Astrocloud

I don't know if anyone here is a fan of the Fantasy epic Elric... but it's been optioned as a movie...




From CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movi...lm.elric.reut/

NEW YORK (Variety) -- Universal Pictures has joined in optioning "The Elric Saga," a multi-part, Tolkein-esque fantasy series written by Michael Moorcock, for development as a potential big-screen trilogy.

The literary series began with 1972's "Elric of Melnibone." Universal's option deal with production company Depth of Field covers 11 books -- the original six installments of the series and five subsequent novels that touch on the saga.

The film adaptation, which will be produced but not written or directed by Depth of Field partners Chris and Paul Weitz, is conceived as a potential trilogy whose first installment will be culled from the series' first six volumes. The producers plan to shop the book to writers and directors.

The novels are sensual and atmospheric sword-and-sorcery tales that center on Elric, a brooding albino warrior who presides over an unruly, decadent island nation. The novels follow Elric on a series of adventures, in which he is betrayed by his cousin, sent into exile and attempts to come to terms with his own humanity.

"We have loved this series since we were kids and can appreciate it even more as adults. It's a sophisticated, literate, philosophically dense fantasy -- a sort of 'Matrix' of the sword-and-sorcery genre," Chris Weitz said.

Moorcock oversaw the sci-fi magazine New Worlds and helped usher in the "new wave" sci-fi movement of the 1960s and '70s. He also performed in the British hard rock band Hawkwind and will co-produce the movie project.

Astrocloud

*Sigh* no takers? Well here is some more fantasy artwork for those who like that:

Giant Hamburger

Hail Astrocloud!

I read the first 5 books as a kid. Good angst-ridden stuff for a teenager. I tried to reread them in my twenties and it didn't do it for me. That being said, these books have the potential to make an interesting cinematic trilogy. I doubt mainstream moviemakers could do it right. Do you think they would be true to the malevolence in the Elric character? He's not sympathetic. Don't get me wrong; I think that's what made him such an excellent personality. The incest, the propensity for killing off friends and loved ones, the treachery all lead to an unheroic protagonist. For those who need an analogy think of The Bad Lieutenant meets Rob Roy and add an ample amount of sorcery. I will hope for the best and expect the worst. I still haven’t completely gotten over the Conan fiasco.

Two of your four Elric images are by Michael Whelan who is one of my most favorite illustrators. Have you read other Eternal Champion series by Moorcock? The Runestaff/Hawkmoon books were my favorite. They too would have excellent movie making potential.
-GH

Pellaz

Yup, I agree, Hollywood would never do the Elric series justice as movies. First and foremost, they'd have to be "R" rated, which seems to be less and less of an aption for any kind of franchise that's fringe or experimental as this would be. Plus, I don't think that you could portray his internal struggle with the mourneblade properly on the screen, but I could be wrong there. Add that to the fact that Hollywood as a whole has just lost most of my faith in the past year or so.

'Course, I'll see it if they make it, no matter what. Elric is far and away my favorite Moorcock Hero

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Astrocloud

If they used the same budget and had as good a director as they have with the Lord of the Rings -I think they could do it. Unfortunately I truly doubt they would cover the whole book which frequently drifts into Mini-adventures. (It's the Mini-Adventures which are truly the most interesting... (They were much in the spirit of (or possibly inspired by) Robert E Howard's original Conan series)).

The main story which will probably be covered will have to include some pretty trippy special effects. For example: the scene near the end (I think in Stormbringer) -where Zarozinia morphs into a catapillar and Elric let's Stormbringer eat her soul would be impossible to do convincingly without a HUGE buget.

The Tasty and Delicious One brings up a point of what they did to Conan... but there is one difference here. Michael Moorcock is still alive and might have a hand in supervising the script... That being said I think it would be an interesting movie -or at least a movie with some potential.

I actually haven't read the other eternal champion series. I read the Elric series feverishly in college... But eventually got more into historical "science type" non-fiction.

Food Eater Lad

I loved the books, I hope it works out .

Johnny Rotten

Don't get those hopes up too high. Unfortunately, optioning movie rights in Hollywood is as workaday of a task as checking your email when you get to work in the morning. As long as no cast and crew are attached, you can file it under "Real Soon Now."

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WinterScar

On another note: Didn't Blizzard completely rip off Michael Moorcock's Elric when they designed the Arthas character for the WarCraft 3 games?

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Fire

this would rock if they don't fuck it up- sadly, they almost certainly will

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