Dredd 2 and other 2000AD movie/tv adaptions – just where the hell are they?

[Brian Braddock]

Just why, oh why, is the goldmine that is 2000AD not currently being tapped as a cinematic resource?

They have seminal and iconic characters like Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog, Harlem Heroes, ABC Warriors, Slaine, Universal Soldier [no, not the JCVD version], Flesh, and a wealth of stories that just scream to be adapted cinematically yet here we are as fans clutching to the slim hope that Dredd 2 gets made, let alone any of the over movies.

What’s strange is that there are supposedly many fans of 2000AD currently working in Hollywood right know [writers, directors, actors etc] and its influence can be seen in various mid to large scale Hollywood blockbusters over the years, yet no one seems to want to get anything off the ground.

In my mind, 2000AD needs to get their arses in gear and set up 2000AD films, possibly appointing someone in the Kevin Feige role that has been so successful for Marvel in the process to see things through. Karl Urban has supposedly talked to both Amazon and Netflix about a continuation of Dredd, so hopefully something gets done – but why is it up to the actor to have to try and get things off the ground?

I think of the possibilities:-

- A Dredd 2 sequel [either as a movie or tv show] given that critically the first movie was well received [but was so, so poorly advertised and got such poor BO as a result] and it has since garnered a cult following. I’m literally yet to meet anybody who’s seen the first movie and didn’t enjoy, or even love, it. Shame they didn't know it existed until after its short cinematic run.

- A Strontium Dog movie with Jason Statham as Johnny Alpha [with Kristofer Hivju as Wulf Sternhammer].

- A Rogue Trooper movie [the Sam Worthington project is dead in the water so it remains that the closest we’ve ever had to an RT is Paul Andersons ‘Soldier’, which was inspired by RT and 2000AD in general].

- A Harlem Heroes movie could be like Guardians of the Galaxy meets Rollerball.

- A mad as hell Slaine movie, differentiating itself from the likes of Conan and other 'Sword & Sorcery' barbarian movies as soon as you see Slaine warp for the first time.
Am I the only one left scratching my head as to why these things aren’t getting made? Sure, people can talk about over-saturation of the market [what with Marvel and DC’s movies] but to me there would be no danger of this as 2000AD’s always been more ‘sci-fi’ than ‘comicbook super-heroics’ and seriously, when is sci-fi ever going to not be popular with the masses?
[P.S. apologies if there’s already a thread on this]

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Just why, oh why, is the goldmine that is 2000AD not currently being tapped as a cinematic resource?

That's just it, it's not a gold mine.
Maybe if they spent a small budget on a Netflix series, or a small budget like that of a SAW or a Raid movie, it might actually garner more money than its budget, and build up to be a reasonable investment.

 

[terry78]

I'm thinking the only way they get **** like this off the ground is if they do it via tv. BBC America or one of the cable channels or Netflix/Hulu. I don't know if there;s gonna be any theatrical bouts.

 

[Brian Braddock]

That's just it, it's not a gold mine.
Maybe if they spent a small budget on a Netflix series, or a small budget like that of a SAW or a Raid movie, it might actually garner more money than its budget, and build up to be a reasonable investment.

Sorry, I didnt mean gold mine in a financial sense, I meant a goldmine in terms of amazing content to plunder (although if utilised right, I'm positive it would attract and audience and make money).

I'm thinking the only way they get **** like this off the ground is if they do it via tv. BBC America or one of the cable channels or Netflix/Hulu. I don't know if there;s gonna be any theatrical bouts.

Netflix definately, BBC I'm not so sure. Maybe Amazon Prime.

When you think with directors (of varying quality) like Nolan, Jones, Marshall, Anderson etc all cite 2000AD as a major influence as they are fans, and you have actors like Pegg, Urban and Worthington all fans, how is there no noise about the possibility of these projects happening? Christ, I watched Neil Marshalls 'Doomsday' the other day and I'm thinking ''this got made but Strontium Dog hasnt been?'', much the same way as I watch Paul Andersons 'Soldier' and think ''Hmm, Rogue Trooper......''

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Sorry, I didnt mean gold mine in a financial sense, I meant a goldmine in terms of amazing content to plunder (although if utilised right, I'm positive it would attract and audience and make money).

Sorry for not understanding what you meant earlier.
It does have plenty of good stories, and Sylvester Stallone complimented the source material citing a lot of good themes in it.

BTW, I love that movie, it is the reason I decided to read the character's comics.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Yeah, I thought once Dredd came along things would start moving along on the 2000ad movies or even to shows. Even though Dredd wasn't financially successful, it was critically so I still thought something happen. Strange and sad that it hasn't.

I remember hearing Sam Worthingtons production company buying the rights to Rogue Trooper and a movie being in development, a good few years ago, then nothing. Seems like when his stock dropped as an actor so did the chances of a Rogue Trooper movie.

 

[Brian Braddock]

Yeah, agree on that (re: Worthington); shame we never got that RT movie.

Got to believe that Urban and Pegg (given that he's such a fan and has actually voiced Johnny Alpha) have talked about Dredd, and 2000AD in general, at some point while working on Star Trek. Cant they approach Abrams and pitch? Hell, cant Pegg pitch to Cruise when doing Mission Impossible? Cruise has shown that he's open to high concept sci fi.............im not adept at the likes of Twitter - has anyone asked that question on Peggs Twitter I wonder?

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Not a twitter man myself, but yeah they both know people of influence in the industry, surprised some pitching hasn't been done.

And yeah a Rogue Trooper movie would be great. Worthington seems to be in a few high profile movies over the next few years, maybe he can get things going again?