Gary Gygax Movie?

[Guest 85555]

Thanks Talien. Keep us posted. Do you mind if I link to your article on my company blog and twitter?

 

[Umbran]

The word from George is that there's a "big star" attached. If that's true, then the money isn't an issue.

Disney just canned the Jerry Bruckheimer - Gore Verbinsky - Johnny Depp Lone Ranger for budget reasons. And that's a combination that's made them *billions* of dollars with the Pirates of the Carribean series.

Even with nigh-assured riches untold, money can be an issue.

 

[nedjer]

I agree with Umbran that the price tag is ambitious, given that the previous two D&D movies cost under $35 million or less.

That said, the budget implies that there's more to this puzzle than George is sharing. I have no idea if $150 million is merely planned, budgeted, in the works, specced out, etc. The word from George is that there's a "big star" attached. If that's true, then the money isn't an issue.

Or to put it another way, if a big star is actually attached (and I'll let you know as soon as I hear), then it should become clear whether or not the price tag is realistic.

I'll keep with the pinch of salt for now. The Secret Fire was announced as a ground-breaking/ revolutionise RPGs system; which turns out to be an entertaining re-spin on a retro-clone I'd played before.

I suspect a GG movie is likely to be a similar deal, but I'll keep a hat handy in case I have to eat it

 

[Guest 85555]

Disney just canned the Jerry Bruckheimer - Gore Verbinsky - Johnny Depp Lone Ranger for budget reasons. And that's a combination that's made them *billions* of dollars with the Pirates of the Carribean series.

Even with nigh-assured riches untold, money can be an issue.

Projects can always fall through. This even happens in the world of non-fiction publishing, where an author doesn't know until close to release whether his book will see the light of day (and particularly when the economy is having trouble). However I am inclined to be optimistic about the Gary movie. If it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen. But I am hopeful it will be released.

I think Strayton is the same guy who put out the Dragonlance movie. Wouldn't have expected that to see the light of day, but it managed (though I am sure it had a much smaller budget---and have to admit I haven't seen it yet).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Big budget star, Eh?

Jackie Chan? Will Smith? Sandra Bullock?

 

[talien]

Thanks Talien. Keep us posted. Do you mind if I link to your article on my company blog and twitter?

Please do! Thanks!

 

[Mark CMG]

Well done, Bloodhound!

 

[talien]

Disney just canned the Jerry Bruckheimer - Gore Verbinsky - Johnny Depp Lone Ranger for budget reasons. And that's a combination that's made them *billions* of dollars with the Pirates of the Carribean series.

Even with nigh-assured riches untold, money can be an issue.

To clarify my point, I'm far more concerned that the movie gets made. If it gets made for $100 million instead of $150 I won't be upset. So to me, a star's public commitment to the project is more valuable than the budget attached to it which -- to your point -- tends to change frequently.

 

[talien]

Projects can always fall through. This even happens in the world of non-fiction publishing, where an author doesn't know until close to release whether his book will see the light of day (and particularly when the economy is having trouble). However I am inclined to be optimistic about the Gary movie. If it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen. But I am hopeful it will be released.

I think Strayton is the same guy who put out the Dragonlance movie. Wouldn't have expected that to see the light of day, but it managed (though I am sure it had a much smaller budget---and have to admit I haven't seen it yet).

I think this is the movie's best shot. George Strayton has connections and Gail Gygax's blessing means a lot.

 

[Relique du Madde]

Did you guys read the article linked in the OP? I quote:

"George Strayton confirmed he is that match, the scriptwriter for a $150 million movie based on Gary Gygax’s life."

Given that quote, I say I'll believe it when I see it. I wasn't arguing about what can be done with movies, in general, but responding to a statement about what the article says this movie is.

I did.

See the problem with doing it for 150mil and playing to the old Hollywood paradigm is that it would guarantee that this movie would never get made since no corporate studio exec would waste money on a black-hole* project like this movie.

The best way that this could me made is to cater the ship the script to an independent studio, take it to the fest circuit sans fantasy elements (or go minimalist) then sit back and hope it generates enough buzz that you can get a multiple investors on to produce the movie so you could pitch it to a studio for circulation rights.

Of course, I mentioned Terry Gilliam because he's a master at getting "fantasy" movies made on a shoestring budget and an expert at convincing studios to fork over millions of dollars on projects that are destined to die in the box office. If anyone can convince a studio to fork over 150 million to make a Gary Gygax movie, it would be him.


* Black Hole as in it will cost more to produce and advertise than it could ever hope to generate.