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After following this thread for a year or so, and havig been a fan of Mr. Moorcocks since the seventies, I feel that it is finally time that I post my first message on this board.
First, I find it somewhat ironic that the fans of this series write in to discuss their vision of how they feel Elric should look, or what architectual styles should be simulated. I understand that everyone has his or her own image of Arioch, but the man who created the lands, characters, and story line, is the executive producer and will, I am certain, retain the authenticity of his creations throughout the process.
Second, I hope everyone who reads this website understands that significant script revisions will probably take place. (I know not many people here are fans of the LOTR, but in context, huge amounts of the original story were either eradicated or changed in order to make a better movie.) This will invariably happen with this story, if for no other reason than to dumb it down to its targeted audience. Remember, this is about making a movie-not filming a book. The essence of the characters and the story are what is important, and ultimately iswhat the movie should be written about. Thematic issues of despair, betrayal, love, alienation, and acceptance-these are what movie goers will identify with, not with the four who are one, or twin buildings that are sentient beings. Do not over estimate the intelligence of those for whom these movies are intended. They are not intended for the fans, but for the mass movie going market. (I mean that with no disrespect to Mr. Moorcock.) Universal is not going to invest $80 million just so his million or so fans can see a movie. Do the math 3 million fans x $8.50 a ticket=big net loss.
Third (and last for now), I cut my teeth reading sword and sorcery / fantasy novels. I eagerly awaited a Conan movie only to be completly dissapointed. I have seen numerous HP lovecraft stories decimated on film. I have witnessed countless bad actors with mediocre scripts ruin a genre which has been cast into the realm of "B" movies or direct to video. Then, a little known director from New Zealand decided to make, (or remake) one of the most difficult trilogies of fantasy ever written- and went on to win 18 oscars while doing so. I never thought that I would see an Elric movie of any quality ever made. After seeing what Peter Jackson was capable of doing with the LOTR, I have no doubt that he Elric Saga can be every bit as good,(or at least darker)-if not better. However, there may be a limited window of time before this genre becomes oversaturated. There is already a good looking Beowulf film set to hit the theatres this year and with "A Princess of Mars" currently in pre productin, which is another classic piece of S&S that I never thought would be filmed, the competion between epic fantasy movies may begin to cannibalize its new audience.
First, I find it somewhat ironic that the fans of this series write in to discuss their vision of how they feel Elric should look, or what architectual styles should be simulated. I understand that everyone has his or her own image of Arioch, but the man who created the lands, characters, and story line, is the executive producer and will, I am certain, retain the authenticity of his creations throughout the process.
Second, I hope everyone who reads this website understands that significant script revisions will probably take place. (I know not many people here are fans of the LOTR, but in context, huge amounts of the original story were either eradicated or changed in order to make a better movie.) This will invariably happen with this story, if for no other reason than to dumb it down to its targeted audience. Remember, this is about making a movie-not filming a book. The essence of the characters and the story are what is important, and ultimately iswhat the movie should be written about. Thematic issues of despair, betrayal, love, alienation, and acceptance-these are what movie goers will identify with, not with the four who are one, or twin buildings that are sentient beings. Do not over estimate the intelligence of those for whom these movies are intended. They are not intended for the fans, but for the mass movie going market. (I mean that with no disrespect to Mr. Moorcock.) Universal is not going to invest $80 million just so his million or so fans can see a movie. Do the math 3 million fans x $8.50 a ticket=big net loss.
Third (and last for now), I cut my teeth reading sword and sorcery / fantasy novels. I eagerly awaited a Conan movie only to be completly dissapointed. I have seen numerous HP lovecraft stories decimated on film. I have witnessed countless bad actors with mediocre scripts ruin a genre which has been cast into the realm of "B" movies or direct to video. Then, a little known director from New Zealand decided to make, (or remake) one of the most difficult trilogies of fantasy ever written- and went on to win 18 oscars while doing so. I never thought that I would see an Elric movie of any quality ever made. After seeing what Peter Jackson was capable of doing with the LOTR, I have no doubt that he Elric Saga can be every bit as good,(or at least darker)-if not better. However, there may be a limited window of time before this genre becomes oversaturated. There is already a good looking Beowulf film set to hit the theatres this year and with "A Princess of Mars" currently in pre productin, which is another classic piece of S&S that I never thought would be filmed, the competion between epic fantasy movies may begin to cannibalize its new audience.
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