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#1zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 9:54:32 | Hey guys...For some time now, me and my brother are role playing in the Dark Sun setting. Between serious conversation and messing around we have been talking about how cool it would be to have a Dark Sun movie, more like a trilogy that is, with the events of the core 5 books... The most fun part of the conversation is to try and pick the actors. To start the conversation and any possible inputs I will input my choice for Rikus-Vin Diesel and Tithian played by Gary Oldman... What do you say? :P |
#2dawnstealerFeb 20, 2005 12:15:41 | Considering that Vin Diesel used to play D&D and played a half-ork, I think he'd be up for it. The catch would be finding a director who wouldn't cheese it up (ala the godawful first D&D movie ). I'd say go with the books to #3 and then just leave it hanging. It would also make a good mini-series or even series on the SciFi channel. |
#3zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 13:27:01 | Getting the director and the budget is another altogether issue. One that I don't even dream of..Something like $200ml minimum and a whole lot of cg. Not to mention the difficulites of half giants and the lingering question of could play such hulking beasts of muscle..Bodybuilders maybe .. Your idea about the mini-series is a very good one, something like 12 episodes, 3 dedicated to each book... What about the actors though?? names? |
#4dawnstealerFeb 20, 2005 13:47:01 | That's actually been discussed before, and it's funny that you should mention Vin Diesel and Gary Oldman, because they were our choices, too. It's somewhere on these boards, I think, but that was a while ago. I'd say, write a screenplay and pitch it to SciFi. Unlike a movie, that opens to a wide audience, your chances of catching someone who likes D&D on a channel like SciFi is very good. On the heels of Battlestar Gallactica and Stargate: Atlantis, SciFi is feeling their oats right now, and might be open to a pitch for something like this. I've thought about it a lot and thought about pitching both Dark Sun and Shadowrun to them as tv miniseries or series. Again, the trick would be making it without cheesing it up. Also, getting permission from Wizards to use their copyrighted material might be a problem. |
#5zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 14:32:47 | Yeah, WOTC seems kinda greedy like that. They have to be careful, though. The D&D movie sucked REALLY bad, and really didn't represent anything in the game properly. Especially with the magic crystals and unintelligent dragons. |
#6zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 17:47:01 | the single critical difficulty for a movie version in the transition to film...is attitude. the attitude issue remains that the appeal of bigscreen is not meant towards the fanbase, but to the largest common denominator. at the risk of invoking a popularity war, i cannot recall a single incident where the original vision of the product/game/book was sucessfully preserved in the film format. it is just different audiences. |
#7zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 17:53:29 | The Sci-Fi version of Dune was almost perfect. But, it's just the little things they change that make stuff non-appealing. Like the "magic" in the bags. Scrolls would've just been better. And they could've had at least one dragon say something. When they change minor but important things, they end up ruining stuff. The people who will initially go see the movies are the people familiar with the material, and they basically spread through word of mouth if the film was good or not. Like Dune. The original 1984 version departed too far from the original material, and it bombed. The Sci-Fi remake was dead-on accurrate except for 1 or 2 very minor things, and it was huge. Everybody I know who saw it said it was great, even non-scifi type people. I guess it's just a matter of opinion, but I hope if they do make a Dark SUn movie, they don't slaughter it. |
#8zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 17:54:04 | As for playing Half-Giants etc, thats not hard to do. Computer Graphics would make it easy... its like take a man over say 6 feet and making him look like a man to be 3 feet. Now a days almost anything possible. |
#9zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 18:03:49 | Yeah, just like in the Hulk. The guy who played the hulk is a scrawny wuss, but they CGId him into the Green Menace himself. |
#10zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 18:04:20 | Sorry, I won't go and see it unless they get Crispin Glover to play Tithian. |
#11zombiegleemaxFeb 20, 2005 18:07:27 | They need Rebecca Romijn-Stamos to play Sadira. Or Britney Spears. |
#12dawnstealerFeb 21, 2005 0:56:45 | Or Jessica Simpson or, better, Angelina Jolie, who's just wierd enough to actually do it.the single critical difficulty for a movie version in the transition to film...is attitude. the attitude issue remains that the appeal of bigscreen is not meant towards the fanbase, but to the largest common denominator. at the risk of invoking a popularity war, i cannot recall a single incident where the original vision of the product/game/book was sucessfully preserved in the film format. it is just different audiences. Have to agree with you, here. I would say stay largely away from CG where you can help it. Basically, Hulk was a horrible movie because it was hard to buy that this great big green cartoon was a real person. CG has come a long ways since the days of "The Last Starfighter," but it still looks like cartoons. Better to do it the old-fashioned way: angled shots, change of scale, etc. Even Lord of the Rings, when showing the size of hobbits, did little CG in that sense - it was all camera tricks and depth-of-field. It just feels more "real" that way. Far and away, the only way to make a project like this is to have a good story. Conan the Barbarian was an interesting story and had a very campy feel to it. Gladiator was the same way. You have to start with a good story and the first three to four books are the some of the best stories out there in the fantasy world. |
#13judicator_shekarFeb 21, 2005 9:01:13 | Why would you want a talentless loser like Britney Spears to play an interesting character like Sadira? Or Jessica Simpson for that matter. Angelina Jolie is a good pick, I guess, though as the Oscars will indicate, we are having a bit of a shortage of good actresses (Hillary Swank is about it as of this year). Liv Tyler might be ok too. Some other roles: -Sean Connery needs to be in this movie (lol). Perhaps one of the Mind Lords or even a weird representation of Kalak. -Antonio Banderas as Nibenay in his illusionary form. He did a good job as Armand in Interview with a Vampire, so I guess he would be good in a role that is figuratively 'shrouded in blackness'. -An older actress, like Glen Close, would do a good job with Lalai-Puy. It would be cool if Glen was Lalai-Puy's actual form (21st level is not too draconic for this) and somebody like Halle Berry played the popular representation of the Oba. |
#14dawnstealerFeb 21, 2005 10:24:33 | I always figured that the Oba would be a little more South American than Halle Barry. What about Selma Hayek? |
#15zombiegleemaxFeb 21, 2005 10:57:47 | Or Britney Spears. Gak! No. You realize that talks of this sort have been around since the beginning. All that has changed is the current hotty of the year being replaced for Sadira, and the current bad arse being changed in and out for Rikus. I think that the idea of a mini-series would be best. But wasn't the rights for the Dark Sun series sold off to a group, who ended up not doing anything with it? Dungeons and Dragons the movie sucking? Why, wasn't it cool when the Thoria Birch gave the most wooden speech to passionately call upon the council to help? Or even better when Snails died and there was the cliched feral cry to the sky "Noooo!!!!"? I guess my only complaint would be that they used Courtney Solomon to direct the movie as opposed to someone that would have done real justice to it, like Uwe Boll. :P {yes there is sarcasam in that last paragraph} |
#16the_peacebringerFeb 21, 2005 12:47:09 | I always figured that the Oba would be a little more South American than Halle Barry. What about Selma Hayek? Yeah!!! And sort of her From Dusk till Dawn role. That'd be a beauty, heh! ;) |
#17zombiegleemaxFeb 22, 2005 4:44:15 | Sorry, but I think Vin Diesel can't act for junk. I'd take Michael Chiklis (whose face is alot more like the pics of Rikus) over Mr. Vin anyday. http://salzers.myvideostore.com/images/content/people/pics/michael_chiklis.jpg Also found a great actor for Kalak: Terence Stamp http://us.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0338094/Ss/0338094/C164-16.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Stamp,%20Terence As for Sadira, I think any cheap, 2 dimensional bimbo would work out well enough. Its the part of Neeva that would be difficult to cast. Not just for the physical nature, but she's got a tough job of conveying multiple layers of emotions and actually evolving as the story goes on. I'm also at a loss about Aegis. There's a few that come to mind, but none that I think could really nail the part. |
#18zombiegleemaxFeb 22, 2005 5:02:52 | Actually, just thought of a great Sadira: Milla Jovovich. She's got no problems with physical roles (and she's damn cute too boot). Might just be able to pull off the slutty tough chick turns uber and not so slutty. |
#19SysaneFeb 22, 2005 10:22:47 | I always figured that the Oba would be a little more South American than Halle Barry. What about Selma Hayek? Vivica A. Fox would be a good choice. I think she can pull off a South American look. |
#20nytcrawlrFeb 22, 2005 13:41:28 | Sorry, but I think Vin Diesel can't act for junk. I'd take Michael Chiklis (whose face is alot more like the pics of Rikus) over Mr. Vin anyday. Agreed there. He's great in The Shield (god I love that show), and should be pretty good as The Thing in the Fantastic Four movie coming out soon. |
#21nytcrawlrFeb 22, 2005 13:45:47 | Also found a great actor for Kalak: Terence Stamp Now that I remember who this guy is I have to agree here too. Great in SW EP I (even if the movie sucked arse), Superman II, Young Guns, and the few other things I have seen him in. |
#22dawnstealerFeb 22, 2005 14:50:15 | The problem with this is that you'd have to pick out B or C-list actors to fill out the characters. There's simply no way you could sign, say, Brad Pitt for Agis or something like that. They simply wouldn't do it (nor would Selma, unfortunately). If this is a "Gee, wouldn't it be cool if..." post, then hell, why not? Otherwise, realistically speaking, even for a miniseries, you'd have to pick relative unknowns (similar to what BSG did). More loyalty that way and you might find a diamond in the rough. |
#23SysaneFeb 22, 2005 15:23:48 | The problem with this is that you'd have to pick out B or C-list actors to fill out the characters. There's simply no way you could sign, say, Brad Pitt for Agis or something like that. They simply wouldn't do it (nor would Selma, unfortunately). If this is a "Gee, wouldn't it be cool if..." post, then hell, why not? Otherwise, realistically speaking, even for a miniseries, you'd have to pick relative unknowns (similar to what BSG did). More loyalty that way and you might find a diamond in the rough. Damn....I guess that explains why Brad's agent hasn't been returning my calls. |
#24nytcrawlrFeb 22, 2005 15:26:33 | Don't feel too bad, Angelina Jolie hasn't been returning my calls since she divorced good ol Billy Bob. |
#25dawnstealerFeb 22, 2005 15:40:34 | Well I don't know what your problem is: she calls me constantly. I'm like, "Seriously? Don't you have something better to do?" ...I'm on different drugs now. |
#26zombiegleemaxFeb 22, 2005 16:48:58 | Who cares about the top names??? Anjelina Jolie would be pergect fo Sadira, perfect demneanor for that crazy character of preserver/defiler Sadira.. As far as the other dude for Rikus I have one answer..NO!!!!!! NEVER!!!! He is too not Rikus...The other actor for Kalak though is perfect... What about Sean Connery for the wanderer??? (not that we need to include the Wanderer, but Sean is Sean...) Agis..hmmmm...Mell Gibson?? Too old??? Milla Jovovich is the perfect I think...Vivica A. Fox could be in it somehow... |
#27nytcrawlrFeb 22, 2005 16:56:06 | What do you have against Michael Chiklis? Are you some kind of nazi or something? :D |
#28methvezemFeb 22, 2005 17:42:23 | Here's the actor I see as Kalak: Malcom McDowell http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1703/Events/1703/MalcolmMcD_Ausse_425130_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=McDowell,%20Malcolm |
#29nytcrawlrFeb 22, 2005 17:55:58 | He's work too. |
#30Shei-NadFeb 22, 2005 19:14:24 | Not that I particularily care for the actor, but don't you think Pierce Brosnan looks the part of Agis? He could convey the calm, serene role too. |
#31zombiegleemaxFeb 22, 2005 20:05:05 | I can't believe I never thought of Malcom McDowell. Gordarn perfect. As for Rikus, I have to admit that I've only seen very limited clips of Chiklis, but hey, when your comparing someone's acting skills to Vin Deisel, even a drunken 3 legged ox could put on a better performance. Vin has one character, that's about it. I've yet to see the new Riddik movie, so I may be wrong. I still can't think of an Aegis. Dashing, but niave? Ignorantly arrogant? Everyone I can think of (thought of Pierce) is either too much one or the other. |
#32zombiegleemaxFeb 22, 2005 20:05:55 | Don't feel too bad, Angelina Jolie hasn't been returning my calls since she divorced good ol Billy Bob. True, but there was that restraining order...... :D Sorry, I don't really mean to pick on ya', just couldn't resist. |
#33superpriestFeb 24, 2005 9:36:59 | I've thought about this a bit, and maybe I'll post more when I have more time, but here are my picks: Rikus - Neal McDonough Hamanu - Keith David Agis - Kyle McLachlan Tithian - David Bowie |
#34nytcrawlrFeb 24, 2005 15:04:57 | True, but there was that restraining order...... :D Nah, only Amy Lee of Evanescence has one of those on me. :D |
#35zombiegleemaxFeb 24, 2005 16:51:23 | Nah, only Amy Lee of Evanescence has one of those on me. Only one... I'm up to 4 already.... you must be slacking off.... ;) |
#36dawnstealerFeb 24, 2005 17:03:42 | You guys are sickos. And amateurs: I'm up to 27! Yay me! Anyways, Agis? Alec Baldwin or Billy Zane? It would have to be someone in that age range. |
#37SysaneFeb 24, 2005 17:14:11 | Anyways, Agis? Alec Baldwin or Billy Zane? It would have to be someone in that age range. I can't see Zane as Agis. His acting style seems to be over the top. I could maybe see him as Tithian (if not Gary Oldman). His preformance in Demon Knight would prove that. |
#38nytcrawlrFeb 24, 2005 17:38:33 | Baldwin for Agis would work, just don't let him go into his Teacher routine from the Juror and he should be ok (actually I liked that, but I got to poke fun at him anyways). Gary Oldman as Tithian would be scary, but a good scary. |
#39SysaneFeb 24, 2005 17:48:33 | Anthony Hopkins as Kalak may work in some odd way. |
#40zombiegleemaxFeb 25, 2005 3:19:04 | I'm all for the inhumane torture of the entire Bladwin family I could see Kyle Mcsomethingorother as Aegis (at least visually, not sure if I've ever seen him act). I'm all for finding a part for Billy Zane. He's just too cool of an actor to pass up, but he suffers like alot of actors from basically having only one character. Take away the crass wit and your not left with much to work with. There's plenty of opprotunity for voice actors as well. Tony Jay would do a great Rajaat. |
#41superpriestFeb 25, 2005 10:09:04 | I could see Kyle Mcsomethingorother as Aegis (at least visually, not sure if I've ever seen him act). Where did you get that idea? ;) |
#42zombiegleemaxFeb 25, 2005 14:17:13 | Hmmmmm, perhaps your post. Maybe. |
#43zombiegleemaxFeb 25, 2005 19:36:07 | Kyle MacLauchlan made an excellent Muad'Dib. He'd make an even better Agis. |
#44zombiegleemaxFeb 26, 2005 9:06:58 | But I take it that the rights for Dark Sun media that were sold aren't going to be used? Is there any word why the Dark Sun project was dropped? |
#45zombiegleemaxFeb 26, 2005 10:30:24 | I have never been able to get a reliable reason. |
#46zombiegleemaxMar 05, 2005 4:10:44 | My suggestion would be to make Dark Sun an animated miniseries, in 1/2 hour instalments (seasons) in the same format that was used for Spawn, and use practically all A-List actors, and even a few non A-List, or former A-List. Choices I'd go for: Keith David- his voice lends well to animation. Mark Hammil- after doing the Joker, I'm convinced he has some seriously untapped talent. Sean Connery- because Sean and Sword and Sorcery go well together. Johnathan Frakes- always good in Gargoyles. Marina Sirtis- ditto. Patrick Stewart- R.A. Salvatore's Demonstone, anyone? James Earl Jones- Vader's voice would suit any Dark Sun villain. I'd go with Rajaat here. Vin Diesel's voice- Dark Fury? Sharon stone- she still ahs a sexy voice Christopher Lee- ultimate chilling voice Michael Ironside- as bad as Heavy Metal 2000 was, he still did a good voice job. Triple H- he has a good rumbling voice that works well. Natalie Portman- her voice is damn sexy too. Robert DeNiro- voice carries a lot of menace. Ahmed Best- Ummm, no. forget it. Jada Pinkett Smith- I like her voice too. James Woods- I'd give his voice to one of the Sorcerer-Kings definitely. With live-action, there's always the fear that the actors themselves would botch it horribly, whereas animation is animation. I'd maybe go with like, Final Fantasy/Matrix-Flight of the Osiris animation with any and all of the above mentioned voices. Anyone else have any voice suggestions? |