Warcraft Movie (2009) Expectations?

[Khemik@L]

I know its a bit early for this but what are every expectations on the upcoming Warcraft Movie? What would you guys like to see? Any casting ideas etc.

See Link below:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/blizzcon07/...con-286074.php

At BlizzCon today, representatives from Blizzard and Legendary Pictures hosted a panel on the upcoming WarCraft film adaptation, giving attendees an update on the film's progress and addressing fan concerns with a follow-up Q&A session. On hand were Paul Sams and Chris Metzen Blizzard Entertainment and, from Legendary Pictures, CEO Thomas Tull and Chief Creative Officer Jon Jashni. In addition to confirming that the Warcraft movie will be a live action film, with a yet to be determined level of computer generated environments and effects, Jashni told the crowd they're still working toward a 2009 release date.
Sams, Metzen and Jashni made it a regular point to express their wishes to "not... create another video game movie" but to "create an epic." And while some fans may have taken pause at Jashni's reasoning that "we can't just make a movie for the 9 million World of Warcraft subscribers", it was clear that all four were passionate about bringing the mythology of Warcraft to the big screen as faithfully as possible.
The panel invoked the name of Legendary Pictures' recent hits Batman Begins and 300 as indicative of the quality of the $100 million-plus feature film. They also dropped names like Braveheart and the Lord of the Rings trilogy when discussing their vision for the Warcraft movie's action scenes.

For how intense those scenes will be, and what rating they're shooting for, Metzen said "It's hard for us to predict what happens. You want to not compromise and you want to have the intensity." Addressing concerns over a Nerfed fantasy war movie, he explained, "The story and the director's vision will ultimately decide that. We're definitely not going to make a G or a PG version of this. It's not PillowfightCraft."
Warcraft is still in the scripting process, but Metzen reported that they have something that they're happy with. The plot was kept under wraps but Metzen told the crowd it would take place about a year before the events of World of Warcraft.
The storyline is "principally told from the Alliance perspective." After revealing that detail, and waiting for the Horde aligned players to finish their booing, Metzen explained "While my heart lies with the Horde and Thrall's an interesting character, from a movie making standpoint, a blockbuster movie its a little rough to try and tell it from the perspective of this green looking dude."
"What about Shrek?!" a Blizzconner yelled. A busted Metzen quipped "Shrek's a good example. For a kids comedy."

According to Jashni, no director has been attached. "We are starting those conversations. We're going to be looking for someone of [300 director Zak Snyder or Batman Begins director Chris Nolan's] caliber," said Metzen. They snickered at a crowd member's suggestion for Uwe Boll, commenting only on the infamous director's recent boxing match.
With no director comes no casting news. That process hasn't been started yet, but when asked about whether they'd be looking for "big name Hollywood actors" or "fresher faces", Jashni played coy, only saying that "because there's a lot of interest in Warcraft, we've gotten a lot of interesting phone calls."
Following another fan suggestion, Metzen says they haven't yet contacted Chuck Norris for a role or cameo.
Jashni then recounted a story that involved Superman Returns star Brandon Routh accosting him upon hearing of his involvement with Blizzard, with Routh asking "Do you know the Warcraft guys?! Can you get me a tour of [their office]?"
By the end of the panel, we hadn't learned much in the way of concrete details, as much of the film is simply too early in production to talk about. As a sort of apology for being so vague, panel speakers showed one of the first pieces of concept artwork for the film.

Anyone recognize it?

 

[Booznian]

Warcraft movie sounds good. It will take place a few years before World of Warcraft, which is great.
Level 70 Night Elf Rogue.
Level 70 Night Elf Druid.
Up in herez!

 

[Khemik@L]

EDIT: Here is an old concept art of the farseer and the Teldrassil is the new concept art for the movie (Corrected by Capt Throbberson):

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48296

Also there is an interview clip with the CEO of Blizzard. The First 2 mins of the clip talks a bit about the movie but the rest are about other stuff:

http://warcraft.moviechronicles.com/2007-08/warcraft-movie-at-blizzcon-2007/

Ckeck it out

 

[Timstuff]

Maybe it'll be like the Dungeons and Dragons movie and be full of 1337 action scenes and have high-level humor.

 

[mr. peasant]

I say they should've gone the route of apolitical characters such as Brann Bronzebeard (Muradin and Magni's brother) since that would allow them to incorporate characters from both sides (Horde and Alliance). And everyone knows Blizzard 'needs' to create a female Blood Elf character for the sake of the fanboys.

 

[Philly Phanboy]

Maybe it'll be like the Dungeons and Dragons movie and be full of 1337 action scenes and have high-level humor.

I'm sure that one of the Wayans brothers might be available to do Warcraft too.

 

[Khemik@L]

Who do you guys think will play good "Heroes" in Warcraft. For example: Demon Hunter
Arthas
Jaina Proudmoore
Arch Mage
Blood Mage
Mountain King (I find the guy the acted as the dwaft in Lord of the Rings has the Mountain King look and voice. Just Beef him up a bit)

Of course the Some the Undead and Orcs Heroes might need CGIs and make up.

 

[Khemik@L]

I say they should've gone the route of apolitical characters such as Brann Bronzebeard (Muradin and Magni's brother) since that would allow them to incorporate characters from both sides (Horde and Alliance). And everyone knows Blizzard 'needs' to create a female Blood Elf character for the sake of the fanboys.

I'm not entirely sure but I think the story is gonna be based on an entirely different Character (Hero)

 

[Capt Throbberson]

This seems to be the first concept art. I'm guessing its the farseer:

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48296

Also there is an interview clip with the CEO of Blizzard. The First 2 mins of the clip talks a bit about the movie but the rest are about other stuff:

http://warcraft.moviechronicles.com/2007-08/warcraft-movie-at-blizzcon-2007/

Ckeck it out

The pic at the top isn't the concept art, it's just a random piece of old artwork. The concept art is Teldrassil.

 

[WhatsHisFace]

This really doesn't need to happen.

 

[Denny67]

I am really hoping they can do this at a high level. The Warcraft history and storylines are so rich and well drawn out. The possibilities for a huge movie franchise is endless.

 

[Khemik@L]

The pic at the top isn't the concept art, it's just a random piece of old artwork. The concept art is Teldrassil.

Thank you for your correction. I wasnt sure I just put it up there, I'll edit it

 

[Khemik@L]

This really doesn't need to happen.

You don't think so? I don't know man I see a lot of potential for this to be a very entertaining film. I see a lot of movies with mythical mass battles on screen and everytime I see one I keep thinking how good and even better warcraft will look on screen.

E.g. Lord of the rings (tell me those Trees didn't jog your memories back to the "Ancients" of the night elves)

Chronicles of Narnia, even 300 to some extent. Can you imagine seeing the Farseer Chain Lightning on the big screen.
I'll agree with you in saying they don't NEED this because they make enough money with the game itself, but I for one will like to see it on the big screen

 

[shapeshifter]

my expectation?
Long lines at the box office made up of a bunch of fat pimply socially ******ed dweebs, in costume that have not seen sunlight since Episode 3 came out.

 

[GL1]

I would actually enjoying seeing such a film.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

It will probably suck as much as the game.

 

[SouLeSS]

Who do you guys think will play good "Heroes" in Warcraft. For example: Demon Hunter
Arthas
Jaina Proudmoore
Arch Mage
Blood Mage
Mountain King (I find the guy the acted as the dwaft in Lord of the Rings has the Mountain King look and voice. Just Beef him up a bit)

Of course the Some the Undead and Orcs Heroes might need CGIs and make up.

the basic story of the frozen throne was that arthas was evil...

 

[Khemik@L]

the basic story of the frozen throne was that arthas was evil...

Oh naw, when I say good heroes I don't mean literally "good". I mean which "actors" do you believe will play which warcraft "hero" well. For example, lets say: John Rhys-Davies from Lord of the Rings will play a good Mountain King (Just an example)

In other words I'm asking casting ideas. So anyone have any person in mind?

 

[Mr.E.Nygma]

A movie based on a video game = no expectations if not already in the negative...

 

[SouLeSS]

I think a good arthas would honestly be Vin Diesel.

Now hear me out. Think of his character in Pitch Black. He was a total badass that was just so carefree if anyone died except for maybe one person, which is pretty much how Arthas was at this time. He's fit as hell, and with the right makeup they could change his face to a very different Arthas shape (100million dollar budget = mad makeup.), and his 'acting skill' as far as him being a little ******ed would be PERFECT for the way Arthas talked in TFT.

 

[Khemik@L]

A movie based on a video game = no expectations if not already in the negative...

Well if you are talking about games like street fighter (which was a total disaster as a movie, I'm getting a headache thinking about it) well I will agree with you. Mortal Kombat was better than street fighter maybe not that extraordinary but still good so thats debatable.

But you see the problem with those games were their lack of depth. They are your typical "beat up your opponent" type of games and would be difficult to make movies from. But if you have ever played Warcaft I think you would agree with me that the storyline of the game has a vast depth, with different twists and turns that is very engaging to the mind and frankly very entertaining (I'm speaking about the story itself not the gameplay). The game to me plays out like a movie so I don't see why it can't make it on the big screen.

Also have you considered Tomb Raider? What's your opinion on that movie? You do know that that originates from a game also right?

 

[SouLeSS]

What person that plays WoW doesn't know what Tomb Raider is? Seriously, that's a terrrrrible connection, cause the movies are so ****ing cheezy.

 

[Mr.E.Nygma]

Well if you are talking about games like street fighter (which was a total disaster as a movie, I'm getting a headache thinking about it) well I will agree with you. Mortal Kombat was better than street fighter maybe not that extraordinary but still good so thats debatable.


Also have you considered Tomb Raider? What's your opinion on that movie? You do know that that originates from a game also right?

Yes to both, Street Fighter, MK (though the game is so much fun) and Tomb Raider movies sucked big time for me. I knew they were based on video games. But you stated your point clearly about Warcraft (I never played), I'm still not interested for its value as a film based on a videogame, but I respect your point of view, which is logical and calmly told. As you said, if the game is made like a movie, it helps better then!

 

[Khemik@L]

Yes to both, Street Fighter, MK (though the game is so much fun) and Tomb Raider movies sucked big time for me. I knew they were based on video games. But you stated your point clearly about Warcraft (I never played), I'm still not interested for its value as a film based on a videogame, but I respect your point of view, which is logical and calmly told. As you said, if the game is made like a movie, it helps better then!

Cool! Well I guess time will tell when the movie is complete and you happen to watch it on starz or HBO or something you can judge and say whether its good or bad. As for Tomb Raider you are the second person to say it sucked in this forum so I guess a lot of people feel that way. I kindah liked it though but thats my opinion.

 

[Khemik@L]

Old news but I'm not sure anyone saw this before:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1660384/

August 05, 2007

More details on the project were revealed yesterday during BlizzCon 2007, the annual fan event hosted by Warcraft creator Blizzard Entertainment. Legendary Pictures bought the adaptation rights last year, and hope to turn the colossal fantasy world of Warcraft into a live-action battle movie of epic proportions similar to another Legendary project: 300.

IGN was on hand to relay what Blizzard CEO Chris Metzen and Legendary Pictures head Thomas Tull had to share. While no director or cast members have been chosen, the developers and studio have settled on a sort of origin story, rather than a Lord of the Rings-type adventure. From IGN: "The story will incorporate a series of major events from about one year before World of Warcraft, and will be principally told from the perspective of the Alliance."

Uber-nerds may or may not like the bits shared on what characters we may expect to see on the big screen. According to IGN, "characters likely to make an appearance include Bolvar Fordragon, Thrall, and Cairne Bloodhoof. Arthas, a famous character from Warcraft 3, will more than likely not be in the film."

As for a director, Tull (who executive-produced 300 and Superman Returns) said they're looking for someone along the lines of a Zack Snyder or a Chris Nolan, both of whom have had recent hits (300 and Batman Begins, respectively) produced by Legendary Pictures.

In a post-panel interview with IGN, Blizzard Chief Operating Officer Paul Sams says they're close to finding that director and also that members of WoW's cinematics team are working closely in the development process to give the film the same look and feel of the game.

With a budget over $100 million, the Warcraft movie is being positioned as a 2009 tentpole flick for Warner Bros., who owns Legendary. While Metzen and Tull didn't identify a MPAA rating for the flick, it seems that a PG-13 rating is likely. The Warcraft The Movie blog adds Tull's description of the film: "It's absolutely a war movie. Cultures grinding up to a horrible moment where it just all spills over and gets out of control. Less of an adventure party quest-type situation. More of an armies building to an inevitable conclusion type situation."