Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Calrond 11-17-05, 04:14 PM	Something I've been kicking around for a while. If a movie was made about Elminster and the other Chosen, who would you cast in their roles? I have thought of two so far. Elminster: Sean Connery Khelben: Christopher Lee
The Simple Seeker II 11-17-05, 06:02 PM	:noway: :bigeyes: :mymy: :thinks: :gah: ...... Something I've been kicking around for a while. If a movie was made about Elminster and the other Chosen, who would you cast in their roles? I have thought of two so far. Elminster: Sean Connery Khelben: Christopher Lee
BrianCritchley 11-17-05, 08:05 PM	I don't think an Elminister movie would be that great a role, although I do agree sean connery'd make a good one Elminister. My IDEAL FR movie would be to have the movie focus on a group of unknowns people who haven't appered in a book etc before. the movie would however start off, at Elminister Tower in Shadowdale, with Elminister at a desk playing the role of the Sage of Shadowdale.. by writing down their story, of course whomever is playing Elminister will also do narriation, perhaps explaining breifly in a breif pause in the action who say... the Zhentarium are. but the main characters would be unknown adventurers getting caught up in something big. now eventually of course their paths would cross with Elminister who might say.. dispense advice or guidance, but he'd very much be a back ground character
The Simbul 11-17-05, 09:06 PM	Elminster: Sean ConneryYuck. Khelben: Christopher LeeMiscast.
Cainan 11-18-05, 12:34 AM	Sean Connery would make a better Blackstaff than Elminster.
GothicDan 11-18-05, 01:50 AM	While I like both actors - Christopher Lee more than Sean Connery - I do not agree with casting them in these roles. If anything, I think a better Elminster would be the guy who plays Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter movies. Christopher Lee would be better as Szass Tam, with the appropriate makeup of course.
theartistformerlyknownas 11-18-05, 01:55 AM	Elminster: Donald Sutherland (Space Cowboys, the Italian Job, Pride and Predjudice) No one has played the charming, wise, old ladies' man better than Donald Sutherland... Khelben Blackstaff: Patrick Stewart. He narrated as Arunsun in the Demonstone video game. Since then my mind has been made up.
Gallameed 11-18-05, 08:13 AM	Yuck. Miscast. Agreed, now excuse me while I decide who should be in this movie... :D
Purple Dragon Knight 11-18-05, 08:57 AM	Something I've been kicking around for a while. If a movie was made about Elminster and the other Chosen, who would you cast in their roles? I have thought of two so far. Elminster: Sean Connery Khelben: Christopher LeeThat's the problem with the handsome Elminster drawn in the FRCS.. everybody now thinks he's that scottish hunk of a man. However the books describe him as a really thin guy, with hawkish nose, etc. Give him back the pointy hat I say!!! :allalone:
Gallameed 11-18-05, 09:03 AM	Jennifer Connelly as Alustriel... give her some extra height and voice coach her Donald Sutherland as El? Hmmm, at first I thought NO WAY but maybe he could be right for the part? But he maybe a bit too old and frail looking now, El's an old guy but he's a hardarse who I imagine as being "in shape", imposing (when he wants to be) and quite a studly old toughnut. Like Ray Winston after a diet. :D Oooh, maybe a beefed-up Charles Dance? Khelben = AArrgh, I have a guys image in my mind, who is PERFECT for Khelben, but I cant twig his name! He's a middleaged british actor, I think he's a jewish guy, he plays villians?
Purple Dragon Knight 11-18-05, 03:53 PM	Donald Sutherland as El?Why... yes!!!!!!! :) :) :) That's a fantastic suggestion Gallameed! He can look badass when pushed, but knows how to put on a humorous face. That would work well. Although... some... parts would be hard to act for anyone trying to play... ahem... Elminster the "Sage" ;)
Ocrus of Wessek 11-19-05, 02:38 PM	i think that connery, sutherland, the guy that plays dumbledore in the new harry potter movies, i think they could all work well, i'd like to add a suggestion though, how about the guy that plays sauraman the white in LOTR? i don't think physical buffness matters that much, since the fact is elminster is usually in full out head to toe wizards robes with only his face and hands uncovered. you could easily add stuff under the robes to make him more buff, i don't think El is the type of character who is going to fight until his clothes are in tatters... i mean he's too skilled for that, so i think physical fitness should pretty much be a non-issue... unless your movie features El in a sex scene :D lol.
GothicDan 11-19-05, 03:13 PM	Sarumon was played by Christopher Lee, the person who was recommended for Khelben. He's far too intimidating to play Elminster.
DrunkRockPunk 11-19-05, 03:14 PM	I agree with Christopher Lee as Szass Tam. Good choice GothicDan.
BrianCritchley 11-19-05, 04:33 PM	I'd avoid anyone from LOTR personally, you'd risk confusion to the point of lawsuit. personally I'd rather see a cartoon with good voice acting, hmm maybe get matrix studios in Vancouver to do it? the reason why is because then they can make the characters look exactly like the right ones and focus on having good voice actors, not simply "ok what actor looks the most like Khelbhan"
Berzerker_prime 11-19-05, 05:21 PM	I'd avoid anyone from LOTR personally, you'd risk confusion to the point of lawsuit. I definately agree on this point. I have to admit that Christopher Lee was the first name to pop into my head for Khelben, but I tossed it out as a bad idea from the get-go. It would be way too Saruman-like. I dismissed Ian McKellen as Elminster for the same reason. Now, if wishes were horses and the whole being dead thing wasn't an issue, I'd pick Sir Alec Guiness for Elminster (though this is possibly an obvious choice, too). But, since someone living would be needed, maybe Liam Neeson. And I have to get behind the Patrick Steward for Khelben that someone mentioned earlier. It hadn't entered even the most remote parts of my brain before then, but wow! I like that! personally I'd rather see a cartoon with good voice acting, hmm maybe get matrix studios in Vancouver to do it? the reason why is because then they can make the characters look exactly like the right ones and focus on having good voice actors, not simply "ok what actor looks the most like Khelbhan" Matrix. That's ringing a bell in my dub-loving Otaku mind. Is that what Ocean Group became? I can definately get behind the cartoon idea as well. Scott McNiel would make a great Ozun Many-Arrows, for instance. And Kirby Morrow or Brad Swaile would make an excellent (though, rather different versions of) Danilo Thann! I'd put Cathy Weseluck in the role of Laeral. Not quite sure who I'd put for El and Khelben, though. Perhaps David Kaye or Brian Drummond. :D Sweet water to you. Berz.
GothicDan 11-19-05, 05:21 PM	As long as there is no anime-inspiration in an FR cartoon, I wouldn't mind it. And thanks, Drunk. Err, that feels odd to type...
Calrond 11-19-05, 06:32 PM	Actually, I had considered doing a Machinima of Elminster's life through the game Neverwinter Nights, but my lack of scripting knowledge and voice actors seem to be preventing it right now. The cartoon would be good, but I'd rather see something more like the Final Fantasy movies, some very-high resolution animation. Glad this sparked such a discussion. I still prefer Sean Connery as Elminster, doing similar work to what he did in The Name of the Rose (the 1986 version). I do like Patrick Stewart as Khelben, unless a hairpiece just looks ridiculous on him. Not sure, I never saw him before he was bald. Just a thought, what about Christopher Lloyd for Khelben? Before you laugh, thinking about him in Back to the Future, consider him in the Pagemaster looking more like this. http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/entertech/kids_world/christopher_lloyd/kidsworld.jpg Just thought I'd throw that in. He looks a lot like the picture of Khelben in FRCS...if you ignore the blue plaid. Calrond
shandril89 11-19-05, 08:12 PM	Christopher lee is too close to his role as Saruman, I think. I would have a hard time separating them. I can't think of who should play the roles, though. Sorry
Gendar Manyspell 11-20-05, 12:15 PM	This is who I think should play who: Khelben: I agree with Calrond, Christopher Lloyd is a dead ringer. Elminster: Anthony Hopkins w/ a ZZ Top beard and long, grey hair. I also thought Donald Sutherland was a good pick. Seven sisters were picked on the basis of being older yet still able to pull of the beauty of the sisters: Kim Cattrall Madonna Meryl Streep Demi Moore Jessica Lang Angela Jolie (Dove) Halle Berry (Quile) Granted they would all have to have long silver hair. And just for the humor of it I would pick Don Deluise for Mirt the Moneylender. :D
Mr. Master 11-20-05, 04:01 PM	Elminster = Sean Connery Khelben = Donald Sutherland Alustriel = Cate Blanchett Storm = Angelina Jolie Laeral = Meryl Streep Drizzt = Jude Law I'll make a better list as soon as I can... PS = as for MY ideal movie, i agree with Brian Critchley.El as a storyteller would be marvellous!
BrianCritchley 11-20-05, 08:20 PM	Matrix. That's ringing a bell in my dub-loving Otaku mind. Is that what Ocean Group became? umm no I don't think so. this isn't an anime studio (belive me if it was I'd never suggest them, I dispise anime) Matrix Studios are a CGI group based out of Vancouver Canada. they amde reboot and beast wars. as for MY ideal movie, i agree with Brian Critchley.El as a storyteller would be marvellous! personally I think thats what would suit him best because it's how Ed envisioned him. not as an all powerful hero type, but a Sage.
Calrond 11-20-05, 09:39 PM	I considered Angelina Jolie for one of the seven sisters, but I couldn't pinpoint which she should be. My first thought was Dove, as she's the most athletic of the sisters and more of a fighter than a mage. That seems to fit Angelina's roles better (Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith). Good thing this is all just for fun, otherwise this movie budget would have the budget of the LOTR series for set design and Oceans Twelve for the all-star cast. Calrond
BrianCritchley 11-20-05, 09:49 PM	Angela Jolie as one of the 7 sisters? YICK! I'm sorry but I really do fail to see what people see in her. that and naming more then one or two HUGE names for MAJOR parts is an exercise in futility, as there's no way Joliee would agree to a bit part in a movie.
KenderBryant 11-20-05, 10:08 PM	Here's my :twocents: El: Michael Gambon (New Dumbledore) Khel: Christopher Lloyd (picture was excellent) Laeral: Cate Blanchett Qilue: Vanessa Williams Lassra(the Simbul): Rose McGowan (probably do the wildness best) Dove: Sarah Michelle Gellar Alustriel: Holly Marie Combs (quietly beautiful imho) Sylune: Kate Winslet Storm: Actress who played Callisto in Xena (don't rememer name) Noumea(is she still Magister?): Kirsten Dunst BTW: Why are Drizzt or Danilo or others being mentioned? This thread's for Chosen only.
Rurik_Torunn 11-21-05, 03:50 AM	Angela Jolie as one of the 7 sisters? YICK! Let me second that. And besides, Kim Cattrall ??? You've got to be kidding, right ??? Halle Berry is a very good idea, though (IMHO).
Calrond 11-21-05, 11:29 AM	I'm pretty sure either Halle Berry or Vanessa Williams would be an excellent Qilué. I also really like the idea of Kate Winslet as Syluné. I'm not really sure about Sarah Michelle Gellar for Dove, I would think a taller and more muscular woman would be better for the role. I could see Cate Blanchett as Laerel, but would that pose the same problem as having Christopher Lee as Khelben? Too much of a similarity to Galadriel in LOTR? The actress that played Callisto in Xena was Hudson Leick, by the way. And yes, the thought that there would be a movie with these A-list celebs in it is VERY hard to believe (although it may be time for another Ocean's Twelve reference). This is just an idea I kicked around starting with when I made the connection with Elminster's accent and Sean Connery's. Although, with all these celebrities involved, non-FR fans would come to see the movie just because they were fans of one or more of the stars. I like the live-action style, but I'm pretty sure that the best way to go would be the way of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and the other CG movies. Calrond
KenderBryant 11-21-05, 04:24 PM	How about Lucy Lawless for Dove? Or maybe Renee O'Connor?
primemover003 11-21-05, 05:23 PM	Wow this would require several good character actors/actresses... Khelben: Chris Lloyd is interesting, but I how about either Liam Neeson, Geoffery Rush or Jim Caviezel (Count of Monte Cristo) Alustriel: Connie Nielson (Gladiator) the Simbul: Kate Hudson (she's got the hair) Ooo... if you want some Villains... Fzoul:Tony Curran (younger) or Brendan Gleeson (Older) Sememmon: Stewart Townsend (younger) or Michael Wincott (older) Manshoon: Sam Neil Halaster: Rutger Hauer
The Simbul 11-21-05, 11:05 PM	Seven sisters were picked on the basis of being older yet still able to pull of the beauty of the sisters: Kim Cattrall Madonna Meryl Streep Demi Moore Jessica Lang Angela Jolie (Dove) Halle Berry (Quile) Granted they would all have to have long silver hair.Mystra give me the strength....AFAIC the only qualifier the bolded "actresses" have for playing such roles is their propensity for nudity...and speaking of which the excessive amount of nudity amoung the Seven Sisters egregiously diminishes any depth to the characters and cheapens them inexorably, regardless of the verbal gymnastics used to justify such actions by these characters for literary reasons. Simply having your gown unecessarily fly off in the middle of a battle with a demon for no apparent reason and bearing no relevance to the story puts the tale on par with really :censored: anime instead of iconic fantasy, and makes the characters into little more than seven hollow spellhurlers with silver-fire lactating mammaries. All the effort and depth devoted to developing these characters becomes utterly wasted when the first thing that comes to mind of average gamer joe when one mentions the seven sisters is how Storm silverhand chops wood without upper body garments, or that the Simbul's tattered black gown manages to be incinerated half a dozen times in every novel. Of course this in turn creates a reciprocal effect, since by having characters transformed into two-dimensional objects you greatly enhance the ability for the afforementioned actresses to grasp such roles. the Simbul: Kate Hudson Over my dead body. IMO being able to read lines and emerging from the womb of a woman who also barely shared the minimum requisite ability to read lines, does not an actor make.
Cainan 11-21-05, 11:21 PM	I see a whole grouping of problems by casting an actual african american actress as a drow. For one, drow are not black as in dark brown skin, they are black as in pitch black skin. All you would do by casting a dark-skinned actress would just be confusing people even more thoroughly. You would also get into a lot of racism issues. Your best bet for doing Qilue would just to get a regular acress and give her dark grey skin since pitch black would be somewhat difficult to do. But making a movie about the whole Seven Sisters would be something of a pain and would unlikely to ever happen. An Elminster movie on the other hand isn't a horrible idea. People like old wizards. People LOVE Gandalf. You make a movie with Elminster at the head on some sort of quest with possibly just some cameo appearances of some of the other Chosen and you could have a good movie. Once you start throwing in more signature chars and thats when things fall apart. Elminster, Khelban and Laeral would be pretty easy to do, start throwing in others with stranger appearances or drow and you got a whole bunch of innacurracies that are bound to occur and just turn the movie into a horrible piece of crap like the origal DnD movie haha.
BrianCritchley 11-21-05, 11:53 PM	as I said Elminister would be best as a narrator, telling the story of something that has already happened.
Zandilar 11-22-05, 06:34 AM	Heya, Cainan, that was a very tactful way of putting it. :) I agree, casting Halle Berry on the basis that she's black is not the way to go. Aside from the fact that she's too short. In fact, my mantra while reading this thread was "she's too short, she's too thin" for most actresses suggested for the Seven - in particular for Storm, Dove, and Qilue... All three of whom are around the 6' mark in height. Storm and Dove are both muscular. In fact, Storm is often described with rather defined wiry and has lots of scars (as befitting a veteran adventurer). The Simbul has some interesting points regarding the Seven and nudity. I'll have to think some more on that... but just briefly there's nothing wrong with a person having little modesty (and I mean in terms of appearing before strangers nude, not in terms of boasting about their own accomplishments!) - for Storm it fits her character. A propensity for nudity, IMHO, does not mean a person is cheap. Mind you, I do think that it is used for titillation value rather than really adding any depth to the character - in that I agree with the Simbul... But then again, a lot of things are used for titillation value in the Realms. And lastly, to address the actual topic of this thread... I'd cast no name actors, and even then I'm fairly certian that no one exists who could fully realise my vision of what any of the Chosen of Mystra are like. An animated movie might come closer than a live action movie, but then you still have the difficulty of casting voices.
Cainan 11-22-05, 07:02 AM	Yeah, in all honesty, picking lesser known actors and actresses is usually the way to go in this sort of film. Just look at the Lord of the Rings movie. Imagine if each of those parts were played by a Tom Cruise or a Brad Pitt or something along those lines. Picking lesser known actors and actresses or actors who are more famliar in theatre than feature films fits the style a lot better.
Gallameed 11-22-05, 09:22 AM	Yeah, in all honesty, picking lesser known actors and actresses is usually the way to go in this sort of film. Just look at the Lord of the Rings movie. Imagine if each of those parts were played by a Tom Cruise or a Brad Pitt or something along those lines. Picking lesser known actors and actresses or actors who are more famliar in theatre than feature films fits the style a lot better. Totally true, if a "big name" had a role in our precious FR movie, it would immediatly become the latest vechicle for their career. It would cease to be FR's and become "the new Tom Pitt movie". Then imagine the possible ramifications of things like "are they hot or not this month" and who they are shagging at the moment eating up the spotlight and you have a recipe for a catastrophe. Unknowns, Theatre people and "less-famous-but-good-actors" should be used so it dosent detract from the characters we know and love. Sean Connery is Sean Connery, no matter what "role" he plays he overshadows the role with his own fame (and Sean, Hally Berry and many like them are supposedly difficult and demanding to work with).
Inspired_Mage 11-22-05, 09:39 AM	Khelben = AArrgh, I have a guys image in my mind, who is PERFECT for Khelben, but I cant twig his name! He's a middleaged british actor, I think he's a jewish guy, he plays villians? Gary Oldman?
Gallameed 11-22-05, 09:48 AM	Gary Oldman? Nah, someone else... ...But, now you mention it "Our Gazza" is an amazing actor, I love his work, he could pull off any role, Khelben would be in safe hands with Oldman. Defo! :)
Inspired_Mage 11-22-05, 10:13 AM	Nah, someone else... ...But, now you mention it "Our Gazza" is an amazing actor, I love his work, he could pull off any role, Khelben would be in safe hands with Oldman. Defo! :) I def agree with Gary oldman for Khelben, although I also like the idea of Christopher Lloyd. For El as a narrator I would actually prefer Patrick Stewart, he could do that easily and doesnt carry the name and publicity (possibly unwanted) that Sean Connery would bring. Khelben = AArrgh, I have a guys image in my mind, who is PERFECT for Khelben, but I cant twig his name! He's a middleaged british actor, I think he's a jewish guy, he plays villians? Tell me not Sean Bean??!!!
Inspired_Mage 11-22-05, 10:16 AM	Alan Rickman!!!!
Berzerker_prime 11-22-05, 11:39 AM	umm no I don't think so. this isn't an anime studio (belive me if it was I'd never suggest them, I dispise anime) Matrix Studios are a CGI group based out of Vancouver Canada. they amde reboot and beast wars. Ah! That's where I remember them from. Animation studio, not voice acting group. And, actually, Ocean Group did the voice work for both of those shows, as well as X-Men Evolution, Kong, and many many other North American productions, so they aren't just in the business of dubbing Anime into English. Berz.
KenderBryant 11-22-05, 02:00 PM	Why Oldman and Rickman? Sure they're great as Sirius Black and Severus Snape, but why would they be good for a FR movie?
Alac Luin 11-22-05, 02:19 PM	That's the problem with the handsome Elminster drawn in the FRCS.. everybody now thinks he's that scottish hunk of a man. However the books describe him as a really thin guy, with hawkish nose, etc. Give him back the pointy hat I say!!! :allalone: OK, my vote goes to Howard Stern for El
KenderBryant 11-22-05, 03:45 PM	OK, my vote goes to Howard Stern for El AAAAAARRRGGGGHHHH! NOT HIM! NO! NUH-UH! NO WAY! THAT JUST RUINED EVERYTHING! :yuck: :yuck: :yuck:
primemover003 11-22-05, 07:47 PM	Ok Kate Hudson was one of those out there, far reaches... it was the hair I tell you. For the most part we should avoid LotR and Harry Potter actors as they've already been placed in a niche. Derek Jacobi could make a good Vangy. Gina Torres (Firefly, cleo 2021, matrix) is a big strong woman for Qilue... and I don't think it IS neccessarily bad to fill a Drow role with an african amercan (or british for that matter) actor.
KenderBryant 11-22-05, 10:51 PM	. Gina Torres (Firefly, cleo 2021, matrix) is a big strong woman for Qilue... and I don't think it IS neccessarily bad to fill a Drow role with an african amercan (or british for that matter) actor. Yeah, Gina Torres! Another good actress who deserves even more credits. I liked her as Jasmine in Angel, season 4.
Cainan 11-23-05, 01:19 AM	Gina Torres (Firefly, cleo 2021, matrix) is a big strong woman for Qilue... and I don't think it IS neccessarily bad to fill a Drow role with an african amercan (or british for that matter) actor. Well, can you tell me why it would be a good idea? Are you saying that just because people of African descent have dark skin and drow have dark skin, they must be the same thing? That is the problem with so many people not realizing what drow look like. Drow have pitch black skin, not dark brown skin. Drow also have very sharp and narrow bone structure, more like people of asian descent of certain types of caucasian descent. A big strong black woman is very opposite of the drow because the bone structure itself is all off. It's just wrong to cast someone with dark skin the part of a drow. It would be like picking a real life person with dwarfism and casting them as a dwarf in a FR movie cause they are both short. If you really want a good Qilue, you'd be best off picking someone like Lucy Lui or another atheltic asian woman with slightly more almond shaped eyes. If you look at a lot of pictures of Qilue, many of them give her a slightly asian-like appearance, as many elves have. But then again, casting her would be pretty tough. I can assure you that if there is ever a movie about drow, the character will be horribly inaccurate. Just look many mistakes serious DnD fans make about drow appearance, just imagine if you put that control in the hands of ignorant filmmakers.
Zandilar 11-23-05, 07:19 AM	Heya, Gina Torres (Firefly, cleo 2021, matrix) is a big strong woman for Qilue... and I don't think it IS neccessarily bad to fill a Drow role with an african amercan (or british for that matter) actor. Oh dear, I really love Gina Torres... She was just fantastic as Zoe in Firefly, but I don't think I can see her being an effective Qilue. In any case, if someone were to cast an African American (or even African) in the role of a Drow, they'd still have to fiddle with their skin colour to get it right. There's no shortcuts by casting a dark skinned actor. :) Anyway, in my honest opinion, Gina doesn't look like an elf. It would take a lot of work to make her look like one. @Cainan: I see we're still on the same wave length... I posted this without reading your post first... and originally I had all sorts of comments about skeletal structure in it but deleted them because I know I'm not an expert. :)
Calrond 11-23-05, 09:42 PM	Best I can think for Qilué would be someone like Liv Tyler with her skin tone fixed. Seems like her facial structure is elf-like enough (and so is her dad's, for that matter). Would Qilué even be in the movie? Not until recently was she discovered by those not already Chosen of Mystra, according to the preface to her section of Silverfall. Now to throw a curve ball at all of you. If the movie was about Elminster's life, who would play young Elminster (before he was a brigand and a thief) and who would play Elmara (Elminster when Mystra turned him into a woman)? For that matter, who would play Mystra? I would think Demi Moore would be better suited to play Mystra than one of the Seven Sisters. Just makes more sense to me. Mystra would have to be played by someone who looked very mature but not old, with wisdom and a great deal of beauty. Just curl her hair up nicely and Demi is ready for the role. Calrond
KenderBryant 11-23-05, 11:41 PM	Best I can think for Qilué would be someone like Liv Tyler with her skin tone fixed. Seems like her facial structure is elf-like enough (and so is her dad's, for that matter). Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes! Would Qilué even be in the movie? Not until recently was she discovered by those not already Chosen of Mystra, according to the preface to her section of Silverfall. So few people knew of her, so what? Liv Tyler! WOO-HOO! Now to throw a curve ball at all of you. If the movie was about Elminster's life, who would play young Elminster (before he was a brigand and a thief) and who would play Elmara (Elminster when Mystra turned him into a woman)?How about the guys who played Cedric Diggory or Oliver Wood in the HP movies? Maybe the girl who played Fleur Delacour? For that matter, who would play Mystra? I would think Demi Moore would be better suited to play Mystra than one of the Seven Sisters. Just makes more sense to me. Mystra would have to be played by someone who looked very mature but not old, with wisdom and a great deal of beauty. Just curl her hair up nicely and Demi is ready for the role.If not her, than either Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, or Julia Roberts. Calrond[/QUOTE]
BrianCritchley 11-24-05, 02:04 AM	whomever plays elminister should also play elmera. I certinly don't reccomend anyone all that ATTRACTIVE to play Elmera
Calrond 11-24-05, 11:56 AM	whomever plays elminister should also play elmera. I certinly don't reccomend anyone all that ATTRACTIVE to play Elmera I don't know how to respond to this without offending half of the free world, but I am a bit confused. Do you mean that the person who plays young Elminster should be given prosthetics and clothes to transform him into Elmara (Mrs. Doubtfire?)? I would think finding a skinny, hawk-nosed woman with dark hair to be Elmara would be better. She'd only have to vaguely resemble Elminster, as the difference of appearance could be ruled as some of Mystra's aesthetic changes. After all, if Elmara's voice was stated to be more "musical" than Elminster's, then we can assume that Mystra made a few womanly improvements instead of just flat out changing him into a woman form of himself. Calrond
Zandilar 11-25-05, 07:49 AM	Heya, I would think finding a skinny, hawk-nosed woman with dark hair to be Elmara would be better. She'd only have to vaguely resemble Elminster, as the difference of appearance could be ruled as some of Mystra's aesthetic changes. After all, if Elmara's voice was stated to be more "musical" than Elminster's, then we can assume that Mystra made a few womanly improvements instead of just flat out changing him into a woman form of himself. Changing a person's form would do a heck of a lot more than just make them look outwardly different. Elmara's voice would be different to Elminster's simply because the structure of the vocal chords as well as the palette of the mouth would be different. I agree... A woman would need to be cast as Elmara, simply because Elmara was not just a transvestite or even a modern transsexual (I know surgery can do absolutely amazing things, but there are just some things we have not quite mastered yet, and gender reassignment is, unfortunately, one of them).
primemover003 11-26-05, 06:08 PM	Ok thinking about it a little more you're right... a better fit would be an asian actress, most likely Korean (as they tend to be taller than japanese or chinese women). But here are a bunch of good action/sci-fi/fantasy character actresses Claudia Black (Farscape, Queen of the Damned, Pitch Black)---> Storm? Peta Wilson (La Femme Nikita, League of Extrodinary Gentlemen)---> Simbul Kelly Hu (X2-Lady Deathstrike)----> Qilue Connie Nielson (Gladiator, The Hunted)-----> Alustirel Kristana Loken (Terminator 3) Natasha Henstridge (Species) Mila Jovovich (Resident Evil)-------> My choice for Dove Famke Janssen (X men, Goldeneye) Monica Bellucci (Matrix, Brothers Grim, Brotherhood of the Wolf)----> Laeral Leonor Varela (Blade II) Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers, Johnny Mnemonic) Alexa Davelos (Chronicals of Riddick) Linda Fiorentino (Men in Black) Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
Calrond 12-05-05, 01:01 PM	How about Catherine Zeta Jones for Mystra? Calrond
LucyWanabe 12-05-05, 04:19 PM	Here's interesting questions to add.... Who would you want to direct? And who would you want to compose the music for the soundtrack of the movie? I'm not sure who I'd want to direct this, but I have two different choices for music: Jerry Goldsmith if he were still alive, or James Horner. Or (I can't remember the name) the composer for LOTR...I know we want to avoid borrowing things from LOTR, but that composer just nailed the whole feel of the world on the head. I think that they'd also get the musical "feel" of FR just as well.
Calrond 12-06-05, 09:24 AM	Howard Shore is the composer from LOTR, I believe. He would no doubt do a great job with Faerun as well. As for a director, I really hesitate to go with Peter Jackson because of the LOTR connection, although he could bring Faerun to life. Tim Burton and Rod Howard are out, it's just not their sort of movie, and same for Wes Craven. Maybe Spielberg directing? Calrond
Ran-san 12-07-05, 10:09 AM	umm no I don't think so. this isn't an anime studio (belive me if it was I'd never suggest them, I dispise anime) Matrix Studios are a CGI group based out of Vancouver Canada. they amde reboot and beast wars. personally I think thats what would suit him best because it's how Ed envisioned him. not as an all powerful hero type, but a Sage. Actually, the people you are thinking of isn't Matrix Studios. It's Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. They made Reboot, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, etc.
primemover003 12-09-05, 10:10 PM	Honestly for a director I would look smaller than PJ or Spielberg... they're too big for a project like this. You need people like David S. Goyer or Guillermo Del Toro (Blade and Hellboy). People who understand Comics made the best Comic movies, so likewise you need someone who understands Sword & Sorcery, High Fantasy, & Dungeons & Dragons.
Crust 12-09-05, 11:10 PM	I like Donald Sutherland as Elminster. I remember thinking he'd make a great Elminster while watching Cold Mountain. I'd LOVE to see Brendan Gleeson (who is also in Cold Mountain) as Mirt. He's a dead ringer as far as I'm concerned. I've always thought Shane Brolly (Kraven from Underworld) would make a good Manshoon. I'd like to see Kiera Knightly, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Connelly, and perhaps Gabrielle Union as Seven Sisters, but I'd also like to see some unknowns. I'd rather not have a familiar face stand in for all of the Realms personalities.
Sarge 12-15-05, 02:34 PM	I'm sorry to ruin everyone's hopes, but there's no way there will be a movie for Forgotten Realms. In fact, Wizards of the Coast has made it clear that they're abandoning the setting sometime before 2007. There are already plans to publish a final adventure and corresponding novel(s) (likely a trilogy). These will detail the final fall of Faerun and the death of most of the prominent characters of the world. While it hasn't been stated if Elminster will die or not, the following character deaths have been announced. Drizz't (RA Salvatore confirmed this) Khelben (WotC mistakenly released this) The Simbul (hinted at by Greenwood) Cyric (also hinted at by Greenwood) Manshoon (directly stated by Greenwood, though it's not like he hasn't died before) Fzoul (also directly stated by Greenwood) For those of you that are curious, here are some more rumors about the End of FR. -The end will involve some kind of large divine war, similar to the time of the troubles. We will get a chance to see Ao in an actual combat as well. From what I've heard, at one point Ao and Helm engage in combat against Bane, Shar, Tyr, Kelemvor and some new being called 'the Eternal one'. -The story will feature a mass invasion of Toril by the Nine Hells (this was partially hinted at in the novel 'Elminster in Hell'). -Elminster finally ascends to godhood. -Karsus will make an appearance. Anyway, that's what I know right now... if anyone else has heard anything about this, feel free to let me know, since I'm very interested in this upcoming series and information on it is very hard to come by right now.
Slime Lord 12-15-05, 03:34 PM	Umm...Let me be the first to say this loud and clear in response to what you have placed Sarge WTF? thank you
Crust 12-15-05, 05:29 PM	Forgive my ignorance, Sarge, but how do you know all this?
Arivia 12-15-05, 06:21 PM	I'm sorry to ruin everyone's hopes, but there's no way there will be a movie for Forgotten Realms. In fact, Wizards of the Coast has made it clear that they're abandoning the setting sometime before 2007. There are already plans to publish a final adventure and corresponding novel(s) (likely a trilogy). These will detail the final fall of Faerun and the death of most of the prominent characters of the world. While it hasn't been stated if Elminster will die or not, the following character deaths have been announced. Anyway, that's what I know right now... if anyone else has heard anything about this, feel free to let me know, since I'm very interested in this upcoming series and information on it is very hard to come by right now. This can't be right. You know why? There are books(of the type we're not allowed to talk about here) scheduled for release in 2007 for the FR. Also, I'd love to hear how you got out of/through the dense layers of NDAs that would surround that to be able to post it.
Krash 12-15-05, 11:58 PM	I'm sorry to ruin everyone's hopes, but there's no way there will be a movie for Forgotten Realms. In fact, Wizards of the Coast has made it clear that they're abandoning the setting sometime before 2007. <BIG SNIP> What a load of fecal matter. -- George Krashos
Sarge 12-16-05, 12:30 AM	Forgive my ignorance, Sarge, but how do you know all this? That's a good question. Some of it came from sources which I'd prefer not divulge at this time. The quote from RA Salvatore about the death of Drizz't can be found on http://www.rasalvatore.com somewhere. Salvatore made it pretty clear that Drizz't was going to die in the end of FR series of novels that would be released. The death of Khelben came from a slip during a WotC PR representative. It isn't published anywhere since WotC is actively trying to cover it up (and will likely lock this thread after hearing that I reprinted it). WotC actually doesn't want to officially comment on the end of Faerun series at all yet, though a lot of others like Greenwood and Salvatore have already started talking about it. Some of the other information was hinted at by Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms. Greenwood is by far the main mind behind the end of the realms. Greenwood however is also annoyingly elusive about any details, and has only placed vague hints as to what might happen. I wouldn't treat them as 100% accurate. Greenwood did officially say Manshoon and Fzoul will both die. You can probably find that on the internet somewhere, I remember seeing it on several websites. Just do a google search. Anyway, as for products being released after 2007, I haven't heard anything about those. As far as I know, the mainstream Forgotten Realms will no longer be produced by WotC. It's possible some third party company will buy up the rights to Forgotten Realms and start publishing new material of course, but WotC doesn't have any plans whatsoever for new Forgotten Realms material after they publish the end of Faerun novels and quests. It's likely that any FR material that you've seen is actually books that will detail the end of Faerun itself if it's coming out around 2007. Maybe the publish date of the end of Faerun series got pushed back, I really wouldn't be surprised, given that it's such a large project featuring multiple authors and game designers. Anyway, I hope that answers most of your questions and helped to clear things up.
KnightErrantJR 12-16-05, 01:12 AM	So George, last time you communicated with Ed he didn't tell you any of this? I'm shocked. This is why we need to internet, so that we can learn what the MAN doesn't want us to know. Fight the power! Viva la resistance! Wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, that there would actually be a concerted end to the Realms coming up before 2007. This could be serious . . . like when they ended DragonLance with Dragons of Summer Flame . . . oh, wait . . .
Dark Wizard 12-16-05, 01:41 AM	I'm not too sure about most of this. No offense to the poster, but this seems like a bunch of fan rumors mixed with bits of news reinterpreted and overall misinterpreted. There are certainly enough people out there who don't like the Realms and got burned by bad DMs who ran the Realms who would like nothing more than to see this happen. Some no doubt derive all sorts of glee putting out these rumors. I think it is more likely, if any of this is true at all, that a few venerable NPCs will bite the dust in the next Realms shaking event, which is what many wanted all along. This in turn was misconstrued as something bigger than it really is. It simply doesn't make sense, as FR has been and still is a major cash cow for WotC. It fills the classic high fantasy niche that Eberron has no hope of filling (and shouldn't fill because it would ruin the atmosphere of Eberron). Since WotC doesn't not have an equivalent high fantasy setting to fill the niche, it's almost financial suicide. Like any business, any market they can get into is a plus. If WotC knew that they would sustain the number of settings that TSR tried to, they would. This also doesn't mean that FR is failing so badly that it's become unviable. With the release of the LotR movies and Narnia (which is becoming a series of movies) classic fantasy is becoming more popular than ever. FR is far closer to these classic fantasy worlds than anything else WotC currently has. They cannot possibly expect generic supplements and Eberron (being all of 4-5 years old by the projected FR End date) to pick up the slack for a two decade old setting. Once FR ends, Wizards will lose a huge chunk of its fanbase. As there are as many people who care nothing for Greyhawk or Eberron as there are who feel the same for FR, they will go else where. With the loss of the setting and so many characters dead, the novels will suffer and that'll be the end of WotC. Hasbro will have them boarded up faster than Nintendo tried to forget about the Virtual Boy (ah, mid-90s reference, can you believe it's been about a decade already). In the off chance this would happen, and if FR gets tossed over to a third party developer, it would be great if Ed Greenwood and a few fellow developers took it up. Perhaps give us a truer version of what the Realms is. Take more from Ed's home Realms and undoing some of the unpopular and senseless changes that TSR/WotC has made to the Realms. Maybe without the watchful evil eye of WotC, good can be great and evil can finally be competent, frightening and well ... evil. Return the wild and magical side, with Lurue and Nobanion playing the parts Ed hinted he originally envisioned. Drop or rework some of the side continents into something less tied to real world counterparts. All these things that were meant to be but never were.
Kuje31 12-16-05, 01:41 AM	I did post this to Ed as well and most of us agree it's BS. The Knights novels don't come out till 2006 and if they do a book a year then that'll end in 2008 and Elaine's next Arilyn novel doesn't come out till 2007. :) Actually Ed has said that he's s already working on other items for 2009, so the setting ending before 2007 is a bunch of BS. :)
Cainan 12-16-05, 01:48 AM	Also, why in the world would WotC do the EXACT same thing with FR that White Wolf did with the World of Darkness? Even if they ever decide to cancel the line, they wouldn't do it in the EXACT same way White Wolf did. I think they'd be more original haha.
KnightErrantJR 12-16-05, 11:29 AM	If I remember correctly, I beleive it was in his Mortality Radio interview, Ed pointed out that if WOTC ever quits supporting the Realms, it reverts back to him, so as pointed out above, that would mean that some 3rd party would likely be publishing the Ed version of everything, so one way or the other, the Realms isn't likely to be gone anytime soon.
Slime Lord 12-16-05, 12:28 PM	If I remember correctly, I beleive it was in his Mortality Radio interview, Ed pointed out that if WOTC ever quits supporting the Realms, it reverts back to him, so as pointed out above, that would mean that some 3rd party would likely be publishing the Ed version of everything, so one way or the other, the Realms isn't likely to be gone anytime soon. Realms isn't going anywhere unless Ed meets the deities in person. Plain and simple, it is outrageous this post was made by Sarge and saying that Realms is going to die in a year.
Kuje31 12-16-05, 05:39 PM	Rich confirmed as well that Sarge's replies are BS. "I can't say for sure what any particular authors might be up to with particular characters, because I don't work directly with the authors--I'm on the game side of the house, and writing books is moonlighting for me. However, I do know that we have no plans to end FR. Ever."
Sarge 12-16-05, 05:40 PM	It simply doesn't make sense, as FR has been and still is a major cash cow for WotC. It fills the classic high fantasy niche that Eberron has no hope of filling (and shouldn't fill because it would ruin the atmosphere of Eberron). Since WotC doesn't not have an equivalent high fantasy setting to fill the niche, it's almost financial suicide. That's what you'd think, but you have to factor into the mix that each additional supplement produces diminishing returns. The FRCS core book for instance, made a great deal of profit. Magic of Faerun was similarly profitable. Fewer people bought Underdark, Silver Marches and Unapproachable East. Fewer still bought Serpent Kingdoms and Lost empires of Faerun. The same thing actually happened to TSR when they tried to publish all sorts of obscure FR material. A company cannot reasonably expect to sustain a profit that way. In an effort to avoid TSR's mistakes, I believe WotC has decided to get out while things are going well, instead of producing a multitude of supplements of diminishing value. It is certain that almost every die hard FR fan will want to know how the story ends, and will buy up most, if not all, of the end of Forgotten Realms material. I can say personally that I will be buying all that material. The whole endeavor is going to be a great money maker for WotC, and if they ever do decide to bring back Forgotten Realms at a later date (perhaps coinciding with the release of D&D 4th edition), they have done enough damage to the setting to warrant a new core book and can start all over again. Financially, the plan is a great one.
ORC_Paradox 12-16-05, 06:42 PM	Please stop spreading rumors that are not true. It's considered trolling and baiting which is against the Code of Conduct. Thanks.