Doo Over...

As much as I love the Mouse, the Bunny has a lot of love to offer...

Putting aside the fact that I'm a DC Guy (while loving all things Disney), not a Marvel Guy, there are many properties they own that I love.  And just like Disney, Warner has a great deal of IP that it has acquired.  While the Walt Disney Company has bought everything from Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, Warner Bros. bought DC Comics in the 70's and through other mergers took control of major parts of my childhood.

One in particular would be Hanna-Barbera.

Most people today think of Batman as Warner, as well as the Flinstones or Johnny Quest (my fav HB property, btw) as always being a Warner Bros. property.  One of the most beloved of all HB series was Scooby-Doo (my second fav).  Kids today that pay attention wouldn't know the difference, but when I grew up it was HB that owned them.  And owned Saturday mornings across America.

Kids today might be more familiar with the "Scooby-Doo" 2002 film and the "Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed" 2004 sequel.  Those films, particularly the first were decent although half-hearted attempts at bringing to life these beloved animated characters.  The law of dismissing returns after the second film put the brakes on what could have been a trilogy.  There have many animated series and animated films based in the characters, including the latest series, "Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated".  That one was a high point over many of its predecessors.

But old characters never die.  Not when suits can take something proven and offers less risk.  Now, Warner Bros. has decided to move forward with an animated feature of the famous Great Dane and his beatnick crew.  The medium which it'll be animated in isn't known yet.  Several have speculated that it will be computer animated, although it wasn't clear if it would be CG or hand drawn from Variety's article.  Personally it would suit me to see it hand drawn styled like the classic 1969 "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" series with more detail and higher quality. Everything doesn't have to have a 3D dimensional look to be good.  It needs a good writer with a strong story/script.

Which will it be?  Will the writers and producers try to achieve a film that pays homage to the original while moving forward for new audiences?  Will they hire the right director?  What animation division inside Warner will animate it?

That sounds like a mystery that the gang can try and solve...

A Spin Off, Not A Sequel...

Sorry guys, the real world has been invading here at Blue Sky Headquarters...

 And right when I was going to be at Comic Con. But unfortunately more pressing matters have to be addressed. Posts will be sporadic over the next few weeks as things hopefully get back in order. I was planning a whole lot of coverage of Nerdvana, but with my schedule it wasn't to be.

Now of course, I do want to address the news that Zack Snyder and the Bunny let out about the sequel to "Man of Steel" earlier today. First off, people shouldn't be calling it a sequel. It's not. It's a spin off. It looks like as of now, Warner is taking the route of using the character of Superman as an introduction to the rest of the DC Cinematic Universe: first with "Batman Vs. Superman" and then in "Justice League". He's our alien tour guide, really.

 I'm sure that they'll be more films of a solo Clark Kent/Kal-El, but Henry Cavill is signed for three films and they want to be him to walk us into this new universe. I'd expect that before too long they'll renegotiate his contract for more films. They should go the Marvel route and lock them in for six films, not three. Perhaps whoever they get for Batman will be attached for that long. But it looks like we're in for an epic trip over the next few years.

 We'll just have to wait for that Superman film with Brainiac a little longer...

Legendary Impressions...

Looks like Jeff Robinov isn't the only one leaving the Bunny...

For almost a decade Warner Bros. has had a production deal with Legendary Entertainment, the production company/mini-studio that makes massive pop-culture films that geeks/nerds love and the rest of the movie going public warm up to.

But as we reported last year, that agreement is about to end.  And it looks like they're either playing a massive bluff, or they are going to pack their bags and go elsewhere.  Thomas Tull had gradiose plans for his company from the beginning and they've only gotten bigger.  From just wanting to make cool, fun entertainment, to television to now, digital media and comic books, Tull wants to turn the company into a true entertainment company.  Almost a studio of its own.  I think his ultimate goal is to eventually turn Legendary into its own studio.  While partnering with one of the big six studios might be his stated plan, his ultimate desire is to become one of the big boys.

Currently, Legendary Entertainment is currently in negotiations with four different studios about securing a much more financially attractive deal than what Warner currently is offering.  It looks like the studio under its new suit, CEO Kevin Tsujihara. is much less willing to share the profits as it's shared the financial burden over the past decade.  It seems to see all the profits coming in from its films, particularly superhero films, and wants a larger, if not all of the profits.  Perfectly fine from a business standpoint.  But from a creative perspective, Legendary has provided a lot of the studios top draw when it comes to development.  Warner Bros. is going to have to show they can step up and fill the shoes of the creatives at Legendary.  Over the past decade, they've been more than willing to just handle the bean counting part of that job.  We'll have to see if they hold their own once Legend goes, if they do go.

The four companies Tull is in negotiations with are Sony Pictures, Fox, Lionsgate and Universal.  From what is heard through the grapevine, Universal is the studio with the inside advantage as it likes the content that Legendary has been coming up with and looks to exploit it with a deal that includes attractions in its global theme parks.  But don't count out the smalls studio Lionsgate as it wants to be a bigger player.  So far, the Mouse has expressed no interest in a deal with Legendary, which I believe would be ideal for content, along with their previous relationship with Walt Disney Studios chairman, Alan Horn.  He knows how to deal with them and has a good working relationship with them.  They could be making films across the spectrum of Disney entertainment, from the live-action Walt Disney Studios moniker to the live-action adult fare of Touchstone.  Since Touchstone has been set aside for the distribution of Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios slate of six films a year, it could use the shuttered moniker of Hollywood Pictures as a shingle for the films Legendary has planned.

                                                    

But that's just me sprinkling pixie dust on dreams.  Dreams do come true, but not always.  Sometimes these things turn out to be wishes.  And right now Thomas Tull has some pretty big wishes.

I'm just hoping he rubs on a certain Lamp for those wishes...

Fairy Taled...

The Bunny has been trying to get this one made for a millennium...

Or it might just seem that long.  While Warner is taking their time getting the primary DC Comics characters to the silver screen, they are moving forward with some of their other DC properties.  Their Vertigo properties to be precise.

"Fables" which tells the tale of a group of fairy tale characters that get throw out of their own world and into ours.  No, I'm not talking about "Once Upon A Time" or even "Grimm" really.  This is, or was around well before those series were created.  In fact, it might be the reason that the studio decided to go the film route since there are already series with similar themes on network television.

Originally they were going to try and film it with the Jim Henson Company involved and that fell through.  A few years ago there was an attempt to make it as a television series for ABC and that went nowhere.  You have to love development hell, right?

Now Warner Bros. is going the feature route again and has attached Nikolaj Arcel to helm the film based on a script by Jeremy Slater (latest draft of the current "Fantastic Four" reboot).  David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford of Harry Pottor fame will be producing the film.  No one is currently attached as stars, but with the writer/director/producers all lined up expect casting to announced shortly.

I wonder if DC Entertainment has anything to do with this since it's an imprint of theirs...

Oversized For Underlings...

A new featurette is out for "Pacific Rim" with a lot of cool footage...

Guillermo del Toro gives a lot of narration explaining about the Jaegers's heads and how the pilots operate them.  This film seems like an eleven year old's dream come to life before their eyes.  What young male wouldn't want to imagine himself in a giant robot kicking the butt of a giant monster?

The director will now move on to "Crimson Peak", but after that what?  I wonder which project that Del Toro is connected to he'll decide to direct next?  "Justice League Dark" (I prefer the "Dark Universe" title), "Hellboy 3", his opus, "At The Mountains of Madness" or maybe, just maybe that "Haunted Mansion" reboot?

Alan Horn, please pick up the phone...

Blade Running...

I'm conflicted about this news...

"Blade Runner" is an amazing film.  It's my second favorite film of all time.  So this little press release could be viewed with trepidation or sacrilegious feelings.  A sequel to the classic sci-fi noir film has been in development for decades.  And years ago Ridley Scott agreed to make one, even hiring Hampton Fancher to create the screenplay.  I always believed it was a money grab; a pay or play scheme to get money to tide him over while he worked on other projects.  I thought that he was thinking: "Hey, if they want to give me money to play with concepts, I'll take it."  But I never really believed that it would ever happen.  Ever.

And then the Alien prequel went forward and actually happened.

And for all the grief people gave that film I actually liked it.  It had so many concepts within it that I found fascinating.  It had plot holes, yes, but it also was an incredible vision from a man that is a sci-fi master.  I mean, Ridley Scott created the future we all envision.  At least on film he did.  Alien was a "monster in the house" film turned on its head, twisted into a space ship plot line and brilliantly brought to life by the director. Blade Runner is for good or bad, the most copied film in cinema when a studio makes a futuristic film.  Almost every film pays homage, or literally rips it off.  That's why when I see a film that goes in the opposite direction I have to give the film makers a certain amount of respect.  Even if their film fails, at least they didn't try to make a clone of this film.

And now Ridley is actually moving forward with this sequel.

I was totally against a sequel to Alien, as it wasn't necessary, and then I saw "Aliens" and was blown away.  So then I welcomed more vacations to this strange world.  Unfortunately we got "Alien 3" which was bad, and "Alien Resurrection" which was worse.  It couldn't get any worse, could it?  Then the "Alien Vs. Predator" films just so they wouldn't waste time and could destroy two franchises in one film.  So when it came to Blade Runner, I didn't want a sequel.  It wasn't a film that was designed to have another chapter.  That ending was perfect.  I didn't want to find out what happened to Decker and Rachel.  I wanted to have my own thoughts about what their lives would be like.  And for two decades I have.

Now we know that they've hired Michael Green to rewrite Fancher's draft, so they're determined to make the film, I guess.  Word is that Harrison Ford is in talks about possibly playing the character again (first Solo, now this?).  So it looks like we'll find out what happened after he fled with her from the apartment.  We'll have a conclusion we didn't need.  An exclamation on the end of a sentence not wanted.  But then again, I didn't need "Prometheus" and I got it.  And I actually enjoyed it.  So I'll just keep quiet until I see this on the big screen in the future.  Perhaps it'll come out in 2019 when the film takes place?  That would be a happy coincidence?

Here's the press release from Alcon:

ALCON ENTERTAINMENT IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH MICHAEL GREEN TO PEN ‘BLADE RUNNER’ SEQUEL REWRITE FOR DIRECTOR RIDLEY SCOTT 

LOS ANGELES, CA, MAY 31, 2013—Writer Michael Green is in negotiations to do a rewrite of Alcon Entertainment’s “Blade Runner” sequel penned by Hampton Fancher (“Blade Runner,” “The Minus Man,” “The Mighty Quinn”) and to be directed by Ridley Scott. Fancher’s original story/screenplay is set some years after the first film concluded. 

Alcon co-founders and co-Chief Executive Officers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove will produce with Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin, along with Ridley Scott. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers. 

Green recently completed rewrites on “Robopocalypse” and Warners Bros “Gods and Kings.” 

Alcon and Yorkin previously announced that they are partnering to produce “Blade Runner” theatrical sequels and prequels, in addition to all television and interactive productions. 

The original film, which has been singled out as the greatest science-fiction film of all time by a majority of genre publications, was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the  Visual Effects Society. 

Released by Warner Bros. almost 30 years ago, “Blade Runner” was adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples from Philip K. Dick‘s groundbreaking novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and directed by Scott following his landmark “Alien.” The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction). Following the filming of “Blade Runner,” the first of Philip K. Dick’s works to be adapted into a film, many other of Dick’s works were likewise adapted, including “Total Recall,” “A Scanner Darkly,” “Minority Report,” “Paycheck,” and the recent “The Adjustment Bureau,” among others.

Now we may find out if he really did dream of electric sheep...

Short From Krypton...

Zach Snyder is teaming with the incredibly talented Bruce Timm to honor Kal-El's beginning...

Superman's Seventy-fifth anniversary is marked by the new "Man of Steel" film, and Warner Bros. has teamed the director of that film with the producer of "Superman: The Animated Series" for a short that will pay tribute to the character and his history in film and comics.

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision reports that Snyder envisions the short as one continuous take that explores the character's history and impact on comics.  Snyder and Timm will be joined on the project by Jay Oliva (storyboard artist on MOS), Geoff Johns (DC creative head), Mike Carlin (DC writer), and Peter Girardi (WB Animation).  The finished product is supposed to debut at Comic-Con this year.

The short is one of many events that will coincide the anniversary of the first superhero...

Man Of U.N.C.L.E...

Well, now we know who might be taking the Solo role Tom parachuted out on...

So instead of just having the man that played secret agent Ethan Hunt taking on the part of secret agent Napoleon Solo, we'll have Kal-El play him?  That sounds interesting.  Word is the buzz surrounding "Man of Steel" is so positive among the Bunny Suits that Warner feels Henry Cavill can lead another iconic franchise.

So if this rings true then Cavil will be Solo to Armie Hammer's Russian spy Illya Kuryakin.  That will be a comely duo for Guy Ritchie to have some fun with.  Will "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." be a present day adventure, or a period-centric 60's spy pic?

We may need a secret agent to find that out...

Impossible Mission: Man From Uncle...

Well, it appears Tom Cruise won't be starting a new spy franchise anytime soon...

The star has dropped out of the lead for Guy Ritchie's "The Man From Uncle" adaptation.  It appears that the scheduling conflict for filming this would have interfered with Cruise being actively involved in producing M:I 5 and he had to withdraw from the role.

So Warner Bros. and Ritchie are now on the hunt for another actor to play the role.  The film has had various actors in and out of the role (George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, etc.) since Steven Soderbergh was attached to make a retro-60's spy film for the Bunny.

Apparently the script is ready for production and the film was scheduled to film in late 2013, which is the reason it was a conflict for Cruise.  The fifth M:I film is currently being written by Drew Pearce, and is expected to be directed by Christopher MacQuarrie although he's not yet signed.  So who will get cast as Napoleon Solo?  Who will want it?  Robert Downey Jr. said something about wanting to create another non-Marvel franchise.

And he has worked with Guy Ritchie on another franchise...

The Drift...

In addition to a cowboy and an alien, this summer also has giant robots...

Any film that Guillermo del Toro makes is something of note (which is why I want to see his reboot of "The Haunted Mansion").  He's a geek-made-good, and any project the director works on is going to peak the interest of pop-culture aficionados the world over.  If you've ever watched the behind the scene videos then you know he's great at explaining the creation/reasoning behind the universes he builds.

Here is a little featurette that focuses on how the humans of "Pacific Rim" control the giant robots they use to battle the monsters that have been unleashed from the depths of the oceans.  It's an in-depth deconstruction of how the functions work; and why they work.  That's one of the things that's great about del Toro's films.  There's a layered approach to his stories.  He doesn't just say, wouldn't this be cool?

He wants to have a reason for it being cool...

You Are Not Alone...

A new trailer for "Man of Steel" is out...

Warner Bros. has delivered an action packed trailer filled with the kind of action we'd expect from a man that can fly, has super human strength and can shoot lasers out of his eyes.  Take a look and buy that ticket right now.  It really does present a much better looking film than what Bryan Singer gave us.  Really excited to see this.  Hopefully, they'll tease the much bigger DC Cinematic Universe in this.

A reference to Brainiac conquering worlds during the final scenes of this would be the icing on the cake...

Going Big...

The latest trailer for Guillermo del Toro's latest just came out...

Boy, does this look like a young boy's dream or what?  "Pacific Rim" is shaping up to be what kids have fantasized about playing with action figures for decades.  And from the buzz it sounds like Legendary Entertainment's Suits, particularly, head geek Thomas Tull, have made a friend for life.

Perhaps Guillermo is hoping that if he makes Warner/Legendary a mountain of cash, they'll give him a mountain?  As in buy the rights to his mountain over at Universal.  His opus, his dream is to make "At The Mountains Of Madness" since forever.  And it would have been done over at Universal with James Cameron producing and Tom Cruise starring, but the Uni Suits didn't want a R rated $100 million dollar picture.

If this film is a success then perhaps Universal will let him make that picture.  Or maybe Legendary will buy the rights to the project and let him have it as a gift for what he's done for them?  And while we're at it, maybe Alan Horn and the Disney Suits will finally bite the bullet and green light his "Haunted Mansion" reboot?  Now that would be a project I and many other fans have wanted to see.

It could all be riding on a bunch of giant robots and monsters...

Amazing Origins...

A new teaser trailer is for "Batman: Arkham Origins" is out...

It's only a scene from the actual trailer which will premiere on May 20, but it's quite impressive visually speaking.  The footage makes this game look much better than originally thought.  Since this game isn't primarily being overseen by Rocksteady, but instead Warner Bros. Games Montreal, many were wondering about the finished product.

So far, what's been seen is quite beautiful and the Creatives over at Rocksteady are keeping a hand in guiding the story.  That should calm some gamers, although the lack of Paul Dini doesn't question how the narrative will be in this film.  The writer of "Batman: The Animated Series" delivered one of the freshest, most thematically perfect movie experiences ever in a game.  Hopefully, Corey May (Assassin's Creed II & III) and Dooma Wendschuch are up to the job of trying to come close to his story.

Now, about that Justice League game Warner Games is working on...

Getting Justice...

The Hollywood Reporter has a great interview with screenwriter Damon Lindelof...

It taps into his thoughts on many of his own as well as several other projects.  From "Lost", to "Star Wars" to  several other entertainment iconography that he's been associated with.  But the reporter asks Lindelof about Warner Bros. difficulty in getting their "Justice League" film off the ground.  And his answer is analytically  precise and revealing about what he would do, if anything:

THR: If Warner Bros called and asked you to help solve their Justice League problem, would you take that call? 

Lindelof: The Justice League problem? I think a lot of that depends on Man of Steel. The Justice League problem is not a problem of, who is the bad guy that Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, Superman, whoever you decide to pit them against. The problem is: What’s the tone of that movie? They’ve been struggling with launching their own tone. The tone of Green Lantern is very different from the tone of The Dark Knight. They clearly inhabit two entirely different worlds. You want to feel like someone is establishing a world where the Justice League can exist, maybe Man of Steel is that movie. If Man of Steel works, and it’s great, I think it starts to make sense where Paradise Island is in that world. Because that’s an entirely different world than the one Christopher Nolan introduced.

What's interesting about his statement is that he draws on the fact that "Man of Steel" could provide the justification for the superhero team-up film, while denying, or more precisely, deflecting any desire to be involved in the film.  So, unless he has a change of heart, I don't think we'll see his name on the credit list.  My suggestion, have Zack Snyder produce it and get Jonathan Nolan to write it and give him the opportunity to direct it.  He can be DC's Joss Whedon.  He knows the characters and is able to write them.  Let him play around in a world where they all meet up.

After all the success he's given Warner, that'd be justice...

War Of Dragons...

A war is about to break out...

Last week it was announced that Warner Bros. would be making an adaptation of the role playing game: "Dungeons & Dragons" for the big screen with writer David Leslie Johnson.  By the very next day, Hasbro, who now owns Wizards of the Coast (owner of D&D) fired off had lawyers readying their arrows.  It seams they're developing their own Dungeons & Dragons film and don't like the idea of a competing one.

The case is mired in legalize, but it comes down to this:  Courtney Solomon, who made the stinker of a film a decade+ ago, has the rights to the name Dungeons & Dragons, but none of the adventure campaigns, worlds, modules or novels.  Hasbro/Wizards owns everything else, just not the actual name.  The rights ended up being settled in an arbitration hearing after Hasbro bought the company with the result being that Solomon did have the use of the name, but everything else Hasbro can use for whatever it wants.

That's apparently not enough, as Hasbro now intends to get lawyers involved, even after arbitration to try and secure the name back.  It believes that the value of the stories it makes would be greatly diminished with the D&D logo upon it.  Even though they have screenwriter Chris Morgan (Wanted, Fast & Furious 2 - infinity) making his directorial debut.

But I see a possibility to create two separate worlds, or multiple worlds here.  Sure, Dungeons & Dragons is better known, but not by a great deal of the movie going public.  If they have a compelling script with interesting characters, inspired casting, a good budget and smart marketing, they potentially have the opportunity for a major new franchise(s).  There are many worlds they can explore if they choose to.

The Dragonlance world alone should be a place you could fill a trilogy of films (not like the mediocre "Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight" animated movie).  Then there is the expansive World of Greyhawk with its great theming and adventures, the moody alternate universe of Ravenloft, and the gritty lands of the Forgotten Realms they could mine for stories.  And who says it has to be for just film?  What about a series on HBO or Netflix, or Hulu?  How about a mini-series/limited series on Amazon or A&E.  Perhaps a television film/series on one of the networks/cable?

Like the game, the worlds they hold are open to endless adventures...

Strength, Speed & Flight...

With each passing day we get more and more amazing footage from "Man of Steel" to marvel at...

Now we have three new featurettes from Norton Utilities that focus on Superman's powers.  Most of what they show is from the trailer, but there are a few scenes between the interviews we haven't seen before.  Take a guide to this Kryptonian's powers:


Strength.

Speed.

Flight.


I think we'll have to wait for the film to heat vision and cold breath...

Posters And Banners Of Steel...

More and more "Man of Steel" posters keep appearing...

And last, but not least, the fan community is pretty talented as well.  Take a look at this breathtaking poster not created by Warner Bros., but a fan.  A very talented one with a good eye for design.

Not much longer and we can judge if the film is as good as the posters...

Up...

Posters are an art...

For most of the last decade or more, they've been boring - mostly.  Every now and then you'll have a break in the throngs of mediocrity  but mostly it's just a big picture of the star and the logo.  Unimaginative.  Now if you look around, there are a few oasis of creativity in the world.  Mondo comes to mind.

Once in a blue sky, errr, I mean blue moon, a studio does the right thing and creates art.  Such is the case with this latest "Man of Steel" poster.  Simple, elegant and straightforward.  That's how to do it.  I have a feeling that this film is going to stir a fire under the Bunny Suits.  For darn good reason: they've got a universe to build.

This poster shows that maybe, just maybe, they've got a map to get there...

Everlasting Cotton Candy, Like Fine Aged Wine...

Five years ago today, the Wachowski's "Speed Racer" opened up..

And quickly lost at the box office.  It certainly didn't get the checkered flag.  And yet, over time it has gotten a cult following.  I was one of those people that actually liked it.  It felt like the perfect film for ADD munchkins hat slurp down soda and devour candy from the concession stand.  It was a brightly colored, acidic trip on psychedelic cotton candy.  And yet it failed.

The guys over at Film.com have posted an article extolling the virtues of this overlooked Warner Bros. family film.  They like me believe that time will prove us right.  As the years go by, more and more youth will fall prey to the bizarre visuals, quirky dialogue and insane plot line.  My only complaint in watching the film was it's length   The exposition of some of the anti-corporate ranting could have been cut from the two hour, fifteen minutes, making it an even two hours.  That was my one, and only complaint.

Well that, and the fact that there won't be a sequel...

Dungeons & Rabbits...

The Bunny has acquired the rights to another fantasy property...

Feeling bit by the sword and sorcery bug, Warner Bros. has added another franchise to their growing list of magical movies/shows.  So now "The Lord of the Rings", "Game of Thrones" and a possible "World of Warcraft" film will now have "Dungeons & Dragons" in the Warner stable as well.

Fantasy does good, and many geeks have always loved watching the genre, but it seems that only in the last decade+ that a good deal of Hollywood have taken note.  I feel that part of this is the direct result of several geeks/nerds being put in high level positions.  Unlike the suits of old, some of these execs actual have a taste for it, or know people with an understanding of it.

Now, I don't want anyone to think I'm praising the dreck that was that "Dungeons & Dragon" film from a decade ago.  It's a horrible stinker of a film.  But that doesn't mean the D&D property doesn't have tremendous potential and value.  After all, the 90's "Captain America" film is horrible, but the character isn't/wasn't.  "Captain America: The First Avenger" was a fun, great popcorn film to watch.  It's all in how it's approached.

Dungeons & Dragons has a wealth of material that can be drawn from.  From the books, gaming manuals and modules an entire universe could be put upon the silver screen.  Imagine an adventure in "The Vault of the Drow", or travelling through "The World of Greyhalk", or the dark and foreboding "Ravenloft" for example.  And they might even be able to go Disney's Star Wars route; where they have a main film one year (Episode VII) and another film the following year set in the same universe (Boba Fett, Seven Jedi, etc.).  That way they could have a main D&D film, and the next year have one in another land or realm outside the main adventure.

Yes, this is coming from someone that played/DM'd quite a few adventures with eight sided dice in his youth.  I'm sure it won't be one of these, but you can see that the game created by Gary Gygax's TSR, has many realms of possibilities.  It seams that Warner already has a plan/story anyway and that was why they were able to hammer out a deal with Wizards of the Coast, the current owner of the gaming system.

Producer Roy Lee (How to Train Your Dragon) and Courtney Soloman (sadly, directed the original film) have attached Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) to work with scibe David Leslie Johnson (Wrath of the Titans) on the script.  Strangely, this is based on a script that Johnson sold last year to Warner called "Chainmail" in a deal he already had with the studio (And another twist is that script is based on a game that Gygax created before D&D).  The writer also happens to have written the script for the aborted Doc Savage that Arnold was to start in with Darabont/Chuck Russell directing.

Close knit group, huh?  But they have their idea, and they have a script that is being retooled from one game to the one it inspired.  Apparently they already have a story to bang out.  Darabont is one of Tinseltown's best writers, and a great producer, so they're off to a much better start than the first try at this.

Here's to second chances...