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Recently, Bethesda revealed that they would be up for a TES or Fallout movie if Peter Jackson wanted to be involved. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/elder- ... 0-6442468/ Tis one of many sources.


So, thoughts on a Peter Jackson produced TES film?

I personally have mixed feelings. Pre-Hobbit Jackson, yes. Current Jackson? Erm... if he was given free reign and no interference from Bethesda and he consulted them for all the lore as he is a passionate guy who digs lore, it could be a good not excellent but good film. But I rather there not be any ES films as it's too big. Too much lore, too many characters, provinces would barely be done justice and it would be reliant on CGI.

Don't be shy! Share ye thoughts!

As long as Jackson doesn't get interfered with (Hobbit was supposed to be a dualogy before executives got involved), I think it could be good, but not great.

Peter... Peter, just go home. You need to stop with this overambitious fantasy film shtick you've gotten yourself stuck into. Yes, you've made some great movies in the past, and yes the Lord of the Rings trilogy was an unmatched masterpiece. I understand you want to recapture that, but not every fantasy setting is well-suited to a film. Might we hazard that the reason why the LoTR trilogy worked was because you had the backing of one of the greatest fantasy authors of all time?

I'm not saying a TES film couldn't work, mind you, just that the basis isn't as solid. The story for the Elder Scrolls video games is largely unconnected and lacks cohesiveness. Much of the really interesting stuff would need to be cut out or reduced to a cameo because of the level of complexity in the series. This isn't like Tolkein's work, where the setting was a much more easily digested elves-dwarves-humans setting with hobbits thrown in; you need to make audiences everywhere believe that lizard-men and cat-men co-exist with three species of elves, four species of humans, and [&@%!] orcs. And that's before you really get into the storyline.

Peter, I'm worried about you. You're starting to sound desperate.

and stop screwing around and make Temeraire, Peter! We've been waiting forever!

2920 would be perfect for Jackson's style of embellishment and artistic expansion. Throw in some easter eggs and plentiful sweeping camera shots of richly fleshed-out locations that directly adhere to both the lore and in-game appearances, and I'm good for a ticket. As long as the acting doesn't suck, it could be a hit.

I don't think he was being entirely literal about the Peter Jackson thing...

Bethesda only said they would if Peter Jackson approached them. They haven't been approached by Jackson so far and have rejected every offer for a TES film.

I think you misunderstand humor, here. He's saying if Peter Jackson flies in, probably on a giant eagle, and says "I SHALL MAKE THE ELDER SCROLLS MOVIE.", they will humor him to the point to talking to him in this pretty absurd situation.

Nah, I did misread the initial headline, but I am a little worried Peter Jackson might be trying too hard to recapture the success of Lord of the Rings. Let's not forget he made some classics before that, after all.

Besides, my point still stands: I think it would be very difficult to get a decent-sized chunk of movie-goers to understand what's going on in the Elder Scrolls setting. With really good framing it could work, but I'm not really sold on it.

If the Hobbit movies had never been made, I would be excited about this. Now, it would simply deepen my disgust for the direction TES is going in as a brand.

I do find it odd and rather shortsighted to consider him the only option they'll go with. Unless it's a case of investors committing money only if his name got attached to the project. We still get that 'odd and shortsighted' vibe, but at least Bethesda isn't the one to blame.

Now, if they could sign Rachael Taylor to play the role of Casandra Serein...

Dark Spark wrote:I do find it odd and rather shortsighted to consider him the only option they'll go with. Unless it's a case of investors committing money only if his name got attached to the project. We still get that 'odd and shortsighted' vibe, but at least Bethesda isn't the one to blame.

It was just an example of a hugely acclaimed fantasy director.

Mechanically, he's not all that hot. His talent and experience in running a big show is unsurpassed, but he's only as good as the team he puts together. That, and he doesn't believe in "Less is more".

I think, Bethesda would use Peter Jackson because of LOTR and the best example of a fantasy franchise that recieved an excellent film. Apparently, he was drafted in for the Hobbit but not allowed in for pre-production and it is said when he is allowed to control every aspect, he produces excellent stuff. TES, however is too big for a film. Maybe, a Netflix series but not a film.

With Peter Jackson it would be massive behemoth of a movie, with Nerevarine, Champion and Dragonborn riding horseback through Tamriel kicking butt. Not good.

I personally would be happy with something in small scale, let's say story of a small village in Valenwood, with only Bosmer in sight. Small is good.

Edit: come to think of it, maybe some of the better literature from Elder Scrolls library would make a interesting movie. Most of it is kind of meh, but some stand out. I'm personally partial to A Dance in Fire, an Imperial City clerk adventures in Valenwood.

Lord Frivolous wrote:With Peter Jackson it would be massive behemoth of a movie, with Nerevarine, Champion and Dragonborn riding horseback through Tamriel kicking butt. Not good.

To be fair I would totally watch that movie. It would be awful but it would be that compellingly watchable kind of awful, like a Reb Brown movie.

Pilaf The Defiler wrote:If the Hobbit movies had never been made, I would be excited about this. Now, it would simply deepen my disgust for the direction TES is going in as a brand.

If the Hobbit movies had never been made, people would still be raging that he hasn't made them yet and we'd be up to our necks in fake trailers and other hoaxes, and debating endlessly about what should be done. Why can't anyone just be happy we got them at all?

Has there ever been a move based on a computer game that DIDN'T suck balls?

Yes.

Resident Evil Degeneration. Not the best but twas decent. Final Fantasy VII:Advent Children(Purely because of the action and fanservice). Street Fighter as it's one of those, it's so bad it's good films. Kinda not the topic though.

I think the best way to do TES would be something like AGOT. Dr Who has shown the world it is possible to still use practical effects. Their cat people are excellent and I could easily see it being done that way for Khajiit. Would be best to be done as TES politics and something that isn't just "EVIL IS HERE! STOP ME!"

Heck, I'll be just happy with a College of Winterhold based tv series.

AngryNord wrote:Has there ever been a move based on a computer game that DIDN'T suck balls?

The Last Starfighter.
Just because the actual game was never released in real life doesn't invalidate it. The guy was essentially 'pulled into the game' because the game's backstory was actually happening in his reality.

I'm actually rather curious, because I don't really follow that many directors (and the ones I do follow just kind of coincidentally happen to get talked about a lot in nerd circles) what director(s) would you trust to handle a TES film? I'd personally be kind of curious to see what James Cameron could come up with, and I have a sick morbid curiosity about where David Lynch's mind would go given the opportunity. Although depending on what parts of the relevant lore you pick, David Lynch might actually make a pretty accurate movie.

Crawldragon wrote:I'm actually rather curious, because I don't really follow that many directors (and the ones I do follow just kind of coincidentally happen to get talked about a lot in nerd circles) what director(s) would you trust to handle a TES film? I'd personally be kind of curious to see what James Cameron could come up with, and I have a sick morbid curiosity about where David Lynch's mind would go given the opportunity. Although depending on what parts of the relevant lore you pick, David Lynch might actually make a pretty accurate movie.

I recently (finally) watched the anime adaptation set in Dragon Age world, "Dawn of Seeker." I'm a huge Dragon Age fan, having read all the books and of course played all the games for thousands of hours. This anime thingy was the last bit I had not experienced since I must admit, have a kind of prejudice against such things. It did not suck balls at all. I enjoyed it. So, maybe, instead of motion picture, an animation? Something along the lines of 1970's Lord of the Rings animation which is considered something of cult classic nowadays, as I've been told.

How about The Elder Scrolls-- done with The Muppets.

Dark Spark wrote:How about The Elder Scrolls-- done with The Muppets.

Only if they get a director with a vision. Maybe Alejandro Jodorowsky.

Crawldragon wrote:I'm actually rather curious, because I don't really follow that many directors (and the ones I do follow just kind of coincidentally happen to get talked about a lot in nerd circles) what director(s) would you trust to handle a TES film? I'd personally be kind of curious to see what James Cameron could come up with, and I have a sick morbid curiosity about where David Lynch's mind would go given the opportunity. Although depending on what parts of the relevant lore you pick, David Lynch might actually make a pretty accurate movie.

Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro G. Iñárritu would be my top picks. Del Toro was originally supposed to helm The Hobbit, and after watching Pan's Labyrinth I think he could take a TES movie in a really cool direction. As for Iñárritu, the cinematography in his films is just beautiful; he could bring Nirn to life.

Oh, and the guy who directed Happy Feet. He'd do a good job.