Joystiq

Warcraft movie to be helmed by Source Code director Duncan Jones

David Hinkle — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:55:00 EST

The film adaptation of Blizzard's Warcraft universe, simply titled Warcraft, is moving ahead with director Duncan Jones, The Hollywood Reporter says. Jones, whose previous work includes Moon and Source Code, is an award-winning English director and the son of music icon David Bowie. Joystiq has also obtained separate confirmation that Jones is indeed signed to direct Warcraft.

Legendary Pictures tapped scriptwriter Charles Leavitt back in August and has chosen to stick with his adaptation. Previously, Sam Raimi was up to direct but chose to opt out instead for another film, Oz: The Great and Powerful. The plan is to start filming Warcraft this fall, with a theatrical release in 2015.

Warcraft movie to be helmed by Source Code director Duncan Jones originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mass Effect film script in the hands of 'Rescue Me' assistant editor

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST

Yes, not only is the Mass Effect movie still in the works, but its pre-production phase has actually progressed to Standard Hollywood Adaptation Step 43, Subsection A, where a new writer is attached to the project without any mention of the original talent.

In this case, the movie is now being written by Morgan Davis Foehl, whose tenure in the motion picture industry is that of an assistant editor for Adam Sandler vehicles such as Click and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, as well as the TV drama Rescue Me.

The original writer attached to the project, Mark Protosevich, had already done some work on the script, according to Variety. Protosevich's history includes the screenplays for I Am Legend and Poseidon, in addition to writer and story credits on The Cell and Thor, respectively. Whether Foehl's job is to rewrite the existing script or begin anew is uncertain.

This is a movie adaptation of a gaming franchise, however, so this is not likely to be last round of musical chairs the production staff will play. After all, the project hasn't even named a director yet, let alone lost one and replaced it several times - as outlined in the Standard Hollywood Adaptation Guidebook.

Mass Effect film script in the hands of 'Rescue Me' assistant editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sam Raimi off World of Warcraft film in light of Oz: The Great and Powerful

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:40:00 EST

Camp director extraordinaire Sam Raimi is no longer in charge of the World of Warcraft film, he tells Crave Online. "They don't have me directing World of Warcraft anymore," he told the site. "Because when I took the Oz job, they had to move on to another director. They had to start making it."

Given that Oz: The Great and Powerful is due out next March, it stands to reason that Raimi's been off the WoW film for some time - and that the film may actually be in production. Blizzard has yet to comment publicly on the news, or to say who is replacing Raimi, but we've reached out for more info.

News arose that Raimi was out as early as October 2010, when Deadline reported that Raimi was out (due to his Oz gig) and the WoW film was on hold. It appears that the information was accurate, though it's still unclear whether or not the WoW film has begun production.

Sam Raimi off World of Warcraft film in light of Oz: The Great and Powerful originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legendary Pictures hosting Mass Effect movie panel at Comic-Con

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:10:00 EST

Looks like the reports were true: Legendary Pictures has announced the contents of its very first San Diego Comic-Con panel, a list of films that notably includes the silver screen adaptation of BioWare's interstellar RPG, Mass Effect. According to the event's description, the panel will feature "Game creator, Casey Hudson and screenwriter adapting the game to film, Mark Protosevich," writer of I Am Legend and, more recently, Thor.

We have so many questions we'd like to see answered at this panel. For instance, will they hire an actor who resembles our very own, Elephant Man-esque version of the game's protagonist, Accident Shepard? More importantly, is the film going to be, like, really terrible? Is Shepard going to have his very own wisecrackin' Hanar sidekick? Let us know, so we can start getting in a place where that kind of disappointment won't outright kill us.

Legendary Pictures hosting Mass Effect movie panel at Comic-Con originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: World of Warcraft movie on ice, as Raimi commits to Disney's 'Oz' prequel

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

There comes a time in all great directors' careers when they must choose between not another sequel, a video game adaptation and the almost-always-panned (but-oh-so-high-grossing) remake/reboot. Sam Raimi has apparently gone with Plan D, as in Disney's Wizard of Oz 3D prequel, reports Deadline.com. In making his choice, Raimi seemingly puts off directing the World of Warcraft movie, to which he's been officially attached since last summer (he abandoned "Spider-Man 4" long ago).

While Legendary Pictures, which owns the WoW movie rights, has yet to reveal its next move, we have to imagine the studio is now in hot pursuit of David Fincher. After all, the director has been heavily applauded for his adaptation of the "Facebook story" and would seem a likely candidate to depict the dramatic significance of a billion-dollar fantasy sustained by socialized grinding.

Wait -- you mean it's supposed to be a live-action Warcraft universe movie? Like with orcs and elves and things? Yeah, we'd totally pick Oz, too.

Report: World of Warcraft movie on ice, as Raimi commits to Disney's 'Oz' prequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mass Effect movie rights obtained by Legendary Pictures

Justin McElroy — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:45:00 EST

We're wary of video game-derived movies, which is a pretty fair stance for a genre that has Mortal Kombat sitting unchallenged atop its pinnacle, but the effort to bring Mass Effect to the big screen sounds legitimate enough to pique our interest. THR reports that the film rights have been picked up by Legendary Pictures (the studio behind 300, The Watchmen, The Dark Knight and the still-in-development Gears of War). BioWare's Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk and Casey Hudson will reportedly be brought on as executive producers. Mark Protosevich, the writer behind I Am Legend and the upcoming Thor, is in talks to pen the adaptation.

The question, of course, is who will play the game's lead, Justin Shepard, the brave space adventurer that bears a striking resemblance to a slightly handsomer, moderately more chiseled version of Joystiq's Justin McElroy. The author of this post thinks the choice is clear.

[Via Slashfilm]

Report: Mass Effect movie rights obtained by Legendary Pictures originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legendary Pictures hires EA Casual vet for games venture

Randy Nelson — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:00:00 EST

As expected, former EA Casual president Kathy Vrabeck has accepted the top spot at Legendary Pictures' new digital division. Variety reports that Vrabeck is looking to bring games based on Legendary's properties -- including the still-in-development The Lost Patrol, a tie-in with the upcoming 2010 theatrical thriller -- as well as original IP to consoles, mobile devices and online portals. The company's development effort will be based out of its offices on the Warner Bros. lot.

Legendary's intent to add video games to its portfolio was actually revealed last year, but can now get into full swing under Vrabeck. While the production company is unproven in games, it has an impressive track record in Hollywood, having delivered the likes of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and Watchmen. It's currently developing films based on World of Warcraft and Gears of War.

[Via VG247]

Legendary Pictures hires EA Casual vet for games venture originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Variety: Kathy Vrabeck to take post at Legendary Pictures

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:50:00 EST

Kathy Vrabeck, a very knowledgeable and experienced video game executive, is reportedly in "final negotiations" to take a job at Legendary Pictures, the geek dream financier behind The Dark Knight, 300 and Watchmen. Variety has been told by several sources that she'll apparently oversee Legendary's video game initiative. The production company is currently working on movies based upon Gears of War and Blizzard's Warcraft. Variety previously reported that Legendary is also looking to purchase Epic Games.

The news would be good for both parties, as Vrabeck bounces back from ~~being let go~~ leaving EA and Legendary recovers from that messy Brash Entertainment relationship. If Legendary continues its movie gold streak and is serious about pushing into the video game space, it could evolve into a major player.

Variety: Kathy Vrabeck to take post at Legendary Pictures originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Variety: Legendary Pictures in talks to buy Epic Games

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:10:00 EST

Filed under: Business

Post-Brash media clash news now, with Variety's Ben Fritz passing on word from "multiple sources close to the companies" that film financier Legendary Pictures is in talks to acquire Gears of War developer Epic Games. There's very little concrete information beyond that, save for the obvious observation that Epic and its widely used Unreal 3 engine would make for a worthwhile, albeit expensive, purchase.

Legendary Pictures declined to comment on the story, while Epic Games politely dodged the issue: "We have publicly announced that Epic and Legendary are partnering on the "Gears of War" movie. We're very excited about that project and have the highest regard for Thomas Tull and his organization."

According to an earlier Variety report, Legendary Pictures has also had its hand in financing the impending Gears of War film, helmed by Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman and slated for release in 2009. We can't confirm who any of the cast members are yet, as we're still waiting for their face textures to pop in.

Variety: Legendary Pictures in talks to buy Epic Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gears of War movie development soldiers on

Randy Nelson — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360

Variety reports that Legendary Films has ponied up an undisclosed chunk of change to help New Line with the continued development of its Gears of War film adaptation. As the story points out, Legendary - which also helped finance The Dark Knight - isn't known for getting involved with flicks that are in development hell.

As we've previously reported, the Gears movie is being helmed by Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman and has the game's designer, Cliff Bleszinski, serving as an executive producer. The film had originally been slated for release in 2009 by New Line before the studio became a part of Warner Bros. Its parent company hasn't offered an updated release timeframe since, but the partnership with Legendary suggests that it remains serious about getting Microsoft's second best selling franchise onto the silver screen.

Gears of War movie development soldiers on originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gears of War movie gets more financing

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Variety reports that Legendary Pictures has signed on to co-finance and co-produce the upcoming Gears of War film adaptation. This comes in the wake of Legendary financing another film based on a little game called World of Warcraft. Legendary also recently had its hand in The Dark Knight, which is currently tearing up the box office. Epic guru Mark Rein said of the deal, "Legendary's appetite for the synthesis of gaming, film and pop culture meshes perfectly with our own." Well, that's good. We all like it when appetites for synthesis mesh.

Gears of War movie gets more financing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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