http://io9.com/is-the-prometheus-sequel-stalled-out-just-because-nobod-461244398
In some ways I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed. If you read the article I linked above, it talks about how the sequel to Prometheus has been stalled because of a very embarrassing situation; or at least it would be if anyone in this situation could feel embarrassment.
If you haven't read it yet, I'll summarize: Prometheus made around $400 million. And the way the movie ended was pure sequel bait. The script writer, Jon Spaihts, wrote the movie as a stand alone prequel to Ridley Scott's Alien made back in 1979. Well, the studio didn't really trust Spaihts to write a good script because he's a relatively newcomer so they brought in Damon Lindelof of Lost fame to polish up the script.
On the surface that doesn't seem like a problem. Spaihts isn't very well known. His only other work prior to Prometheus was a little known movie called, "The Darkest Hour". It was far from a blockbuster hit movie.
Which raises my first question: why did the studio tap an unknown screenwriter to write what was a sure multimillion dollar project? It's Ridley Scott directing a brand new "Alien" movie. That alone guarantees hundreds of millions of dollars. Did they not think the script deserved close attention? My guess would be the same problem with a lot of sci-fi movies these days: more money for effects, less for story. More money for top tier talented actors to plaster on the poster, less for dialog. If the studio felt they couldn't trust Spaihts to write a good story, so much they brought in Lindelof, why give him the assignment in the first place? The only answer I can think of is the agreed to do it cheaper.
I don't claim to be a brilliant writer, but I do know a few infallible fact about writing: (1) writers hate mandated re-writes and (2) when writers don't get along on a project, things get bad and quickly. That's largely what happened. The studio wanted to milk this out for as much as they could. They didn't want just one movie. They wanted a trilogy. So the studio told the writers to change the ending to lead into a trilogy. And the ending we got was about as clear as mud.
Since Lindelof was the guy to change the ending, and now he's on record saying he won't be involved in the sequel, the trilogy is in limbo.
And that's where I have to ask my next question: who should take the blame for this mess?
Can I blame the writers? It's a little hard to blame Spaihts because he did his job. At least according to this story he wrote a script that was to be a stand alone movie. Then the studio changed it's mind and wanted a trilogy. While the script wasn't very good, it at least had a different ending. Lindelof probably wasn't the guy to convince the studio to expand it into a trilogy. The studio saw dollar signs everywhere and wanted to cash in while they still had Ridley Scott committed to this project. He was brought in to edit. He did that. When asked to change the ending, he did it.
I definitely blame Fox Entertainment for the demands in the first place. Instead of having a good product that would make them hundreds of millions, they wanted three that would make them hundreds of millions. But that's par for the course. That is what the entertainment industry does. They don't care about art or quality, they care about how much money they can make. I think they have to share in some of the blame, but that's also a sign of the times.
How about Ridley Scott? I think if he didn't like the ending or objected to the demands of the studios, he could've walked off the project. If he did that, I doubt nearly as many people would've seen Prometheus. The movie wasn't really sold as an "Alien" sequel. It was sold as Ridley Scott coming out with a new sci-fi movie. We're talking about the guy who did Alien and Blade Runner; must see movies for any sci-fi fan.
In the end I really just have to blame this on a lack of foresight. If the ending is going to be changed, if the plan is going to be changed, then the trilogy should already be written. This isn't like playing a sport where if something goes wrong you make adjustments as you go. Writing is all about knowing what you are saying and how you want to say it. Even if the script for the other movies aren't done, there should be a clear path the movies should take. That isn't the case here and that's why everyone is panicking about what they are going to do for Prometheus 2.
If I were to give my suggestion it would be to pull the abort switch on the trilogy. Make a sequel, yes. Let's clean up the mistakes as best as possible, let's get the xenomorphs, establish the face-huggers... just fix the damage already done and end it. Have Dr. Shaw meet the giant albino aliens, have her learn all about their plans and how the plans went just horribly wrong and they created the xenomorphs by accident, and then I would say kill her off so nobody ever knows what she found.
Would that make these movies completely pointless? YES! They are already completely pointless. The point of the film was to build the scenario that brought the Nostromo to the planet in the first place. But a lot of the scares we get in Alien was that they were on a planet that they knew nothing about! The audience knew nothing about what was down there! That is what helped suck you in to the movie! We know now! What is down there? Oh it's xenomorphic aliens that lay eggs in your chest and when they hatch rip right out of you, bleed acid, and are insatiable killing machines.
The 'prequel' shouldn't have happened in the first place. The best thing they can do is cut their losses.
Showing posts with label Movie News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie News. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Friday, November 2, 2012
Movie News and Thoughts: Star Wars
Well, I might as well address the seven ton elephant in the room. LucasFilm being bought out by Disney. I didn't respond to it right away because I really wanted to reflect on what this would mean. I could come out here with all the nerd rage I could muster, but while I'm not afraid to go there, I want to at least try to be fair.
First question: Why did George Lucas do this? Well, three things come immediately to mind. 1) George Lucas is 68 years old and probably wants to retire. 2) LucasFilm hasn't come out with anything new in about 20 years. Certainly nothing to rival Star Wars or Indiana Jones. In fact in the last 10 years they've tried and failed to bank on expanding those franchises. By "fail" I mean making a good, solid product. Not how much money they made. And 3) Lucas has said on numerous occasions that he just can't handle the negative feedback he recieved for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Whatever his reasons, I'm sure the $4 billion made letting go a lot easier.
Now let's talk about the other side of this coin. Disney. Disney and LucasFilm have worked together for a long time. At Disneyland they've had the ride "Star Tours" for many years now. If you've ever been on that ride, it's a simulation of being on a space barge flying around space... and then you blow up the Death Star. Yeah. Kinda lame. I went on that ride when I was a kid and I still remember being underwhelmed. Disneyland also has the "Indiana Jones Experience" ride. For me, the fun of that ride is the atmosphere and all the stuff you see before getting on the ride. The ride is your basic rollercoaster but a lot of fun. Just walking around felt like being on set of Temple of Doom. Much more fun than a 5 minute rollercoaster ride.
Am I surprised Disney bought LucasFilm? Not at all.
Disney much like LucasFilm is desperate for a big hit. And I'm not talking just one good movie, but a franchise much like Pirates of the Caribbean. And there is no bigger franchise out there than Star Wars. With the announcement of the buyout was also an announcement of Star Wars Episode VII. This is what has so many people talking. It's not only Episode VII but plans to make a SEQUEL trilogy.
This is where I start to have some measure of dread. Question(s): Why? Did you not see Return of the Jedi? All the bad guys are dead. The Empire is defeated. Peace was restored to the galaxy. What's left to tell? I know the books dealt with the aftermath and about Luke Skywalker having a kid, etc.
How can we do this though? Mara Jade wasn't ever in the original trilogy! Are we not content with digitally messing with the original trilogy but now we are going to RetCon it too? For those that don't know: Mara Jade marries Luke Skywalker. She was one of the Emperor's personal bodyguards. And she was never hinted at or ever established in any of the movies.
So, are we going to jump ahead and follow Ben Skywalker? Are we going to go right ahead and have Mara Jade mentoring Jaina and Anakin Solo? Will we go further and start the story with Cade Skywalker (Luke's Grandson)? Will we see Mark Hamill reprise his role of Luke Skywalker and see him as the Grand Master of the Jedi Order?
And right there is the biggest problem. With the expanded universe being in the novels already, there's very little wiggle room from die hard fans. Much like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, if you don't do it properly, you'll alienate a very loyal fanbase. One needs look no further than the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Some hardcore fans refuse to acknowledge it. How many of your friends are pissed off at the Harry Potter movies because your favorite side character didn't get enough screen time? Yeah I'm upset I didn't get more Tonks.
The other problem I have is less about Star Wars, George Lucas, and the recent blatent cash grabs. It's more of a personal annoyance. DVDs. More specifically Disney charging $20 for DVDs no matter how old they may be. All other movies when they are out on DVD for about 20-30 years, you start to see them in the bargain bins. That's how I got my copies of Terminator, Commando, and even 2001: A Space Odyssey. Each one I got for about $5. Disney movies never drop in price. They are always around $15 to $20. It annoys the hell out of me. There are a lot of Disney movies I'd like to get on DVD. The two Tron movies for example. But for the price of getting those two movies, I could get maybe 4 or 5 others I want to see! Just becuase Disney refused to drop the price on a 30 year old movie. If I want the sequel trilogy on DVD will I have to pay $60? I don't have Episode I on DVD yet. Just to finish my collection will I need to pay $20 for a movie I probably won't ever watch because it sucks so bad?
I'm willing to go see the sequel trilogy. One of the first movies I remember seeing was Star Wars Episode IV. It's a part of my life. I'm emotionally invested in the series much like many others my age. I had the lunch box growing up. I had the toys. I played the card game and read the books. I've played many of the video games and have seen all the movies at least five times. Even the bad ones. George Lucas owes his entire fortune and career to people like me. People who keep coming back because they want to see something like what they grew up with and want to share it with future generations to come because we love it that much. The Original Trilogy was in many ways derived from so many different epic stories and movies. The characters all looked so vivid and real. There weren't any of the computer tricks that are so commonplace now. In so many ways it was a landmark series. All sci-fi movies are inevitably compared to Star Wars. To put it nicely, we didn't get what we wanted with the prequel trilogy. Can we expect better from the sequel trilogy? Probably not. But I'm still going to see it. Why? Because it's Star Wars.
I remember going to see Tron: Legacy in theaters for much of the same reasons. Tron was awesome. It was one of those movies that was so unique and had a lot to talk about once the movie was over. Tron: Legacy was none of that. It was an exciting movie with great music, but it's the very definiton of a junk food movie. This is what Disney does lately. Cash in on nostalgia with bright, shiny, polished turds.
I'll always have a fond place in my heart for the Original Star Wars trilogy. When I introduce Star Wars to my children, I will show them the Original Trilogy first. I may not even show them the Prequel Trilogy. At least not until they are older. I really hope the Sequel Trilogy is good.
First question: Why did George Lucas do this? Well, three things come immediately to mind. 1) George Lucas is 68 years old and probably wants to retire. 2) LucasFilm hasn't come out with anything new in about 20 years. Certainly nothing to rival Star Wars or Indiana Jones. In fact in the last 10 years they've tried and failed to bank on expanding those franchises. By "fail" I mean making a good, solid product. Not how much money they made. And 3) Lucas has said on numerous occasions that he just can't handle the negative feedback he recieved for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Whatever his reasons, I'm sure the $4 billion made letting go a lot easier.
Now let's talk about the other side of this coin. Disney. Disney and LucasFilm have worked together for a long time. At Disneyland they've had the ride "Star Tours" for many years now. If you've ever been on that ride, it's a simulation of being on a space barge flying around space... and then you blow up the Death Star. Yeah. Kinda lame. I went on that ride when I was a kid and I still remember being underwhelmed. Disneyland also has the "Indiana Jones Experience" ride. For me, the fun of that ride is the atmosphere and all the stuff you see before getting on the ride. The ride is your basic rollercoaster but a lot of fun. Just walking around felt like being on set of Temple of Doom. Much more fun than a 5 minute rollercoaster ride.
Am I surprised Disney bought LucasFilm? Not at all.
Disney much like LucasFilm is desperate for a big hit. And I'm not talking just one good movie, but a franchise much like Pirates of the Caribbean. And there is no bigger franchise out there than Star Wars. With the announcement of the buyout was also an announcement of Star Wars Episode VII. This is what has so many people talking. It's not only Episode VII but plans to make a SEQUEL trilogy.
This is where I start to have some measure of dread. Question(s): Why? Did you not see Return of the Jedi? All the bad guys are dead. The Empire is defeated. Peace was restored to the galaxy. What's left to tell? I know the books dealt with the aftermath and about Luke Skywalker having a kid, etc.
How can we do this though? Mara Jade wasn't ever in the original trilogy! Are we not content with digitally messing with the original trilogy but now we are going to RetCon it too? For those that don't know: Mara Jade marries Luke Skywalker. She was one of the Emperor's personal bodyguards. And she was never hinted at or ever established in any of the movies.
So, are we going to jump ahead and follow Ben Skywalker? Are we going to go right ahead and have Mara Jade mentoring Jaina and Anakin Solo? Will we go further and start the story with Cade Skywalker (Luke's Grandson)? Will we see Mark Hamill reprise his role of Luke Skywalker and see him as the Grand Master of the Jedi Order?
And right there is the biggest problem. With the expanded universe being in the novels already, there's very little wiggle room from die hard fans. Much like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, if you don't do it properly, you'll alienate a very loyal fanbase. One needs look no further than the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Some hardcore fans refuse to acknowledge it. How many of your friends are pissed off at the Harry Potter movies because your favorite side character didn't get enough screen time? Yeah I'm upset I didn't get more Tonks.
The other problem I have is less about Star Wars, George Lucas, and the recent blatent cash grabs. It's more of a personal annoyance. DVDs. More specifically Disney charging $20 for DVDs no matter how old they may be. All other movies when they are out on DVD for about 20-30 years, you start to see them in the bargain bins. That's how I got my copies of Terminator, Commando, and even 2001: A Space Odyssey. Each one I got for about $5. Disney movies never drop in price. They are always around $15 to $20. It annoys the hell out of me. There are a lot of Disney movies I'd like to get on DVD. The two Tron movies for example. But for the price of getting those two movies, I could get maybe 4 or 5 others I want to see! Just becuase Disney refused to drop the price on a 30 year old movie. If I want the sequel trilogy on DVD will I have to pay $60? I don't have Episode I on DVD yet. Just to finish my collection will I need to pay $20 for a movie I probably won't ever watch because it sucks so bad?
I'm willing to go see the sequel trilogy. One of the first movies I remember seeing was Star Wars Episode IV. It's a part of my life. I'm emotionally invested in the series much like many others my age. I had the lunch box growing up. I had the toys. I played the card game and read the books. I've played many of the video games and have seen all the movies at least five times. Even the bad ones. George Lucas owes his entire fortune and career to people like me. People who keep coming back because they want to see something like what they grew up with and want to share it with future generations to come because we love it that much. The Original Trilogy was in many ways derived from so many different epic stories and movies. The characters all looked so vivid and real. There weren't any of the computer tricks that are so commonplace now. In so many ways it was a landmark series. All sci-fi movies are inevitably compared to Star Wars. To put it nicely, we didn't get what we wanted with the prequel trilogy. Can we expect better from the sequel trilogy? Probably not. But I'm still going to see it. Why? Because it's Star Wars.
I remember going to see Tron: Legacy in theaters for much of the same reasons. Tron was awesome. It was one of those movies that was so unique and had a lot to talk about once the movie was over. Tron: Legacy was none of that. It was an exciting movie with great music, but it's the very definiton of a junk food movie. This is what Disney does lately. Cash in on nostalgia with bright, shiny, polished turds.
I'll always have a fond place in my heart for the Original Star Wars trilogy. When I introduce Star Wars to my children, I will show them the Original Trilogy first. I may not even show them the Prequel Trilogy. At least not until they are older. I really hope the Sequel Trilogy is good.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Movie News and Thoughts: Robin the Teen Wonder
I recently read this article concerning the "Robin" character in the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. I'll leave the link here for your reading pleasure.
http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/16/14482709-what-was-the-deal-with-robin-in-dark-knight-rises?lite
The article boils down to this: Was the John Blake character supposed to really be Robin? Christopher Nolan says no. According to Nolan it was a wink to the audience.
First I think we need to discuss just who I'm talking about.
There have been several characters in the DC Universe that have had the Robin name. Dick Grayson was the first and probably the most memorable because he was the little orphan boy whose parents were killed and subsequently adopted by Batman. He has a place in comic book history because he was the first real sidekick. Not only that, but becoming a father figure allowed Batman to grow as a character in ways he normally wouldn't. His relationship with Grayson has set the tone for many other relationships Batman experiences. Grayson dropped the Robin name and instead fights crime as Nightwing.
The next was Jason Todd and nobody liked him. So much so that when DC polled their readers on what should happen to Todd, they overwhelmingly voted to have him be killed by the Joker. I think a lot of people didn't gravitate to Jason Todd because while Grayson can be strong willed at times, he never came across like a punk kid the way Jason did. Killing Jason Todd turned into a great emotional vehicle. For a long time Batman resisted ever accepting anyone else as Robin. That is until Tim Drake.
Tim Drake is unlike any other Robin. His story wasn't born from tragedy. In fact, quite the opposite. He has a loving father and a great circle of friends. But what he was above all else was a curious kid with exceptional skills at deduction. He figured out who Batman was and unlike the Robins that came before him, he wanted to be Batman's sidekick.
The next Robin was a short lived character. Uhm... probably not the best choice of words there because she died. Anyway, it's Tim Drake's girlfriend Stephanie Brown. And of course as in comics, characters don't stay dead. Even Jason Todd beat death. So far she's been the only female Robin and she's mostly forgettable as Robin.
The last Robin as of this writing is Damian Wayne. If you haven't guessed from the name, he is Bruce Wayne's biological son. And no the Damian part is not coincidence or even that subtle. Batman had an affair with Talia al Ghul and she gave birth to Damian. If you didn't see The Dark Knight Rises or read any of the comics, Talia is the daughter of Ra's al Ghul. Ra's was the villian from Batman Begins; and while Nolan didn't do the character justice, Ra's al Ghul translates to The Demon's Head. So, yeah. Damian. The son of the Devil. Or in this case the Grandson of the Demon's Head. This character is very interesting because the Robin character has always been a surrogate son for Batman. Now we have a blood son and much like Jason Todd doesn't have much qualms about killing people. He embraced the Robin suit so he could learn from his father. Now Batman is not there to protect a surrogate, but to mentor and inspire his own flesh and blood.
In the Dark Knight Rises, John Blake shares a lot of the qualities of Tim Drake. Even the name is very similar. Blake = Drake. It's one letter difference and even the B and D sounds are very similar. I understand why they chose to change the name. It isn't much of a surprise if you come right out and hold up a neon sign saying "This is Robin". I'm not going to get too critical about the name.
My question is why isn't John Blake Robin? There were rumors that Christian Bale didn't want the Robin character in the movie. I heard once that he wouldn't do the movies if Robin would be included. I don't know if any of that is true and I'm willing to believe that it isn't. But just from reading this article there seems to be some resistance to acknowledging Robin in this universe. Robin is not some minor character in Batman's life. So, why does Robin only get a "wink"? Do they believe that Robin detracts from Batman? In the comics it's not true. Robin enhances Batman not only by having a partner in his crusade, but also as Bruce Wayne.
At the end of the movie Bruce left all the Bat-gear to Blake. The hint was, at least for me, that John Blake would either become the new Batman or possibly take on a different persona. aka Nightwing. I'm a Batman fan. I very much would like to see the Christopher Nolan Batman series continue. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is on record as being interested in that role should it ever materialize.
Please share your thoughts.
http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/16/14482709-what-was-the-deal-with-robin-in-dark-knight-rises?lite
The article boils down to this: Was the John Blake character supposed to really be Robin? Christopher Nolan says no. According to Nolan it was a wink to the audience.
First I think we need to discuss just who I'm talking about.
There have been several characters in the DC Universe that have had the Robin name. Dick Grayson was the first and probably the most memorable because he was the little orphan boy whose parents were killed and subsequently adopted by Batman. He has a place in comic book history because he was the first real sidekick. Not only that, but becoming a father figure allowed Batman to grow as a character in ways he normally wouldn't. His relationship with Grayson has set the tone for many other relationships Batman experiences. Grayson dropped the Robin name and instead fights crime as Nightwing.
The next was Jason Todd and nobody liked him. So much so that when DC polled their readers on what should happen to Todd, they overwhelmingly voted to have him be killed by the Joker. I think a lot of people didn't gravitate to Jason Todd because while Grayson can be strong willed at times, he never came across like a punk kid the way Jason did. Killing Jason Todd turned into a great emotional vehicle. For a long time Batman resisted ever accepting anyone else as Robin. That is until Tim Drake.
Tim Drake is unlike any other Robin. His story wasn't born from tragedy. In fact, quite the opposite. He has a loving father and a great circle of friends. But what he was above all else was a curious kid with exceptional skills at deduction. He figured out who Batman was and unlike the Robins that came before him, he wanted to be Batman's sidekick.
The next Robin was a short lived character. Uhm... probably not the best choice of words there because she died. Anyway, it's Tim Drake's girlfriend Stephanie Brown. And of course as in comics, characters don't stay dead. Even Jason Todd beat death. So far she's been the only female Robin and she's mostly forgettable as Robin.
The last Robin as of this writing is Damian Wayne. If you haven't guessed from the name, he is Bruce Wayne's biological son. And no the Damian part is not coincidence or even that subtle. Batman had an affair with Talia al Ghul and she gave birth to Damian. If you didn't see The Dark Knight Rises or read any of the comics, Talia is the daughter of Ra's al Ghul. Ra's was the villian from Batman Begins; and while Nolan didn't do the character justice, Ra's al Ghul translates to The Demon's Head. So, yeah. Damian. The son of the Devil. Or in this case the Grandson of the Demon's Head. This character is very interesting because the Robin character has always been a surrogate son for Batman. Now we have a blood son and much like Jason Todd doesn't have much qualms about killing people. He embraced the Robin suit so he could learn from his father. Now Batman is not there to protect a surrogate, but to mentor and inspire his own flesh and blood.
In the Dark Knight Rises, John Blake shares a lot of the qualities of Tim Drake. Even the name is very similar. Blake = Drake. It's one letter difference and even the B and D sounds are very similar. I understand why they chose to change the name. It isn't much of a surprise if you come right out and hold up a neon sign saying "This is Robin". I'm not going to get too critical about the name.
My question is why isn't John Blake Robin? There were rumors that Christian Bale didn't want the Robin character in the movie. I heard once that he wouldn't do the movies if Robin would be included. I don't know if any of that is true and I'm willing to believe that it isn't. But just from reading this article there seems to be some resistance to acknowledging Robin in this universe. Robin is not some minor character in Batman's life. So, why does Robin only get a "wink"? Do they believe that Robin detracts from Batman? In the comics it's not true. Robin enhances Batman not only by having a partner in his crusade, but also as Bruce Wayne.
At the end of the movie Bruce left all the Bat-gear to Blake. The hint was, at least for me, that John Blake would either become the new Batman or possibly take on a different persona. aka Nightwing. I'm a Batman fan. I very much would like to see the Christopher Nolan Batman series continue. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is on record as being interested in that role should it ever materialize.
Please share your thoughts.
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