No MtG Movie Hype
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on March 10, 2014, 4:40 p.m. by codebread
I don't know how to code links, but here is my source.
http://company.wizards.com/content/twentieth-century-fox-and-hasbro-develop-magic-gathering-new-film-franchise
Maybe I missed the hype or maybe everyone else missed it, but I've been waiting for a while to see a thread on this. Was this a joke that I missed. Whether it's legit or not, I'd like to see some discussion on this. What do you guys think.
CastleSiege says... #3
This is real. 20th Century Fox recently bought the rights to make a series of Magic: The Gathering films. They hope that the trilogy will be as successful as Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, which means that it more than likely will not be a low budget movie. At the same time however, when was the last time you heard of 20th Centruy Fox producing a good movie? It's a little worrisome.
There was a lot of hype when it was first announced though. The hype just died off after a few weeks.
March 10, 2014 4:46 p.m.
March 10, 2014 4:48 p.m.
Yeah, from what I read they're letting the guy who piloted the Fantastic Four movies work on the Magic ones. That's extremely worrying. It's definitely a good idea financially, as every (most every?) Magic nerd will see this and anyone who doesn't play Magic will get a little interested after watching it. Huge money for Wizards.
Also, thanks for the tip, ezra125.
March 10, 2014 4:53 p.m.
My big fear with something like this is the chance for mythic level failure (bad pun intended).
Like what happened with the Inheritance book cycle. Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance. The first book was written when the author was 16 and was incredible but when they tried to make a movie out of it they failed so horribly that any future thoughts of continuing the series immediately vanished from a movie standpoint.
I see the same risks here. If they deviate too far they lose the target audience (us MTG loyalists) and while they may attract new people via intrigue those attracted will quickly see how far off the mark it was and become disenchanted with the idea of another movie.
Obviously I'm speeking from a worst case scenario, but with subject matter with as big a following as MTG they pretty much have to completely blow the expectations away to be able to actually make a series out of it IMHO.
March 10, 2014 5:03 p.m.
I expect Clash of the Titans or Percy Jackson quality scripts and actors, so naturally I will not build up any hopes.
March 10, 2014 5:08 p.m.
because the movie will be about Jace, the Mind Sculptor being banned in modern.
March 10, 2014 5:09 p.m.
HarbingerJK says... #9
from what I heard the very reason they started printing Planeswalkers was because they needed a "Micky Mouse" for the game
March 10, 2014 5:11 p.m.
notamardybum says... #12
i will see the movie, no matter how bad it is.
Also, i really like planeswalkers. I didn't start playing before they were printed, but i think they add an element to the game that the basic spells don't
March 10, 2014 5:54 p.m.
If we could see these actors cast for the movie it might not totally suck.
I am not getting my hopes up though - still waiting for the WoW movie..
March 10, 2014 6:13 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #14
Planes walkers would probably be a good part of the story, but they need a backdrop, let's say Ravnica. So if they chose a backdrop, they would need actors (good ones) to be the pivotal legendary creatures.
You know, if we were talking ravnica, city of guilds... Characters such as Teysa, Agrus Kos and the others.
But then, let's say they did innistrad. You also must think for fanfare purposes they have to give cameos to our favorite creatures. Like Snapcaster Mage
.
The story lines are much deeper than just planes walkers. 20th century fox would have to invest in a beyond all star cast to make this work.
March 10, 2014 7:16 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #15
Their best bet is probably just to take any block and just make a movie about the events that occurred during it. Each block has a backstory and some novels, so this would be both appealing to the MtG fans and appealing to those who have to come up with a story in the first place.
Still, don't get your hopes up. Expect Dragon Ball Evolution quality badness.
March 10, 2014 7:31 p.m.
As far as I'm aware, they are intent on making it about the planeswalkers. Following the story of Jace, Liliana, etc. Which makes sense because most of their stories tie into one another. At the same time, it would be good to follow the story of a single plane for each movie(s). Ravnica would make a lot of sense here, since it's got so many stories to tell (the paruns, the guildpack destruction, the maze) that can be summed up relatively easily.
I don't think that it would be the best idea to make creature cameos. It wouldn't help the story to have an armored Asian guy with a glowing soda bottle arm show up in a 18th century European Gothic setting bringing back everyone's Moment of Heroism when they need it. It would just confuse unfamiliar viewers.
March 10, 2014 7:47 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #17
codebread, I see your point. But if done right, it can be subtle.
Example. You have Liliana walking through wherever... and after each step a zombie raises from the ground. You can make them look just like a random card, say, Diregraf Ghoul
or Gravecrawler
through regular make-up and costume.
What you could get from it is a scene that appeals to both audiences. Unknowing people would immediately assume she is some hardcore necromancer. Players and fans would see these little fun snippets of cards that they love.
Now maybe snap caster mage was a bad example. That one probably wouldn't work. But I could see, to some degree using a bit of film finesse and nerdy prowess, moviemakers being able to use a "card image" scene that maybe was commonly used with a planes walker. (Jace staring down a hoard of whatevers, and he channels some weird power, and "boom" Supreme Verdict , or something like that)
This is just a guy that dabbles in film talking here. If I ever got offered to direct or write a screenplay for MTG, I would fucking dominate it.
March 10, 2014 9:08 p.m.
My only thought about the movie...
Movies tend to release on Friday's.
So... on opening night, will Magic players be watching the movie, to at FNM...?
March 11, 2014 9:22 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #19
I still think a big budget series is the way to go here. The story is so big, and a series can pull major actors, and cash. Game of thrones style.
March 11, 2014 10:47 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #20
Also, I do not think big name actors need to be in each spot. One maybe 2 is all you need. If that actually. Look at star wars.
March 11, 2014 10:53 a.m.
KrosanTusker says... #21
gnarlicide, codebread
They could get the actual invitational winners to play the role of their own cards! Like Bob could play Bob, and he'd be instantly recognisable.
March 11, 2014 3:16 p.m.
I agree that the monsters should look like the art of real cards, but something to consider is that a lot of cards get new art when they're reprinted. Older players would appreciate older zombies (i.e. Scathe Zombies ) while newer players would appreciate newer cards (i.e. Gravecrawler ). Another thing would be that it should be acknowledged before Liliana starts necroing is that she is a necromancer; an introduction of her character would be more appropriate to present her necromantic tendencies than to send her down a catwalk. Lastly, much to my dismay, a lot of people actually don't know what a necromancer is.
Please take note that Jace does not use Supreme Verdict , and that card is for the most part a white card, not really fitting Jace's magic style or character. But I see what you're saying and I do agree that there should be allusions to special cards, but like I said, it would be hard to decide what cards make the cut. A bad allusion could leave a lot of players raging ("lol y they use Ponder they shuld use Brainstorm so much mor flavr" and vice versa).
March 11, 2014 8:06 p.m.
Valentine35 says... #23
i don't think any individual cards will be focused on or even hinted at in the making of this movie. It's probably going to be set in a world "like" MTG. It will involve things such as Planeswalkers and Planeswalking. Also Dragons, Wizards, and possibly some Orc/Goblin type creatures. I don't even expect their to be a Jace, or Liliana, or Gideon.
I expect the movie to be sort of like the first Resident Evil movie, have some familiar aspect of the world but make a completely new story out of it. So people who know nothing about MTG will like it, and people who like MTG will have some knowledge going in as to what some familiar things their will be.
If they are lucky enough to get a 2nd movie, maybe then we will see an appearance of a beloved Planeswalker, but that's about it. We will probably be saying things like "that movie sucked!" , or, "That was a good movie as far as movies go, but not a good MTG movie."
March 11, 2014 9:22 p.m.
@Valentine35: You mean like we all said about the animated TinTin movie? Or was it just me?
March 12, 2014 3:25 a.m.
Valentine35 says... #25
Never saw it Dallie. But probably, most of the Hollywood adaptations of things we love from a different type of media that they turn into a movie, just don't have the same feel. They are usually good, just not what we were used to, or were expecting. I just used the Resident Evil analogy because i am a huge RE gamer and when the movie came out i was disappointed. I liked it. But it wasn't what i wanted it to be. Another analogy could be Transformers, who the hell is Sam Witwicky and why should we even care about him lol.
March 12, 2014 7:22 a.m.
I think the only thing we can really lean on is that Jace is almost definitely going to be in this move. He's the current most popular 'Walker. As far as story, it could be anything. Personally, I expect something to do with the Lorowyn 5, maybe some other 'Walkers, but focusing on one (read: Jace) and mentioning a few planes along the way. ("Man, I just wanna go back to Ravnica.)
I'll hold judgement until I see it. Movies based on books are usually awful because a movie can't cram in all the detail a book has. A movie loosely based on a card game, well... there's a bit more wiggle room. I just hope whoever makes the movie talks to the creative team, if possible.
March 12, 2014 1:27 p.m.
@Valentine35: Like I said, I recall reading that it will focus on the story of the main Planeswalkers, but I can't link a source because it might just have been my imagination. In which case ignore everything I've said. But movies like Transformers or Resident Evil aren't just changed for the sake of lulz. There are reasons behind those changes.
And I agree with Carsf. I'm going to hold judgement until I actually see the product, but I do expect it to not hold a candle to the actual Magic storyline.
ezra125 says... #2
It's legit, but all that we know is that they plan on maybe starting something eventually. It's not much to go on.
March 10, 2014 4:45 p.m.