Cool News
PACIFIC RIM Writing Duo Is Now Working On GOD OF WAR!!
The Kidd here...
Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan may have cut their teeth in Hollywood, penning four installments of the SAW series - IV, V, VI and 3D - but that and a spec script called MONSTROPOLIS got them in the door with Guillermo del Toro to write the screenplay for next year's PACIFIC RIM, which I'm hearing looks amazing and may just blow some unsuspecting folk away at this year's Comic-Con.
Based on the advance word for PACIFIC RIM, Universal has brought the pair on to take a stab at rewriting their adaptation of the video game GOD OF WAR. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Melton and Dunstan will be trying to improve upon the initial draft written by executive producer David Self, in the hopes of bringing Kratos' battles to life sooner rather than later.
The GOD OF WAR series has been incredibly popular since it arrived on the scene in 2005 for Sony's video game, so it makes perfect sense for Universal to want to press on with making this happen. Unlike some other failed video game-to-movie adaptations, GOD OF WAR has elements of IMMORTALS, CLASH OF THE TITANS and 300 all rolled up into one title, so it may make for an easier transition to mainstream audiences who know nothing of GOD OF WAR.
-Billy Donnelly
"The Infamous Billy The Kidd"
Follow me on Twitter.
Readers Talkback
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July 11, 2012, 11:18 a.m. CST
So the dude who wrote the AWFUL Clash of the Titans Remake is now going to rape God of War -- FANTASTIC!
by bs9999
But hey God of War is a videogame and last i checked virtually every video game to movie sucked.
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They got there first. This movie is redundant.
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July 11, 2012, 11:20 a.m. CST
As long as they rip off the game's combat choreo, I'll be there.
by SirGaryColeman
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Saw IV, V, VI, and Saw 3D!! FINALLY! Keys to the cars boys...have my little girl home by 3am and dont bother with protection.
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Neither of them had anything to do with CLASH OF THE TITANS.
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but since Total Recall is pg13, this will probably share the same fate. Lame.
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1. Guy who voices Kratos is black. 2. Terry Crews has the muscle. 3. When he gets covered in his family's ashes to become the 'Ghost of Sparta' it'll be all the more compelling and crucially, noticeable.
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4. Terry deserves a shot at leading a franchise in serious albeit pantomime role.
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July 11, 2012, 11:37 a.m. CST
God Of War would have been great 4 years ago, but with Clash/Wrath Of The Titans
by openthepodbaydoorshal
and the Immortals, the genre would seem to be dead.
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... they're usually shite and to be honest, the games these days are just as cinematic as films and sometimes BETTER. It would have to be a full on, graphic, mental, no-holds-barred affair or else it's an instant fail.
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the genre was never alive. This has the potential to make the genre something other than a joke.
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I see a Blu-Ray Triple pack in it's future, alongside WRATH OF THE TITANS and IMMORTALS
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July 11, 2012, 11:54 a.m. CST
I can't think of any Video Game adaptation that actually turned out to be a decent movie. Can anyone name one?
by Wcwlkr
Lord knows I can't, I mean closests I guess you could say is Tomb Raider, but the first one was meh at best and the 2nd one was more of the same. Other than Tomb Raider the rest have been colossally awful. I'd kill to see Metal Gear Solid, but due to Hollywood's track record I guess it's better left alone.
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July 11, 2012, 12:08 p.m. CST
I believe we're past the point of calling these "video game adaptations."
by DadTimesTwo
There was a day when a "Mario" or a "DOOM" movie was certainly a video game adaptation, but with mass media maturing and meshing in many ways, it doesn't matter whether a story is told first in movie, book, or video game form because, in all likelihood, its creators developed it to be suitable for multiple platforms. A God of War movie will simply be a case of different creative people playing in an established fictional universe, telling a story using a different set of tools, etc. If they get the right people on the project, we won't get a video game adaptation that will lure in only PS3 geeks; we'll get a phenomenal movie that will appeal to the masses that enjoy fantasy action.
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STAB!!! SLASH!!! BOOM!!!! YAAAARGGGGHHH!!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!! AHHHHH!!!! KABOOM!!!! CHAINS!!!! YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY!!!! GET HIM!!! ROAR!!!!! My wife... My daughter... UMPH UMPH UMPH TAKE IT GRECO ROMAN WOMEN GIVE DADDY SOME ORBS!!! Copy/Paste and you have your script! They should make this like Tintin. Virtual Cinematography performance capture mo-cap.
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and Vin Diesel for Kratos
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July 11, 2012, 12:28 p.m. CST
Terry Crews is an inspired choice as he brings a rage & intensity to his roles but role will probably go to Vin Diesel as he is the more predictable choice
by atlatl
At least he looks the part, but he's not as bad ass as he used to be. But overall they are both too old. Vin 10 years ago would be perfect
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Anal rapes? Must be kidding because videogames would show people being ripped apart by other people with their teeth, stopping for a donut, and then finishing up with a cup of tea while they suck the marrow out of the bones before they'd even show a titty , let alone a rape.
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And others are right in saying it MUST be R rated. Normally I don't give a shit about the rating as long as it is quality...but the games are just so fucking graphic there is no way to make this PG-13 and be true to where it came from.
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The best I can say about them is that they were a lot better than I was expecting. But no way would I call them "good" movies. And a Metal Gear Solid movie would be ridiculous as shit. The games themselves already got way to ridiculous for their own good, so no way would that crap work in a movie.
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I mean wrath and clash of the titans shows it can be done. but it was lacking intensity from the main character. And the best thing about the series is the music. omg. get the guy who did the soundtrack to collaborate with hans zimmer. and we might have something!!! Oh and the first adaption of the mortal kombat movie was true to form. everyone did their parts especially the guy who played johnny cage, sonya was a bit weak though. hot but weak... I remember the mk movie screening was packed not an empty seat in the house. worth every penny. the second one sucked... bad.
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July 11, 2012, 12:51 p.m. CST
I had NO IDEA that the FEAST guys were writing PACIFIC RIM.
by ROBRAM89
Maybe we can get Gulager to direct GoW.
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July 11, 2012, 12:56 p.m. CST
Sounds cool! this genre is never dead, much like the zombie genre will never go away
by cgih8r
and this is the one movie that I wouldn't mind seeing Zack Snyder direct. He was born to make movies that look like video games with zero substance.
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July 11, 2012, 1:03 p.m. CST
There is no WAY this would work as a PG13. I dont know HOW they would sell this, but it COULD go down as the best R rated 3D action movie ever made...IF done right...fuck
by gk1
I really really wanted this, but now i'm just nervous that it will SUCK.
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As far as I know Melton and Dunstan just did a polish. This article (as well as the source article) makes it sound like they are the original and only writers. Weird.
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It wouldn't work as a freakin' literal translation to film, which is what you nerds always want. But if you actually *adapt* it, make some cuts and changes, it could be done. But that would be "disrespecting the source."
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then saying it would work best as a mini series on cable doesn't work. God of War = massive effects-driven set pieces. You have to go big budget movie for that.
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July 11, 2012, 1:32 p.m. CST
I thought Silent Hill was pretty brilliant, personally.
by TheLastCleric
The plot is a bit muddled but the cast is stellar and the surrealistic look of the film and its many horrific denizens was perfectly executed. It’s a creepy and unsettling movie made by a legitimate director (Christophe Gans) who was more interested in creating a good horror experience than making a product. The mainstream press didn’t care for it (they also though Drag Me to Hell was good) but most horror enthusiasts I know loved Silent Hill and consider it one of the better entries in the genre.
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July 11, 2012, 1:38 p.m. CST
You can't top the games with a movie. This game will always be better.
by venvariants
It will end up like Clash/Wrath of the Titans, there is no question. There hasn't been a good videogame to film conversion yet - why would they go after one where the game is better than any any any movie out there?? You can't top a game that puts all movies to shame.
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Not only does he posses the physicality for the role but I also I think he would look quite menacing with a bald head and a ghostly hue to his skin. Regardless, the only way to do this properly is to make it a Hard R, period. I love these games and I actually enjoy Kratos’ brutish journey through mythology but the whole saga is basically a Clash of the Titans snuff film. NONE of the games are anything less than M rated so hopefully the movies align with this.
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I'd like to audition for this. I'm clean shaven of head, slender, fit and have serious rage issues that I would love to project all over a screen. Should really talk to an agent about this. Hm...
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Bullshit.
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July 11, 2012, 2:23 p.m. CST
How hard was it to write Pacific Rim? Just transcribe scene-for-scene Neon Genesis Evangelion Mach.2. Then make a "sammich." Done.
by gruntybear
And don't even try to pretend Pacific Rim isn't largely based on one of the grand-daddies of the anime scene. Don't even try.
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Make it a miniseries and see if AMC would pick it up. Spartacus was huge for them, but their main actor passing away forced them to change the way they filmed, making a shorter, 1 1/2 season, then a 2nd season with a whole new guy playing Spartacus. It really killed it for many just for the casting switch alone, but I LOVED the first season. AMC shows they would play a series like this. The Walking Dead Spartacus Breaking Bad That's supernatural beings, hard gore, and drugs. They will touch anything if the story is good. Go for it. I'd much rather watch Kratos unleash his hell in 6 to 12 Hours rather than 2.
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And this one is so completely sucktastic that it will make Clash of the Titans look like Taxi Driver in comparison.
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July 11, 2012, 4:41 p.m. CST
Uh, yeah Kidd, why don't you give the REAL writer some credit
by Messiahman
As mentioned already, Travis Beacham wrote PACIFIC RIM. Melton and Dunstan (both of whom are very cool guys) only did a polish. Hell, they're not even getting screen credit, since all the heavy lifting (including the concept and pitch) was done by Beacham, who is easily one of the best writers in the industry - anyone who's read his stunning spec A KILLING ON CARNIVAL ROW would agree.
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July 11, 2012, 5 p.m. CST
At this point, I'd rather see some real ancient Greek historical movies
by lv_426
We just had Immortals and two Clash of the Titans films in recent years. Plus 300, which was historically based but done in a very stylized comic book manner due to being an adaptation of Frank Miller's comic. I'd like to see some more realistic styled Greek epics based on history, as we've had quite a bit of the mythological stuff recently. Also, this God of War movie will have to be watered down PG13 fare to get a proper budget. It just doesn't seem like a logical videogame IP to adapt to film if you can't retain the style and tone of the game.
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I always remember the creator of the God of War games has said if there were a live action movie to be made he would love Djimon Hounsou (Amistad, Blood Diamond) to play Kratos. I agree a very good fit, maybe a little too old now though (48). I've always dreamed of a decent movie being made of these since first playing on PS2. I held on to slight hope as Clash of Titans was being made, visually it will work. Then I heard Brett Ratner was attached to direct and I wanted it to go into development Hell right then! I'll keep my fingers crossed for a great adap but will not be hopeful of it ever happening.
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And these two are just the rewrite gang? Come on, Kidd, get with the program...
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July 11, 2012, 6:20 p.m. CST
Aaand cue the dolts who think casting some dumbass wrestler or MMA fighter simply because they have big muscles is a good idea
by wcolbert
But come on. Who are we kidding here. What game adaptation has EVER been truly great? I'd say none - not even close. With the exception of Advent Children - but that's only because it was made by the actual team who made the game, was made fully in CG (so you dont have the pain of looking at some guy pretending to be the character - you just have the characters). I'd say the only way to make a good movie and not mess it up entirely would be to just use a fully cg world and characters - people aren't going to accept anyone as Kratos because they simply arent going to look the part. Sure, you can find a big bald muscular guy, but they'll just look like a big bald muscular guy in white and red makeup. Just as if they make a Metal Gear Solid movie (and they will), many fans will detest it for the same reasons. Anyway...the SAW movies don't inspire confidence in me...but hey, I could be wrong. This could be the bestest movie EVER. I just look at the track record for these kinds of adaptations and can't help but raise an eyebrow. Who am I kidding. I know I'll watch it. On blu ray. A year later.
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July 11, 2012, 6:30 p.m. CST
RE: lv_426 - me too, though I fear after 300 and its ilk...
by wcolbert
and all the hyper-masculine steroid-addled and cgi enhanced muscle men these kinds of movies portray... a truly accurate portrayal of REAL Greek soldiers would leave unknowing audiences disappointed. After all, this was thousands of years ago - resources were often limited, men did not have the kind of equipment and gyms and suppliments to work out with that they do today - starvation was a real worry - they had to worry about being limber, lean, agile, and keeping their head on their shoulders, not benchpressing 400 lbs or seeing how many crunches they could do. That is to say - because of those things, they would have been in shape, but not int he hyper-cut male model way we usually portray. Many men would have been wirey - low body fat, but they wouldnt exactly look like Schwarzenegger in his prime. I can just hear the crying about the "wimpy" soldiers in the movie that portrays it correctly. But we have to think practically about the world they actually lived in. That also means no over-the-top Zack Snyder action. But yes...I agree - we need some epics based on real ancient Greek and Roman events - at least we have Hannibal coming up but as much as I like Vin Diesel...his casting makes it feel a bit too hollywood for me.
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These guys didn't write Clash. Travis Beacham, Phil Hay, and Matt Manfredi did
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July 11, 2012, 6:44 p.m. CST
This is the first I hear these guys having written Pacific Rim
by baronweazle
I thought Travis Beacham wrote that one. Also I hated the Saw films they wrote and the same goes for Feast 2 and 3(the first one was sort of decent). My guess this will add to a long list of bad films based on games. But Michael Fassbender is goint to do Assassin's Creed, so we may have a decent one on our horizon!
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http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Wolvie09/news/?a=63496
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July 11, 2012, 6:50 p.m. CST
Thelastcleric, I agree Silent Hill was one of the only good ones
by baronweazle
Had some nice atmosphere and sort of felt like the game as well. The only other game adaptation I actually like is Paul Anderson's(I know bring on the hate) Mortal Kombat. Certainly no masterpiece. But it was I think about as good as could be expected from a movie based on that game. A fighting tournament a la Enter the Dragon, with most of the characters from the game. I also kinda liked the mechanical Goro. (makes me yearn for the days when characters like that had to be done mechanical)
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I like the guy...but I'm not really seeing him for the role personally. I mean for one thing, there's the inevitable 300 comparison people will make. And for another...Butler seemed to hate having to pretty much murder himself to get into that kind of shape for 300 - so much so that as soon as filming stopped he started eating whatever he pleased and lost all that definition pretty quickly (it is really mind-warping for some guys to try to keep anywhere near that low of a body fat count to have 6 packs like that - some guys genetically just dont put on fat there so it is easy for them, but others genetically are predisposed towards keeping fat around the lower stomach - and he's 5 years older - it's a real trial on your mind and stomach0. Just saying - I dont think he'd WANT to do it. But I'd still watch it if he did. :D As long as he worked a bit harder on that Scottish accent of his.
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July 11, 2012, 7:30 p.m. CST
I'm thinking games like Assassin's Creed, Deus Ex, Metal Gear Solid, or Uncharted translate better to film
by lv_426
Whereas the really over the top games like God of War, Gears of War, Bulletstorm, Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros, etc... don't translate as well to live action. Something like Super Mario is too cartoony for live action (let's not even delve into the awful movie they made in the 90's), as is Street Fighter. God of War or Gears of War has such a limited choice of cast in that you basically have to get some giant muscled up dude like The Rock. With a property like Assassin's Creed or Mass Effect, they at least can cast it like a normal movie in terms of going for the best actor for the part, not the one with the best six pack. Maybe an animated or anime God of War would work better?
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Before the ghost of sparta turned into a roided out MMA demigod. If they get some old school action guys for the pantheon, I'm in. Get Schwarzenegger back into shape for Zeus, Stallone for Hades and Lundren for Poseiden.
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July 11, 2012, 9:47 p.m. CST
The main thing here is that most people dont want to WATCH God of War - they want to PLAY God of War
by wcolbert
It's an interactive, cinematic experience as is - translating it into a passive watching experience isn't going to lend itself well. A major part of the fun of it all is BEING the god of war. And that is one of many reasons I think game to film adaptations tend to fail. With a book to film adaptation, you are giving something movement and life that only existed in your imagination. With a game, especially newer ones, the game already had its own life, world, atmosphere, etc created, and it's by nature going to be more interactive and immersive (and have more capacity given that you have 10 to 80+ hours to explore the game).. .so any film adaptation is forced to basically bring it DOWN a level, stuff what they can into 2 hours (when the average game is more than 10 hours long - much of which is gameplay and often you have very little actual script worthy material left over once you realize you cant have gameplay in a film). It's the equivilant of taking a 3D interactive VR tour of another planet that you spent 20 hours on and trying to condense it into 90 to 120 minutes. Minus the major attraction that is the interaction. Taking 3 dimensions down to two. That...and games tend to be too fantastical to lend themselves to live action, much like anime (Dragonball Evolution, anyone?)...some things just. Don't work. In live action.
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July 11, 2012, 10:03 p.m. CST
That said...some games that WOULD lend themselves to live action if done well
by wcolbert
Parasite Eve Metal Gear Solid (though I dont know about the rather absurd bosses and giant mechs) Resistance: Fall of Man MAYBE Halo, though to be honest the story there doesnt have much meat to it when you look at it from a movie plot standpoint Mass Effect. Games like these might, MIGHT work because they are relatively well developed story-wise (as in, it's more profound than "save the princess, Mario"), and more importantly, the main characters could conceivably be real, human character actors whos PERFORMANCE carries the film more so than the cheap game references, gimmicks, and explosions. For a game to work as a movie, it has to have a good story. It has to have memorable, HUMAN level characters with real weight to them, not generic he-man hero types. Out of those, I would say Parasite Eve (with some updates and refinements - it was a 1997 PS1 title after all) and Mass Effect would work the best. Resistance would be great for the alternate world apocalyptic what-if scenario nich (and the design possibilities for a 1950's US/UK where WWII never happened and instead there was a far greater threat).
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Appeal of ME is that it is YOUR adventure, you choose which characters you grow close to and what choices you make. A movie is ME without gameplay AND choice... what is left isn't that good.
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A valid observation, as a large part of the appeal is in the apparet non-linearity of it...though on the other hand, that linearity only goes so far - it still ends in ME3 the same way more or less no matter what you do, so there is some finality and structure to it. It'd be tricky, no doubt, but I personally think ME has enough of a compelling plot to at least make for an interesting movie. Now something that is truly a sandbox title that doesnt have any kind of story you can reallly point your finger at (more a vague relation between mini stories/missions) like Grand Theft Auto (and I guarantee you, sooner or later, they'll make a movie of that, too, and it will be soooo bad)...would certainly be doomed from the getgo. But yeah I concede that ME is probably the least likely to work on that list for the reason you stated.
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