Grayskull: Masters of the Universe - Part 2

[KRYPTON INC.]

Oh... The names of MOTU characters... I have been watching some of the classic Filmation series... Yeah... there is a reason I dropped the show like a hot potato once Thundercats came on. I think there is great potential though in adapting it. The imagery of the franchise is vivid and fun, but marrying that to a compelling or in the least, fun story is the tricky part.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

Oh... The names of MOTU characters... I have been watching some of the classic Filmation series... Yeah... there is a reason I dropped the show like a hot potato once Thundercats came on. I think there is great potential though in adapting it. The imagery of the franchise is vivid and fun, but marrying that to a compelling or in the least, fun story is the tricky part.

Have you ever watched the series from the early 2000s?

 

[Pink Ranger]

Oh... The names of MOTU characters... I have been watching some of the classic Filmation series... Yeah... there is a reason I dropped the show like a hot potato once Thundercats came on. I think there is great potential though in adapting it. The imagery of the franchise is vivid and fun, but marrying that to a compelling or in the least, fun story is the tricky part.

The Filmation cartoon was under so many restrictions from the outset, that put a hard cap on how good it could be: they couldn't use Skeletor too often because European markets wouldn't accept him, there had to be a moral in every episode, they couldn't show actual fighting (I think He-Man and Skeletor actually clashed weapons once in the entire run of the series), they had to re-use a lot of backgrounds and animations because of budget, and then Orko.

The 2002 show was excellent, and I'd like to think the Taarna chapter of Heavy Metal is a good way of visualizing of how far the show's concept could be taken if it wasn't strictly a children's show.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Have you ever watched the series from the early 2000s?

Yes. It's very well done. I think the Grayskull origin episode if AMAZING. It's a true case of taking a sow's ear and turning it into a silk purse. It was great heroes journey stuff, but more importantly, it was an ingenious way of creating a coherent origin for everything in the MOTU saga. The 2000's series is very good, however when adapting to live action the challenges are different than making simply a better animated show than the 80's one, which, frankly, isn't hard.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

The Filmation cartoon was under so many restrictions from the outset, that put a hard cap on how good it could be: they couldn't use Skeletor too often because European markets wouldn't accept him, there had to be a moral in every episode, they couldn't show actual fighting (I think He-Man and Skeletor actually clashed weapons once in the entire run of the series), they had to re-use a lot of backgrounds and animations because of budget, and then Orko.

The 2002 show was excellent, and I'd like to think the Taarna chapter of Heavy Metal is a good way of visualizing of how far the show's concept could be taken if it wasn't strictly a children's show.

What's funny PR, is that you told me to check out a classic episode recently and that started me going through the show again, especially the ones after, as I said, I sort of tuned out since as a kid I thought TCats was better. Maybe it's the use of rotoscoping or the designs of Teela, Evil Lin the Queen, the Sorceress ect., but dayum... There's alot on the show that reminds me of HEAVY METAL the film. It's just that the writing and voice acting... JEEZ... It's sub-optimal, to be charitable. That's not to say that it's not without it's charm, and there's the simple fact that it does have an appeal in basic concept that is undeniable. It just is so (hate that I'm even using the word at all) "BASIC", you know?

 

[Pink Ranger]

What's funny PR, is that you told me to check out a classic episode recently and that started me going through the show again, especially the ones after, as I said, I sort of tuned out since as a kid I thought TCats was better. Maybe it's the use of rotoscoping or the designs of Teela, Evil Lin the Queen, the Sorceress ect., but dayum... There's alot on the show that reminds me of HEAVY METAL the film. It's just that the writing and voice acting... JEEZ... It's sub-optimal, to be charitable. That's not to say that it's not without it's charm, and there's the simple fact that it does have an appeal in basic concept that is undeniable. It just is so (hate that I'm even using the word at all) "BASIC", you know?

Well, you know the Filmation show was running out of ideas when the moral lesson of one episode was the importance of keeping at least 10% of your IRA in Treasury notes.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Well, you know the Filmation show was running out of ideas when the moral lesson of one episode was the importance of keeping at least 10% of your IRA in Treasury notes.

"We learned a lot today about diversifying stock portfolios and the importance of municipal bonds in one's long term retirement strategy."

 

[Airwings]

You don't get Gerard Butler to play a minor character. Eric Bana as Mekaneck? That's sort of random.

Tell me who will be a better pick for Mekaneck, then!

Why wouldn't Butler play a minor character if Russell Crowe can do that(Jor-El)?

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Wow... In the mythology of Superman Jor-El is hardly "minor". Jor-El is more like Man At Arms or King Randor in terms of MOTU. Not the main character or main villain but not "minor" by any means. Butler would most likely NOT play a character like Mekanek, whom IS a minor character as compared to Teela, Man at Arms, Orko, The Sorceress, Skelator or Evilynn.

 

[TheVileOne]

Tell me who will be a better pick for Mekaneck, then!

Why wouldn't Butler play a minor character if Russell Crowe can do that(Jor-El)?

Mekaneck shouldn't even be in the damn movie.

Stratos is way too minor for someone of Butler's caliber. You get him, he is playing either Randor or Man-at-Arms. Either of which are far more prominent.

 

[Octoberist]

Jor-El is..Jor-EL.

Sorry Airings to pick on your lack of self-awareness, but damn, I can't fathom anyone comparing that legendary character like Jor-El to..Neck-Man.

 

[Mikelus]

I don't think Cringer/Battlecat should talk, he didn't in the last He-man series and it was fine, is not really necessary.

 

[Human Torch]

He's basically He-Man's KITT. Butch & Sundance. He needs to talk.

 

[Pink Ranger]

He's basically He-Man's KITT. Butch & Sundance. He needs to talk.

I don't remember Paul Newman riding Robert Redford into a gunfight (admittedly I have not seen the Criterion cut of this film) but other than that, I agree. t:

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

He's basically He-Man's KITT. Butch & Sundance. He needs to talk.

He-Man is about a blonde guy in pink clothes and a diaper, fighting a skeleton. And people worry about a talking cat

 

[Human Torch]

He-Man is about a blonde guy in pink clothes and a diaper, fighting a skeleton. And people worry about a talking cat

 

[Pink Ranger]

He-Man is about a blonde guy in pink clothes and a diaper, fighting a skeleton.

Hey, if your mortal enemy was a talking skeleton, you'd have the occasional "accident" every now and then too.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I don't remember Paul Newman riding Robert Redford into a gunfight (admittedly I have not seen the Criterion cut of this film) but other than that, I agree. t:

Thank Zod I wasn't drinking anything when I read this or you'd have owed me a new keyboard PR.

 

[cronosred]

He-Man is about a blonde guy in pink clothes and a diaper, fighting a skeleton. And people worry about a talking cat

If it makes you feel any better He-Man will most likely have pants if this film gets made.

 

[Jordacar]

If it makes you feel any better He-Man will most likely have pants if this film gets made.

Or else a really manly skirt.

 

[Airwings]

Mekaneck shouldn't even be in the damn movie.

Stratos is way too minor for someone of Butler's caliber. You get him, he is playing either Randor or Man-at-Arms. Either of which are far more prominent.

I never said Butler will agree to play Stratos, did I?
Others suggested him him for the part, and that was last year. I happen to agree that he could work as the character.

Why shouldn't Mekaneck be in the first film? Is it better to save him for the sequel?

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Mekanek isn't exactly some fan favorite, either from the original series or the 2000's series. I would say Stratos or even Ram-Man are bigger fan faves. If Mekaned NEVER showed up in a film I doubt most would shed a tear. Now, do a series with no Man At Arms and that's a different story.

 

[TheVileOne]

I never said Butler will agree to play Stratos, did I?
Others suggested him him for the part, and that was last year. I happen to agree that he could work as the character.

Why shouldn't Mekaneck be in the first film? Is it better to save him for the sequel?

Because he's Mekaneck. I got no problems with Mekaneck, but if you do this movie, you have a limited amount of screentime, budget, resources etc.

So that should be focused on getting the main ideas, characters, concepts across. That means He-Man/Adam, Man-at-Arms, Teela, Battle Cat, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Castle Grayskull, Snake Mountain, and the Sorceress. Hopefully Orko, Beast Man, etc.

Think about it, in Avengers, you only got six characters, and some of them did get marginalized, like Hawkeye. You can't stuff everyone in the first film.

Mekaneck is a minor character. His gimmick actually can be useful with the right writer, but in a two hour movie you don't have time to establish who Mekaneck is and why he is in fact useful. It's not worth the time and money to establish a character who has a mechanical neck that stretches. That's his whole gimmick, and he got it after being wounded in battle. That's it. Establishing Mekaneck means less time for more interesting characters you want to get established more. And since he is such a minor character you don't get a more prolific actor to play him.

 

[Airwings]

^Don't confuse "Butler for Stratos" with "should Mekaneck be in the film". That's two different topics.
Just sayin'

 

[Human Torch]

I can see them using Mekaneck the way Fox uses some of the X-Men characters.

Mekaneck enters stage left.He speaks: "Man At Arms! The enemy approaches from the north!" Exit stage left.