I have to say I'm not very hopeful. They are using a first-time director. The screenwriter is the same guy who came up with D&D: Wrath of the Dragon Gods, and a bunch of unknown actors.
So this is a movie by a failed screenwriter, with an untested director, an unknown cast, based off a roleplaying book that I charitably rank as one of the worst fo the 3e era. Color me pessimistic.
That said, I don't think (and I'm speculating) that the movie is based on the "real" book that was published as a mature audiences game supplement, but on the in-game-world artifact of the same name.
If they based the movie on the game product, the movie would have to be rated R, and I doubt that's the rating they are shooting for with a movie like this. ;)
So, apparently Wizards has decided to make another go at a D&D movie. This time, they've teamed up with Silver Pictures to make a movie called the Book of Vile Darkness (IMDB Link). Wizards just announced a contest to give you a walk-on role as a character you make using the Contest Builder.
I have to say I'm not very hopeful. They are using a first-time director. The screenwriter is the same guy who came up with D&D: Wrath of the Dragon Gods, and a bunch of unknown actors.
So this is a movie by a failed screenwriter, with an untested director, an unknown cast, based off a roleplaying book that I charitably rank as one of the worst fo the 3e era. Color me pessimistic.
Of all the books....why in God's name did they have to pick this one?
gamers and gamers 2: dorkness rising were really good movies and a much more accurate representation of the game of D&D
That said, I don't think (and I'm speculating) that the movie is based on the "real" book that was published as a mature audiences game supplement, but on the in-game-world artifact of the same name.
Based on the writer's faithfulness to the source material, I'd be surprised if the movie resembles either the supplement or the in-game artifact of the same name.
Of course, colon cancer is not bad compared to the first movie.
Could be good. Could be bad. More likely the latter.
based on a high-school campaign using primarily BoVD and BoEF as reference.
i'll top WLB's "could be worse":
based on a high-school campaign using primarily BoVD and BoEF as reference.
Sweet merciful Yeenoghu, why would you do that?! That's a crime against nature itself in the makings!
PC/promo art will be made by rob leifeld
There was no 'first' D&D movie. Nope, never happened. Okay, I'll acknowledge it just long enough to crap on it. It says plenty when Thorazin Birch is a highlight of the movie ;).
/\ Art
But, but, I liked Wrath of the Dragon God. Don't get me wrong, it was no LotR but for what it was, it was enjoyable. Sometimes shoe-string budget movies can be fun. If a few people from that movie are involved in the new one, I won't complain.
I enjoyed it, too. It was a fun watch. I'm not expecting another Star Wars or Lord of the Rings for at least another 10 years. But, I liked the characters in Wrath of the Dragon God. Lux, Nim, Lux, Ormaline, Lux, Dorian, Lux and Ona.
Poor Ona.
There was no 'first' D&D movie. Nope, never happened. Okay, I'll acknowledge it just long enough to crap on it. It says plenty when Thorazin Birch is a highlight of the movie ;).
Thora Birch was just there to capitalize on her 15 minutes after American Beauty (to tie into the D&D cartoon thread, another example of something considered "good" that I just don't like).
Thora Birch was not the highlight of that movie. The best part of that movie was Jeremy Irons. He made the movie. Thora Birch's acting was stiff, so Mr. Irons decided to pick up the slack and act enough for the two of them.
"Let the blood raaaaaain from the sky!!!"
Thora Birch was not the highlight of that movie.
I was thinking different highlights. There was somebody named Jeremy in there too, you say?
. I was kinda bored by the time she showed up, so hey, why not?/\ Art
Y'know, if they were going to guarantee me a speaking part, with at least two or three lines of real dialogue with another character, I might almost consider submitting a character...
But seriously, a character sheet and 100 words of description? Needs to be a villain and a spellcaster? I'm going to make a prediction and say that whoever wins is going to get dressed up in costume and makeup and then do one scene where they're way off in the background, with no dialogue. If they're lucky, they may get to wave their arms around like they're casting.
Wrath of the Dragon God wasn't bad. At least not compared to the first movie.
Of course, colon cancer is not bad compared to the first movie.
Could be good. Could be bad. More likely the latter.
I liked the first movie better than the second one. I' m weird like that, I march to the beat of my own drum. I can watch the first movie and enjoy it but I found the dailogue in the second one, impossible to sit through.
So this is a movie by a failed screenwriter, with an untested director, an unknown cast, based off a roleplaying book that I charitably rank as one of the worst fo the 3e era. Color me pessimistic.
...C'mon, it has to be at *least* as good as D&D 2: The Elemental Might; to my mind, the funniest fantasy movie ever made. Even funnier than Red Sonja, and that's saying alot. In D&D2, I particularly like the Cleric character's facial hair, and the way that he goes from hirsute to cleanshaven from camera shot to camera shot. What feat did he take to get that!?
I would like to see wotc take the money they would spend making this movie, and put it into game design and better playtesting/editing.
Yes, please.
Needs to be a villain and a spellcaster? I'm going to make a prediction and say that whoever wins is going to get dressed up in costume and makeup and then do one scene where they're way off in the background, with no dialogue. If they're lucky, they may get to wave their arms around like they're casting.
Yeah and if you show up with your LARP outfit and your tennis balls with streamers you can yell "Fireball", "Fireball" and pelt the other actors. Preferably while you wave around a foam covered broomstick with a duct tape enhanced crest. Also you have to make sure to have cheetos stains on your fake white beard and your fish head tennis shoes have to peeking out from under your wizard's bathrobe. After all they will just animate over you in post-production anyway.
I would like to see wotc take the money they would spend making this movie, and put it into game design and better playtesting/editing.
I'm not sure WoTC has any direct financial interest in the film. AFAIK the rights were sold way back in the TSR era. I think their involvement might be restricted merely to marketing tie-ins.
I'm not sure WoTC has any direct financial interest in the film. AFAIK the rights were sold way back in the TSR era. I think their involvement might be restricted merely to marketing tie-ins.
Bingo. WotC/Hasbro/TSR don't spend a dime on the movie. Executive producers do. WotC/Hasbro/TSR make money from the movie, no matter how bad it tanks, because they get paid up front for the licensing rights. Then Hasbro makes more money with a line of action figures.
So, apparently Wizards has decided to make another go at a D&D movie. This time, they've teamed up with Silver Pictures to make a movie called the Book of Vile Darkness (IMDB Link). Wizards just announced a contest to give you a walk-on role as a character you make using the Contest Builder.
I have to say I'm not very hopeful. They are using a first-time director. The screenwriter is the same guy who came up with D&D: Wrath of the Dragon Gods, and a bunch of unknown actors.
So this is a movie by a failed screenwriter, with an untested director, an unknown cast, based off a roleplaying book that I charitably rank as one of the worst fo the 3e era. Color me pessimistic.
Hey, at least its not Uwe Boll. Seriously, that WOULD be worse.
It could be worse I suppose. They might have gone 3PP and "Book of Erotic Fantasy" instead...
Hey, I'd watch that, LOL. At least that'd be better than a Drowtales -based movie.
That being said, I'd love to play a Githyanki Warlock.
I'm also pretty skeptical of seeing anybodies character "on the big screen" unless they mean a big screen tv hooked up to a DVD player, since this thing, if its anything like the first one is going straight to video.
It could turn out good.
I'll only watch this if they kill off another Waynes brother. Or at least not cast a Waynes brother.
I'm also pretty skeptical of seeing anybodies character "on the big screen" unless they mean a big screen tv hooked up to a DVD player, since this thing, if its anything like the first one is going straight to video.
the Marlon Wayans and the dwarf were the only good characters in the movie. the elf was weak, the heavy was a little too over the top, the hero wasn't sure if he was a thief or a fighter (either way he sucked dragon scrote), and the beholders had to turn around to look somewhere else. on top of this the only difference between the red and gold dragons was a slight tint variation.
If they based the movie on the game product, the movie would have to be rated R, and I doubt that's the rating they are shooting for with a movie like this. ;)
Hey, let some of us live in hope!
my problem with the character submission method is that you have to design your character within the limited confines of the 4E character builder. i wonder how strict they'll be about that...
Request for clarification: when they say "uses spells" does that mean they "have to be mage-y" or just "not mundane martial". I've got an idea for a paladin, 3 guesses as to what he looks like, that I could flavor villianous. He'd have blasting spells, but still be good with the sword and wear armor.
Is there anyone in this thread (or an email I can send to) to get this question answered before the deadline?
Kletian999 - The official rules state that " The judges will take the following character attributes into
account: (a) the character should belong to a race that lends itself to evil or mercenary behavior; (b) the
character should be a class that includes magic use; and (c) the character should be one of the following
races: Bladeling, Changeling, Deva, Drow, Duergar, Dwarf, Eladrin, Elf, Genasi, Githyanki, Githzerai,
Goblin, Half-Elf, Half-Orc,Hobgoblin, Kalashtar, Kenku, Longtooth Shifter, Mul, Orc, Razorclaw Shifter,
Revenant, Tiefling, Wilden. " If that still leaves you unsure, please email us with the specifics and we will do our best to get you a definitive answer.
I don't know if this is meant to be a theatrical release or a made for SyFy channel B movie, but either way, I'm sure it won't be as nasty as all that in reality. Sure, IMDB shows it as being PG-13, implying a theatrical release, but it's still in preproduction. How can they even know?
Whoever at WoTC approved a title like this is really asking for it ... just when DnD is starting to get positive exposure decades after the Satanic scare of the 80s. Bad move.
I'm not even addressing the quality of the film. But I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up on SyFy and I DVR it and watch portions of it when I get tired of "Triassic Terror" or "Shark Attack 12." ;) Matter of fact, it would probably be better off on SyFy - do less damage to the brand. I just hope in 2012 we aren't all saying "There was no Book of Vile Darkness. Didn't exist."
Seriously, WoTC. A movie based on the Book of Vile Darkness?
I'm hoping that the titular object is the McGuffin that the heroic main characters need to destroy, rather than being something they want for their own purposes, at the very least.
the Marlon Wayans and the dwarf were the only good characters in the movie.
What Dwarf? Sorry, I must have missed his unexplained appearance in between plugging my ears to keep out Marlon Wayans' incoherent and unfunny impersonation of Chris Rock.
Oh yeah, there he is. He must have sprung fully formed from the ground or something.
Oh, but I kid. I kid.
Then again, I thought the Transformers movie would suck too and I was glad to admit I enjoyed it. But that was a toy with a rich backstory. Games tend to make bad movies. They either do not resemble the game in any way, which is disappointing, or they do resemble the game, which is embarassing. No win situation. Gawd I hope I'm wrong.
That said I have high hopes for the movie and hope it lives up to its evil inspiration.
Seriously, WoTC. A movie based on the Book of Vile Darkness?
I'm hoping that the titular object is the McGuffin that the heroic main characters need to destroy, rather than being something they want for their own purposes, at the very least.
Oh, I'm sure you're probably right and that's how they'll do it, but I'm still taking bets on how long it takes until we get the first news article about Dungeons and Dragons being satanic. I mean, c'mon, it's too hard for them to resist.
Oh, I'm sure you're probably right and that's how they'll do it, but I'm still taking bets on how long it takes until we get the first news article about Dungeons and Dragons being satanic. I mean, c'mon, it's too hard for them to resist.
Honestly, I doubt it will even get much more than a blip on the media radar, maybe one line somewhere mentioning its existence. The media and political pundits have too many other things on their plate to lie about and distort than worrying about D&D.
All I expect to happen is crappy reviews.
Halm_Blooded- We have adjusted our submission guidelines to ask that you send in a zipped .DND4E file rather than a .pdf file. I hope you find this to be more intuitive - please let us know if you continue to run into problems or concerns.
Kletian999 - The official rules state that " The judges will take the following character attributes into
account: (a) the character should belong to a race that lends itself to evil or mercenary behavior; (b) the
character should be a class that includes magic use; and (c) the character should be one of the following
races: Bladeling, Changeling, Deva, Drow, Duergar, Dwarf, Eladrin, Elf, Genasi, Githyanki, Githzerai,
Goblin, Half-Elf, Half-Orc,Hobgoblin, Kalashtar, Kenku, Longtooth Shifter, Mul, Orc, Razorclaw Shifter,
Revenant, Tiefling, Wilden. " If that still leaves you unsure, please email us with the specifics and we will do our best to get you a definitive answer.
Perfect, thank you.
Even funnier than Red Sonja, and that's saying alot.
Well if you name drop RS
www.imdb.com/title/tt0800175/
Wrath of the Dragon God wasn't bad. At least not compared to the first movie.
Of course, colon cancer is not bad compared to the first movie.
Could be good. Could be bad. More likely the latter.
Wrath of the Dragon God was actually bad ass, the only thing it could have really used more of was budget and distance from the first. The chick who played the barbarian was soooo HAWT!
There's a music video tie-in. Thank you, 1990.
I'm sorry if this crushed your souls, but the truth hurts sometimes.
the last one was horrid im not hopeful for this one
gamers and gamers 2: dorkness rising were really good movies and a much more accurate representation of the game of D&D
Correction: The Last two were Horrid, not the just the last one. Let us keep our DnD at our tables and with competent DMs, and forget these abominal films. Its best that way.
As for the D&D movies, what I'm always stumped about is that there are countless adventures, worlds, books, and whatnot that already exist. But, instead of choosing something with a proven story, they....make up crappy ones of their own.
I hope you're not saying that the Gamers movies were bad. They're fantastic.
As for the D&D movies, what I'm always stumped about is that there are countless adventures, worlds, books, and whatnot that already exist. But, instead of choosing something with a proven story, they....make up crappy ones of their own.
Why would I talk about the Gamers films? My first sentence corrected his first statement about there being two bad DnD movies....Gamers are fine, the DnD films...no. So why would you think I was even talking about the Gamer films?
If only it was "Gamers 3: Book of Vile Darkness" then I think it would have a shot of being super awesome.
The other D&D movies :yawn: not much there... I think the Deathstalker movies were better. (You remember those Deathstalker movies, the covers were waaaay cooler than the actual movies - but there was the guy who beat the other guy to death with his own arms - hence the phrase "I am going to rip off your arms and beat you to death with them!" Classic!
I, contrary to much heated and popular opinion, personally liked the Dragonlance Animated Movie. I wish it hadn't gotten so much flak so they would have put out the other two movies. Come to think of it, Dragonlance Chronicles would be a good trilogy to produce as a live-action movie...tack on Legends afterwards.
I would be scared to make a Drizzt movie...the fan venom that would erupt from that sort of undertaking...:shudder:
Game of Thrones is turning out to be a good series so far...but I tire of low magic settings in movies, I want high magic D&D to translate to the screen.
Finding information on this film is like looking for a rare red ruby in a dungeon. You know it's out there, just not many hints or books providing info. Somewhere I read 2012 was the release date. Does anyone know an actual date?
IMDB has images of some the characters, which makes it look like its going to be really hamtastically ridiculously hilariously godawful.
But I still want to see it. >_<
To see the pictures, look amidst the listed actor's pictures. Main cast members Akordia (Eleanor Geck), Bezz (Barry Aird), Seith (Lex Daniel), and Vimak (Habib Nasib Nader) at least have photos from the movie in there.
But I still want to see it. >_<
To see the pictures, look amidst the listed actor's pictures. Main cast members Akordia (Eleanor Geck), Bezz (Barry Aird), Seith (Lex Daniel), and Vimak (Habib Nasib Nader) at least have photos from the movie in there.
C) have fallen back into TSR practices of Nepotism (i.e. hiring their gaming buddies or wives nephews etc. to run the company into the ground).
TSR was not run into the ground because of nepotism. TSR was run into the ground by Kevin Blume and Lorraine Williams, both of whom were involved in TSR because they invested money in the company. Some of the best material ever released for D&D was under the watch of Gary Gygax and his staff of "gaming buddies or wives nephews".
TSR was not run into the ground because of nepotism. TSR was run into the ground by Kevin Blume and Lorraine Williams1
To be fair, Kevin Blume was the son of Gygax's gaming buddy Brian Blume. So in that sense, there was nepotism. And the Blumes did almost bankrupt TSR the first time around with stupid things like needlework D&D products. Which is why they had to bring in Lorraine Williams1 who wasn't even a gamer. She turned the company around by releasing 2e, and then drove it into the ground by pushing Buck Rodgers games (her family owned the rights) and failing to engage in basic inventory management.
1The name, it burns!
... and failing to engage in basic inventory management.
I remember reading about the TSR warehouse completely packed full of 2e supplements that no one was buying. The numbers were crazy, more DM supplements than D&D players. That's why you still find ebay chocked full of shrinkwrapped TSR material.