Universal Spins "Wheel of Time"

[PowerPlayoffs06]

http://www.dragonmount.com/News/?p=362

Variety has published a report announcing that Universal Picures has acquired the rights to the Wheel of Time series and intends to create a big-budget live action film.

I've dared to dream that Wheel of Time would be made into a movie, but that dream always had a movie for each book. Though it says that it'll be starting with Eye of the World, I think it's safe to say that there wont be a movie for each installment. Still, they did do it with Harry Potter...

[Resolute 14]

Well, given there are only about 74 WoT books...

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Well, given there are only about 74 WoT books...

Yes, and about 68 of them could have been condensed into one book.

The final book is actually scheduled for release next year though it is being finished by Brandon Sanderson based on the notes and what Jordan did get written before he died.

Still if done correctly this can be an awesome movie series.

[LeftWing]

This is a pretty ambitious project - I would be pretty surprised if they could pull it off without completely deviating from the multiple storylines.

Awesome!!! I think I just peed a little! All I can say is don't make Tobey Maguire or Zac Efron a young Rand... That would suck. Maybe Emile Hirsch? Michael Cera as Mat Cauthon would be cool.

[Agamemnon]

Nice! I just started reading the series on my Africa trip... trying desperately to find the 3rd book in Malawi, but so far no luck. Seems like a pretty epic series to be making movies out of... hopefully it's done right! I'm also looking forward to HBO's A Song of Ice and Fire series... if anyone who likes Wheel of Time hasn't read George RR Martin's series yet... do!

[llama64]

If they focus on the main story lines, it *might* work.

Unfortunately Jordan makes Tolkien's work look simple for the amount of deviating, meandering storylines that eventually came out.

Wheel of Time would work better as a TV series I think.

[LeftWing]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I'm also looking forward to HBO's A Song of Ice and Fire series...

Wow, I hadn't heard about this anywhere yet - that's fantastic. HBO should be able to turn these novels into an amazing series.

Hopefully Martin finishes the series before he gets hit by bus, metaphorically or otherwise.

[troutman]

Will they spend the first 45 minutes detailing the color of the drapes in the background?

[bluntus logicimus]

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

http://www.dragonmount.com/News/?p=362

I've dared to dream that Wheel of Time would be made into a movie, but that dream always had a movie for each book. Though it says that it'll be starting with Eye of the World, I think it's safe to say that there wont be a movie for each installment. Still, they did do it with Harry Potter...

I would rather they do an animated version of it, a la Sky Captain. Simply because, it could be a long series if they try do do all of the books (even if they condense at a 2 for 1) and I find it unlikely that all of the principal actors could or would sign on for that length of time.

To demontrate how tired I am this morning: when I read the thread title, I thought it said Wheel of Fortune. And I was thinking what? How the heck are you going to make a movie out of that game show?

[JerzeeGirl]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Awesome!!! I think I just peed a little! All I can say is don't make Tobey Maguire or Zac Efron a young Rand... That would suck. Maybe Emile Hirsch? Michael Cera as Mat Cauthon would be cool.

Michael Cera isn't cocky enought to be Mat....he could pull off Perrin except for the whole he isn't big enough physically.

I could see Viggo Mortensen as Lan tho....and I think Catherine Zeta-Jones would make a good Lanfear.

But as much as I am thrilled about this news, it worries me too - the books have been so good and the stories so involved that it seems impossible to make a coherent movie out of 1 of them - never mind the series. But man, if they do it right, the films would be sweet!

[PowerPlayoffs06]

I hope they go with unknown actors and not big-budget established celebs. It'd make it damn hard to keep the cast if they decide to do a series, and at worst, the movie could turn out like the D&D disaster.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by troutman

Will they spend the first 45 minutes detailing the color of the drapes in the background?

I'm still laughing.