Tuesday
14Oct
The 'World of Warcraft' Waiting Game
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:17AM
With more and more video games headed to theaters in the coming years, some
gamers have been keeping an eye on
World of Warcraft, especially after Blizzard
announced last year that the one of the world's most popular games would be spun
into a 2009 movie. Now they're backing off that statement.
"I don't know about the 2009 date, but it is still something we are very excited about," Morhaime said. "We do have a draft of a script, it isn't final. ... I think we still need to do a lot of work."
So, if I'm interpreting his comments, I'll say 2011. I'd be tempted to go for a summer 2010 release, but given that the script isn't done, I think a lot more things need to come into place: Who's directing, what will the cast look like, etc. Certainly, this movie could be put together in a year or so, but there's no reason to rush a bad product into theaters. Blizzard and Legendary Pictures has a lot riding on this project, and if it's done correctly, it can be the blueprint for the proper way to adapt a video game into a movie.
In order to accomplish all of that, I just think you need more time, and I think you need the right release date. With 2010 already filling up, gunning for a more open 2011 (at least, after Marvel's front-loaded May and June of that year) makes a tremendous amount of sense.
Reader Comments (11)
From what i heard this movie is gonna be from the alliance perspective, which personally offends me as a horde player..
they profess the game to be balanced but they do favor the alliance ingame aswell.
If there's many other hordies out there that feel the same then blizz gonna have a bit of a problem
Sorry but to make it an Alliance vs Horde issue is ludicrus. I have both over a few servers and I have to say i'm 100% more interested in this NOT being Dungeon Seige or Dungeons and Dragons than what the heck race it is.
Over the years I have learned not to believe a word that Blizzard says...I mean, they have been promising a follow up to Star Craft for a decade (and I even recall seeing some screenshots and release dates) and that has yet to emerge. I'd treat this like the Simson's movie: Now that it's been announces, we'll be lucky to see it in 20 years.
Went to Blizzcon this weekend (for those uninitiated - Blizzard games does a convention once a year this is the 4th year I think, 3rd maybe) and I can tell you I played what felt like a finished Starcraft II. Also got my hands on Diablo III, very good looking.
As this thread conitnues i'm sure i'll look like a horn tooting Blizz fanboi, but just wanted to toss it in that, no I don't believe Blizzard when it comes to dates either. I do however, believe that when they say a product is coming, it'll come. My only hope is that it's more Blizzard and less Hollywood bringing a Warcraft movie.
It's Blizzard, any gamer knows 2 things about Blizzard.
1. THEY NEVER release on time
2. THEY NEVER release crap, they take as long as it takes to make a good product or the abandon it.
As per Will, uh they announced Starcraft 2 like a year ago, it's almost finished, it looks amazing.
So it will be amazing and not out until 2011 or it will never exist.
umm
Blizzard ALWAYS releases their games on time... but they NEVER tell anyone the release date until they are certain... frustrating, but IMHO the right way to go
I wouldn't say they release them on time....they always tweak something here or there and it causes delays from their intended release date (don't get me started on WoW beta...). However, technically you are correct. The FINAL release date announced is never off.
i hope this is like a 300 movie rather than a LotR film dont get me wrong lotr is gud but 300 type films seem to be more sucessful
I agree with post number one. Too much emphasis on Alliance characters.
Personally, I hope this movie is not live action. It will probably be, as the public at large prefers live action movies to realistic CG, but live action won't do it justice. It worked with LotR because the only preconceived visualization for the series was different from person to person, but we already have a picture of what the game's characters look like and act like, especially from the CG segments, and I don't think they can properly translate that into live action without losing some (or all) of the magic of the series. If you take a look at Blizzard's CG intros for their game, they just *scream* full length film.
A moot point, I know, as it will most likely be live action to attempt to appeal non-fans as much as fans, and a live action would be far more successful.
I gotta admit, though, as a long time fan of warcraft (since the first game), if it's entirely Alliance focused and live action, I won't be going to see it, but it will do extremely well.
My opinion is that there are so many ways to go with the film that they are finding it dificult to know which direction to go.. with so many people in blogs and on boards like this throwing out the people's opinions how can you make a decision that wont have some critics complaining about whatever it is... just like the people that say " I wont be seeing the movie because it is Alliance based." So the hell what! The people at Legend stated that it would be an epic battle, but it wont matter what I want it will be whatever it is.. I will go not only to support Blizzard with a game I really love but just to see what influence they will have in making what I feel will be an awesome movie...
Does it really matter if its alliance or horde perspective? Either way (to me) its not that big of a deal at all. It will still be telling the story of Warcraft. Although i completely agree that they should make the movie on the CG blizzard graphics....I get goosebumps every time i watch thrall and hellcream fight manaroth in the crater :D