From the vault of 'I never thought it would happen'... comes today's news; another awesome 80s cartoon franchise is once again making it's way to the silver screen! Unquestionably the greatest muscley barbarian ever is coming back to theaters with a vengeance! And don't be silly, no I don't mean Conan, I mean He-Man!!!
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe! wow. quite a ring to it, eh? ... Anyhow, Variety is reporting that producer extrordinare Joel Silver is teaming up with Mattel to bring the Eternian champion back to the big screen. So far there's not too much news, only that they want to make it happen, and have hired writer Justin Marks (of upcoming fame with the big screen versions of Voltron, Street Fighter, and Green Arrow) to script the beast. No word on a release dates, and no cast, or director.... just a script. BUT, we know Joel Silver is a man who can make things happen, and I can imagine the idea of a He-Man movie working well.
The thing about making an updated He-Man film though, is you really need a good script. One that strikes the right balances, between serious fantasy elements, kickass action sequences, and not too serious fun. The biggest problem I see with it comes in this balance. It would be really easy to take this movie too seriously, try to make it all dark and brooding high fantasy. And it would also be extremely easy to make this movie total camp. One scene that pushes it too far could make the entire rest of the film look like a cartoon, or worse... something starring Dolph Lundgren ;)
Hopefully this film will get made, and hopefully it will kick all kinds of ass. While the various series of the 80s were at times way over the top cartoony; there are some things that I can see translating well: He-Man himself, Beast Man, Castle Greyskull, and Battlecat, Teela, Man-at-Arms, and of course all the fighting. At its core He-Man also offers some really solid relationships. it's characters we're varied and I always thought fascinating; and the world of Eternia could look magical on the big screen. For doubters out there I suggest they try to track down some episodes of the excellent 2002 cartoon series. Yes, the design may need to be updated but I think the spirit of the franchise is strong enough to hold its own.
According to sources the update was 'pitched' as "a classic good vs. evil battle, using the kind of visual effects strategy employed in 300. A warrior is touted as the last hope of a magical land called Eternia, which is being ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor." I read somewhere online the film described as 300 for kids...
It's an interesting idea for sure. I'll keep my eyes posted for more info as it become available.
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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe! wow. quite a ring to it, eh? ... Anyhow, Variety is reporting that producer extrordinare Joel Silver is teaming up with Mattel to bring the Eternian champion back to the big screen. So far there's not too much news, only that they want to make it happen, and have hired writer Justin Marks (of upcoming fame with the big screen versions of Voltron, Street Fighter, and Green Arrow) to script the beast. No word on a release dates, and no cast, or director.... just a script. BUT, we know Joel Silver is a man who can make things happen, and I can imagine the idea of a He-Man movie working well.
The thing about making an updated He-Man film though, is you really need a good script. One that strikes the right balances, between serious fantasy elements, kickass action sequences, and not too serious fun. The biggest problem I see with it comes in this balance. It would be really easy to take this movie too seriously, try to make it all dark and brooding high fantasy. And it would also be extremely easy to make this movie total camp. One scene that pushes it too far could make the entire rest of the film look like a cartoon, or worse... something starring Dolph Lundgren ;)
Hopefully this film will get made, and hopefully it will kick all kinds of ass. While the various series of the 80s were at times way over the top cartoony; there are some things that I can see translating well: He-Man himself, Beast Man, Castle Greyskull, and Battlecat, Teela, Man-at-Arms, and of course all the fighting. At its core He-Man also offers some really solid relationships. it's characters we're varied and I always thought fascinating; and the world of Eternia could look magical on the big screen. For doubters out there I suggest they try to track down some episodes of the excellent 2002 cartoon series. Yes, the design may need to be updated but I think the spirit of the franchise is strong enough to hold its own.
According to sources the update was 'pitched' as "a classic good vs. evil battle, using the kind of visual effects strategy employed in 300. A warrior is touted as the last hope of a magical land called Eternia, which is being ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor." I read somewhere online the film described as 300 for kids...
It's an interesting idea for sure. I'll keep my eyes posted for more info as it become available.
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1 comment:
I just don't know. He-Man does not evoke a great amount of optimism in my mind. Even if done in a 300-esque style...the movie doesn't lend itself to that genre... it never was (as far as I know) a Frank Miller graphic novel, and never had the presence of say the Transformers. I'd think that two better fims that could come out would be Thundercats and Silver Hawks (is that right?).
BvB
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