Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheMysteriousWanderer 12-27-06, 09:10 AM	Now, that Eragon made his appearance in theatres, and did not impress me the way I think it could have, I wanted to start another discussion about a possible D&D movie in the near future. I dont know if there are any rumors yet... The first d&d film had it all: poor to mediocre acting based on a rediculous script, substandard special effects (even for the time), childtoy-like costumes and armors, horrible locations with an incongrous blend of LARPER ruins and backround paintings etc. I could go on forever like that. But most importantly, the movie had nothing to do with d&d AT ALL. How can the director claim to having been a dedicated d&d dungeon master for years? What was he thinking when pitting fire immune dragons against each other? What about those silly mages trying to blast said dragons with fire balls (bolts?). What about the goofey old man with pointed ears claiming to be an immortal elf? What about the beholder which can be distracted by throwing a stone? Again, I could go on forever and there have been enough discussions about this already…that was one horrible movie even for hardcore d&d freaks! The second d&d movie at least tried to live up to expectations about what a d&d movie is supposed to look like. It was much better than the first one (even if thats not very difficult to achieve…) but still lacked the budget to reach epic proportions since it was a straight to TV/DVD production. Very sadly, that is the main problem. With movie makers producing mediocre or even downright awful d&d movies and thus spreading a bad reputation for the brand, the big money lenders are not very likeley to support another D&D movie in the near future. But what makes a movie a profitable blockbuster? When we look at P.Jackson’s LOTR the ingredients seem to be obvious. A good story (preferably based on a best-selling novel), a passionate and experienced director, and enough money to realize whatever is necessary to create a believable fantasy world. That is exactly why the LOTR is the best fantasy movie of all time and why it would be very difficult to dethrone it. It just has all the ingredients plus the heartblood of a director who dreamed about bringing Tolkien’s visions of middleearth to the big screen ever since he was a child. Chronicles of Narnia and Eragon did not have all the ingredients, which is why they were not as successful as LOTR. Narnia was based on a mediocre book (that is just my opinion, others may think different…) and Eragon (of which I do not know the book) was too short and non-epic in feel, maybe due to too little dedication on the side of the director… It has been argued that the typical D&D stories are just not epic enough to be as successful as LOTR. It may be amusing for roleplayers to watch the endeavors and conversations of a typical D&D party consisting of typical characters from the D&D world (like in the D&D film) but it simply lacks the mass appeal… But does it really have to be like this? Does no other Peter Jackson exist out there who, at the same time, happens to be a D&D fan? IMO all the ingredients for a good fantasy movie are given. If there was a very experienced and dedicated director with enough money at his deposal, a blockbuster D&D movie could be made. There are enough D&D related stories in the book shelves who just scream to be adapted for the big screen. The Elminster series would be nice….maybe „the making of a mage“ or what about Salvatore? A drizzt movie would be awesome. There are certainly many D&D related stories which could be made into great epic tales for a cinema audience. What do you people think about this? Do you think another D&D movie should be made? What would make this a great movie for you?
MagicDude69 12-27-06, 09:48 AM	Another D&D movie would be quite cool... i really liked the first one. :P
Escef 12-27-06, 09:48 AM	There is an animated DragonLance movie in the works as we speak.
Drucilla_Rocks_my_Socks 12-27-06, 10:17 AM	OK. First thing is first. I don't want another generic fantasy setting. I'm not nitpicky about spell effects and such, but if they are going to do a "D&D movie" it should use on of he more unique D&D settings. I'd say the underdark or planescape. The other settings tend to be mainely so that you can use D&D to simulate other settings. Stormwrack is for replicating pirates of the Carrebian, an urban high magic setting is so you can do "The Usual Suspects" D&D style, the Far Realms are so you can have Cthuthulu style fun, ect... However, setting isn't the most important thing. The critical aspect of a "D&D" movie is to have the adventuring party that works togeather be the focus, rather than a single hero. The storyline should be epic, but focused on adventuring, not on big battles. Also, it should not be item focused. LotR basically made using single powerful artifacts a cliche, and thats not good. A power-hungry villan would also be cliche, but not as bad, and could be workable. All in all they just need a good writer who can come up with a good plot. The plot shouldn't rest too much on the fantasy elements, as that could lead to it being weak (note that LotR used the fantastic elements as metaphores for classic good/evil stuff, making not fall prey to this). Just get a good, solid plot that uns on universal themes, and we're good. Next is writing. It needs good dialouge. We're talking about a group of specialists wandering around kicking ass and solving puzzles, you got to spice it up with witty dialouge. Also this keeps it from seeming like it's taking itself too seriousely, and thus making it unrelatable, while still actually taking yourself seriousely, which is what is needed for a good story. Also they need to be able to write drama, as you will have some in-party spats and other such things. You have to maintain the human element, and not have the thing sound like a video game (like Minority Report, with everyone talking in riddles and telling him to go here and there...that's what NOT to do) Now, for a director/writer/producer? Well my answer is going to be obvious considering my screen name, but I'll say it anyways: Joss Whedon. He already makes "nerd" movies based in sci-fi/fantasy settings that focus heavily on a group of "heroes", and has the credibility to get a decent budget, good publicity, and attract decent actors. He also is good at being thrifty with what he has from all his years doing TV as aposed to big budget movies (I mean look at Serenity and listen to the audio commentary...he was milking the resourceshe had to the maximum and came out with a very sharp looking movie). Lastly, he's a great writer who can maintain a serious story while still having fun and witty dialouge, as well as good camerawork, great ideas, and just generally putting out a good piece of film.
onesickgnome 12-27-06, 01:19 PM	A live action movie based off the Old School D&D Cartoon would rock.....IMHO......
Hochiu 12-27-06, 04:42 PM	The first d&d film had it all: poor to mediocre acting based on a rediculous script, substandard special effects (even for the time), childtoy-like costumes and armors, horrible locations with an incongrous blend of LARPER ruins and backround paintings etc. I could go on forever like that. But most importantly, the movie had nothing to do with d&d AT ALL. How can the director claim to having been a dedicated d&d dungeon master for years? What was he thinking when pitting fire immune dragons against each other? What about those silly mages trying to blast said dragons with fire balls (bolts?). What about the goofey old man with pointed ears claiming to be an immortal elf? What about the beholder which can be distracted by throwing a stone? Again, I could go on forever and there have been enough discussions about this already…that was one horrible movie even for hardcore d&d freaks! What do you mean? The first D&D movie was the Godfather of all epic fantasy films. I have no idea why you would think that.
High Octane 12-27-06, 05:04 PM	It wont happen. There just isnt a market. More importantly, it wont attract a general audience. D&D has WAY too much of a nerdy stigma for that. The other issue, D&D has too wide an audience so the remaining fans WOULD be split. No matter what kind of movie you made, at least half of the audience would reject it just because it isnt their style. Should it be G rated? PG? PG-13? R? D&D runs that gamut.
Ranger REG 12-27-06, 05:42 PM	It wont happen. There just isnt a market. More importantly, it wont attract a general audience. D&D has WAY too much of a nerdy stigma for that. The other issue, D&D has too wide an audience so the remaining fans WOULD be split. No matter what kind of movie you made, at least half of the audience would reject it just because it isnt their style. Should it be G rated? PG? PG-13? R? D&D runs that gamut. Well, I don't expect a D&D movie to be as epic as LOTR. But the first D&D film was so BORING!!! I wasn't impressed by Jeremy Iron's overacting and Thora Birch's "I'm taking a break from the much-praised American Beauty film" on-set performance. And Snails ... let's not go there. I want it to be at least entertaining as Pirates of the Caribbeans: The Curse of the Black Pearl. A D&D film does not need be an R-rated film. It just have to be a film I can escape to and be entertained and impressed with the story that is complemented -- not covered over -- with visual presentation. I honestly don't see a floating beholder complementing the first D&D film. I want a film that makes me want to be one of the "player characters" on the film. The first D&D film makes me want to be a Dungeon magazine editor that has to fix a film "designer's" work, before I can confidently publish it and endorse it.
High Octane 12-27-06, 06:02 PM	One thing I would like to see in a D&D movie is some non-archetypal characters. Maybe even some multiclassers.
Drucilla_Rocks_my_Socks 12-27-06, 06:06 PM	PG-13 seams like the right rating to aim for. Plenty of nice squishy violence, the ability to have various non-obvious references in the dialouge as long as it isn't over the top (which it shouldn't be), and people can swear like sailors if it's in a fantasy dialect. Also, as for apeal, it shouldn't be called "Dungeons and Dragons...." It should be called "Shmoe Blaw Blaw...based off the beloved xyz campiegn setting for Dungeons and Dragons"...I personlly think planescape or Errebron would work best as settings (Planescape the better of the two). It's a memorable name, a memorable place, and different from everything out there. Standard fantasy is too LotR/Eregon/Harry Potter/Troy Errebron is too Steampunk The Underdark becomes too much like The Cave/The Decent/Whatever Planescape is perfect...sort of...
Hochiu 12-27-06, 06:29 PM	Planescape is perfect...sort of... Opinion. I would disagree. Standard Fantasy would be nothing like LoTR or Troy, because of the prevalence of magic. LOTR is a low magic setting, and you only saw ONE fireball in the entire trilogy. Four movies hardly define an entire genre. I would also argue that a single movie is too limiting and that it should be done like a mini-series or a grouping of movies.
Kojiro James 12-27-06, 08:42 PM	Another D&D movie would be quite cool... i really liked the first one. :P What did I warn you about illithids?
Lecen_of_Mitran 12-27-06, 09:41 PM	A live action movie based off the Old School D&D Cartoon would rock.....IMHO...... Amen!
Drucilla_Rocks_my_Socks 12-27-06, 10:40 PM	Opinion. I would disagree. Standard Fantasy would be nothing like LoTR or Troy, because of the prevalence of magic. LOTR is a low magic setting, and you only saw ONE fireball in the entire trilogy. Four movies hardly define an entire genre. I would also argue that a single movie is too limiting and that it should be done like a mini-series or a grouping of movies. I'm talking theme and how the movie would actually look and feel. Too much magic being thrown around it looses it's impact and becomes some DBZ crapfest. Also you begin to rely too heavily ons pecial effects. The X-men series and LotR did a good job with "magical" effects. X-men mainely worked well because the powers were meshed very well with the camerawork. You didn't have any of this crap where they zoom in on some mediocre CGI effect and follow it, they had the actors (or more likely stuntmen) doing badass stuff and the special effects layered on to make it even cooler. LotR did a good job because it looked real. The minimalist aproach to magic worked with the general asthetic of the movie, and made magic feel like somthing special. Now the main thing is that many D&D spells are general movie-plot killers. They tend to take the "epicness" out of things (teleporting to the top of the mountain, casting commune to solve the riddle, getting patched up after every single combat encounter with cure spells, ect...). I'm not sure how much of a D&D movie you want, but if you want a movie that would be good and apeal to people beyond serious D&D players (even just to nerds in genral) the magic will not be authentic to a game of D&D. Now you got to do magic right. The first danger of high magic is alienating your audience. If you have small villages lit by glowy magic things and tenser's floating disks replacing mule carts, then you have just thrown away what the audience relates to, which is the classic medivel setting. The second is dull and craptastic fight scenes relying on half-assed CGI effects. Big stuff that has a spell effect dominate the screen stops the current momentum of the action and switches it over to somthing else, which realy shouldn't be over done. The rest of the magic has to be worked into the rythem of the fight scene. The classic image of robed dudes waving thier arms around and mumbling and then sending bolts at each other dosn't realy work. Instead working the use of magic as more like kung-fu would work much better. Focus on the kenetic impact of the spell and keep the spell's effect on the color pallette of the scene minimal but distinct (a small abount of a color very different from the main tones of the scene). Buff spells and heaing spells realy shouldn't be used that mcuh aside from where dramatically apropriot, and even then thier "spell" status should not be obvious. I think I'm rambling on and am being a little too specific, but then again I am still recovering from the holidays and have spent over an hour trying to get my contacts to work and am ahaving my brain smashed in by some random song on my I-tunes that I can't even identify. I'll just hit th submit reply button...
FallenWyvern 12-27-06, 10:57 PM	Is it just me, or wouldnt a "Demon Stone" movie do well? I mean it was epic, had lower magic. It was from a sorcerer who was kinda kung-fu oriented... a drow (Zhai) and a very cool main warrior. A normal edition of the main story, and an extended "directors cut" with all the backstories would be nice. I mean get R.A. Salvatore to fill out the story with a little more actual MEAT. Dont make the movie the same proportion of Action : Story, but I think it'd be great. Drizzt, Pwent... some famous characters. Patrick Stewart as Khelben... I gotta say, makes sense to me.
Nived 12-27-06, 11:42 PM	They are making another D&D movie. Dragonlance: Dragons of the Autumn Twilight. The official site for the Dragonlance movie. (http://www.dragonlance-movie.com/) The IMDB entry for it. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825245/) Heck for good measure Podcasts with Tracy Hickman (creator of Dragonlance) talking to voice actors from the film. (http://feeds.feedburner.com/Dragonhearth)
Templetroll 12-28-06, 12:25 AM	Andre Norton's Quag Keep and the Return to Quag Keep she wrote with Jean Rabe would do well as miniseries. They have the advantage of being really good stories along with the connection to the gamers being drawn into the weird world of the game. That allows for explanation, by having flashbacks to the game, especially in the early part of Quag Keep, that show how they got to that world. Now, that is tied to the arrival of new, painted (!) miniatures, which could be updated to the current timeframe. The stories have good character classes and personalities and vivid, although violent fights. The use of magic is well done. The violence might be a concern, especially with the wereboar. They are good reads, also, btw. ;) I'm looking forward to the Dragonlance movie; I like the cast and the story is decent. Ifind it humorous that the movie attributes the healing power to the staff, not to the cleric. A barbarian woman with a miraculous healing staff :) For some reason Hollywood is not able to portray someone casting a healing spell. Watch for it not happening in anything D&D related.
Galeigh 12-28-06, 12:29 AM	I think a new D&D movie would be a great idea, but it needs a bigger budget, and maybe a few new writers that can better portray the essence of the game while still maintaining a good storyline.
Tyler Do'Urden 12-28-06, 12:55 AM	Now, that Eragon made his appearance in theatres, and did not impress me the way I think it could have...Well what do you expect from a crossover fanfic written by a fifteen-year-old? I'd like to see some big-budget movies set in Eberron. The setting is so vast and rich that you could put just about any story you wanted in it.
Templetroll 12-28-06, 02:16 AM	The classic image of robed dudes waving thier arms around and mumbling and then sending bolts at each other dosn't realy work. Instead working the use of magic as more like kung-fu would work much better. Focus on the kenetic impact of the spell and keep the spell's effect on the color pallette of the scene minimal but distinct (a small abount of a color very different from the main tones of the scene). Buff spells and heaing spells realy shouldn't be used that mcuh aside from where dramatically apropriot, and even then thier "spell" status should not be obvious... In Conan the Destroyer, a fine example of a D&D style movie, the wizard gets into a duel with the enemy wizard to open or close the idol mouth so the party can escape. It is an effective scene because it is the acting that shows the effort of the power being used and the slow raising and lowering of the opening to convey the magic. Just look at the second D&D movie - no healing at the temple! They bandaged the guy up! I think a new animated D&D feature would be cool if it showed relatively subtle effects of buff spells.
Endarire 12-28-06, 03:08 AM	Don't judge Eragon solely by its movie debut. The director was a total newbie and butchered the book, so saith my Eragon book expert friend. -EE
xlivid 12-28-06, 03:10 AM	Does no other Peter Jackson exist out there who, at the same time, happens to be a D&D fan? Uwe Bol? :p (Please don't ban me)
High Octane 12-28-06, 01:30 PM	Uwe Bol? :p (Please don't ban me) .................... DIE!
Mindolin 12-28-06, 01:50 PM	Ifind it humorous that the movie attributes the healing power to the staff, not to the cleric. :) For some reason Hollywood is not able to portray someone casting a healing spell. Watch for it not happening in anything D&D related. Sorry, but at the time of Dragons of Autumn, the gods had been gone for about 356 years, so there were no casting clerics. The staff WAS the source of the healing, at least until after they found the Discs of Mishakel. It's not anything with Hollywood, they are being accurate.
Mirtek 12-28-06, 02:44 PM	Beside the animated DL movie that has already been mentioned, there is annother D&D related movie to be released in 2007. Midnight Chronicles (http://www.midnight-film.com/), which is based on the Midnight D20 Campaign Setting (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/mn11.html).
CharlieRock 12-28-06, 02:53 PM	I think they should finally get off their duffs and make Hawk the Sequel ! :cool: Anyways, now that I got that off, I thought the Road Warrior was the best D&D movie ever. The next D&D movie (after Hawk the Sequel) should be Conan vs Dr. Who. (Godzilla guest starring)
Soulkeeper 12-28-06, 03:03 PM	Don't judge Eragon solely by its movie debut. The director was a total newbie and butchered the book, so saith my Eragon book expert friend. -EE I was told the same thing, and that the author had little to no say in the movie. IMHO, the D&D movies we all poke fun of, were better than Eragon. Heck the animated Dragons Fire and Ice movies were better....
Soulkeeper 12-28-06, 03:06 PM	I'd like to see some big-budget movies set in Eberron. The setting is so vast and rich that you could put just about any story you wanted in it. Just watch Indiana Jones and squint, the Nazi look like Bugbears when you do. :rolleyes:
Tyler Do'Urden 12-28-06, 07:41 PM	Just watch Indiana Jones and squint, the Nazi look like Bugbears when you do.Tried that already. I wasn't drunk enough.
High Octane 12-28-06, 08:25 PM	Tried that already. I wasn't drunk enough. Well then what is it you think you should be doing? Geez, some people need it spelled out.
drakkonflye 12-28-06, 09:37 PM	There's nothing wrong with a high-magic setting if its done right. Like someone mentioned already, X-Men used a lot of special effects but still meshed well with the overall plot. The same could be said for a fantasy-based movie. And let's not worry about "reality"; if people don't realize they're going to see a fantasy-based movie, then why are they going??? Anyhow, on a different note, wasn't there some rumor going around about a Forgotten Realms-based television series in the style of Xena, Hercules, Beastmaster et al? Whatever happened to that? Did that get axed after the D&D movie flopped (and yes, financially speaking, it flopped)? Also, I didn't see anyone mention Willow, Beastmaster (the movies), Dragonslayer, Ladyhawke, or Legend here as yet. Although they might not fit a "standard" D&D style as LotR seems to, would anyone agree that there are some elements to these movies that would fall into this category?
CTHUHLU_THE_GROOVY 12-28-06, 09:41 PM	I would say, Josh Whedon, Eberron, series or tv spinoff BUT all tha has been said, I think that one thing is key. Community support. Tie ins, modules, updates on the site, none of the others were consumer involved, and I think that is very important to the gamer audience, we bristle with malignant and derogatory criticisms, a chance for feedback could even serve to prevent spectacular screw-ups. I dunno, just my two cents.
Wyzaard 12-28-06, 09:51 PM	I'd say the underdark or planescape. That's what I'm talking about... Sigil, the Bloodwar... Menzoberranzan? Exotic, beautiful, full of life... and death. Who needs anything more?
Phobos 12-28-06, 10:05 PM	Does anyone recall the D&D TV show from the 80's? Not the cartoon, there was a real person show, perhaps it had a handful of episodes then vanished? Sorry, that's my age showing. I'd love a new movie, even a high quality animated one..not cartoony. I saw Eragon, read the book long before I knew of the movie. Book, while a bit long and drawn out, had feeling...movie, well, I wish I could get my money back, and my lost time. However, I am judging it based on how off from the book it was, not that it itself was a bad movie, I just felt nothing for the characters, no tension, no fear and OMG, did you see those poor dwarves? Anyway....
Lunar_Shadow 12-28-06, 10:34 PM	About the Eragon movie: Iwant to kick the director's head in On a new D&D movie: It would be awesome if they did it right. The first one sucked so horribly that I don't remember much besides Snales (Who I wanted to kill more then Jar Jar) The second one was bearable, barely. A godd D7D movie would have to fuse Fantasy Action, Thriller, with a dash of comedy(Interparty banter)
Stardrake 12-28-06, 10:37 PM	Does anyone recall the D&D TV show from the 80's? Not the cartoon, there was a real person show, perhaps it had a handful of episodes then vanished? Sorry, that's my age showing. The show was called WIZARDS AND WARRIORS, and it ran in 1983 on CBS. While decidedly inspired by D&D, it was separate (for instance, the magic was monocle-based rather than memorization-based:P ). A very fun show in its way--pity it didn't catch on. For more information (especially for you yungers) click wizardsandwarriors.org (http://wizardsandwarriors.org/)for more info.
bassist33333 12-28-06, 11:04 PM	Don't judge Eragon solely by its movie debut. The director was a total newbie and butchered the book, so saith my Eragon book expert friend. -EE I disagree. The book sucked, too. I couldn't get through more than a couple hundred pages. Then again, I'm a writer, too (and a teenager), and I'm pretty critical about writing, seeing as I'd rather place myself on a high pedestal. :P Eragon was basically a gigantic ball of the cheesiest dialogue, the lamest adventures, and the most cliched pieces of fantasy you could possibly roll into a few hundred pages of crap (i.e. "You are the TRUE Dragonrider, Billy. You have to save the world now, because you can talk to dragons!" :O!) Anyways...A new movie would be pretty awesome. If I had millions of dollars to spend, a gigantic fanbase, and about ten extra hours a day, I'd do it...Unfortunately, I don't have any of those. :/ ~Bass'-ist.
Stormonu 12-28-06, 11:25 PM	I think they should finally get off their duffs and make Hawk the Sequel ! Yes, yes! As screwy as that movie was, it's probably the closest I've seen to a D&D movie. The 2nd D&D movie is probably second best. The 2nd D&D movie could have been done a little better in some spots (A black dragon breathing fire? C'mon - even in the beginning the hero was commenting about the "acidic" smell in the sleeping dragon's cave!). I think one thing that a lot of people aren't getting is that D&D is camp. Fireball-slinging wizards, delving into dungeons for the sole purpose of looting its occupants, battle scenes galore with flimsy plots lashing the adventure together....D&D steals its inspiration from every other source, book or movie that has come out. How in the world can you take a D&D game world seriously? How do you take a thing that has bastardized a hundred sources and turn it into an original movie? About the only half-chance you have is to pick a "D&D novel" and convert it into a D&D movie. But which would you pick? The Drizzit stories perhaps? BTW, I liked Eragon, though I admit I've not read the book. Perhaps thats why I like it.
Zephania 12-28-06, 11:38 PM	has no one considered making a Drizzt movie? yes, its cliche, but A. it would be awesome B. the books were bestsellers, that has to give it some backing C. If made well, it could turn more people on to d&d That's my 2 cents as for best d&d movie made, Chronicals of Riddick. End.
Tyler Do'Urden 12-29-06, 02:31 AM	Well then what is it you think you should be doing?Not driving.
FLo 12-29-06, 10:05 AM	Drizzt and Elminster movies would suck, because they suck :P A successful DnD movie would have nothing to do with DnD. I.e. it main focus would not be about multiclassing and parties and arcane vs divine magic, it just needs to be a good story. Easier sadi than done. Using one of the well established but different settings would be a good basis i think, like Dark Sun, Eberron or Uderdark flick.
Escef 12-29-06, 10:11 AM	Honestly, I think one of the more unusual settings would be bad. The movie would be more about the setting than the story, and that usually makes for a bad movie. One of the key points, of course, is to not explain too much. Look at the original Star Wars movies. No one explained how hyper drive, blasters, and lightsabers worked, they just did. Hell, how many people today actually know how a TV, computer, or car work? I have no idea at all how my car's automatic transmission works, I just know what it does and trust it to keep doing it. (And I also know that if it stops doing it that the repair bill will large.)
Lanky Ogre Baggy Pants 12-29-06, 10:41 AM	Well I am always looking for a good high-fantasy movie, but I doubt it will ever happen. For some reason fantasy in and of itself is "nerdy" and fringe in popularity, and the more fantastical it gets the more it gets either childish or out of maistream. There is just no real way for a live action movie to contain the amount of magic and such in a way that stays "true" to D&D without it appearing cheesy and any sort of animation, because of American preconcenptions, be considered childish. On the topic of Eragon, my problem with that movie is.... Well, let me go watch Star Wars again and I can better tell you ALL of my problems with it.
Xorial 12-29-06, 11:13 AM	Another D&D Movie? You honestly think any decent movie company will touch it with a ten foot pole? The first one sucked mainly because they let two unheard of directors make a movie based off of a script that they wrote, which was in turn based off of a game world they made up. They should have checked the script to see if it was even close to D&D. They were a couple of "Monty Haul" DMs (That was for you old school gamers like me). The second movie showed that by going straight to DVD/TV. Being on the SciFi channel is nothing to brag about. I like SciFi, but it is the modern home for B-movies. If there is to be another D&D movie, it needs to divorce itself completely from the other two. It needs to be based on a known D&D campaign world. The 2 best candidates, IMHO, are Eberron & Dragonlance. Eberron was mentioned as being too unusual. Maybe from a gamer's standpoint, but not for a movie. It can have the most in common with something the general audience already knows. The movie can be conspiracy, espionage, mystery, etc. It can be CSI mixed with magic. Sure it is high magic, but it uses the magic like we use technology. You can actually get away with not trying to explain everything. The audience doesn't need to know that the fiery ring around the airship is an elemental, or how it is done. All that is needed is that this magical effect powers the vessel. Dragonlance, and I am glad to hear about the animated movie, is good because they get a traditional medieval type setting. Magical healing, if kept to the original novels, doesn't enter play. The story line is epic enough for that type of movie. I like Forgotten Realms. I should say that I used to like Forgotten Realms. The setting has gotten out of hand. It is too convoluted to be good source material for anything other than a TV series. Probably done poorly & on SciFi. The original Drizzt stories are great. All you Drizzt haters only hate him because every dweeb out there had to go a create a Dizzt-like character. Greyhawk could be ok, but not enough of the D&D fanbase really goes for the setting. If you cant attract them, then you may as well give up on everybody else. Old school gamers would like it, as would everybody from RPGA in the Living Greyhawk campaign, but many of the regular gamers don't like that the game is, while supposedly setting neutral, still tied to a setting that isn't supported anymore.
High Octane 12-29-06, 11:14 AM	The show was called WIZARDS AND WARRIORS, and it ran in 1983 on CBS. While decidedly inspired by D&D, it was separate (for instance, the magic was monocle-based rather than memorization-based:P ). A very fun show in its way--pity it didn't catch on. For more information (especially for you yungers) click wizardsandwarriors.org (http://wizardsandwarriors.org/)for more info. Actually there was a D&D TV show cartoon that was actually called Dungeons and Dragons. It had very little to do with D&D really. It was comically bad at most points, but occasionally actually DID have a good plot point or 2. Dungeon Master makes me want to kill him. With fire.
Soulkeeper 12-29-06, 11:40 AM	The show was called WIZARDS AND WARRIORS, and it ran in 1983 on CBS. While decidedly inspired by D&D, it was separate (for instance, the magic was monocle-based rather than memorization-based:P ). A very fun show in its way--pity it didn't catch on. For more information (especially for you yungers) click wizardsandwarriors.org (http://wizardsandwarriors.org/)for more info. God I love the Internet, I recall that show also. I was probably 14 when that came out, and really big into D&D at the time. Wonder if the entire thing is on DVD... Everyone keeps talking about a movie called "Hawk", is that the full title or is this short for Ladyhawk, or whatever it was?
Frida 12-29-06, 12:08 PM	I think it should be computer animated. It would be easy to create cool effects and it would look less corny than with actors.
Wolfen Fenrison 12-29-06, 12:20 PM	Best Settings for a D&D movie: #1 Forgotten Realms; This is arguably the most popular setting by now, with at lest a dozen "good" video/pc games based on the it and several best selling book runs. Throwing on titles like Baldur's Gate, Icewind's Dale, Neverwinter Nights, or Demonstone will grab not just D&D players attention but gamers as well. #2 Dragonlance; This is probably the second most famous setting , and still has a large fan following of not just the game but also the books, and it has epic wars all over the place. #3 Eberron; This is D&D's rising star, as well as featured in the D&D MMORPG and RTS. Flashy stuff like airships, lightning rails, and sharn, and cool races like shifters, warforged, and changelings, and the best 2 places to set any kind of story, Sharn and Stromreach. Worst places to set a D&D movie in: Planscape; to much backstory or exposition would be required for the story to make sense to the lay person. Spelljammer; To sci-fi for people to understand the subtle blending of the two styles. Dark Sun; While I like the whole mad max + fantasy alot of people would most likely not get it. Ravenloft; could be good but unless you get a fantasic writer and director it would be D&D vs. Dracula. Birthright; No........... Just no Mystra/Hollow Earth/Red Steal; Has potential but will suffer from "what the heck is this?" syndrome. Kara-tur/Al-qedim/Mazteca; good fodder for FR sequels or direct to DVD movies but not for stand alones.
High Octane 12-29-06, 12:52 PM	I think it should be computer animated. It would be easy to create cool effects and it would look less corny than with actors. Well they did that with Scourge of Worlds. It looked decent, even though I could tell there were corners cut.
TheMysteriousWanderer 12-29-06, 01:47 PM	Also, I didn't see anyone mention Willow, Beastmaster (the movies), Dragonslayer, Ladyhawke, or Legend here as yet. Although they might not fit a "standard" D&D style as LotR seems to, would anyone agree that there are some elements to these movies that would fall into this category? This thread is not really about what movies have been done in past times (dont get me wrong, the movies you listed were all wonderful) but what could be achieved nowadays that everything can be realized with amazing computer effects... That's what I'm talking about... Sigil, the Bloodwar... Menzoberranzan? Exotic, beautiful, full of life... and death. Who needs anything more? Thats what I'm talking about too! The first two movies had boring generic settings. A place like Menzoberranzan would create a very unique atmosphere which would lend a very special feeling to the whole movie. Remember the dreamlike quality of Legend, for example? For me, at least, that made the movie special, even without great special effects etc.... The mad max films are special because of their setting like so many other films too. As somebody else in this thread already mentioned: Maybe its a good idea to step as far away as possible from "standard lotr style" to create a unique fantasy movie and not just another rip-off. Such a movie could attract even non-D&D-nerds because of its "otherness". A godd D7D movie would have to fuse Fantasy Action, Thriller, with a dash of comedy(Interparty banter) YES! Put that against an epic background with a good setting and we are done. D&D steals its inspiration from every other source, book or movie that has come out. How in the world can you take a D&D game world seriously? How do you take a thing that has bastardized a hundred sources and turn it into an original movie? About the only half-chance you have is to pick a "D&D novel" and convert it into a D&D movie. Exactly! That is what D&D is all about. Gary Gygax provided the playing grounds for every fantasy lover out there by "stealing" the best motifs and elements from almost every myth, legend or folktale that humans of today know of. Something so complex runs the risk to look very cheesy when put into just one movie. Thats why a movie would need a distinst story and setting to be memorable of its own accord. So why not take a good tale that illuminates one special part of this many-layered fantasy world like the drizzt novels or whatever and support it with enough money to make one big eye-candy movie with a good story? Honestly, I think one of the more unusual settings would be bad. The movie would be more about the setting than the story, and that usually makes for a bad movie. I have to disagree. See above. Most movies are all about their setting. Planscape; to much backstory or exposition would be required for the story to make sense to the lay person. You mean like letting a voice introduce the world in the first minutes of the movie as in Eragon and LOTR ? Honestly I dont think that would be much of a problem. A very sophisticated director could even develope the story and explain the world at the same time. Anyone who played planescape torment will agree that because of the great story, the hilarious dialogues, the epic soundtrack, the awe-inspiring places etc. this game was one of the best fantasy (roleplaying) experiences up to date. That would make for a perfect movie IMO. But, I have to admit, it would also be the most difficult thing to translate for the big screen...
High Octane 12-29-06, 02:00 PM	One thing I would like to see is a better representation of adventurers as a whole. They tend to end up being such shallow personas, and worst of all cliche. I would like to see some more interesting personas.
Wyzaard 12-29-06, 02:43 PM	(i.e. "You are the TRUE Dragonrider, Billy. You have to save the world now, because you can talk to dragons!" "Congrats! You're the prophesied ____, who must journey to find the ____ of ____ in order to defeat the evil ____!
High Octane 12-29-06, 02:46 PM	"Congrats! You're the prophesied ____, who must journey to find the ____ of ____ in order to defeat the evil ____! The formula for cliche. Just add water.
TheMysteriousWanderer 12-30-06, 05:15 AM	Quote: Originally Posted by Wyzaard View Post "Congrats! You're the prophesied ____, who must journey to find the ____ of ____ in order to defeat the evil ____! The formula for cliche. Just add water. "Congrats! You're the prophesied water, who must journey to find the water of water in order to defeat the evil water! That is THE cliche story??? ;-)
High Octane 12-30-06, 10:11 AM	"Congrats! You're the prophesied water, who must journey to find the water of water in order to defeat the evil water! That is THE cliche story??? ;-) Yes.
StakeTeriyake 12-30-06, 02:06 PM	Uwe Bol? :p (Please don't ban me) DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT THAT!!!! Knock on wood or something, good frickin' god!
Yodaman23 12-30-06, 03:26 PM	I wanna see a live action movie based off the OOTs story. Its D&d and has a story.
High Octane 12-30-06, 03:30 PM	I wanna see a live action movie based off the OOTs story. Its D&d and has a story. Well we would need an androgynous looking person to play the elf. Hmmm, I doubt Orlando Bloom would do it AGAIN. And Dennis Leary as Belkar.
Yodaman23 12-30-06, 03:43 PM	Well we would need an androgynous looking person to play the elf. Hmmm, I doubt Orlando Bloom would do it AGAIN. And Dennis Leary as Belkar. Dan Divito as Belkar Bill Nighy as Xycon Will Ferrell as Monster in the Dark Lucy Liu as Miko more ideas to come
Stardrake 12-31-06, 12:20 AM	Actually there was a D&D TV show cartoon that was actually called Dungeons and Dragons. It had very little to do with D&D really. It was comically bad at most points, but occasionally actually DID have a good plot point or 2. Dungeon Master makes me want to kill him. With fire. Of course, you're right, but Phobos (whose post I was replying to) mentioned a live-action series, which can only be WIZARDS AND WARRIORS. Both series came out in the same year (1983, when the first D&D boom was at peak), but D&D was more successful--W&W only ran 8 episodes, while D&D had 27 episodes stretched over 3 years (not uncommon for a cartoon). And Soulkeeper--I WISH it would come out on DVD!! Given some of the obscure stuff that has come out recently, there might be hope....
Stormonu 12-31-06, 06:02 AM	Everyone keeps talking about a movie called "Hawk", is that the full title or is this short for Ladyhawk, or whatever it was? Hawk the Slayer, I think 1973. You should be able to find an entry on in in IMDB. I always wanted the Mindsword. Without really trying, it has an archtypical group - the set-up is almost borrowed exactly in the 2nd D&D movie (hawk-like character is the lead [at first, I thought it was the same guy, but it's been a while since I've seen it too :D], evil brother and Damodar, elf spellcaster akin to elf archer, dwarf/halfling akin to the rogue. Only the lady wizard doesn't match the old blind hag in Hawk...). I haven't read the drow series, but I really think that Dritz (yes, I'm misspelling it purposely) or Dragonlance would be the best bets for a D&D movie. Planescape or the FR world would make great fodder for a TV series, and I almost think that a TV series would do D&D more good than another movie. Build up to the movie, as it were. The only problem with Dragonlance would be that we would end up with another canidate for the Jar-Jar syndrome with the way Hollywood would protray Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
Frida 12-31-06, 04:22 PM	Well they did that with Scourge of Worlds. It looked decent, even though I could tell there were corners cut. No I meant the whole thing, like Final Fantasy Sprits Within or something of the sort.
Drucilla_Rocks_my_Socks 12-31-06, 05:11 PM	In Conan the Destroyer, a fine example of a D&D style movie, the wizard gets into a duel with the enemy wizard to open or close the idol mouth so the party can escape. It is an effective scene because it is the acting that shows the effort of the power being used and the slow raising and lowering of the opening to convey the magic. It could work for a final showdown type thing, battle of the wills, ect... However flashy dragon ball Z stuff sucks. I liked the Saurumon vs. Gandalf duel in LotR for the same reason, but that was it's own entity. But I'm saying if you have a wizard throwing fireballs around in a big kick-boxy fight scene, you want the magic to flow with that, which is where you realy need that kenetic impact behind the magic. There's nothing wrong with a high-magic setting if its done right. Like someone mentioned already, X-Men used a lot of special effects but still meshed well with the overall plot. The same could be said for a fantasy-based movie. And let's not worry about "reality"; if people don't realize they're going to see a fantasy-based movie, then why are they going??? X-men was brilliant, but I found that it was because (for the most part), tehy made the special effects work with action, and they made setting beliveble with a plot that was very mature and relevent. But just regaurding the use of powers (AKA high fantasy magic) it was because it fit well into the fight scenes. The coolest fight scenes were when you had somone like Mystique or Nightcrawler dodging around like crazy with thier power as part of the coryography. A contortionist kung-fuing people is always cool, and adding shape changing just makes it that much cooler. Nightcrawler's scenes were also great because of the flow that was created with his constant teleporting and reapearing. Very sweet. The other stuff was just standard fare, and honestly thots of Storm or that evil soundwave gal (for got her name) were the least interesting parts of the fights because it was just a big shot that focused primarely on the special effect. Honestly, I think one of the more unusual settings would be bad. The movie would be more about the setting than the story, and that usually makes for a bad movie. One of the key points, of course, is to not explain too much. Look at the original Star Wars movies. No one explained how hyper drive, blasters, and lightsabers worked, they just did. Hell, how many people today actually know how a TV, computer, or car work? I have no idea at all how my car's automatic transmission works, I just know what it does and trust it to keep doing it. (And I also know that if it stops doing it that the repair bill will large.) Somthing like planescape would be verymuch like the 5th element. Not too much has to be explained. Just do an in character quote about the multiverse in the begginning. One or two sentances could get you enough to get things rolling. It wouldn't have to be about the setting. Look at 5th element, very exotic setting, but it still focussed on the story and such. Anyways I think audiences would buy Sigil (basically fantasy NYC but cooler) and all the wierd perception/plannar travel stuff. The morphic nature of the planes based on belife would be harder to grasp, but would mak a good plot point because of that (maby have it be about one of the plannar layers shifting planes or something...)
Ranger REG 01-02-07, 03:35 AM	Well we would need an androgynous looking person to play the elf. SKR? :smirk:
High Octane 01-02-07, 07:41 AM	No I meant the whole thing, like Final Fantasy Sprits Within or something of the sort. Only you know, NOT SUCK!
Frida 01-02-07, 07:54 AM	Only you know, NOT SUCK! I thought it was pretty good, but thats not the point. I think that animation is the best way to make fantasy movies look belivable. I dont think for example that elves should look like a human with pointy ears, and no actor, no matter how pretty they are, could ever portray one to my liking. If everything is animated there are no cheesy effects either.
Barnwellknight 01-11-07, 10:36 PM	Best Settings for a D&D movie: #1 Forgotten Realms; This is arguably the most popular setting by now, with at lest a dozen "good" video/pc games based on the it and several best selling book runs. Throwing on titles like Baldur's Gate, Icewind's Dale, Neverwinter Nights, or Demonstone will grab not just D&D players attention but gamers as well. #2 Dragonlance; This is probably the second most famous setting , and still has a large fan following of not just the game but also the books, and it has epic wars all over the place. #3 Eberron; This is D&D's rising star, as well as featured in the D&D MMORPG and RTS. Flashy stuff like airships, lightning rails, and sharn, and cool races like shifters, warforged, and changelings, and the best 2 places to set any kind of story, Sharn and Stromreach. Worst places to set a D&D movie in: Planscape; to much backstory or exposition would be required for the story to make sense to the lay person. Spelljammer; To sci-fi for people to understand the subtle blending of the two styles. Dark Sun; While I like the whole mad max + fantasy alot of people would most likely not get it. Ravenloft; could be good but unless you get a fantasic writer and director it would be D&D vs. Dracula. Birthright; No........... Just no Mystra/Hollow Earth/Red Steal; Has potential but will suffer from "what the heck is this?" syndrome. Kara-tur/Al-qedim/Mazteca; good fodder for FR sequels or direct to DVD movies but not for stand alones. Well they did that with Scourge of Worlds. It looked decent, even though I could tell there were corners cut. You forgot Greyhawk! I like Greyhawk better than I do FR. Sorry, please don't throw kitchen sinks at me for saying that! Please.... Also, they should make movies of the old modules/adventures like Against the Giants, Temple of Elemental Evil, Tomb of the Lizard King, Crypt of the Reptile God (or Goddess, can't remember), Tomb of Horrors, Keep on the Borderlands, White Plume Mountain, umm...you get the idea, right? Now, those would draw people's attentions! By the way, I liked the second D&D movie better than the first one! Why? Because, the second was truer to D&D than the first movie! The producers and director wanted to make sure they (and the actors) understood about the classes, magical items, monsters, spells, and everything else they could think of. The first movie had a Rogue/Paladin in it; yes, Ridley was a Rogue/Paladin! Please don't throw kitchen sinks at me! That was a surprise.