Warhammer 40,000

[Flash525]

Not entirely sure that this belongs in this area of the forums, because this discussion unfortunately isn't about an upcoming film, but rather, it's about why there isn't an upcoming big budget film, and why there never has been.

I know there have been a few fan films of the genre, and there's been a few other projects such as Ultramarines: The Movie, and there's been ample high quality cutscenes within games, but there's never been a live action, or high budget CGI film within the Warhammer 40,000 Universe, and there's bound to be enough fans out there, either of Warhammer 40,000 itself, or more generic sci-fi fans that would make sure Games Workshop got the box office returns.

What's holding such a project up? When we've got films like Avengers, Planet of the Apes, Avatar, Battle Angel and Lord of the Rings with high conflict and armies involved, the technology and story telling capability is there, as is a cinematic universe, and yet nothing.

I used to collect 40k Warhammer (before it became too expensive and I grew out of it somewhat) but I've played Dawn of War, and the PS3 Space Marine game, and do occasionally take a peak on the Games Workshop website to see what's going on. The sheer scope of what could happen on a cinematic screen baffles me why nobody has got to work on a 40k project yet.

Who doesn't want to see a clash between the Space Marines of the Imperium and Chaos, Tyranid or Ork hordes?

 

[Lilbaz]

Not entirely sure that this belongs in this area of the forums, because this discussion unfortunately isn't about an upcoming film, but rather, it's about why there isn't an upcoming big budget film, and why there never has been.

I know there have been a few fan films of the genre, and there's been a few other projects such as Ultramarines: The Movie, and there's been ample high quality cutscenes within games, but there's never been a live action, or high budget CGI film within the Warhammer 40,000 Universe, and there's bound to be enough fans out there, either of Warhammer 40,000 itself, or more generic sci-fi fans that would make sure Games Workshop got the box office returns.

What's holding such a project up? When we've got films like Avengers, Planet of the Apes, Avatar, Battle Angel and Lord of the Rings with high conflict and armies involved, the technology and story telling capability is there, as is a cinematic universe, and yet nothing.

I used to collect 40k Warhammer (before it became too expensive and I grew out of it somewhat) but I've played Dawn of War, and the PS3 Space Marine game, and do occasionally take a peak on the Games Workshop website to see what's going on. The sheer scope of what could happen on a cinematic screen baffles me why nobody has got to work on a 40k project yet.

Who doesn't want to see a clash between the Space Marines of the Imperium and Chaos, Tyranid or Ork hordes?

Gw are starting their own animated series based on the blood angels headed by the gy who did helsreach (well worth a watch even if the animation is a bit jarring in the beginning) and are looking at other projects.

I think the success of marvel has meant that companes with a solid ip are looking at doing their own films/series.hasbro and rebbel (2000 ad) have projects lined up.

 

[Flash525]

Gw are starting their own animated series based on the blood angels headed by the gy who did helsreach (well worth a watch even if the animation is a bit jarring in the beginning) and are looking at other projects.

I'd rather live action over animated, but if they're looking toward branching out, then live action or CGI heavy projects can't be far behind. I just hope they don't feel like they have to rush anything, because GW stories are very detailed and have a lot of depth to them; they're going to need to take their time and provide that epic warfare scale that I know they're capable of.

I know it wont happen because of IP, but I'd love if an opening film focused on the Space Wolves, Dark Angels or Salamander rather than the Ultramarines or Blood Angels.

 

[Lilbaz]

I'd rather live action over animated, but if they're looking toward branching out, then live action or CGI heavy projects can't be far behind. I just hope they don't feel like they have to rush anything, because GW stories are very detailed and have a lot of depth to them; they're going to need to take their time and provide that epic warfare scale that I know they're capable of.

I know it wont happen because of IP, but I'd love if an opening film focused on the Space Wolves, Dark Angels or Salamander rather than the Ultramarines or Blood Angels.

Yeah live action would be great. But would need a big budget to do it justice. Don't think the warfare will be a problem. The teaser looks crap but they haven't even started working on it yet so don't think it will have any bearing. We'll have to see how it comes out. Hopefully it is great and leads to a lot more.
An officially licensed Warhammer 40K animated series is in the works

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Used to play and collect Titan Legions as a kid, always thought it would make an amazing movie and still surprised no one has ever tried to do it or even a Space Marine movie.

 

[Marvolo]

Frankly I think the material itself halts any serious consideration for an onscreen adaption. The imperium is extremely xenophobic and extremely colonial. In an age when movie studios and tv networks want to seem inclusive and progressive I doubt they want to create a film series in which racist space nazis are the "heroes". And the material is extremely grim dark and violent...so its need to be rated R, which rules out large budgets, or the material would need to be watered down to a PG-13.

 

[Lilbaz]

Frankly I think the material itself halts any serious consideration for an onscreen adaption. The imperium is extremely xenophobic and extremely colonial. In an age when movie studios and tv networks want to seem inclusive and progressive I doubt they want to create a film series in which racist space nazis are the "heroes". And the material is extremely grim dark and violent...so its need to be rated R, which rules out large budgets, or the material would need to be watered down to a PG-13.

Judge dredd was considered a facist, yet they made two films about him. It would be an r rated just as the new animated series will be. GW are very protective of their ip and are adamant that it will be a grim dark future where there is only war. As for budget, yes if they do a live action film the budget might have to be on the low side but then again gw may go full out hoping for success. Just hope they have learned from the mistakes of ultra marines.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Yeah that’s one thing the movies would need pretty big budgets, especially silly something like Titan Legions.

Space Marine could be done a little cheaper though, Edge of Tomorrow had a lot of elements which reminded me of Space Marine.

 

[Lilbaz]

Yeah that’s one thing the movies would need pretty big budgets, especially silly something like Titan Legions.

Space Marine could be done a little cheaper though, Edge of Tomorrow had a lot of elements which reminded me of Space Marine.

Would it? Helsreach was fan made and had titan battles.

 

[Flash525]

Frankly I think the material itself halts any serious consideration for an onscreen adaption. The imperium is extremely xenophobic and extremely colonial. In an age when movie studios and tv networks want to seem inclusive and progressive I doubt they want to create a film series in which racist space nazis are the "heroes". And the material is extremely grim dark and violent...so its need to be rated R, which rules out large budgets, or the material would need to be watered down to a PG-13.

I see where you're coming from, and you're probably right, lord knows there's enough people that would try to have the film cancelled if it didn't meet their criteria of human rights and such.

That said, it would depend how the film went about; it doesn't specifically have to focus on the Imperium. What's to stop the film (or series of films) telling a story from the perspectives of the different factions? if there's a film between Marines and Chaos, tell the story from both points of view, same with Marines and Eldar, or Marines and Tau etc. The only safe bet (I suppose) would be involving the Orks or Tyranids, as they're more horde and destructive, and don't actually possess an agenda, and so we'd need not focus on the xenophobia and narrow-mindedness of the Inquisition.

 

[Lilbaz]

I see where you're coming from, and you're probably right, lord knows there's enough people that would try to have the film cancelled if it didn't meet their criteria of human rights and such.

That said, it would depend how the film went about; it doesn't specifically have to focus on the Imperium. What's to stop the film (or series of films) telling a story from the perspectives of the different factions? if there's a film between Marines and Chaos, tell the story from both points of view, same with Marines and Eldar, or Marines and Tau etc. The only safe bet (I suppose) would be involving the Orks or Tyranids, as they're more horde and destructive, and don't actually possess an agenda, and so we'd need not focus on the xenophobia and narrow-mindedness of the Inquisition.

Bah. People need to be able to tell the difference between reality and fiction. Gw isn't trying to glamourise the empire in their books, it is a future none of us would want to live in. It is an empire the emperor himself didn't want, where he is worshipped as a god.

You'll probably have a minority screaming and shouting about it, but most people wont care. Not that a film would be expected to be a blockbuster anyway.

 

[Flash525]

You'll probably have a minority screaming and shouting about it, but most people wont care. Not that a film would be expected to be a blockbuster anyway.

You say this, and you're probably right - at least in that most people who [would] choose to go and watch this would know what they're walking into, and their expectations would likely be met.

On your second comment, I think it has the potential to be a blockbuster. It might not win any awards at the Oscars, but a 40k film has the potential not just to appeal to 40k fans, but also fans of war films, science fiction and fantasy fans, in addition to anyone else who may be curious.

Just look at the many superhero films; there's a lot of people (I know) who aren't overly concerned with superhero media, but have watched, and enjoyed many of the various films for what they were - entertaining. If GW can pull off something similar and appease to a darker audience maybe, I think they've got potential to make a significant profit.

The one thing they'd need not to is appeal to the politically correct. They need to stick to their established lore, theme and setting. There's something potentially epic in what they could accomplish with the right people behind it.

 

[Consona]

I created a thread some years ago about franchises people would love to see on the big screen.

WH40k was my first pick. (Shadowrun after that, but we got Bright first.)

I think a big budget WH40k film made by Zack Snyder would be the most badass thing ever! He has all the sensibilities required. The theatricality, mood heavy scenes, best action sequences, dense and refined visuals, Junkie XL with big choirs and huge drums ensembles.

...the more I think about it, the more I feel that would be like the best fit, a grim-dark setting, very stylistic, serious and solemn, with horror, sci-fi and fantasy elements, very rich lore, 300-like badass warriors and SuckerPunch/Faora-like spirited female battlers, where you can tell a story anywhere on a single guy/squad to immense epic stuff scale. Right up Snyder's alley.

Geez, give me that movie right now!

 

[Lilbaz]

I'd like the guys that did event horizon. They did ask gw to do a 40k film but were turned down, they then made event horizon. So if you wanted you could class it as a sort of prequel for the 40k universe.

 

[-JKR-]

You don't really want Paul W.S. Anderson on this, come on.

 

[Flash525]

I'd like the guys that did event horizon. They did ask gw to do a 40k film but were turned down, they then made event horizon. So if you wanted you could class it as a sort of prequel for the 40k universe.

What?

 

[Lilbaz]

You don't really want Paul W.S. Anderson on this, come on.

Yeah fair enough.

 

[Lilbaz]

What?

Up to you but if you wanted it could be mans first contact with chaos as they experiment with warp travel.

 

[Marvolo]

I see where you're coming from, and you're probably right, lord knows there's enough people that would try to have the film cancelled if it didn't meet their criteria of human rights and such.

That said, it would depend how the film went about; it doesn't specifically have to focus on the Imperium. What's to stop the film (or series of films) telling a story from the perspectives of the different factions? if there's a film between Marines and Chaos, tell the story from both points of view, same with Marines and Eldar, or Marines and Tau etc. The only safe bet (I suppose) would be involving the Orks or Tyranids, as they're more horde and destructive, and don't actually possess an agenda, and so we'd need not focus on the xenophobia and narrow-mindedness of the Inquisition.

Agreed. If they did a movie with the Imperium fighting the Skaven, Tyranids, Orks, or Chaos and focus on their awfulness it might might work to make the Imperium seem better than it is. Definitely need to leave the Inquisition out of it at first.

 

[Flash525]

Up to you but if you wanted it could be mans first contact with chaos as they experiment with warp travel.

Just how much of a prequel are we talking here? Would be very farfetched I think. Nah, I'd rather them just jump straight into warfare here, there's no need for an origin story where a 40k film is concerned. We can find out about history via talks and/or a flashback or two.

Agreed. If they did a movie with the Imperium fighting the Skaven, Tyranids, Orks, or Chaos and focus on their awfulness it might might work to make the Imperium seem better than it is. Definitely need to leave the Inquisition out of it at first.

It's been a while, but who? I can honestly say I've never heard of these guys.

 

[Lilbaz]

Just how much of a prequel are we talking here? Would be very farfetched I think. Nah, I'd rather them just jump straight into warfare here, there's no need for an origin story where a 40k film is concerned. We can find out about history via talks and/or a flashback or two.

It's been a while, but who? I can honestly say I've never heard of these guys.

Think you misunderstand what i am saying. The guys who made event horizon went to gw and asked to do a 40k film. Gw said no, so they made event horizon instead.

Have you seen event horizon? They even mention chaos. It is not 40k and not canon but was influenced by it, and if you wished you could use your imagination and treat it as a sort of prequel to 40k. Which i believe was in the makers minds when they made it.

 

[Lilbaz]

Just how much of a prequel are we talking here? Would be very farfetched I think. Nah, I'd rather them just jump straight into warfare here, there's no need for an origin story where a 40k film is concerned. We can find out about history via talks and/or a flashback or two.

It's been a while, but who? I can honestly say I've never heard of these guys.

Skaven are warhammer not 40k. They are rat people.

 

[Flash525]

Think you misunderstand what i am saying. The guys who made event horizon went to gw and asked to do a 40k film. Gw said no, so they made event horizon instead.

Have you seen event horizon? They even mention chaos. It is not 40k and not canon but was influenced by it, and if you wished you could use your imagination and treat it as a sort of prequel to 40k. Which i believe was in the makers minds when they made it.

Ah, I get you, at least in context. There are ample other examples (in film) that could suit a prequel to 40k though, heck, even that Nightflyers series on Netflix could do the job; they've got a ship contacting an entity (the warp), they've got a dying earth, and they've got physics.

The theme behind Event Horizon may influence 40k, but (in my opinion - and as someone who has watched it) should in no way be connected to a 40k sega. That would be the equivalent of saying "here's a film set in the same universe, but some 45,000 years before". No thanks.

Skaven are warhammer not 40k. They are rat people.

Well that explains why I've never heard of them, at least except for Splinter.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I haven't played the game yet but the storyline from Inquisitor Martyr would probably be a good storyline to follow for a movie, or even something like Space Hulk.

 

[Lilbaz]

Anyone seen these?