What about Thundarr the Barbarian?

[Metal Spidey]

My question is, will Thundarr be able to get away with his male chauvinism in this day and age? I'm not saying he was as bad as some of the guest you would see on the Muary Show or anything but it was definitely there.

Also is there cause for concern over possible elements resembling Star Wars too much? People may see Ucla as a Chewbacca rip-off and the Sun Sword may be seen a lightsaber.

 

[Thundarr]

My question is, will Thundarr be able to get away with his male chauvinism in this day and age? I'm not saying he was as bad as some of the guest you would see on the Muary Show or anything but it was definitely there.

Also is there cause for concern over possible elements resembling Star Wars too much? People may see Ucla as a Chewbacca rip-off and the Sun Sword may be seen a lightsaber.

About Thundarr's chauvenism? I think he could get away with it without too much trouble. I mean, what did he ever do that was chauvenist anyway? Rescue damsels in distress by carrying them off slung over his shoulder? Conan is far worse, bedding damn near anything with a pulse and a vagina.

And the "Star Wars" question. That could be a problem. Ookla was most certainly inspired by Chewbacca, and the Sunsword was most certainly inspired by Luke Skywalker's lightsaber. In fact, if you think about it, Thundarr actually kind of looks like Luke Skywalker on steroids. And there are also several paralels between Princess Ariel and Princess Leia.

While I personally like to think of Thundarr The Barbarian as an homage to Star Wars, I'm sure there are others that would see it as a rip off. That is why I suggested making George Lucas the executive producer on the movie. It's kinda tough to sue yourself for copyright enfringement. I just don't want to let Lucas have any creative control over the project. Otherwise we'll wind up with 3 people acting in front of a green screen and the entire rest of the movie being done in CGI. And that would just suck.

 

[rogue trooper]

And the "Star Wars" question. That could be a problem. Ookla was most certainly inspired by Chewbacca, and the Sunsword was most certainly inspired by Luke Skywalker's lightsaber. In fact, if you think about it, Thundarr actually kind of looks like Luke Skywalker on steroids. And there are also several paralels between Princess Ariel and Princess Leia.

While I personally like to think of Thundarr The Barbarian as an homage to Star Wars, I'm sure there are others that would see it as a rip off. That is why I suggested making George Lucas the executive producer on the movie. It's kinda tough to sue yourself for copyright enfringement. I just don't want to let Lucas have any creative control over the project. Otherwise we'll wind up with 3 people acting in front of a green screen and the entire rest of the movie being done in CGI. And that would just suck.

Some of the things you mention are indeed inspired by Star Wars; Sun Sword, Ookla(although one could also say he was inspired by Thun The Lion-man from Flash Gordon just as Chewbacca probably was), and maybe a little of Ariel. However, it owes more, I think, to Jack Kirby's Kamandi, and Conan. There are also traits of Thor and Namor in Thundarr's character.

 

[Thundarr]

Some of the things you mention are indeed inspired by Star Wars; Sun Sword, Ookla(although one could also say he was inspired by Thun The Lion-man from Flash Gordon just as Chewbacca probably was), and maybe a little of Ariel. However, it owes more, I think, to Jack Kirby's Kamandi, and Conan. There are also traits of Thor and Namor in Thundarr's character.

However, the similarities between Thundarr and Kamandi, Conan, and Thor are fairly superficial and won't necessarily result in a lawsuit by their copyright owners. The similarities between Thundarr's Sunsword and Luke's lightsaber, as well as the similarities between Ookla and Chewbacca, are quite blatant and can easily result in a lawsuit from George Lucas.

One of the rumors surrounding the premature cancelation of the show was that George Lucas had heard about Thundarr and threatened to sue Ruby-Spears Productions and NBC for copyright violations. I don't know if that's true. I've also heard that parents groups lobbied to have it taken off the air due to the violent and disturbing nature of the show, and that the president of NBC at the time didn't like action cartoons and wanted the network's entire Saturday morning line-up to be animated comedies. As to which story is true? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Thundarr]

From Twitch:
Sunswords High Lads!!! It's THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN THE COMPLETE SERIES

Great link! Too bad it's only available in The US, and only through that site. How the hell are Canadians supposed to enjoy the show's "official release"? I guess we just gotta wait and see if WB releases it in stores.

 

[rogue trooper]

However, the similarities between Thundarr and Kamandi, Conan, and Thor are fairly superficial and won't necessarily result in a lawsuit by their copyright owners. The similarities between Thundarr's Sunsword and Luke's lightsaber, as well as the similarities between Ookla and Chewbacca, are quite blatant and can easily result in a lawsuit from George Lucas.

One of the rumors surrounding the premature cancelation of the show was that George Lucas had heard about Thundarr and threatened to sue Ruby-Spears Productions and NBC for copyright violations. I don't know if that's true. I've also heard that parents groups lobbied to have it taken off the air due to the violent and disturbing nature of the show, and that the president of NBC at the time didn't like action cartoons and wanted the network's entire Saturday morning line-up to be animated comedies. As to which story is true? Your guess is as good as mine.

I think the Sun Sword, in a film, could be done, insted of lightsaber-like, it could be a sun-powered broadsword that becomes fiery when Thundarr engages in combat. That could be a way to go.

As for Ookla, maybe if they could have him talk "straighter", yet with a sort of beastial tone, that's less worry of being in Chewbacca territory. The idea of a beastial companion didn't start with Chewbacca. It goes all the way back to The Wizard of Oz. I already mentioned Thun The Lion-Man who allies with Flash Gordon. And then there's also Marvel's Kull comics of the 70's. In one of the arcs, Kull is accompanied by a character of a beastial race named Lorkar. So, I really don't see that much of a threat with Lucas.

 

[El Payaso]

I don't remember much of it but it sounds like making a movie called "Bat-dude," "Super-guy" or "The Human Spider" to me.

 

[Thundarr]

I think the Sun Sword, in a film, could be done, insted of lightsaber-like, it could be a sun-powered broadsword that becomes fiery when Thundarr engages in combat. That could be a way to go.

As for Ookla, maybe if they could have him talk "straighter", yet with a sort of beastial tone, that's less worry of being in Chewbacca territory. The idea of a beastial companion didn't start with Chewbacca. It goes all the way back to The Wizard of Oz. I already mentioned Thun The Lion-Man who allies with Flash Gordon. And then there's also Marvel's Kull comics of the 70's. In one of the arcs, Kull is accompanied by a character of a beastial race named Lorkar. So, I really don't see that much of a threat with Lucas.

With all due respect, those are absolutely terrible ideas. While the general audience won't care, the fans of the show would all hate it.

Just ask George Lucas to be executive producer. That's far simpler, and the movie would more closely resemble the source material.

 

[rogue trooper]

Well, I for one a big fan of the show and I wouldn't mind a different kind of Sun-Sword that doesn't take anything from a lightsaber. No, not necessarily the suggestion I made. Or at least not as blunt. I'm not a writer. That was more of an example that there are other ways to make the Sun Sword more apart from the familiar concept of the lightsaber. An actual screenwriter could do a more creative concept of what I proposed.

We were ok with Spider-Man spinning webs from organic web-shooters, and I'm sure we'll be ok giving Thundarr some sort of Sun Sword that's not Star Wars derived.

 

[Thundarr]

Well, I for one a big fan of the show and I wouldn't mind a different kind of Sun-Sword that doesn't take anything from a lightsaber. No, not necessarily the suggestion I made. Or at least not as blunt. I'm not a writer. That was more of an example that there are other ways to make the Sun Sword more apart from the familiar concept of the lightsaber. An actual screenwriter could do a more creative concept of what I proposed.

We were ok with Spider-Man spinning webs from organic web-shooters, and I'm sure we'll be ok giving Thundarr some sort of Sun Sword that's not Star Wars derived.

Your suggestion could also be seen as a rip-off however. Didn't the main villain in Flash Gordon have a magical sword with a metal blade that burst into flame on a whim? I can't recall if he did in the original comic strip or the live action movie, but I know for a fact that he did in the Saturday morning cartoon series. Also, in the Dungeons & Dragons game there's a magical sword called a Flametongue which does pretty much the same thing. Granted, the inspiration for the weapon was likely the sword from Flash Gordon, we could still wind up with Wizards Of The Coast crying "copyright infringement".

While having Ookla be able to speak human could work, I for one wouldn't like it. Although there is precident for the opposite in films (in the Masters Of The Universe cartoon, Beastman was able to talk but in the live action movie he couldn't speak Human), a talking Ookla could just be seen as a rip off of the similar character from Flash Gordon that you mentioned earlier.

So we're damned if we do, and damned if we don't. So I say, if we're gonna be damned, then let's stick to the original source material and be damned!

 

[rogue trooper]

All in all, I just don't think there's really much to worry about King Features, DC Comics, Marvel, nor George Lucas; him being behind the film or not.

 

[Thundarr]

All in all, I just don't think there's really much to worry about King Features, DC Comics, Marvel, nor George Lucas; him being behind the film or not.

Well, I've already started writing a script for a live action movie adaptation of Thundarr. I'm planning on asking Ruby-Spears Productions to produce it. If they say "yes", then I'll ask George Lucas to executive produce.

 

[Thundarr]

www.savageafterworld.blogspot.com

Check it out.

 

[Doureo]

I found this on a site about Thundar with interviews from Ken Spears and Joe Ruby about the show. http://www.thundarr.com/media/interview.html

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ken Spears: First, let me say that when ABC cancelled Thundarr, we had excellent ratings. And when the news hit the streets, we received hundreds of letters from viewers telling us how much they will miss the show and asking why it was going off the air. Incredibly, many of the letters were signed by entire school classes! Literally hundreds of fans, from grade schools, high schools, and even from prestigious universities like Stanford were writing in! Without a doubt, Thundarr had a huge teenage and adult following. Unfortunately, NBC only wanted the show for re-run purposes, feeling the show was so strong that the viewers would watch the originals over and over again. [/FONT]

 

[Thundarr]

I found this on a site about Thundar with interviews from Ken Spears and Joe Ruby about the show. http://www.thundarr.com/media/interview.html

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ken Spears: First, let me say that when ABC cancelled Thundarr, we had excellent ratings. And when the news hit the streets, we received hundreds of letters from viewers telling us how much they will miss the show and asking why it was going off the air. Incredibly, many of the letters were signed by entire school classes! Literally hundreds of fans, from grade schools, high schools, and even from prestigious universities like Stanford were writing in! Without a doubt, Thundarr had a huge teenage and adult following. Unfortunately, NBC only wanted the show for re-run purposes, feeling the show was so strong that the viewers would watch the originals over and over again. [/FONT]

That link has been posted before, and quoted from as well. That part of the interview is kinda off topic as to what this thread is about though. This thread is about adapting the cartoon into a live action movie, as has been done with Transformers, G.I. Joe, Scooby Doo, Speed Racer, The Smurfs, and He-Man, just to name a few.

 

[Doureo]

I would think the movie would be good as animation. If it is a live action movie then I would make Ookla a person in a suit. The reason for that is to avoid Ookla looking as bad as I thought Scooby Doo looked in the live action movies.

 

[Thundarr]

I would think the movie would be good as animation. If it is a live action movie then I would make Ookla a person in a suit. The reason for that is to avoid Ookla looking as bad as I thought Scooby Doo looked in the live action movies.

Probably the easiest way to get the movie made would be to go animated. Not that doing animation is easy, but doing something that the original fans of the show and the GA will accept will be easier. I would ask the animators from Fire & Ice to do the animation. That would look awesome.

And I agree with you on making Ookla a man in a costume and make up rather than a CGI character. Not that I think Scooby Doo looked all that bad. Considering the source material, I think the producers did fairly well with that one. But for Ookla? I just don't want him to end up being another Jar-Jar Binks. And with todays prosthetic latex make up technology and techniques, there's really no reason to.

 

[Ultra Lantern]

I think that a live action Thundarr movie would work.

 

[Thundarr]

I think that a live action Thundarr movie would work.

Who would you cast in the lead roles?

 

[Ultra Lantern]

Who would you cast in the lead roles?

Thundarr:Jason Momoa
Ariel: Jennifer Connely
Ookla: The actor that played Chewbacca ot another tall actor.

 

[Thundarr]

Thundarr:Jason Momoa
Ariel: Jennifer Connely
Ookla: The actor that played Chewbacca ot another tall actor.

Jason Mamoa as Thundarr? I don't know about that. He's an alright actor, but his hair is naturally black. I don't think he'd look very good with blond hair.

While I am a fan of Jennifer Connely, I don't think she's right for the role of Princess Ariel. Primarily because Ariel's supposed to be Chinese, or at the very least Asian.

Chewbacca as Ookla? Not a bad choice. Only a couple of problems with that. One, he's gettin' pretty old. For another, he's really skinny. Ookla picks up dumptrucks and throws them with ease. The movie needs someone huge, who looks like they might actually be able to do what he does in the cartoon.

I'll give an updated cast choice at a later tume.

 

[Ultra Lantern]

More choices for Ariel.
Lucy Liu
Talisa Soto
Kristin Kruek
Kelly Hu


Kevin Sorbo as Thundarr.

 

[Thundarr]

More choices for Ariel.
Lucy Liu
Talisa Soto
Kristin Kruek
Kelly Hu


Kevin Sorbo as Thundarr.

I like most of these latest suggestions for Princess Ariel. I've suggested Kelly Hu, Lucy Liu, and Kristin Kruek myself on more than one occassion. I also like Kevin Sorbo for the role of Thundarr. However it has been brought to my attention that he may be a little old for the role.

The only casting suggestion you've made in your last post that I don't agree with is Talisa Soto. I had to Google her to find out who she is. She's beautiful, but all wrong for the part.

 

[Ultra Lantern]

I like most of these latest suggestions for Princess Ariel. I've suggested Kelly Hu, Lucy Liu, and Kristin Kruek myself on more than one occassion. I also like Kevin Sorbo for the role of Thundarr. However it has been brought to my attention that he may be a little old for the role.

The only casting suggestion you've made in your last post that I don't agree with is Talisa Soto. I had to Google her to find out who she is. She's beautiful, but all wrong for the part.

Who would you cast?

 

[Thundarr]

Who would you cast?

Chris Hemsworth as Thundarr

Reason: I've recently seen him star in Thor, and I have to say he did a really good job in the role. He's blond, handsome, tall, and very athletic. He's also a very competant actor. Add it all up, and he's damn near perfect for the role of Thundarr.

Kristin Kruek as Princess Ariel​

Reason: Kristin Kruek is a very underrated actress. Being half Chinese, she looks Asian enough for the role without blatantly being of one specific Asian race or another. And of course, who wouldn't want to see her in Ariel's blue and gold leotard.

"The Great Khali" Dalip Singh Rana as Ookla The Mok​

Reason: For one thing, he's freakin' HUGE! He stands 7'3", weighs 430 lbs, and is in phenominal physical condition. He also has plenty of acting experience from several movies, including Get Smart, The Longest Yard, etc.
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