FR in Cinemas [Archive] - Wizards Community

FR in Cinemas [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Panurg
11-03-06, 07:18 AM Is there any project about producing a FR Film?

If not: WHY? :thinks:

There are so many great stories out there, if I read Lost Empires or Serpent Kingdoms, nearly every second side offers stuff for Trilogies (if u know what I mean) or at least one very good film.

The only thing I can imagine is the budget. That's a sad thing, and that's also THE sad thing about the Dungeons and Dragons movies (besides that the stories lack any bit of fantasy and the actors/characters represent that fact: I mean come on: the lich in Dungeons and Dragons 2 :nonono: and partly the lack of beeing willing to make a real cool movie, with good dialogs as perhaps in Star Wars; Willow was made with much more love and thought, and budget ok, but u know ...)

But why is there no interest in making a real good film about FR scenarios? You have great stories there and in my opinion most of the people who loved Lord of the Rings would love to see such a film.

I read LotR when I was 12 but friends of mine who never actually read a fantasy book (or abook) were so excited about the film that they started to read even Silmarilion.
It would be a great advertisment for the game and the gameworld, and I think it would be great satisfaction for fans of Faerun and fantasy films to see a good one from this genre.

There hardly any real good fantasy films around. (perhaps Conan, Willow, what else? LotR as cartoon, ...)
And why shouldn't be any, there are fans out there who don't whant to see Hercules with Kevin Sorbo as one of the "best" fantasy series, but a real nice film in a way like Matrix or similar concerning speed, dialogs, coolness, fun and so on, and these fans would be very grateful.
Fantasy came out of the petting zoo corner (with lovely elves and stupid orcs, with clishees and endless friendships and so on, the good stories in FR settings are not about such boring stereotypes) with LotR and it should stay out of it.

I know, that things are not that easy, but I would be very interested in some opinions on this topic.
Jiggawha
11-03-06, 08:23 AM I was wondering the same thing, fantasy movies that were/will be released these years are really lame, when I think about possibilites of a FR story (I agree on nonstereotypical part), not even Middle Earth could compete with that, only that LotR adaptation was a project without risks considering millions who read the books
Panurg
11-03-06, 12:41 PM Yeah, but the risk thing is the reason why there is no FR movy, but that's very sad, because I think people are very open for quality, and there are many very good stories out there in Faerun, if only someone could set them up in a good storyboard and get a clever director.
Imagine a scene in the moonsea region with a Zenth Beholder under a dark city.
Great Battles from the Crown wars, there are thousands of epic backgrounds for really great and lengthy films, perhaps even a series of three succesive films, or something like that.

And as I mentioned before I think people would pay for quality, you "only" have to do it, people will watch a good fantasy film, but there is none. People didn't even imagine that fantasy could be like LotR before it came to cinemas.
Everyone was thinking of it as kind of fairy tales for little kids, but with the great stories and realy wicked plots which take place in the FR setting you could make very serious and special films.
In a way tehre is hole genre which could be brought to life anew.
In my opinion no one and no roleplayer in special has ever seen a fantasy film that pleased him in more than one or two aspects, or reminded him of the adventures he experienced together with his adventurous group while playing FR.

:plotting:
Once started I can't stop thinking about that thing. It's too fascinating.
GothicDan
11-03-06, 04:36 PM A lot of us actively do not want to see an FR movie made, because we feel that unless it was being personally supervised, directed, and written by the likes of Ed Greenwood, it wouldn't be very Realmsian to us.

Call me an old fogey, but if I order veal at a restaurant, I won't be happy when I get a cheeseburger.

Side notes:

Dialogue in the Star Wars movies? All I can think of is the TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE dialogue in the newest one.

Matrix? 3 out of 5.
Jiggawha
11-03-06, 04:50 PM Sidenote:

The first Matrix was my favourite movie for a long time ...
Panurg
11-03-06, 05:14 PM Thanks Mr. Dan for being quite sarcastic in your comment on my wish for Starwars dialogues. I knew this was unsave terrain, but what I meant was to make something worth remembering. In a way I remember my enthusiasm when I whatched the first Star Wars movie as a kid, I thought every dialogue was kind of special and I wish that for a fantasy movie and not some pathetic clowns yelling: " I take the orc you take the lich!" or something like that and then you see a fighter with a butterknive killing the orc with a correographie which u have allready seen in the morning while watching Hercules. ;)

Concerning Matrix I have to agree with Jiggawha I think the first one was more than a 3 out of 5 but thats a question of personal taste. My impetus was to set a standard for visual effects, to make my opinion clear on what is needed to make a really thrilling movie and of course sell it to enough people to make the realisation possible.
That might not be very realmsian;
but on the other hand why shouldnt Mr. Greenwood assist in directing such a film I would appreciate that the whole creative personal involved in the creation of FR should be invited to do so on a certain level. But I don't think it's a guarantee for quality. Gary Gygax supervised the Dungeon and Dargon films, and hell I was not amused. Though I began playing with his module Tomb of Horrors and keep it till today as one of my favorites.
GothicDan
11-03-06, 06:09 PM Thanks Mr. Dan for being quite sarcastic in your comment on my wish for Starwars dialogues.

I can assure you with great conviction that I was not being sarcastic in the slightest.

As to the content of the movie itself? If an FR movie was made, I would not want special effects, sword and sorcery, and action to be primary among concerns. I WOULD want very good graphics for those rare times when they would be used, but the opinion you're espousing (of wanting it to be a 'thriller') is the exact sort of thing that some of us don't want to see in an FR movie.

FR is first and foremost a High Fantasy setting, not a Sword and Socerery one.

I'm not trying to be offensive - merely stating why some of us who are considered the most die-hard fan(atics) do not want to see an FR movie made.
Faraer
11-03-06, 06:13 PM First, there are complex legal and other practical difficulties with licensing the Realms, which is in large part why we got Eberron.

Second, the chances of Realms-familiar people having significant creative involvement are minimal because Hollywood studios don't work that way. They acquire properties, stew them in development hell, rewrite scripts until little of the original is left. Hollywood movies are only true to their adapted subject matter, like The Lord of the Rings and Sin City, when politically powerful directors and producers who know the material put their foot down.

(Star Wars is actually different, as they're independent movies made with complete creative control and only distributed by Fox. Star Wars dialogue is how dialogue is in the Star Wars galaxy -- there are plenty of other movies for those who prefer other styles.)FR is first and foremost a High Fantasy setting, not a Sword and Socerery one.I don't agree, I don't think Ed does, and I know the Wizards book editors don't, going by their writers' guidelines.Gary Gygax supervised the Dungeon and Dargon films, and hell I was not amused.No, he wasn't involved and doesn't like, at least, the first one.
Xavier_of_Cormyr
11-03-06, 06:32 PM if a flick like "Eragon" can be made with a decent budget (from the looks of the trailers, its a crap-on-film D&D doppleganger) then a real D&D big budget movie can & should be made.
No, trilogies, no in depth realmslore narrative, just a honest to goodness adventure with enough trademarks tomake us, the fans, happy while still keeping the general movie going populace happy (that means no Elminster inner monologues- sorry Ed)
I say strike while the iron is hot. LotR is still fresh in everyones mind, and Narnia & others are holding the fort. Let's get it going folks... THAT MEANS YOU WotC!
Ranger REG
11-04-06, 02:57 AM Is there any project about producing a FR Film?

If not: WHY? :thinks:
We're waiting for Courtney Solomon to move to the Arctic ... or croak.*

*So I have a macabre sense of humor. :evillaugh

There are so many great stories out there, if I read Lost Empires or Serpent Kingdoms, nearly every second side offers stuff for Trilogies (if u know what I mean) or at least one very good film.
I dunno. Most FR stories are "made for TV" quality.

The only thing I can imagine is the budget. That's a sad thing, and that's also THE sad thing about the Dungeons and Dragons movies (besides that the stories lack any bit of fantasy and the actors/characters represent that fact: I mean come on: the lich in Dungeons and Dragons 2 :nonono: and partly the lack of beeing willing to make a real cool movie, with good dialogs as perhaps in Star Wars; Willow was made with much more love and thought, and budget ok, but u know ...)
Meh. I know of some films that have good special effects, but didn't have a good story development. You can't mesmerize the audience for at least 90 nonstop minutes if the story part of the film is awful.

But why is there no interest in making a real good film about FR scenarios? You have great stories there and in my opinion most of the people who loved Lord of the Rings would love to see such a film.
Only those people who loved LOTR probably never heard of Forgotten Realms except us.

I read LotR when I was 12 but friends of mine who never actually read a fantasy book (or abook) were so excited about the film that they started to read even Silmarilion.
Yeah, I doubt Silmarilion will be made into a film because it's one of the other Tolkien works that Saul Zentz's Tolkien Enterprise do not own film rights to. And as long as Christopher Tolkien is still breathing and leads the trustees of the Tolkien Estate, Silmarilion is off-limit.

It would be a great advertisment for the game and the gameworld, and I think it would be great satisfaction for fans of Faerun and fantasy films to see a good one from this genre.
Perhaps, but that was what the first two D&D film were, a theatrical promotion into the brand that is D&D.

The fact that they both flopped, pretty much put the whole "Promote D&D through Films" on hold.

It just had to be done right. It does not have to be epic as LOTR, just enjoyable as Pirates of the Caribbeans films.
Panurg
11-04-06, 07:49 AM To Faraers Comment on Gygax:
On the DVD of the second part of the DuD film Gary Gygax gives a lengthy interview, where he explains the rules and the used characters which take part in the film and he also claims, that he is very satisfied with the outcome of the project, so at least he had a word in the process.

To Ranger:
How do u know they are made for TV quality? In my opinion this should be a question of how well the scriot wrighters are working.

I never mentioned that I want a film with special effects and a stupid story. But I claim that a good story can be promoted far better if the film is well made. For example yesterday I watched the film Blood-Rayne a vampire film with Billy Zane and Ben Kingsley, with a script that wasn't so very bad (average I would say) and it could be an acceptable film if not for the boring correographies and really stupid decorations and sets.

Also I didn't claim, that I would like to see Silmarilion, it was an example for what can happen if people who are otherwise not interested in such things see a good movie.

The DuD films didn't flop because they were to promote the game DuD but because they were stupid and cheap.

But I'm with u if u say a Pirates of the Carribean - like film would do the part perfectly. But u have to admit, that this film is very well done (concerning special effects, and settings), and the actors are far above average, and this is a thing fantasy films on the whole are not famous for. ;)

Also to set things clear, I'm not here to promote a Fast and Furios like FR film, but I think if they do a FR film (and I hope they will) then they should do it properly and not as seen on so many pseudo-fantasy tries in the past.

And in my opinion Xavier is right and that's why I mentioned LotR before: Now is the time to do something.
:)
GothicDan
11-04-06, 03:15 PM I don't agree, I don't think Ed does, and I know the Wizards book editors don't, going by their writers' guidelines.

Truly, Faraer?

Judging from Ed's responses, it always seemed like his attempts to make his various novels focus more on intrigue, plotting, character development, interaction, etc. was regularly cut by WotC - and he seemed to mourn the loss.

Although I do get a certain Narnia feel from the Realms (at least moreso than I do Tolkien), and I wouldn't exactly call that High Fantasy.

Though, the more I think about it, the more I see all fantasy 'stereotypes' fitting into the Realms... In certain places, in certain cultures, and times.

How would you try to 'sum up' the theme of the world?

I certainly don't think just straight Sword and Sorcery would cut it.
Ranger REG
11-04-06, 08:13 PM To Ranger:
How do u know they are made for TV quality? In my opinion this should be a question of how well the scriot wrighters are working.
But who will be the script writers? :smirk:

I never mentioned that I want a film with special effects and a stupid story. But I claim that a good story can be promoted far better if the film is well made. For example yesterday I watched the film Blood-Rayne a vampire film with Billy Zane and Ben Kingsley, with a script that wasn't so very bad (average I would say) and it could be an acceptable film if not for the boring correographies and really stupid decorations and sets.

Also I didn't claim, that I would like to see Silmarilion, it was an example for what can happen if people who are otherwise not interested in such things see a good movie.

The DuD films didn't flop because they were to promote the game DuD but because they were stupid and cheap.
Hey, you were the one that mentioned advertisement. :smirk: WotC was on the ball to ride on the D&D films' coattail to promote their game. But when the first film flopped, WotC started to distance themselves from it.

It would be a great advertisement if the film is great and raking money, which to my surprise and chagrin, it did when you tally up both domestic and international box office revenue. :uh-huh:

Who knew the majority of the global audience are ... Gullibles*?

*It's a word I use to link people who play pay-2-play MMORPGs and owns only Apple iPods.

And in my opinion Xavier is right and that's why I mentioned LotR before: Now is the time to do something.
:)
Then you'll have to convince Hollywood. And by Hollywood, I mean "NOT COURTNEY SOLOMON!!!"
Faraer
11-06-06, 08:55 PM Judging from Ed's responses, it always seemed like his attempts to make his various novels focus more on intrigue, plotting, character development, interaction, etc. was regularly cut by WotC - and he seemed to mourn the loss.These things aren't the domain of high fantasy; the Fafhrd/Mouser tales and the Thieves' World stories are full of them, as is a lot of Howard.How would you try to 'sum up' the theme of the world?Too tired to attempt that now!I certainly don't think just straight Sword and Sorcery would cut it.No. It has elements of both: the free-spirited picaresque adventure, intrigue-riddled cities, personal stakes, and witty banter of sword & sorcery; the elegiac history, beautiful magic, detailed worldbuilding, elves & dwarves trappings of high fantasy, and some of its morality, but not its religiosity, and rarely its elevated tone, epic quests, or world-affecting scope. It's much less hf than Dragonlance, less purely s&s than the World of Greyhawk.

Reading historical overviews and RSE novels, the Realms looks hf. In play -- in Ed's campaign, and in fiction, DMing advice, and modules like it -- it tends relatively more toward s&s.

I made a mistake referring to the writers' guidelines; in fact I meant Peter Archer's comments in this interview (http://ww2.wizards.com/books/Wizards/default.aspx?doc=main_30years).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Panurg 11-03-06, 07:18 AM	Is there any project about producing a FR Film? If not: WHY? :thinks: There are so many great stories out there, if I read Lost Empires or Serpent Kingdoms, nearly every second side offers stuff for Trilogies (if u know what I mean) or at least one very good film. The only thing I can imagine is the budget. That's a sad thing, and that's also THE sad thing about the Dungeons and Dragons movies (besides that the stories lack any bit of fantasy and the actors/characters represent that fact: I mean come on: the lich in Dungeons and Dragons 2 :nonono: and partly the lack of beeing willing to make a real cool movie, with good dialogs as perhaps in Star Wars; Willow was made with much more love and thought, and budget ok, but u know ...) But why is there no interest in making a real good film about FR scenarios? You have great stories there and in my opinion most of the people who loved Lord of the Rings would love to see such a film. I read LotR when I was 12 but friends of mine who never actually read a fantasy book (or abook) were so excited about the film that they started to read even Silmarilion. It would be a great advertisment for the game and the gameworld, and I think it would be great satisfaction for fans of Faerun and fantasy films to see a good one from this genre. There hardly any real good fantasy films around. (perhaps Conan, Willow, what else? LotR as cartoon, ...) And why shouldn't be any, there are fans out there who don't whant to see Hercules with Kevin Sorbo as one of the "best" fantasy series, but a real nice film in a way like Matrix or similar concerning speed, dialogs, coolness, fun and so on, and these fans would be very grateful. Fantasy came out of the petting zoo corner (with lovely elves and stupid orcs, with clishees and endless friendships and so on, the good stories in FR settings are not about such boring stereotypes) with LotR and it should stay out of it. I know, that things are not that easy, but I would be very interested in some opinions on this topic.
Jiggawha 11-03-06, 08:23 AM	I was wondering the same thing, fantasy movies that were/will be released these years are really lame, when I think about possibilites of a FR story (I agree on nonstereotypical part), not even Middle Earth could compete with that, only that LotR adaptation was a project without risks considering millions who read the books
Panurg 11-03-06, 12:41 PM	Yeah, but the risk thing is the reason why there is no FR movy, but that's very sad, because I think people are very open for quality, and there are many very good stories out there in Faerun, if only someone could set them up in a good storyboard and get a clever director. Imagine a scene in the moonsea region with a Zenth Beholder under a dark city. Great Battles from the Crown wars, there are thousands of epic backgrounds for really great and lengthy films, perhaps even a series of three succesive films, or something like that. And as I mentioned before I think people would pay for quality, you "only" have to do it, people will watch a good fantasy film, but there is none. People didn't even imagine that fantasy could be like LotR before it came to cinemas. Everyone was thinking of it as kind of fairy tales for little kids, but with the great stories and realy wicked plots which take place in the FR setting you could make very serious and special films. In a way tehre is hole genre which could be brought to life anew. In my opinion no one and no roleplayer in special has ever seen a fantasy film that pleased him in more than one or two aspects, or reminded him of the adventures he experienced together with his adventurous group while playing FR. :plotting: Once started I can't stop thinking about that thing. It's too fascinating.
GothicDan 11-03-06, 04:36 PM	A lot of us actively do not want to see an FR movie made, because we feel that unless it was being personally supervised, directed, and written by the likes of Ed Greenwood, it wouldn't be very Realmsian to us. Call me an old fogey, but if I order veal at a restaurant, I won't be happy when I get a cheeseburger. Side notes: Dialogue in the Star Wars movies? All I can think of is the TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE dialogue in the newest one. Matrix? 3 out of 5.
Jiggawha 11-03-06, 04:50 PM	Sidenote: The first Matrix was my favourite movie for a long time ...
Panurg 11-03-06, 05:14 PM	Thanks Mr. Dan for being quite sarcastic in your comment on my wish for Starwars dialogues. I knew this was unsave terrain, but what I meant was to make something worth remembering. In a way I remember my enthusiasm when I whatched the first Star Wars movie as a kid, I thought every dialogue was kind of special and I wish that for a fantasy movie and not some pathetic clowns yelling: " I take the orc you take the lich!" or something like that and then you see a fighter with a butterknive killing the orc with a correographie which u have allready seen in the morning while watching Hercules. ;) Concerning Matrix I have to agree with Jiggawha I think the first one was more than a 3 out of 5 but thats a question of personal taste. My impetus was to set a standard for visual effects, to make my opinion clear on what is needed to make a really thrilling movie and of course sell it to enough people to make the realisation possible. That might not be very realmsian; but on the other hand why shouldnt Mr. Greenwood assist in directing such a film I would appreciate that the whole creative personal involved in the creation of FR should be invited to do so on a certain level. But I don't think it's a guarantee for quality. Gary Gygax supervised the Dungeon and Dargon films, and hell I was not amused. Though I began playing with his module Tomb of Horrors and keep it till today as one of my favorites.
GothicDan 11-03-06, 06:09 PM	Thanks Mr. Dan for being quite sarcastic in your comment on my wish for Starwars dialogues. I can assure you with great conviction that I was not being sarcastic in the slightest. As to the content of the movie itself? If an FR movie was made, I would not want special effects, sword and sorcery, and action to be primary among concerns. I WOULD want very good graphics for those rare times when they would be used, but the opinion you're espousing (of wanting it to be a 'thriller') is the exact sort of thing that some of us don't want to see in an FR movie. FR is first and foremost a High Fantasy setting, not a Sword and Socerery one. I'm not trying to be offensive - merely stating why some of us who are considered the most die-hard fan(atics) do not want to see an FR movie made.
Faraer 11-03-06, 06:13 PM	First, there are complex legal and other practical difficulties with licensing the Realms, which is in large part why we got Eberron. Second, the chances of Realms-familiar people having significant creative involvement are minimal because Hollywood studios don't work that way. They acquire properties, stew them in development hell, rewrite scripts until little of the original is left. Hollywood movies are only true to their adapted subject matter, like The Lord of the Rings and Sin City, when politically powerful directors and producers who know the material put their foot down. (Star Wars is actually different, as they're independent movies made with complete creative control and only distributed by Fox. Star Wars dialogue is how dialogue is in the Star Wars galaxy -- there are plenty of other movies for those who prefer other styles.)FR is first and foremost a High Fantasy setting, not a Sword and Socerery one.I don't agree, I don't think Ed does, and I know the Wizards book editors don't, going by their writers' guidelines.Gary Gygax supervised the Dungeon and Dargon films, and hell I was not amused.No, he wasn't involved and doesn't like, at least, the first one.
Xavier_of_Cormyr 11-03-06, 06:32 PM	if a flick like "Eragon" can be made with a decent budget (from the looks of the trailers, its a crap-on-film D&D doppleganger) then a real D&D big budget movie can & should be made. No, trilogies, no in depth realmslore narrative, just a honest to goodness adventure with enough trademarks tomake us, the fans, happy while still keeping the general movie going populace happy (that means no Elminster inner monologues- sorry Ed) I say strike while the iron is hot. LotR is still fresh in everyones mind, and Narnia & others are holding the fort. Let's get it going folks... THAT MEANS YOU WotC!
Ranger REG 11-04-06, 02:57 AM	Is there any project about producing a FR Film? If not: WHY? :thinks: We're waiting for Courtney Solomon to move to the Arctic ... or croak.* *So I have a macabre sense of humor. :evillaugh There are so many great stories out there, if I read Lost Empires or Serpent Kingdoms, nearly every second side offers stuff for Trilogies (if u know what I mean) or at least one very good film. I dunno. Most FR stories are "made for TV" quality. The only thing I can imagine is the budget. That's a sad thing, and that's also THE sad thing about the Dungeons and Dragons movies (besides that the stories lack any bit of fantasy and the actors/characters represent that fact: I mean come on: the lich in Dungeons and Dragons 2 :nonono: and partly the lack of beeing willing to make a real cool movie, with good dialogs as perhaps in Star Wars; Willow was made with much more love and thought, and budget ok, but u know ...) Meh. I know of some films that have good special effects, but didn't have a good story development. You can't mesmerize the audience for at least 90 nonstop minutes if the story part of the film is awful. But why is there no interest in making a real good film about FR scenarios? You have great stories there and in my opinion most of the people who loved Lord of the Rings would love to see such a film. Only those people who loved LOTR probably never heard of Forgotten Realms except us. I read LotR when I was 12 but friends of mine who never actually read a fantasy book (or abook) were so excited about the film that they started to read even Silmarilion. Yeah, I doubt Silmarilion will be made into a film because it's one of the other Tolkien works that Saul Zentz's Tolkien Enterprise do not own film rights to. And as long as Christopher Tolkien is still breathing and leads the trustees of the Tolkien Estate, Silmarilion is off-limit. It would be a great advertisment for the game and the gameworld, and I think it would be great satisfaction for fans of Faerun and fantasy films to see a good one from this genre. Perhaps, but that was what the first two D&D film were, a theatrical promotion into the brand that is D&D. The fact that they both flopped, pretty much put the whole "Promote D&D through Films" on hold. It just had to be done right. It does not have to be epic as LOTR, just enjoyable as Pirates of the Caribbeans films.
Panurg 11-04-06, 07:49 AM	To Faraers Comment on Gygax: On the DVD of the second part of the DuD film Gary Gygax gives a lengthy interview, where he explains the rules and the used characters which take part in the film and he also claims, that he is very satisfied with the outcome of the project, so at least he had a word in the process. To Ranger: How do u know they are made for TV quality? In my opinion this should be a question of how well the scriot wrighters are working. I never mentioned that I want a film with special effects and a stupid story. But I claim that a good story can be promoted far better if the film is well made. For example yesterday I watched the film Blood-Rayne a vampire film with Billy Zane and Ben Kingsley, with a script that wasn't so very bad (average I would say) and it could be an acceptable film if not for the boring correographies and really stupid decorations and sets. Also I didn't claim, that I would like to see Silmarilion, it was an example for what can happen if people who are otherwise not interested in such things see a good movie. The DuD films didn't flop because they were to promote the game DuD but because they were stupid and cheap. But I'm with u if u say a Pirates of the Carribean - like film would do the part perfectly. But u have to admit, that this film is very well done (concerning special effects, and settings), and the actors are far above average, and this is a thing fantasy films on the whole are not famous for. ;) Also to set things clear, I'm not here to promote a Fast and Furios like FR film, but I think if they do a FR film (and I hope they will) then they should do it properly and not as seen on so many pseudo-fantasy tries in the past. And in my opinion Xavier is right and that's why I mentioned LotR before: Now is the time to do something. :)
GothicDan 11-04-06, 03:15 PM	I don't agree, I don't think Ed does, and I know the Wizards book editors don't, going by their writers' guidelines. Truly, Faraer? Judging from Ed's responses, it always seemed like his attempts to make his various novels focus more on intrigue, plotting, character development, interaction, etc. was regularly cut by WotC - and he seemed to mourn the loss. Although I do get a certain Narnia feel from the Realms (at least moreso than I do Tolkien), and I wouldn't exactly call that High Fantasy. Though, the more I think about it, the more I see all fantasy 'stereotypes' fitting into the Realms... In certain places, in certain cultures, and times. How would you try to 'sum up' the theme of the world? I certainly don't think just straight Sword and Sorcery would cut it.
Ranger REG 11-04-06, 08:13 PM	To Ranger: How do u know they are made for TV quality? In my opinion this should be a question of how well the scriot wrighters are working. But who will be the script writers? :smirk: I never mentioned that I want a film with special effects and a stupid story. But I claim that a good story can be promoted far better if the film is well made. For example yesterday I watched the film Blood-Rayne a vampire film with Billy Zane and Ben Kingsley, with a script that wasn't so very bad (average I would say) and it could be an acceptable film if not for the boring correographies and really stupid decorations and sets. Also I didn't claim, that I would like to see Silmarilion, it was an example for what can happen if people who are otherwise not interested in such things see a good movie. The DuD films didn't flop because they were to promote the game DuD but because they were stupid and cheap. Hey, you were the one that mentioned advertisement. :smirk: WotC was on the ball to ride on the D&D films' coattail to promote their game. But when the first film flopped, WotC started to distance themselves from it. It would be a great advertisement if the film is great and raking money, which to my surprise and chagrin, it did when you tally up both domestic and international box office revenue. :uh-huh: Who knew the majority of the global audience are ... Gullibles? It's a word I use to link people who play pay-2-play MMORPGs and owns only Apple iPods. And in my opinion Xavier is right and that's why I mentioned LotR before: Now is the time to do something. :) Then you'll have to convince Hollywood. And by Hollywood, I mean "NOT COURTNEY SOLOMON!!!"
Faraer 11-06-06, 08:55 PM	Judging from Ed's responses, it always seemed like his attempts to make his various novels focus more on intrigue, plotting, character development, interaction, etc. was regularly cut by WotC - and he seemed to mourn the loss.These things aren't the domain of high fantasy; the Fafhrd/Mouser tales and the Thieves' World stories are full of them, as is a lot of Howard.How would you try to 'sum up' the theme of the world?Too tired to attempt that now!I certainly don't think just straight Sword and Sorcery would cut it.No. It has elements of both: the free-spirited picaresque adventure, intrigue-riddled cities, personal stakes, and witty banter of sword & sorcery; the elegiac history, beautiful magic, detailed worldbuilding, elves & dwarves trappings of high fantasy, and some of its morality, but not its religiosity, and rarely its elevated tone, epic quests, or world-affecting scope. It's much less hf than Dragonlance, less purely s&s than the World of Greyhawk. Reading historical overviews and RSE novels, the Realms looks hf. In play -- in Ed's campaign, and in fiction, DMing advice, and modules like it -- it tends relatively more toward s&s. I made a mistake referring to the writers' guidelines; in fact I meant Peter Archer's comments in this interview (http://ww2.wizards.com/books/Wizards/default.aspx?doc=main_30years).