Sam Raimi set to direct World of Warcraft movie (Update: It's official!)
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Jul 22nd 2009 at 12:31AM } 
We know our stuff about video game news, but when it comes to film scoops, we usually bow to the expertise of Ain't It Cool News' Harry Knowles. Imagine our delight when we read a recent report from the heavily bearded entertainment reporter claiming that Evil Dead and Spider-Man creator Sam Raimi would helm a film adaptation of World of Warcraft. According to Knowles, confirmation of this story will be hitting Hollywood trade publications later this week or next.
Where is this magical, magical news coming from? We have no idea -- but Knowles seems fairly certain. With Comic-Con just around the corner, and Blizzcon just around the corner that's behind that first corner, we're sure to hear more details soon -- if Knowles' report is accurate.
[Via WoW.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MystileArmor @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:34AM
*runs and hides*
MystileArmor @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:35AM
And it's still just a guy who says he knows, on a blog. Also, I still don't give a shit.
*RUNS AGAIN*
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:35AM
Oh snap!
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:37AM
lol, yall were all bashing him.....too bad i knew way before
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:37AM
Either way, its a stupid idea.
Can wait for level-grinding IN A MOVIE!!
MystileArmor @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:38AM
Hehe, it is kind of funny.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:40AM
If there aren't spiders is not WOW.
Well by the other hand is not made by Uwe Boll.
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:41AM
and they didnt give him credit, HA
Mr French @ Jul 22nd 2009 2:08AM
hahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha..
wait.. wait.. wait..
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Mr French @ Jul 22nd 2009 2:16AM
do you smell that fellas? smells like victory. victory.
NamePending @ Jul 23rd 2009 3:16AM
@ Mr French
No, it actually smells like a sad, lonely, man trying to validate wasting the past few hours of his life, only to realize that in a few more hours, not one single person, except for you, will give a shit.
Mr French @ Jul 22nd 2009 5:30AM
Actually Ive spent the last few hours making $30 an hour, may as well have a few laughs while I'm making some money. So it's not quite that wasted.
Mr French @ Jul 22nd 2009 5:34AM
As for the sad and lonely part, I've just returned from a 9 day trip I took to the Bahamas, and I've got the most awesome and beautiful girlfriend in the world, so I hate to break it to ya, but I'm quite the happy camper. :)
Babel @ Jul 22nd 2009 7:48AM
I guess we all have to get away from our completely perfect dream lives and be douchebags on a internet blog once in a while, eh?
D-5 @ Jul 22nd 2009 9:34AM
Needs three things to be an authentic experience:
-Ganking
-Stranglethorn Vale and more ganking
-Barrens chat
redjack @ Jul 22nd 2009 9:59AM
"As for the sad and lonely part, I've just returned from a 9 day trip I took to the Bahamas, and I've got the most awesome and beautiful girlfriend in the world, so I hate to break it to ya, but I'm quite the happy camper. :)"
So awesome you still put single in your status on myspace?
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:36AM
Aaaaaand I don't care.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:39AM
Guys sorry buy you just got told!
In my case I have Diplomatic inmunity.
MystileArmor @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:40AM
I want to see Megan Fox as a hot orc. That is the only thing that would make me care.
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:40AM
Well, in that case I don't exist anyway.
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:42AM
The bathwater of a fat, orc Megan Fox anyone?
Leroy_Octopus @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:43AM
Would you drink orc Megan Fox's bath water, Mystile?
Blank-Mage @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:44AM
It's probably magical.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:44AM
*but.
Oh nevermind let's all enjoy this wonderful piece of crap.
How can you make a movie based on a MMO? Honestly the quests are all bland and repetitive,nothing epic ever happens,it should be based on Elder Scrolls or even Guild Wars story was better.
Leroy_Octopus @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:46AM
Archi beat me. Damn you slow fingers!
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:47AM
Funny, cause I consider myself a slow typer.
MystileArmor @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:50AM
I'd bottle Megan Fox's bathwater and sell it as a potion...
Ah, who am I kidding, I'd keep it all to myself.
rTwelve @ Jul 22nd 2009 1:52AM
I imagine it's really based on WarCraft itself; the wow branding is there for financial and advertising reasons.
From what I have heard, the story or subplots will focus on the current king of the human faction, which makes it sound very lore-based.
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 1:57AM
Still don't care.
Balloonfighter99 @ Jul 22nd 2009 1:35AM
Raimi, you so crazay.
The Dark Wayne @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:40AM
Crap
Blank-Mage @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:40AM
Script:
Dwarf kills goblin. Dwarf kills goblin. Dwarf kills goblin. Dwarf sleeps. Dwarf checks auction. Nothing sold. Dwarf kills goblin. Night elf strips and dances nearby for 20 minutes. Dwarf enters cave. Dwarf kills goblin.
The Aquacharger @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:42AM
Beats walk walk walk, run, walk walk walk, fight cloaked guys, walk walk walk, old guy "dies", wlak walk walk, meet deformed creature, walk walk walk, war, walk walk walk, war, walk walk throw ring in fire.
I kid, I loved Lord of the Rings, but still a lot of walking.
edes @ Jul 22nd 2009 1:06AM
Dwarf kills goblin, movie ends.
bluesky_v2.01 @ Jul 22nd 2009 2:14AM
Actually the warcraft universe has a very rich and captivating backstory. I haven't played WoW in over a year and I'm still going to watch this movie when it comes out. This can potentially be awesome.
The Baron @ Jul 22nd 2009 11:02AM
I agree, WoW actually has some really good fantasy lore behind it. Some of the zones in classic are a good example, as is Dragonblight and Zul'Drak in WotLK. The opening cinematic for Wrath shows that in capable hands, and with some good direction, you can easily make things in WoW epic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMRhnC4-QGQ
The problem is a good game-to-movie adaptation mixes the story and signature 'style' of gameplay into a good film. But in WoW's case, there's just no way you can capture the gameplay in an interesting way for filmgoers, unless you uber-dramatised it like the Guild Wars cinematic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwUuoihYy9w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWyVlSL8xuY&feature=related
tmacairjordan87 (aka Mr. Negativity) @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:43AM
The warcraft universe has a massive backstory. I remember taking a whole afternoon just to read it when I was interested in getting WoW. Even if he's just using what has happened in the 3 WoW games he's going to have a tough time condensing it into a 2-2 1/2 hour movie.
The Aquacharger @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:44AM
Or pull a Peter Jackson.
The Dark Wayne @ Jul 22nd 2009 1:14AM
it's not like he has to explain all the lore in the universe in one film, or even several. Im betting it will be a completely new story and not simply a film version of the universes past events. Either way, just from the designs of the factions, it's pretty easy to figure out who plays the good and who plays the evil roles, everything else is easy to do
Geist @ Jul 22nd 2009 9:27AM
Yeah a lot of people see this and think he's making a film based on the MMO, but that's just a title; he's making a film based on the lore, of which there is a whole goddamn lot. I think Warcraft 1 + 2 would make two good movies. The first would end on a cliffhanger, of course, what with the Orcs winning and all.
Sidebuster @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:44AM
I hope he doesn't screw it up like it did with Legend of the Seeker. DAMN YOU RAIMI! DAMNS YOUUUUSSS!!! *fist in air* (Not so much ruin as turn the Wizards First rule on its stomach and take it missionary style)
Blank-Mage @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:45AM
Didn't they do that in Naked Empire? *Rimshot*
Batzarro @ Jul 22nd 2009 11:30AM
I don't know infamous: That's a tall order right there. It would have to be worst than all of the Uwe Boll movies, both Street Fighters AND Dungeons and Dragons. I just don't think you can't outbad those unless you are purposely trying. And Raimi's not the kind of guy who just ruins things across the bar. Plus, I think he directed Xena, so this won't be that big of a departure.
InFaMoUs1- @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:45AM
This movie will go down as the lamest film based on a video game EVER!
The Aquacharger @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:46AM
It's just so unlucky the Sims and Animal Crossing movie never saw the light of day.
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:48AM
I'm still waiting for Tetris: The Movie to be made.
Leroy_Octopus @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:50AM
Really? I didn't see Uwe Boll's name up there.
Ahmedz @ Jul 22nd 2009 1:49AM
Actually Aquacharger, an Animal Crossing movie does exist. in Japan though...
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:49AM
No Raimi, now get back to work on Spider-Man 4
MystileArmor @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:53AM
Please let the Spider-man movies die. The first one was decent. The second one had the lamest villain ever. Then the 3rd one all of a sudden turned into a bisexual emo musical.