples include Arya, who is supposed to have a long, slightly horsey face and overall be quite plain (to the point that she is often mistaken for a boy when not dressed up), but the actress is instead [http://images.wikia.com/gameofthrones/images/3/3d/Arya-stark.jpg quite cute], though not to the point that she would be considered as attractive as her sister (a defining trait in their relationship, Sansa being the "pretty one"). Other examples fall under [[Informed Attractiveness]] instead, not quite living up to their descriptions in the books.
** It's worth noting that it's somewhat implied that Arya is not actually as plain as she is made out to be in the books, and this is really just a combination the aforementioned lack of "dressing up" (her scruffy appearance obscuring how she really looks), and her own insecurity in her appearance due to her constantly praised sister. Also Arya is described as unique among the Stark children (along with Jon Snow) for having inherited the Stark looks, having a plain face and dark hair as opposed to her auburn-haired siblings who look more like Tullys.
** It's worth noting that it's somewhat implied that Arya is not actually as plain as she is made out to be in the books, and this is really just a combination the aforementioned lack of "dressing up" (her scruffy appearance obscuring how she really looks), and her own insecurity in her appearance due to her constantly praised sister. Also Arya is described as unique among the Stark children (along with Jon Snow) for having inherited the Stark looks, having a plain face and dark hair as opposed to her auburn-haired siblings who look more like Tullys.
** More major examples include Eddard Stark and Ser Jorah Mormont, described as plain and "not handsome" respectively, are both played by handsome actors in the series. Here are the TV versions of [http://www.boomtron.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/eddard-stark-hbo-sean-bean-game-of-thrones1.png Eddard] and [http://unaffiliatedcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Ser-Jorah-Mormont-Iain-Glen.jpg Jorah]. Sandor Clegane's half burned face is also [http://www.theironthrone.it/it/images/stories/attori/sandor_clegane.jpg less severe in the series], now only covering the side of his head and upper left face, but this was for practical reasons, as the actor was unable to see out of more extensive prosthetics, which was impractical for swordfights featuring the character. Jorah in the books is described as being large and powerfully-built, despite being in his forties and balding, as well as being quite hairy - eloquently demonstrated [[media:Jorah_8603.jpg|here]].
** More major examples include Eddard Stark and Ser Jorah Mormont, described as plain and "not handsome" respectively, are both played by handsome actors in the series. Here are the TV versions of [http://www.boomtron.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/eddard-stark-hbo-sean-bean-game-of-thrones1.png Eddard] and [http://unaffiliatedcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Ser-Jorah-Mormont-Iain-Glen.jpg Jorah]. Sandor Clegane's half burned face is also [http://www.theironthrone.it/it/images/stories/attori/sandor_clegane.jpg less severe in the series], now only covering the side of his head and upper left face, but this was for practical reasons, as the actor was unable to see out of more extensive prosthetics, which was impractical for swordfights featuring the character. Jorah in the books is described as being large and powerfully-built, despite being in his forties and balding, as well as being quite hairy - eloquently demonstrated [[media:Jorah 8603.jpg|here]].
** In the books, Yoren of the Night's Watch is described as having an extremely disreputable appearance with soiled clothing, a twisted shoulder verging on a hunchback, greasy hair and lice, besides a total lack of social graces. In the series, he's a lot more [http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/File:Yoren.png put together]. It makes some sense given that he's a recruiter sent to the royal court, however.
** In the books, Yoren of the Night's Watch is described as having an extremely disreputable appearance with soiled clothing, a twisted shoulder verging on a hunchback, greasy hair and lice, besides a total lack of social graces. In the series, he's a lot more [http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/File:Yoren.png put together]. It makes some sense given that he's a recruiter sent to the royal court, however.
** Even Magister Illyrio is not all that bad-looking in the TV series, simply looking like a kind, portly older man. In the books, Illyrio is morbidly obese with oiled blond hair and a forked beard and Daernerys notes that his stomach jiggles as he walks.
** Even Magister Illyrio is not all that bad-looking in the TV series, simply looking like a kind, portly older man. In the books, Illyrio is morbidly obese with oiled blond hair and a forked beard and Daernerys notes that his stomach jiggles as he walks.
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