Greece is the word
When Gladiator was a massive critical and commercial success back in 2000, Hollywood immediately leapt onto the Ancient World bandwagon. The result: Troy, a horrible mutilation of Homer's The Illiad, and Alexander, Oliver Stone's overblown, tedious historial epic. The combined failure of these 2 high profile projects scuttled the slowly re-emerging genre once again.
Any geeks with an interest in the Ancient World had to turn to TV (Rome, The Odyssey) and video games (God of War, Titan Quest) for their fix instead.
Fortunately though, 2007 saw the release of 300, an adaption of Frank Miller's highly stylised take on the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was one of the biggest hits of last year and suddenly Hollywood was interested in all things Ancient again.
For how long is another question, but here's what we have to look forward to over the next few years:
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Hercules: The Thracian Wars
According to Ain't It Cool News, Peter (Hancock, Friday Night Lights) Berg not only has a Dune remake on his project slate. He's also going to be tackling one of mythology's most iconic heroes - the Chuck Norris of Ancient Greece - Hercules! Yup, the only mortal (well, half-god) who was allowed to ascend to Mount Olympus and take his place among the gods.
Here's an extract from Variety's article on the film:
Ryan Condal will write the script, based on a five-issue comicbook series by Steve Moore that debuted in May through Radical Publishing...
"What resonated for them was that this was character driven, about a character who’s more man than god, with conflicts and redemption," Levine said.
Here's the plot synopsis of the comic series on which the film will be based:
Fourteen hundred years ago, a tormented soul walked the earth that was neither man nor god. Hercules was the powerful son of the god king Zeus, for this he received nothing but suffering his entire life. After twelve arduous labors and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods finding his only solace in bloody battle.
Over the years he warmed to the company of six similar souls, their only bond being their love of fighting and presence of death. These men and woman never question where they go to fight or why or whom, just how much they will be paid. Now the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to train his men to become the greatest army of all time.
It is time for this bunch of lost souls to finally have their eyes opened to how far they have fallen when they must train an army to become as ruthless and blood thirsty as their reputation has become.
The project certainly sounds interesting... and appropriately dark and bloody!
----------------------------------------
Clash of the Titans
Children of the 1980s may remember the original Clash of the Titans, in which hero Perseus (Harry Hamlin), with the help of winged horse Pegasus, a mechanical owl and several Greek gods, battled both Medusa and the Kraken to save Princess Andromeda. Vengeful goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith), and her monstrous son, stood in his way, while other gods played with little figurines of mortals.
The film was largely a stop-motion special effects showcase, highlighting the work of living FX legend Ray Harryhausen.
Well, coming in 2010 is a remake of this action-packed myth, from director Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, The Transporter). Finally a remake I can really get behind - as much as I loved the original when I was little, it has not dated well. I would love to see the mythological beasties given a 21st century CGI treatment. Plus, you can't help but fantasise about what stars you would cast as Zeus, Thetis, Hera, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Athena and co.
I haven't watched it myself by here's a video interview with Leterrier in which he talks about his plans for the remake. The interview is in French, but has English subtitles.
----------------------------------------
300 2
Ugh. This is the announcement I'm most unhappy about. Talk about corporate greed overtaking common sense. Why can't they just leave things as they are?
Anyway, according to this article and video interview, the producers of 300 are keen for a sequel or prequel... or something.
Apparently Frank Miller is working on a follow-up graphic novel and 300 director Zack Snyder is definitely keen. He will of course be waiting to read Miller's graphic novel before committing.
The producers also announced that they're working on another Ancient Greek epic, something called War of the Gods, in which humanity must battle the gods themselves. Sounds like a bit of an unfair fight to me. Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall), another director known for his distinct, haunting visual style will be directing.
----------------------------------------
Olympia
While all the other projects above are just bursting with myths, monsters and magic, Olympia is a more sedate historical sports drama and romance. Scripted by Saving Private Ryan's writer, and reworked by South Africa's own Gavin (Tsotsi, Wolverine) Hood, Olympia is set against the backdrop of the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, as war wages between Athens and Sparta.
Having toured Greece last year, I can honestly say that Olympia - nestled in a cool wooded valley - was one of my favourite places to visit. It just felt so quiet, timeless and unchanged (they actually used the track for an event during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and spectators sat on the same grassy banks where they would watch races centuries ago).
Honestly it's probably this personal experience that has me more excited for Olympia than anything else... although there hopefully will also be some great old sports (pankration, sprints in full armour) performed by greased up, well muscled, semi-nude men. Ahem.
----------------------------------------
Personally I'd also love to see Homer's The Odyssey done properly for the big screen (that Armand Assante TV series was distinctly mediocre), as well as a remake of Jason and the Argonauts in which the young hero and his ship's crew, assisted by young witch Medea, undergo many adventures during their quest for the Golden Fleece.
If I was a filmmaker though, I'd turn to the version of the story told by Apollonius of Rhodes, in which Jason has a serious inferiority complex, Medea is the most powerful character, and Hercules (one of the Argonauts for a while) is a raging homosexual with his boy toy in tow. That would make for a fun movie.
Any geeks with an interest in the Ancient World had to turn to TV (Rome, The Odyssey) and video games (God of War, Titan Quest) for their fix instead.
Fortunately though, 2007 saw the release of 300, an adaption of Frank Miller's highly stylised take on the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was one of the biggest hits of last year and suddenly Hollywood was interested in all things Ancient again.
For how long is another question, but here's what we have to look forward to over the next few years:
----------------------------------------
Hercules: The Thracian Wars
According to Ain't It Cool News, Peter (Hancock, Friday Night Lights) Berg not only has a Dune remake on his project slate. He's also going to be tackling one of mythology's most iconic heroes - the Chuck Norris of Ancient Greece - Hercules! Yup, the only mortal (well, half-god) who was allowed to ascend to Mount Olympus and take his place among the gods.
Here's an extract from Variety's article on the film:
Ryan Condal will write the script, based on a five-issue comicbook series by Steve Moore that debuted in May through Radical Publishing...
"What resonated for them was that this was character driven, about a character who’s more man than god, with conflicts and redemption," Levine said.
Here's the plot synopsis of the comic series on which the film will be based:
Fourteen hundred years ago, a tormented soul walked the earth that was neither man nor god. Hercules was the powerful son of the god king Zeus, for this he received nothing but suffering his entire life. After twelve arduous labors and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods finding his only solace in bloody battle.
Over the years he warmed to the company of six similar souls, their only bond being their love of fighting and presence of death. These men and woman never question where they go to fight or why or whom, just how much they will be paid. Now the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to train his men to become the greatest army of all time.
It is time for this bunch of lost souls to finally have their eyes opened to how far they have fallen when they must train an army to become as ruthless and blood thirsty as their reputation has become.
The project certainly sounds interesting... and appropriately dark and bloody!
----------------------------------------
Clash of the Titans
Children of the 1980s may remember the original Clash of the Titans, in which hero Perseus (Harry Hamlin), with the help of winged horse Pegasus, a mechanical owl and several Greek gods, battled both Medusa and the Kraken to save Princess Andromeda. Vengeful goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith), and her monstrous son, stood in his way, while other gods played with little figurines of mortals.
The film was largely a stop-motion special effects showcase, highlighting the work of living FX legend Ray Harryhausen.
Well, coming in 2010 is a remake of this action-packed myth, from director Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, The Transporter). Finally a remake I can really get behind - as much as I loved the original when I was little, it has not dated well. I would love to see the mythological beasties given a 21st century CGI treatment. Plus, you can't help but fantasise about what stars you would cast as Zeus, Thetis, Hera, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Athena and co.
I haven't watched it myself by here's a video interview with Leterrier in which he talks about his plans for the remake. The interview is in French, but has English subtitles.
----------------------------------------
300 2
Ugh. This is the announcement I'm most unhappy about. Talk about corporate greed overtaking common sense. Why can't they just leave things as they are?
Anyway, according to this article and video interview, the producers of 300 are keen for a sequel or prequel... or something.
Apparently Frank Miller is working on a follow-up graphic novel and 300 director Zack Snyder is definitely keen. He will of course be waiting to read Miller's graphic novel before committing.
The producers also announced that they're working on another Ancient Greek epic, something called War of the Gods, in which humanity must battle the gods themselves. Sounds like a bit of an unfair fight to me. Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall), another director known for his distinct, haunting visual style will be directing.
----------------------------------------
Olympia
While all the other projects above are just bursting with myths, monsters and magic, Olympia is a more sedate historical sports drama and romance. Scripted by Saving Private Ryan's writer, and reworked by South Africa's own Gavin (Tsotsi, Wolverine) Hood, Olympia is set against the backdrop of the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, as war wages between Athens and Sparta.
Having toured Greece last year, I can honestly say that Olympia - nestled in a cool wooded valley - was one of my favourite places to visit. It just felt so quiet, timeless and unchanged (they actually used the track for an event during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and spectators sat on the same grassy banks where they would watch races centuries ago).
Honestly it's probably this personal experience that has me more excited for Olympia than anything else... although there hopefully will also be some great old sports (pankration, sprints in full armour) performed by greased up, well muscled, semi-nude men. Ahem.
----------------------------------------
Personally I'd also love to see Homer's The Odyssey done properly for the big screen (that Armand Assante TV series was distinctly mediocre), as well as a remake of Jason and the Argonauts in which the young hero and his ship's crew, assisted by young witch Medea, undergo many adventures during their quest for the Golden Fleece.
If I was a filmmaker though, I'd turn to the version of the story told by Apollonius of Rhodes, in which Jason has a serious inferiority complex, Medea is the most powerful character, and Hercules (one of the Argonauts for a while) is a raging homosexual with his boy toy in tow. That would make for a fun movie.
Comments
Another Dune remake? Do we have to? The original was great, but the effects have weathered well, but the Sci-Fi Channel adaptation was good. Can't we stop there?
300 2? Is this the Battle of Marathon now? You're dead on with corporate greed overtaking good sense.
And...is that the same Tarsem who directed R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" video? I just remember him as going by one name back then, but I don't know how many filmmakers are in the world named "Tarsem".
I would like to see the story of Bellepheron...you know, the dude who actually tamed Pegasus. I think the Chimaera would look great rendered in CGI goodness.
And yes, I do believe that is the same Tarsem. It seems like all of the "hip" visually exciting directors these days seem to have cut their teeth on music videos.
Oh, and I would love to see a Chimaera or even a Manticore.