History Main / AdaptationPersonalityChange

See also AdaptationExplanationExtrication. AdaptationalBadass, AdaptationalComicRelief, AdaptationalHeroism and AdaptationalVillainy are subtropes. Also compare AlternateCharacterInterpretation.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones''
** In the original books, Renly is a frivolous, charismatic and entitled, with a love for the fashion and romance of knightly pursuits. He seeks the throne simply because he has the support to do so. In the show, Renly is the complete opposite: a serious and intelligent man who hates bloodshed and must be convinced to seek the throne because he'll make a better ruler.

* In the ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' books, Mirri Maz Duur is implied to have honestly treated Khal Drogo's wound in a way that would make him well, and his condition only worsens when Drogo refuses to continue the treatment. In the ''Series/GameOfThrones'' TV series, it's strongly implied that she intentionally botched treating his wound so that he would die.

* Many characters of ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' have ended up altered in ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' due to Flanderization coming into play during the show's long run. Thomas in particular is a more rude and pretentious character in most of the novels (only warming in the very later books). While early seasons kept to this depiction, he quickly became more altruistic and kind as the show branched away from the novels, as well as becoming something of a CloudCuckooLander come the CGI transition. Wiser supporting characters such as Edward and Toby also became more flawed and childlike to enable more spotlight episodes, while Henry, Gordon and James underwent a more thorough Divergent Character Evolution.

* Many characters of ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' have ended up altered in ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' due to Flanderization coming into play during the show's long run. Thomas in particular is a more rude and pretentious character in most of the novels (only warming in the very later books). While early seasons kept to this depiction, he quickly became more altruistic and kind as the show branched away from the novels, as well as becoming something of a CloudCuckooLander come the CGI transition. Wiser supporting characters such as Edward and Toby also became more flawed and childlike to enable more spotlight episodes.

* ''Manga/SailorMoon'': Rei Hino/Sailor Mars goes from TheStoic in the manga to HotBlooded in the anime.

* AnimeAndManga/SailorMoon: Rei Hino/Sailor Mars goes from TheStoic in the manga to HotBlooded in the anime.

* AnimeAndManga/SailorMoon: Rei Hino/SailorMars goes from TheStoic in the manga to HotBlooded in the anime.

'''Note:''' that this is not a trope [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks to complain about minor changes in an adaptation.]]

* In ''PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'', Grover was written as more timid and shy. In the movie, he was more of a CassanovaWannabe

Often when adapting from a book or other medium, a character will be included in the adaptation but their personality will be different from the original medium. Maybe they are a CompositeCharacter and take on the role and personality of the one they get combined with. Maybe they only have a minor role initially but it gets expanded upon in the adaptation. Or maybe in the original their role was much bigger and got cut down in the adaptation, leaving them a little one dimensional. See also AdaptationExplanationExtrication. AdaptationalHeroism and AdaptationalVillainy are subtropes. Also compare AlternateCharacterInterpretation.

* A lot of ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' adaptations do this. Perhaps most notably ''WesternAnimation/SonicSatam'' turns Dr "Eggman" Robotnik from a [[LaughablyEvil clownish]] AntiVillain to a ([[TheComicallySerious mostly]]) [[KnightOfCerebus deathly serious]] CompleteMonster overlord. Sonic's personality in different medias can range anywhere from an [[AllLovingHero incorruptibly kind]] and laid back [[TheAce Ace]] to a {{Jerkass}} KnightInSourArmor. Pretty much the whole cast that has been in more than one interpretation of the franchise has underwent this process to some extent.

** Elesa goes from {{The Stoic}} in the games to a {{Genki Girl}} in the anime
** Cilan goes from {{Shrinking Violet}} in the games to a {{Large Ham}} in the anime
* King Dedede of the ''{{Kirby}}'' games series is usually an AntiVillain, committing petty acts of villainy at worst and often teaming up with Kirby. In the ''KirbyOfTheStars'' anime, Dedede is a more actively antagonistic and callous tyrant (if still ineffectual) and his redeeming moments are more few and in between. Meanwhile Meta Knight, more a HeroAntagonist in the games, is Kirby's ally and mentor from the beginning of the anime.

* ''JurassicPark'': In the original book, Gennaro the lawyer ends up turning into TheLancer for Alan Grant, and he even punches out a Velociraptor! The film turns Gennaro into a DirtyCoward that gets eaten by a T-Rex whilst sitting on a toilet. John Hammond in the original book is TheScrooge and a tyrant who shortchanges people (giving fat programmer Dennis a reason to betray him), has a NeverMyFault mentality, and then suffers KarmicDeath. The film turns Hammond into a kindly old man who truly thinks that what he's doing is a good idea (which it isn't), and one result of the change is that Dennis comes off as more of a {{Jerkass}} for betraying him!

* In the [[Film/TheAdventuresOfTintin movie]] adaptation of the ''{{Tintin}}'' comic ''The Secret of the Unicorn'', this happens to Barnaby and Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine. Sakharine in the comics is annoying but harmless, and [[PetTheDog is implied to be nice enough to offer one of his ships to Captain Haddock's maritime gallery]]. In the movie, he is a vengeful and vindictive BigBad. Barnaby in the comics was a spy for the villains who turned informer, and they shot him to keep him from revealing their activities. The film adapts him into a well-meaning Interpol agent [[GoodAllAlong who tries to warn and help Tintin]], although Tintin doesn't realize this until after Barnaby is shot by Sakharine's henchmen.
* Franchise/AlvinAndTheChipmunks, as well as The Chipettes experience this with almost every new incarnation. While the characters have experienced some natural CharacterDevelopment over the years (especially true of [[WesternAnimation/AlvinAndTheChipmunks the 1980s cartoon series]]), they have also experienced complete changes in their personalities when it comes to the more recent live action/CGI movies. For example, Simon goes from being DeadpanSnarker with biting sarcasm to having a less cerebral sense of humor with a underlying perverted streak; Theodore's innocence and naivete not only becomes a thing of flanderization, but he also becomes more absent-minded (much like Jeanette usually is); and Brittany is hardly the AlphaBitch diva that she's been known for in previous incarnations.

* In the original ''TheWorstWitch'' books Miss Bat appears only in the second book and appears to be your average strict teacher. The TV series has her as a CloudCuckooLander and much more empathic to the students. Miss Drill is also written as a tough DrillSergeantNasty type of PE teacher in the books but is much more friendly in the TV series, as well as being rewritten to be mortal. She is implied to be a witch in the books.
* In the ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' books, Mirri Maz Duur is implied to have honestly treated Khal Drogo's wound in a way that would make him well, and his condition only worsens when Drogo refuses to continue the treatment. In the ''GameOfThrones'' TV series, it's strongly implied that she intentionally botched treating his wound so that he would die.

* ''AwkwardZombie'' portrays Marth from ''FireEmblem'' [[http://www.awkwardzombie.com/index.php?page=0&comic=030909 rather differently]] than the games do. The author was rather surprised when confronted with a game highlighting the difference, noting that "Sometimes I forget that I kinda sorta totally made up his characterization for the purposes of this comic."

* ''SuperMarioBrosZ'' turned Shadow from a low-key, brooding, level-headed character into a hot-tempered, angry character to better mirror [[Anime/DragonBallZ Vegeta]].

* A lot of ''SonicTheHedgehog'' adaptations do this. Perhaps most notably ''SonicSatam'' turns Dr "Eggman" Robotnik from a [[LaughablyEvil clownish]] AntiVillain to a ([[TheComicallySerious mostly]]) [[KnightOfCerebus deathly serious]] CompleteMonster overlord. Sonic's personality in different medias can range anywhere from an incorruptably kind and laid back [[TheAce Ace]] to a JerkAss KnightInSourArmor. Pretty much the whole cast that has been in more than one enterpretation of the franchise has underwent this process to some extent.
* MickeyMouse may be an odd variation in that it was his adaptation interpretations that ''avoided'' such a change. While the Mickey of ClassicDisneyShorts was slowly tamed into TheEveryman, the comics continued to refer to his earlier more adventurous and abrasive persona for a long period of time. ''EpicMickey'' even plays with this, allowing you to choose between evolving Mickey into either his former or latter persona.
* In ''{{Bionicle}}'' 's first DirectToVideo film, the protagonist Takua was written as a irresponsible, goofy and rather dim to contrast with Jaller's StraightMan, whereas in previous and arguably every other incarnation he is an adventerous GuileHero.

* ''TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': The characters are reinterpreted in every retelling especially Michelangelo and Raphael. They typically fit the same archetype, but express it in different ways
** All were extremely {{flanderized}} in the 1987 series except for Leonardo who was only mildly {{flanderized}}. Donatello went from being intellectual to being a GadgeteerGenius, Michelangelo went from being mostly laidback to being a surfer dude obsessed with pizza, but most egregiously, Raphael went from being dark and violent to being snarky and constantly breaking the fourth wall.

* Many characters of ''TheRailwaySeries'' have ended up altered in ''ThomasTheTankEngine'' due to Flanderization coming into play during the show's long run. Thomas in particular is a more rude and pretentious character in most of the novels (only warming in the very later books). While early seasons kept to this depiction, he quickly became more altruistic and kind as the show branched away from the novels, as well as becoming something of a CloudCuckooLander come the CGI transition. Wiser supporting characters such as Edward and Toby also became more flawed and childlike to enable more spotlight episodes.

Often when adapting from a book or other medium, a character will be included in the adaptation but their personality will be different from the original medium. Maybe they are a CompositeCharacter and take on the role and personality of the one they get combined with. Maybe they only have a minor role initially but it gets expanded upon in the adaptation. Or maybe in the original their role was much bigger and got cut down in the adaptation, leaving them a little one dimensional. See also AdaptationExplanationExtrication. AdaptationalVillainy is a sub trope. Also compare AlternateCharacterInterpretation.

* ''{{Pokemon}}'':

* Cho Chang in the ''HarryPotter'' books was written to be excessively jealous and clingy when she and Harry are dating but none of this is shown in the movies.
* ''Film/GetSmart'' turned 99 into a DefrostingIceQueen and Larrabee into a JerkJock, but the most noticeable change is that Max has now has a brain between his ears.
* Count Olaf in ''ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'' was written as very sinister in the original books but in the film he is more over the top and hammy leaning closer to comic relief.

* Peter Jackson's ''TheLordOfTheRings'' films did this with a few characters. Arwen's role is expanded and she becomes an ActionGirl, Faramir becomes tempted by the ring and his ParentalFavouritism issues are more played up. Elrond is also made to be bitter and cynical, thinking humans are useless. Merry was also more serious in the book but in the films is more carefree and comical. Denethor also gets a bit of AdaptationalVillainy when he was simply GoodIsNotNice in the book.
* The movie of ''ForrestGump'' does this with Jenny (making her a vapid party girl), Forrest's mom (Who loved her son, but was much less in charge), and to an extent, Forrest himself, who in the books is an idiot savant, and much less InspirationallyDisadvantaged.

* Scarface's mate in ''TheAnimalsOfFarthingWood'' is mostly just a background character and isn't necessarily evil but the cartoon expands her role into a proper FemmeFatale. Also Friendly takes on Bold's role as the sneak between Charmer and Ranger, making his name in the cartoon rather ironic.

* MickeyMouse may be an odd variation in that it was his adaption enterpretations that ''avoided'' such a change. While the Mickey of ClassicDisneyShorts was slowly tamed into TheEveryman, the comics continued to refer to his earlier more adventurous and abrasive persona for a long period of time. ''EpicMickey'' even plays with this, allowing you to choose between evolving Mickey into either his former or latter persona.

* {{Pokemon}}:

[[folder: Live Action Film]]
* In Brian [=DePalma's=] version of ''Carrie'', Norma Watson is made into [[AlphaBitch Chris's]] gal pal and openly bullies Carrie as well as being in on the prank at the prom. This is due to [=DePalma=] being impressed with PJ Soles's performance and rewriting Norma to expand her role.

* In the ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' books, Mirri Maz Duur is implied to have honestly treated Khal Drogo's wound in a way that would make him well, and his condition only worsens when Drogo refuses to continue the treatment. In the ''GameOfThrones'' tv series, it's strongly implied that she intentionally botched treating his wound so that he would die.

[[folder: Web Comics]]
* ''AwkwardZombie'' portrays Marth from ''FireEmblem'' [[http://www.awkwardzombie.com/index.php?page=0&comic=030909 rather differently]] than the games do. The author was rather surprised when confronted with a game highlighting the difference, noting that "Sometimes I forget that I kinda sorta totally made up his characterization for the purposes of this comic."
[[/folder]]

* In {{Bionicle}}'s first DirectToVideo film, the protagonist Takua was written as a irresponsible, goofy and rather dim to contrast with Jaller's StraightMan, whereas in previous and arguably every other incarnation he is an adventerous GuileHero.

* TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles: The characters are reinterpreted in every retelling especially Michelangelo and Raphael. They typically fit the same archetype, but express it in different ways

* * Many characters of ''TheRailwaySeries'' have ended up altered in ''ThomasTheTankEngine'' due to Flanderization coming into play during the show's long run. Thomas in particular is a more rude and pretentious character in most of the novels (only warming in the very later books). While early seasons kept to this depiction, he quickly became more altruistic and kind as the show branched away from the novels, as well as becoming something of a CloudCuckooLander come the CGI transition. Wiser supporting characters such as Edward and Toby also became more flawed and childlike to enable more spotlight episodes.

'''Note:''' that this is not a trope to complain about minor changes in an adaptation.

!Examples:

[[/folder]]

[[Folder: Live Action TV]]

[[Folder: Web Original]]

[[Folder: Web Comics]]

[[Folder: Western Animation]]

Often when adapting from a book or other medium, a character will be included in the adaptation but their personality will be different from the original medium. Maybe they are a CompositeCharacter and take on the role and personality of the one they get combined with. Maybe they only have a minor role initially but it gets expanded upon in the adaptation. Or maybe in the original their role was much bigger and got cut down in the adaptation, leaving them a little one dimensional. See also AdaptationExplanationExtrication. AdaptationalVillainy is a sub trope. Also compare AlternateCharacterInterpretation. Note that this is not a trope to complain about minor changes in an adaptation.

[[folder control]]