This isn't technically a role-playing subject but what the heck...
What if there were to be an Amber movie? Who would be good director and actors? Where should it be shot? (For my two cents, I think Vigo Mortenson might make a good Corwin and Robert Downey Jr, with appropriately dyed hair, would be a fun Bleys).
Similarly, what would be the challenges in converting the books to the movies? For one, I think that while first-person narration is great for the novels, it would be kind of a disaster on screen unless it were reigned in considerably. However, in the absence of an offscreen narrator scenes such as the one where Corwin discovers Flora's trumps in her study, the scene in which he recovers his memory in Rebma, and the years he spent blind in the dungeon would all be difficult to convey concisely.
I fear to hink of the blunders that are possible in rushing it to film. We'd need a devoted cast/production crew (like LotR), to even make it work.
An all star cast is hoping too much I believe. But there are sites dedicated to this very subject.
Anime Amber
Japanese Amber
Hollywood Amber
(Who would be best in the rolls?)
I'm thinking Cristian Bale might make a good Corwin, perhaps Davis Laruso as Brand? I'd have to think about it.
If Timothy Dalton Buffed up he might make a good Eric.
I'll get back to ya on that.
Actually, it occurred to me that the actor who played Rorschach in the recent Watchmen movie might be an interesting Brand. He plays unhinged so well…
Oh, and for directors, I think I might have to go with Guillermo del Toro, speaking of LotR…
Quote from: gabriel_ss4u;307790We'd need a devoted cast/production crew (like LotR), to even make it work.
Make it Sin City, then. Or Watchmen. Or any of those few, but faithful, adaptations. But not LotR
Unless, or course, you want things like a cheerful, funny Benedict xracking jokes at every turn, invented scenes where Corwin profess his undying love to dara, a final fight of Corwin vs Buffed-up brand, or any of the other abominations they would carelessly change or create.
(References are to things like Faramir's character, Frodo meeting a nazgul face to face at osgiliath without nothing serious happening, and the, hopefully abandonned just before it was filmed, final fight or Aragorn vs Sauron)
If there were an Amber film, there would almost inevitably be some changes made by Hollywood execs:
Corwin would likely be played by Zack Efron, if Ashton Kutcher is unavailable. Random... sounds like a perfect role for Jack Black if they get their way.
There would likely only be four or five princes and one or two princesses... one of the latter would turn out to be not really Corwin's sister so she could be his love interest.
Corwin's years in the dungeons would be portrayed as a black screen and "Three years later...".
There would be like three or four Shadows, and most of them would look almost exactly like locations within a two-hour drive of Vancouver.
Finally, it would end with Corwin saving the kingdom, getting the girl, and taking the throne.
Believe me, no movie is better than what would likely happen.
Quote from: Croaker;307806Make it Sin City, then. Or Watchmen. Or any of those few, but faithful, adaptations. But not LotR
Unless, or course, you want things like a cheerful, funny Benedict xracking jokes at every turn, invented scenes where Corwin profess his undying love to dara, a final fight of Corwin vs Buffed-up brand, or any of the other abominations they would carelessly change or create.
(References are to things like Faramir's character, Frodo meeting a nazgul face to face at osgiliath without nothing serious happening, and the, hopefully abandonned just before it was filmed, final fight or Aragorn vs Sauron)
The trouble with Watchmen is that it added nothing new. I love the LotR films, extra scenes, elves at Helmsdeep and all. NOt the sdame as the book but aside from the tripple ending a truely GREAT movie (or set of three movies maybe that is why they needed 3 endings ...hmm..)
I am sure we have all been though this how woudl you do an Amber movie trip dozens of times. I first did it in 1983 for Christ sakes :-) and even found the school exercise book it was in the other day (interestingly enough at the same time I also said Stallone shoudl play Judge Dredd as it woudl be the only way to attract enough money to the film, to avoid the spawn of shit that was Tarnsman of Gor, and look how that turned out )
Any way geek fans would all love Viggo as Corwin, Cristian Slater as Random, Oliver Reed to be reserected to play Ganelon with Sean Connery as Oberon and etc etc etc ....
The mini series is the way to go and a few shows have proved there is mileage in that. Hey the first book even meets the Lost format for feeding information peicemeal tot eh viewer. Will it happen ... who can say SF channel had the rights after WB's late 90's effort came to nought I guess they will expire and it will be put back into the box. Maybe when I win the Euro-Millions jackpot I will make it my self.
I'd have an animation rather than a regular movie. For some reason I think a director would have more freedom and capacity to faithfully interpret Zelazny's work. Hell, Studio Ghibli could make something awesome with Amber. Oh yeah I'd buy that !
I've actually had discussions with my friends about the challenges of adapting something like Amber to the screen; the narration in particular is a thorny issue, because (as with any first person narration) much of the important stuff comes out in the commentary, not in the action. It would be fascinating to see how people tried to overcome the problems, whether they were successful or not.
Personally, I would rather see a cast of unknowns, like with Watchmen, because then people will be watching Corwin, or Brand, not the name-- too many stars distract from the story.
Any adaptation is going to have to make changes, not because Hollywood is stupid, but because page and screen are such different mediums. It is impossible to re-create something in a different medium; even the most faithful adaptations make changes, and there will always be fans who hate them. I agree that I would rather see Sin City or Watchmen style changes, though the former more than the latter, than LoTR style; it seems to me as though LoTR changed the themes, conflicts, and characters, even as they kept things like visual details. Whoever wrote the adaptation (and directed it, for that matter) would have to not only be a fan, but a fan who got it, and that's hard to find.
But I can't say I would expect much; there are more painful adaptations out there than ones that even come close, by a long shot. Still, it would be fun.
A Raymond Chandler style voice over like they used in Bladerunner , or Sin City come to that, would take care of the narration dodad. Not breaking cinematic ground I know but ...:-)
I don't think an animated movie would work so well. Hollywood's attraction for adult animation is limited which means a temptation to simplify the plot structure to appeal to a less sophisticated audience. The anime route would require too many pyrotechnics for what is basically a story about the people more than anything else.
We should all get video recorders and make a scene each and post it to You Tube :-)
Sorry, Hollywood wasn't part of my equation :)
The creative team behind The Sheild should handle an Amber project.
Regards,
David R
Quote from: jibbajibba;307879We should all get video recorders and make a scene each and post it to You Tube :-)
Now that I'd like to see...
on-t, sadly I totally agree with jdurall... add Eric's final words being... [crying]...I love you so much, brother...[/crying], and Corwin screaming teary-eyed to the skies, and you pretty much have it...
I would think extensive narration would work better for a mini-series / series rather than for a movie or a series of movies.
Quote from: SunBoy;307906on-t, sadly I totally agree with jdurall... add Eric's final words being... [crying]...I love you so much, brother...[/crying], and Corwin screaming teary-eyed to the skies, and you pretty much have it...
... my God, that's a horrifying image...
This is probably as good a thread as any to note that there is ample Amber love being shown on the Onion AV Club's Which Fictional World Would You Like to Inhabit (http://www.avclub.com/articles/fun-fictional-worlds,29114/2/) discussion.
Quote from: jdurall;307847If there were an Amber film, there would almost inevitably be some changes made by Hollywood execs:
Corwin would likely be played by Zack Efron, if Ashton Kutcher is unavailable. Random... sounds like a perfect role for Jack Black if they get their way.
There would likely only be four or five princes and one or two princesses... one of the latter would turn out to be not really Corwin's sister so she could be his love interest.
Corwin's years in the dungeons would be portrayed as a black screen and "Three years later...".
There would be like three or four Shadows, and most of them would look almost exactly like locations within a two-hour drive of Vancouver.
Finally, it would end with Corwin saving the kingdom, getting the girl, and taking the throne.
Believe me, no movie is better than what would likely happen.
Most probable thing to happen, yes :(
Quote from: jibbajibba;307848The trouble with Watchmen is that it added nothing new.
:lol: And I think that this is what makes it a good movie.
To me, if you're gonna take something to the screen, it is to tell that story, and not another. So, suppressing scenes or adapting a little because you don't have the time or some things won't do well on-screen (like first-person narrative in a prison cell) is OK to me, but adding or changing things isn't, especially NOT when this goes against the very spirit of the original work.
Let's get real: We're never gonna agree on this ;)
Quote from: Lady Vivamus;307864it seems to me as though LoTR changed the themes, conflicts, and characters, even as they kept things like visual details.
Exactly :(
And when this goes agains't the very spirit and tolkien's works (Like Frodo meeting a nazgul at osgiliath... I fail to see how this can't lead to sauron regaining the ring), I just can't say this is a good adaptation, although, as a fantasy movie, it is fine.
Anyway, yes, a limited series would probably best fill the bill that a full-fledged movie.
Hollywood's answer to that:
Sauron Strikes Back; LotR II
You know, actually, a first person narrative, if delivered well and well written, in a kind of growingly edgy/insane way, paired with fading-in, -out and -to-blacks, with lots of images of a bearded Corwin alternating between sitting on the floor, banging at the door, hitting the walls, wailing, and clutching his head would make for a great scene. It is pretty cool in my head. Man, I should direct that. Or play it. Nevermind. Point being, you wouldn't have to skip that part, two or three minutes of that, interspersed with what's-his-face bard bringing fags, matches and food, and reaching a climax when Dworkin arrives would work fine, as long as you make very clear visually that time has passed. What's-his-face's haircut, Corwin's clothes, beard and hair specially... yup, I can definitely see it... Now don't you go stealing it, Jerry Bruckheimer (how's THAT for horrifying?).
Quote from: Lady Vivamus... my God, that's a horrifying image...
Thanks, I took Craft Disturbing Mental Image at first level :D .
Ah, another Belkar follower ;)
My turn to craft nasty mental images!
Imagine Corwin in his cell, barely any light around, he's bent, showing his back to the camera. We can hear him mumbling and singing. His hair are filthy. Fleas and lice have thrown a party. The camera moves forward, showing closer and closer what Corwin is holding in his hands bu lurking over his shoulder. The picture is blurred and the light so dim... But it's getting closer... Corwin is holding something round and kind of white.
(http://www.indyprops.com/pp-wilson1.jpg)
Heh heh... yup, definitely nice...
And yeah, I worship the Sexy Shoeless God of War.
lets face it, a movie that focuses on Merlin with lots of CGI effects seems more likely than a good rendition of nine princes. butchered properly, we will end up with 'Ghostwheel' as a horror movie.
oh, and told from Julia's perspective. an attractive woman, boyfriend scares her so she gets magic power.... yeah, that sounds like Hollywood. a Wicca-friendly chick-flick focusing on revenge. and you can still use the script if they wont sell you the rights, just file the serial numbers off.
Alright, I concede. That was really disturbing.
I like the way they did it in "Momento"
I can totally see the imagery you conjure Sunboy, This would be a good 1st movie, blending the insanity with the prison time in Amber ala reflection... perhaps even Donnie Darko style with a hint of out-of order scenes of the Hall of Mirrors, visions of Chaos... Constantine like confrontations with the Chaos spawn.
Yeah... If I were rich...
There's this movie... Dark City.
Some scenes show very well what Pattern shifting could do.
Yes, my buddy & I were really absorbing it in the theatre and thinking of material to blend into campaigns.
Underworld's visuals help too, there are so many movies. StarWars & Dune, I should start a Pop culture reference thread for used ideas in ADRPG.
Just keep Tarentino away from the script. It might be good, but it won't be Amber.
I really do love the social quipping in the Three Musketeers, the Four Musketeers, and The Return of the Musketeers.
Quote from: weilide;307936I would think extensive narration would work better for a mini-series / series rather than for a movie or a series of movies.
Agreed.
HBO is already providing proof of concept that fantasy can be adapted well for a series format. Not a purely faithful adaptation of aSoIaF, but it is a great show. IMO they are the first to really get this right as far as TV goes. But they have the $$$ to produce a quality product.
Although it's not the greatest film, when I watch 1984's "Dreamscape", I am convinced that Dennis Quaid is everything Zelazny imagined for Corwin. Let's be honest - there isn't much difference between Corwin and Fred Cassidy from Doorways in the Sand or most of Zelazny's other protagonists. That's not necessarily a problem. But it does frame well how he could drive a hero forward, and the one time they represented a hero of his on screen - Dennis Quaid.
//Panjumanju
Quote from: Panjumanju;596001I am convinced that Dennis Quaid is everything Zelazny imagined for Corwin.
//Panjumanju
I can see it.
I re-read the series about once a year. The casting in my imagination tends to shift with whoever the appropriately aged actors of the time are. For the past couple of years every time I've read the series, Jon Hamm is how I picture Corwin. Pairing this with Jeffrey Dean Morgan for Eric makes for a very vivid reading of any confrontation between the two. I first read the series in 1998 so my Corwin of the time was totally Rufus Sewell.
The one casting pic that has never changed (in my head) is that I have always envisioned Benedict as played by Daniel Day-Lewis (circa Last of the Mohicans).
Hmmm... That could be an interesting take on the whole casting idea. Would anybody find it interesting to start a casting thread that focuses on actors that were late 20's to early 40's at the time when you first read the series?
I understand if casting is played-out. But it could be a fresh perspective on the topic....
I do think that casting is rather played out. But go ahead if you want to.
I'd never thought of Dennis Quaid as Corwin, and that still doesn't fit the bill for me.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;602617I do think that casting is rather played out. But go ahead if you want to.
RPGPundit
Yeah, I figured as much. I tossed it out on this thread to see if there would be much point in starting a new one. The answer is a resounding "Meh". No big deal. I can't really expect anything else. I'm relatively new to the forum, so it is unrealistic of me to expect that my ideas are original and interesting when it comes to thread starting.
Quote from: RPGPundit;602617I'd never thought of Dennis Quaid as Corwin, and that still doesn't fit the bill for me.
RPGPundit
Who would be your casting choice for Corwin?
I don't know. I'd probably want to have some little-known actor doing the role rather than having some big star in there more because he's a star than anything else.
RPGPundit