I have been saying this for years now... where is the DragonLance Chronicles: Dragons of Autumn Twilight? Not that i have had a bunch of time to research why... i would be interested if there is any of you who have. I thinks it's way overdue and with all the advancements in movie-making now. It would be awesome. :D
While I agree, I wouldn't start holding my breath any time soon.
~~~
LoI, have you ever heard the phrase that "One definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior and expecting different results?"
That would be true to this if it was being repeated... but its not. There hasnt been an attempt to make a movie for DragonLance. About 10 years ago i had heard that there was the chronicles done in cartoon format... but never found it to be true.
That would be true to this if it was being repeated... but its not. There hasnt been an attempt to make a movie for DragonLance. About 10 years ago i had heard that there was the chronicles done in cartoon format... but never found it to be true.
I believe he's talking about LoI's behavior, not the creation of a movie.
Cheers,
Cam
SP holds right, correct?
No, I don't think they do. I don't know who holds the film rights, but SP's license is for game books.
As far as I know, which often isn't as far as I imagine that it is.
That would be true to this if it was being repeated... but its not. There hasnt been an attempt to make a movie for DragonLance. About 10 years ago i had heard that there was the chronicles done in cartoon format... but never found it to be true.
It went as far as getting an official press release, but it fell through. It was about the time that TSR was having serious financial difficulties, so that might have had something to do with it.
Several different ideas were floating around--I think they were either going to go with the first half of DoAT, or the adventures covered by DL3 and DL4 (now due to be retold in the forthcoming Dragons of the Dwarven Depths). The film was going to be done by Nelvana Animation, and I believe Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens were going to do the script based on a treatment by TSR staff. Former DL designer Steve Miller actually wrote one of those treatments.
Matthew L. Martin
I believe he's talking about LoI's behavior, not the creation of a movie.
Cheers,
Cam
you are right. i read that wrong. sorry.
It went as far as getting an official press release, but it fell through. It was about the time that TSR was having serious financial difficulties, so that might have had something to do with it.
Several different ideas were floating around--I think they were either going to go with the first half of DoAT, or the adventures covered by DL3 and DL4 (now due to be retold in the forthcoming Dragons of the Dwarven Depths). The film was going to be done by Nelvana Animation, and I believe Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens were going to do the script based on a treatment by TSR staff. Former DL designer Steve Miller actually wrote one of those treatments.
Matthew L. Martin
Is there more info. to this? links?
There is co-operation in most movies today. SP holds right, correct?
Sovereign Press does not owned the IP (that is, intellectual properties). They only acquired a license to publish pen-n-paper DL RPG products from Wizards of the Coast.
As it stands, WotC own all rights to Dragonlance. They are looking for interested parties in Hollywood (or wherever) that wants to do a DL film, but as it stands, it is nowhere as recognizable as such classic fantasy literatures as LOTR and Narnia.
FWIW, thank Paladine that Courtney Solomon's film rights to Dungeons & Dragons does not ... DOES NOT ... include Dragonlance. Whew!
*wipes brow*
As far as a Dragonlance movie.... If it is closer to the two D&D movies we have got and not closer to the Lord of the Rings we all love, then I refuse to add my name to that petition.
Peter Jackson? well I heard he is working on a little known game to movie called Halo....
And after that movie, I personally prefer PJ would be on standby when the conflict have been resolved between two film companies and greenlighted the Hobbit movie production.
We can still use WETA Workshop and WETA Digital over ILM.
We can still use WETA Workshop and WETA Digital over ILM.
Im all for that. They would give to DL the visual that has been in all of our minds.
LotR was a horrid adaptation. Not that I want to start a fight about it, but they DID change not only story structure but character personality and some real major events in the series.
The Dragonlance Books would probably be severly watered down. I mean.....they watered down Harry Potter....a children's book! Just what would they do with the Chronicles??
And after that movie, I personally prefer PJ would be on standby when the conflict have been resolved between two film companies and greenlighted the Hobbit movie production.
We can still use WETA Workshop and WETA Digital over ILM.
Heh,I think WETA is working on doing the CGI for a live-action movie of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion right now. The fans of the series dont seem to be pleased from my extensive time spent of Eva fourms.
...that was completely OT.
Heh,I think WETA is working on doing the CGI for a live-action movie of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion right now. The fans of the series dont seem to be pleased from my extensive time spent of Eva fourms.
...that was completely OT.
In my limited exposure to the Evangelion series, it was my understanding that even the diehard fans of the series didn't like how it ended. Either time. Now they're making a live-action version of it huh? I guess they really are trying to alienate the fan-base for that series.
I guess the creator of the series isn't done getting his revenge on the fanbase for all the threats they made to him for not finishing the series properly back in the day.
In my limited exposure to the Evangelion series, it was my understanding that even the diehard fans of the series didn't like how it ended. Either time. Now they're making a live-action version of it huh? I guess they really are trying to alienate the fan-base for that series.
I guess the creator of the series isn't done getting his revenge on the fanbase for all the threats they made to him for not finishing the series properly back in the day.
I am not sure exactly of how much involvement Hideaki Anno(the creator) evev has with the movie. But yeah, a lot of fans did not like the ending of the series. Although there are some who actually have interpreted it in a positive way.
I'm not sure if the books would translate all too well as a movie.
LotR was a horrid adaptation. Not that I want to start a fight about it,...
You just did. You really want to spend 3 hours watching the Council of Elrond dialogue in its entirety? :P
As far as I'M concerned, PJ did good on being faithful to the story in his adaptation.
The Dragonlance Books would probably be severly watered down. I mean.....they watered down Harry Potter....a children's book! Just what would they do with the Chronicles??
Hopefully feature the most important plot of the storylines without going over two hours, at least for the first Act. I mean if they leave out the Xak Tsorath(sp?) dungeon crawling where they come across the black dragon, then that's "Courtney Solomon" level of stupidity.
it would be great if someone could make the movies and stay true to the books,but i won't hold my breath til i see it in commercals.
For me, it just have to remain faithful. I don't necessarily need an all-too-literal translation. Just a faithful adaptation from printed medium to film medium.
Went to google lookin for the DL video game and founds a link that took me to the "offical DL Movie page". It had a list of stars next to who would play each char...
Highly unlikely that was anything "official". IMDB hasn't heard of a Dragonlance movie in production, and they're pretty thorough.
*edit* Blast it, can't seem to post a working link through WoTC's filter. Go to www.imdb.com and search for Dragonlance.
AFAIK, there was an option being shopped around Hollywood for a DL movie. That's what the DL Movie website was waiting for. Also, AFAIK, that option expired quite some time ago. I think there was some speculation that Hollywood wasn't looking to try cashing in on the phenom of LotR. Of course, that doesn't explain why Narnia was released. Ah well...
Only if you treat Hollywood as a singular entity, rather than a community of film studios and production companies. The majority of Hollywood didn't want to deal with LOTR in the first place. United Artist was just squatting on the film option until a Kiwi came over and pitched for a two-movie proposal, and they weren't convinced. New Line however was looking to get out of the rut that Hollywood has been going through. Despite criticism from Tolkien Purists and high-nose snobs, the three films made truckloads of money for New Line and United Artists (as well as Tolkien Enterprise).
Ironic that Decipher couldn't capitalize on the exposure of the films to push their officially licensed RPG. Personally, I wouldn't wait for WotC or Sovereign Press. Either they keep up with the movies or they miss the bus.
All it takes is one production studio -- or two -- willing to take that high-risk investment.
All it takes is one production studio -- or two -- willing to take that high-risk investment.
This is my thought too. But a director or producer would have to step up and get it started. The story board...
Hopefully feature the most important plot of the storylines without going over two hours, at least for the first Act. I mean if they leave out the Xak Tsorath(sp?) dungeon crawling where they come across the black dragon, then that's "Courtney Solomon" level of stupidity.
To stay some what true to the books, and entertain those who only like two hour movies, they would have to do less than a whole volume at a time. The series, in print is being currently released as a set of (shorter) books. The first book ends shortly after the encounter with the Black Dragon (my set of Chronicles has them marked as books with in the volumes).
I would hate to say it, but I feel the best way to stay true to the complete story (all three volumes) would be in a dreaded mini series, probably on the Sci-Fi channel. Most likely they would not get the big name actors and directors, but they would get to stay true to the story line, with out having to cut to much plot and details (such in the Harry Potter series). The encounter with the Black dragon, more than a simple dungeon crawl helps set the stage for later drama between the characters, and should not be cut for time purposes.
"I believe what i said was that I can neither confirm nor deny a rumor about an animated DL movie.
Margaret"
Take it as you wish...
To stay some what true to the books, and entertain those who only like two hour movies, they would have to do less than a whole volume at a time. The series, in print is being currently released as a set of (shorter) books. The first book ends shortly after the encounter with the Black Dragon (my set of Chronicles has them marked as books with in the volumes).
I would hate to say it, but I feel the best way to stay true to the complete story (all three volumes) would be in a dreaded mini series, probably on the Sci-Fi channel. Most likely they would not get the big name actors and directors, but they would get to stay true to the story line, with out having to cut to much plot and details (such in the Harry Potter series). The encounter with the Black dragon, more than a simple dungeon crawl helps set the stage for later drama between the characters, and should not be cut for time purposes.
If by "true," you mean a direct translation, it is impossible across the board for any books to port over to a motion picture format. And personally, I don't like my Dragonlance Chronicles in a multiple-episode mini-series for TV format.
No, it must be adapted to motion picture, and as long it is faithful to the printed story then the audience will do more than just buy the DVDs when it comes out. They'll want to read the books also. I don't like having a new medium replace the original medium. It should complement the original.
1. Faith in the Material: It's difficult to find producers who would remain faithful and respectful of the material. The most likely outcome would be something similar to what we saw in the Dungeons & Dragons movies. Disappointing.
2. Mainstream Appeal: Dragonlance doesn't have as much mainstream appeal as LotR, Narnia, and Harry Potter (or Halo). In fact, Dragonlance doesn't even come close to those brands in popularity and sales. While it does have some mainstream appeal, it receives almost zero respect from literary critics. Literary critics, at best, rate the Dragonlance novels as entertaining and pulpy novels for children. Weiss and Hickman aren't considered to be in the same league as the writers of top-notch children's fantasy, such as Lloyd Alexander and C.S. Lewis. Tolkien's novels are adult fantasy and are considered literary classics. This went a long way towards legitimizing the movies.
3. Funding: Because of the difficulty in finding solid producers and the lack of mainstream appeal, it's going to be difficult to secure the kind of money needed to do Dragonlance justice. Lack of mainstream appeal leads to lack of funding. Lack of funding leads to less talented actors, writers, and directors. What we end up with is something similar to the Dungeons & Dragons movies. Sad.
A note about Peter Jackson and other directors of his calibre: Keep in mind that Jackson isn't writing and directing the Halo movie; he's executive producing it, which means he's funding it. The only reason he's doing this is to make money. Actually directing a Halo or Dragonlance movie at this point in his career, would be artistic suicide. Oscar winning directors aren't going to touch Dragonlance with a ten-foot pole.
All of this being as it is... I do think it's possible to make a successful Dragonlance movie. It's just not likely to happen. Personally, I'd like to see movie adaptations of more literary fantasy novels... Michael Moorcock's Elric and Fritz Leiber's Fahfrd and the Grey Mouser come to mind.
Oscar winning directors aren't going to touch Dragonlance with a ten-foot pole.
Shrugs. I've yet to hear a name in the cinema industry that is actually a fan of Dragonlance books, not counting Courtney Solomon.
The might, especially once the craze dies down again, it will be precious.
Or sadly, when the authors pass. It's gonna take some time, but I'm afraid I may not live long to see it or my senses would be debilitated by age.
*chuckle* You guys would enjoy Tracy's latest newsletter.
Hehe...or the Dragonhearth Podcast #4.
*chuckle* You guys would enjoy Tracy's latest newsletter.
What the crap? I didn't get it. Hmm...I wonder what happened.
So, what'd it say?
*chuckle* You guys would enjoy Tracy's latest newsletter.
We would if we could read it.
Where is it?
"If there is one question that I get more than any other ... it involved the Dragonlance Movie.
Over twenty years ago, jour editor Jean Black hosted a lunch in Lake Geneva at a local restaurant to celebrate the release of the first Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Autumn twilight. She stood up and said she had an announcement to make. Paper in hand, she started reading: "From Paramount Studios to TSR, Inc. We are pleased to inform you that your Dragonlance novel will be made into a major motion picture..."
I can still remember the look on Margaret's face ... it must have been as astonished as mine. It also scared Jean Black because the letter was a joke she was playing on us. She proceeded to announce the worst possible director and a casting for the characters that was hilarious. Still, we both remember that initial, fleeting moment when the possibility of being on the big screen was real.
We've been waiting ever since – and so have many of you.
Every week over the intervening two decades I get mail asking why we don't do a Dragonlance movie. Some offer sincerely to help get such a project made – many young film makers, actors and screenwriters have approached us – only to be directed back to TSR – and subsequently Wizards of the Coast – since they hold the movie rights and Margaret and I do not. Others even seem to blame Margaret and me for holding up production on a Dragonlance Movie as though all we needed to do was flip a switch and it would magically happen.
Please believe us; no one – and I mean NO ONE – wants a Dragonlance movie made more than Margaret and I.
So the years rolled along, the questions kept coming, and Margaret and I continued to wait, hope and offer support whenever we could.
And now? Well now there IS something happening with a Dragonlance movie. I can't tell you the details yet but even Margaret and I have attended a meeting or two – grateful that our opinion seems to count. When we can say more, we will.
In the meanwhile, just know that sometimes it's right not to give up on some dreams."
I would hate to say it, but I feel the best way to stay true to the complete story (all three volumes) would be in a dreaded mini series, probably on the Sci-Fi channel. Most likely they would not get the big name actors and directors, but they would get to stay true to the story line, with out having to cut to much plot and details (such in the Harry Potter series). The encounter with the Black dragon, more than a simple dungeon crawl helps set the stage for later drama between the characters, and should not be cut for time purposes.
With all due respect, having DL on SCI-FI is not reason enough for me to subscribe to cable. And the last time SCI-FI did an original movie was an adaptation to Earthsea and that movie was denounced by the literary author of Earthsea novels.
chuff80 quote/ as soon as they announce who the producers they're talking to are, I'm all over this. I'm a professional actor. I don't know if I can land a part, but I'll give it my best shot....whew, talk about a dream-role!!!!!
Im a finish carpenter. Think i could pull a Harrison Ford and get into a roll??? ;)
I hope they give Tracy and Margaret a great deal of creative control. I'm excited by the prospect of this, but I'm also scared of all the things I mention in my previous post on this thread. Guess we'll wait and see. *crosses fingers* ;)
Not to sound crass, but Tracy and Margaret better be writing a movie bible for Dragonlance that is more detailed and expansive than J.R.R. Tolkien's note on Middle-Earth ... while we're posting. Whether a film deal will come true or not, I'd rather they be prepared.
http://www.nerakayqualinost.com/paginaP.html
What about this:
http://www.nerakayqualinost.com/paginaP.html
Didn't you just post that same link in another thread?
Cheers,
Cam
What about this:
http://www.nerakayqualinost.com/paginaP.html
Ridiculous.
Angelina for Takhises - The only bad thing about that is would be seen only as a mist form, That is til they came to Legends and she started appearing in Raistlin's dreams. ;)
Oh and BAD CHOICE for Tas.
There are several problems with bringing Dragonlance to the big screen...
1. Faith in the Material: It's difficult to find producers who would remain faithful and respectful of the material. The most likely outcome would be something similar to what we saw in the Dungeons & Dragons movies. Disappointing.
2. Mainstream Appeal: Dragonlance doesn't have as much mainstream appeal as LotR, Narnia, and Harry Potter (or Halo). In fact, Dragonlance doesn't even come close to those brands in popularity and sales. While it does have some mainstream appeal, it receives almost zero respect from literary critics. Literary critics, at best, rate the Dragonlance novels as entertaining and pulpy novels for children. Weiss and Hickman aren't considered to be in the same league as the writers of top-notch children's fantasy, such as Lloyd Alexander and C.S. Lewis. Tolkien's novels are adult fantasy and are considered literary classics. This went a long way towards legitimizing the movies.
3. Funding: Because of the difficulty in finding solid producers and the lack of mainstream appeal, it's going to be difficult to secure the kind of money needed to do Dragonlance justice. Lack of mainstream appeal leads to lack of funding. Lack of funding leads to less talented actors, writers, and directors. What we end up with is something similar to the Dungeons & Dragons movies. Sad.
1) Define "faithful". No movie adpation is 100% faithful to the source material, its impossible. You can't just take novels and shoot a movie out of them. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Narina - none of these are 100% faithful to the books, what they did do was stay true to the spirit of those books and include as much from the books as possible. So if you expect/want a Dragonlance movie(s) that you can read along with you will be disapointed. If you want a good movie based on Dragon Lance I think that could be delievered.
2) I think you are overrating this. Before the LotR movies (for example) how often did you hear LotR mentioned, referenced or talked about in main stream culture? Its the movies that really brought it into main stream culture. Before that it was something that fantasy fans enjoyed and knew. LotR and Narina were more popular among fantasy fans for sure, but it wasn't like everyone and their brother knew what a hobbit was or who Gandalf was before the movies came out. As for the critics, man critics call(ed) LotR a comic book without pictures with no female characters etc... No everyone consider(ed) it a classic (since the movie thats changed alittle).
3) Look what happened in the late 70's and early 80's when Star Wars hit, people wer lining up to fun sci-fi adventure movies. The last few sinces when Spider-Man and X-Men hit the same happened with superhero movies. I'm surprised we havn't seen more fantasy movies being made, but with the success of LotR, Harry Potter and Narina I'm sure there is a studio out there willing to flip the bill. As for the actors, big names don't = best talent.
family members should look at least a little alike, and it is mentioned in the books that Kit did share a some features with her brothers, and the twins. Well they are TWINS, and are said to have some shared facial features. The actors would have to lokk alittle alike, as with the actress playing Kit.
Yeah, but is appearance more important than say acting skill?
I mean if that's the case, I have once supported the London twin brothers, Jason and Jeremy. But now it's 2006 and they're past their prime.
2) I think you are overrating this. Before the LotR movies (for example) how often did you hear LotR mentioned, referenced or talked about in main stream culture? Its the movies that really brought it into main stream culture. Before that it was something that fantasy fans enjoyed and knew. LotR and Narina were more popular among fantasy fans for sure, but it wasn't like everyone and their brother knew what a hobbit was or who Gandalf was before the movies came out.
Well, I wouldn't say LOTR and Tolkien are mainstream icons, but they have enjoyed a cult following that rivals the Trekkies during the 60's and 70's. I mean chances are your parents or grandparents may have read one of the books.
As for the critics, man critics call(ed) LotR a comic book without pictures with no female characters etc... No everyone consider(ed) it a classic (since the movie thats changed alittle).
Heh. Whoever said film critics are literary critics?
3) Look what happened in the late 70's and early 80's when Star Wars hit, people wer lining up to fun sci-fi adventure movies. The last few sinces when Spider-Man and X-Men hit the same happened with superhero movies. I'm surprised we havn't seen more fantasy movies being made, but with the success of LotR, Harry Potter and Narina I'm sure there is a studio out there willing to flip the bill. As for the actors, big names don't = best talent.
IIRC, when Star Wars hit big there were a flood of sci-fi movies, but they never enjoyed the same success as Star Wars. Remember Battle Beyond the Stars featuring Richard Thomas (aka "John-Boy" of The Waltons)? They were a lot more campier, thus wouldn't be acceptable by audience who have already been spoiled by Ron D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica.
Besides, we have a fair share of fantasy films, from Willows to Legend to Dark Crystal to Krull to Clash of the Titans ... and let us not forget the most recognizable fantasy film(s), Conan the Barbarian. Which is followed by some cheesy ones like Deathstalker, Red Sonja, Kull the Conqueror, Sword & Sorcery, etc.
I can only speak for myself but after watching LOTR I was so spoiled by them films that I cannot even be impressed by the Dungeons & Dragon film. I think Hollywood knows they can't revive the campy era of genre films, though some, like Courtney Solomon, can't resist being stoopid by nature ... or Troma Production, who deliberately makes B-list movies as are their trademarks.
That and the money to invest is high and production companies have to decide whether it is worth the risk ... meaning that the box office revenue will not only break even but also garner profit.
Remember, Peter Jackson initially tried to pitch United Artists -- the current holder of LOTR film right -- to invest in his production of the movie but resisted. He had to shop around until New Line believed it is worth the risk (as well as raking in revenue from domestic distribution while UA gets revenue from international distribution of the films). Because of the films' success, UA now wants to leave New Line out of the Hobbit film production. That leaves PJ having to watch the two companies duke things out.
Anyhoo, if a producer and/or director is serious about a DL film -- hopefully one who is a fan of the books -- should try and take their cues from PJ and hire Weis and Hickman as story consultants -- who will present a boatload of Tolkien-style appendices and notes not yet made public -- as well as artists Elmore and Stawicki -- who have provided some of the best visual arts into the Dragonlance world.
I mean chances are your parents or grandparents may have read one of the books.
Nope, didn't know they existed until the movies came out.
Heh. Whoever said film critics are literary critics?
Just pointing out that since the movies have come out, hte books have been viewed in a MUCH more positive light. Not that the critics are the same people.
They were a lot more campier
Different time. In the late 70's and early 80's the star wars clones/inspired movies were campy because of a late of funding, just no one knew how to redo what Lucas had done, people forget that when Star Wars came out no one had seen ANYTHING like that (kinda like how we were blown away by the matrix or JP). If you look at the Fantastic Four, Batman, Daredevil etc... that were all made bcause of X-Men and Spider-Man, ALL were well done, today there are no secrets in movie making, any fantasy movie that would follow LotR (done by a major studio, I'm not talking Blood of Beast here) would look and feel as good as LotR.
He had to shop around until New Line believed it is worth the risk (as well as raking in revenue from domestic distribution while UA gets revenue from international distribution of the films). Because of the films' success, UA now wants to leave New Line out of the Hobbit film production
And the way Hollywood works, the same logic applies to DL and other fantasy projects (since LotR the/a new Conan movie has been gotten more steam) would not be viewed as big risks as they were before, they know people will go too and buy a fantasy movie. The same thing happened in the mid 90's when Scream hit. Studio's stopped making horror movies, Scream hits and they are more willing to put money into those movies.
as well as artists Elmore and Stawicki -- who have provided some of the best visual arts into the Dragonlance world.
I would disagree with this practically (in theory, you're right). However (from what I've seen) most of the art done based on the DL books, the first trilogy specfically, has been about the characters, were as LotR art has always been more about hte locations. Because DL was written in the 80's, today the "hot barmaid" wouldn't look like how Tika has been drawn in the past. Tanis's leather armor wouldn't have tassels - sticking to drawning like that would make a movie seem campy. Any drawning of the DL enviroment or creators or events, I completely agree with you, but not character design and thats mostly what I've seen in DL art.
And the way Hollywood works, the same logic applies to DL and other fantasy projects (since LotR the/a new Conan movie has been gotten more steam) would not be viewed as big risks as they were before, they know people will go too and buy a fantasy movie. The same thing happened in the mid 90's when Scream hit. Studio's stopped making horror movies, Scream hits and they are more willing to put money into those movies.
Yeah, now that LOTR has been a big hit, followed by Narnia and in some respect, Pirates of the Caribbeans.
But like the d20 market, there will also be a flood of poor to mediocre films that are cashing in on LOTR hypes. And that's a pattern you're going to see from Hollywood repeated over and over again.
Personally, I hope that a DL film does not end up in the same pile as D&D: The Movie. Would you?
I would disagree with this practically (in theory, you're right). However (from what I've seen) most of the art done based on the DL books, the first trilogy specfically, has been about the characters, were as LotR art has always been more about hte locations. Because DL was written in the 80's, today the "hot barmaid" wouldn't look like how Tika has been drawn in the past. Tanis's leather armor wouldn't have tassels - sticking to drawning like that would make a movie seem campy. Any drawning of the DL enviroment or creators or events, I completely agree with you, but not character design and thats mostly what I've seen in DL art.
Well, considering that Peter Jackson went his way to get two notable Tolkien visual artists (Alan Lee & John Howe) for his films, I don't see why we shouldn't tap on Elmore and Stawicki on their insights, as well as Weis's and Hickman's?
Granted, what may work in art may not be practical nor functioning in live-action reality, but at least we have some landscape foundations or templates to build or fix upon.
Personally, I hope that a DL film does not end up in the same pile as D&D: The Movie. Would you
Of course I would, BUT that risk ahs to be taken to get the movie.
I don't see why we shouldn't tap on Elmore and Stawicki on their insights, as well as Weis's and Hickman's?
I would get artists to help visualize the world, I'm just saying you can't go to the well the way Jackson did because of the difference in the art that DL has inspired compared to the art that LotR inspired. And I would want to see Weis and Hickman involved in the writing.
Of course I would, BUT that risk ahs to be taken to get the movie.
You're cruel.
Then again, there is a certain truth in the pattern. A Rankin-Bass animated rotoscope film was made before Peter Jackson made a better one.
I would get artists to help visualize the world, I'm just saying you can't go to the well the way Jackson did because of the difference in the art that DL has inspired compared to the art that LotR inspired.
You mean the same kind of difference between Lee-Howe visual concept vs. Brothers Hildebrandt visual concept of LOTR?
Is Stawicki more different than Elmore? It would be great if they can collaborate, even though the final approval is whoever directing/producing the film.
You mean the same kind of difference between Lee-Howe visual concept vs. Brothers Hildebrandt visual concept of LOTR?
Is Stawicki more different than Elmore? It would be great if they can collaborate, even though the final approval is whoever directing/producing the film.
I just mean that; When it comes to LotR I never saw much art of the characters, it was always the events or locations, that made it easy for Jackson to put his vision of the charaters into the "art" that had been produced about LotR for years. Its the opposite with DL, I've never really seen Sanction or Palanthas or the Knights charging across Solamnia on horseback with dragons above them, DL art has always focus more on characters, and because a lot of that art was done in the 80's, the characters look like hey belong in the 80's. I don't think (for example) you could take a picture of Tika and make an actress look excatly like that, it wouldn't work in 2006. The art produced around DL has just been different then the art produced around LotR.
I just mean that; When it comes to LotR I never saw much art of the characters, it was always the events or locations, that made it easy for Jackson to put his vision of the charaters into the "art" that had been produced about LotR for years. Its the opposite with DL, I've never really seen Sanction or Palanthas or the Knights charging across Solamnia on horseback with dragons above them, DL art has always focus more on characters, and because a lot of that art was done in the 80's, the characters look like hey belong in the 80's. I don't think (for example) you could take a picture of Tika and make an actress look excatly like that, it wouldn't work in 2006. The art produced around DL has just been different then the art produced around LotR.
Which is more reasons why Stawicki and Elmore should collaborate and draw the environment in the foreground (minus the characters) so the set designers (as well as computer graphic artists) can build them.
It is unfortunate that the cartographer for Maps of Dragonlance have passed away (though she's known more for her Maps of Middle-Earth) but she left some good plans from Soth's Rose Keep to Raistlin's lab. They can build upon that, with help from Daniel Falconer (his notable credit includes PJ's LOTR).
Easley was my favorite artist when I was a kid, then Elmore took over when I became a DL fan, but over the past couple of years, I have really taken to Stawicki's work. His Amber and "whatever" covers are gorgeous, as well as the WoS covers. I just saw yesterday a cover he did for the Rogue Dragons series finale. Very nice.
I guess I would take Stawicki over anyone else right now for design. However, if Elmore "reinterpreted" the characters using the techniques and style he has moved toward over the past decade or so, then he would definitely be a great choice as well.
As long as MW and TH are involved directly with the process, I don't care. The two authors are the ones who created the ideas behind the story, so they, IMO, have the best ability to visualize Krynn in a way that will make us all happy.
And as long as it isn't another Sci-Fi channel mess, I am sure it will be an instant classic.