It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything new about the fabled World of Warcraft movie, and now WoW fans have a few new huge morsels to munch on until the next bit of info is revealed.
At Thursday’s Saturn Awards, Sam Raimi, director of the coming movie, interviewed with a couple of guys from Collider.com (view their original post).
Catch the full video below, which focuses a lot on the movie and what inspires Raimi to want to direct the film:
Hit the break for transcripts of a few great quotes that reveal Raimi’s love of the game, and my own thoughts on the interview.
Well, at least now we have a bit more concrete evidence that WoW really is where Raimi hopes and plans to go next. There’s been some question about whether he would be working on WoW or an Oz project next, but he dispelled that notion quickly:
“Right now im not really committed to Oz…”
And moving into what gets Raimi motivated for the WoW movie, he gushes over the visuals, the weaponry, the spells and landscapes — basically everything that makes the game a beautiful specimen of the fantasy genre. In fact, he’s got his own level 72 toon.
“The landscapes are incredibly cinematic. The characters themselves are unique and fantastic… It would be really cool to see them in battle.”
But as for an “angle,” that still may be a ways off, he said, though the action is not planned to be a hybrid of real-world and game-world settings.
“We’re still working on the story right now. We’ve got a 40-page document that needs a lot more work. But every draft that we do with (screenwriter) Robert Rodat gets better and better… there’s no real angle, we’re just trying to create realistic characters that can live in the World of Warcraft.”
As for those actual characters, that’s one thing that I think he wants to have fun with.
“We’re really trying to pull upon the most exciting and different characters in the game. It really is a world, a universe, and so many different characters and professions… we’re trying to choose the ones that are interesting and could play a part in a drama that’s slowly developing.”
The studio — Legendary Pictures (which likely would distribute via WB) — also “is very enthusiastic” and is chiefly concerned with creating a quality movie, Raimi said. Sounds like a plan to me. Coupled up with his own enthusiasm, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that this project gets off the ground and maintains the game’s integrity.
“I just want to make pictures that I feel passionate about; that I think I can really bring something to; that I have some real connection to. Because if I do that, quite simply, I know how to direct the movie.”
Best of luck. I know there’s been plenty of discussion about the possible epicness, or possible utter failure of bringing the WoW story to the big screen. Do insights into the enthusiasm that Raimi and his team seem to be bringing to the project ease any of your concerns?
It eases about all the minor concerns that I had previously. If the director knows what players are expecting, then we’re set.
Besides, Blizzard, all though it’s arguable, cares about quality. I mean, look at their cinematics for all of the WoW games. If this movie does not meet their standard, they will pull the plug and say “Try again.”
Plot wise, I mean, Chris Metzen is contributing himself! There’s nothing to worry about.
It’s just the Street Fighter syndrom for those people that are aprehensive.
Another note, I’ve told everyone: As long as they’re writing basicly a “visual” book, they should be fine.
As I stated, the Street Fighter movie was more of the characters from that universe in the real world.
This seems to be they are actually filming a book, that hasn’t been writen yet. And again, everyone on board are fans that know the expectations and are trying their hardest to meet those.
Let us look at Mr. Raimi’s filmography
Evil Dead, a poor and campy horror film made shortly out of college with his buddy Bruce Campbell. It doesn’t do well, however it gains a massive cult following after theater, prompting the pair to work on the sequel.
Evil Dead 2, likewise a niche film, but garnering enough fans and revenue to work on the third in the series.
Army of Darkness, an over-budgeted film that makes the studio execs unhappy, while appealing to some of the fans. Also, the least gory of the three films. Sam and Bruce move on to other projects (Notably Herculeus and Xena)
A Simple Plan, taking a stab at drama without horror, a film about stolen money when found by two brothers and how it changes them. Not very well received.
For the Love of the Game, once more into the drama breach, grabbing some well-known names in the film industry this film about baseball and the lives it touches leans into being one of the more popular of Mr. Raimi’s films up to this point.
Spider-Man, a resurgence of super hero movies brings to light this film. The film deviates from the comics in one key aspect (Mary Jane being imperiled instead of Gwen Stacey) however it generates good reviews and ratings, green lighting sequels.
Spider-Man 2, The inital magic has lost some luster and the charm is worn down as we get a mopey Peter Parker and a less powerful performance (Except from Alfred Molina, a near spot-on Doc Ock in appearance and mannerism).
Spider-Man 3, special effects show more emotion and the film does terribly.
His track record, from a studio stand point, isn’t great as when his budget gets large, the films don’t do as well, hwoever form a fan stand-point, he manages to catch niche audiences and do well with them. I predict this WoW film will be lambasted by critics and reviewers, but adored by gaming enthusiasts. I just wonder where Bruce and his brother, Ted, will show up.