Melnibone Movie

[Arctic]

Those readers interested in the Elric of Melnibone saga by Michael Moorcok may also be interested in this bit of news from Cinescape:

"I'm working with About a Boy directors Chris and Paul Weitz," the author confesses. No studio deal is yet in place, but the Weitz brothers want to do an epic and Chris is an old Elric fan."

When the film does go before cameras, Elric's creator would like a cameo as the character "Smiorgan Baldhead, though I'd have to shave my scalp!" Smiorgan is a wealthy merchant who has a hand in hiring Elric for the invasion and looting of the albino's homeland.

"The current film proposal ends with the destruction of Melnibone, as a result of Elric's decision to accept the dark power of the Black Sword," reveals Moorcok, who expects to be involved in the adaptation process.

And Moorcock is quick to point out that any Elric film must credit Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

"A triumph - they set a benchmark," he says. "It's now possible to try to make an ambitious adult fantasy film, which I'm hoping Elric will be!"

Additionally, Moorcock acknowledges that he intended Elric's creation as a counterpoint to Tolkien's morally unambiguous work.a counterpoint indeed.

Moorcock also has a new book out in the Elric series (number 14): The Skrayling Tree.

[Cogito]

It's now possible to try to make an ambitious adult fantasy film...
True, true indeed -- it definitely is a feat.

But an Elric movie, I think that's a whole new level. I'm a huge Elric -- well, actually I think I'm a Moorcock fan most of all -- I like everything I've read, of his work. But I think the fan-base for Elric is probably only a fraction of that of Tolkien's, so it will be far less of a sure-fire box office hit, than LOTR.

Nonetheless, I'd welcome an Elric movie far more, than even LOTR.

This will be a damn hard movie to do well. I'd love to see it.

[Wiggum]

Gotta agree with Cogs on the fan base issue, but if they get the first one to be a mild success, and hopefully a decent movie it is the right kind of character / storyline to create a great franchise.
Go Elric, its your birthday!

[MartyRotten]

If they make an Elric movie they've gotta get Hawkwind to do the film score!

I think maybe they should do some Jerry Cornelius movies as well. Those would be weird but cool! (I'd love to see how they'd do ENGLISH ASSASSIN)

DANCERS AT THE END OF TIME would make a pretty kick ass film series too.

[Valkary]

It only works as an R rated movie. Anything else waters it down...

[Arctic]

i like the idea of an Elric movie too, R rated of course, but by the About a Boy directors?? not that About a Boy was particularly bad, but what have these guys done that suggest any talent in the area of creating a dark fantasy? American Pie, or i know, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. :rolleyes

unless we want an Elric comedy, i don't think these are the right directors. Jackson at least had some horror background, which is closely related to the fantasy genre.