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The Top 6 Movies I’d Love To See That Will Probably Never Happen
From childhood we become experts at putting together wish lists. Christmas wish list. Birthday wish list. As we get older us guys change direction a bit and start developing our “Women I would cut off various body parts to have one night with” wish lists (and just for trivia’s sake, mine currently includes Courtney Cox who I’ve been in love with ever since Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Jennifer Garner, Yvonne Strahovski from the TV show “Chuck” and a few others).
But one wish list I’m constantly thinking about is the list of movies I would love to see happen. But like most wish lists, mine includes projects that in all likelihood will NEVER come to fruition.
So even though I know it’s all just wishful thinking, I thought I’d share with you guy my top 6 movies I’d love to see happen, that will probably never happen. Here we go:
1) Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy
I flat out do not like Star Wars novels. The vast majority of them are just fan fiction tripe. Having said that, the Thrawn trilogy (Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command) was nothing short of pure genius. The book take place 5 years after the battle of Endor (the events in Return of the Jedi). The Empire still exists, even though it now only controls a small percentage of what it once did since the New Republic’s victory. Their new commander is a hyper genius called Grand Admiral Thrawn who learns everything he needs to know about a culture just by looking at its art. The most brilliant strategist in the galaxy, he launches a new plan to destroy the New Republic and restore the Empire to dominance.
If you have not read these books, you simply MUST add them to your reading list. They are just phenominal, especially if you count yourself a Star Wars or sci-fi fan. Yeah, these movies will never happen in a million years, but I’d do almost anything to see them made. Sigh…
2) Starblazers
The Japanese show was actually called “Space Battleship Yamato”. The story was fantastic… earth came under attack by a mysterious allien race and was pelting the earth with radiation bombs forcing the human race to live underground. However, the radiation is seeping deeper and deeper into the earth and will soon wipe out the human race. Then, just when all hope seemed lost, earth gets a message from a princess on a far away planet who says she has a device that will clean the radiation off earth… the trick is they have to come and get the device. They have just under one year to travel to her distant planet to get it and return to earth before the radiation penetrates deep enough into the earth to kill everyone.
So, they dig up the old legendary Battleship Yamato from WW2 and refit it to become a space battleship to travel into space to get the device.
The show was AWESOME! A live action version of this thing would be amazing. It would also be unbelievably expensive and thus will probably never get made despite rumors that there are some studios wanting to do it. Sigh….
3) Live Action G-Force movie
No, I’m not talking about those stupid talking hamsters. I’m talking about the original “Battle of the Planets” show. Mark, Jason, Tiny, Princess and Keyop. I remember as a kid that show was crazy popular amongst all my friends who lived on my street. We used to play G-Force. We’d get blankets and make little makeshift capes and run around our street. I was always Jason.
It was the first show that I recall using the idea of a big main ship (called The Phoenix) that had smaller vehicles it could deploy that the different members of the team would pilot. The ship also had one weapon… a little missile launcher that was controlled by one big red button.
And while the adults had the big shock of “Who Shot J.R.”, us kids at the time had the big major shock of discovering that the bad guy, Zoltar, was actually a woman!!!!!!!
They are currently working on an animated version of this which is terrific… but I want a live action film… and it’ll never happen. Sigh….
4) Megaforce 2
It’s hard to put into actual words how cheesy the original Megaforce movie was… but at the same time… when I was a kid… there was no describing how flat out AWESOME it was too! In essence, Megaforce was really just a basterdized version of G.I. Joe. An elite international counter-terrorism fighting force with all of the world’s top technological weapons and cool ass vehicles at their disposal. Their leader was a dude called “Ace”. How great is that?
Flying Motorcycles with rocket launchers were their main weapons of choice followed by these high tech dune buggy things they had.
This will never happen again in a million years because it was so damn cheesy, there is a G.I. Joe movie now, and no one even remembers the original. Sigh….
5) X-Men: The Age Of Apocalypse
Probably my all time favorite comic book story line. The basic idea is this: A mutant named Legion (who just so happens to be Professor X’s son) goes back in time to when Charles and Magneto were friends to kill Magneto. However, Charles sacrifices himself to save Magneto, thus changing history. The Age of Apocalypse is basically a look at what the world would look like if Charles Xavier died years ago before he ever founded the X-Men. The answer is that the villain Apocalypse takes over most of the world… and Magneto, so moved by Charles’ sacrifice to save him so many years ago ends up forming the X-Men (named after his fallen friend) to stand against Apocalypse.
The story is just insanely good. You MUST read it.
Sadly, X-Men is a dying film franchise… and the cost of doing an Age of Apocalypse movie is beyond calculation. Minimum you’d be looking at is about $350-$500 million. This film will never happen. Sigh….
6) Shogun
This is the one that doesn’t quite fit with all the other selection on my list. Shogun is the bestselling James Clavell novel that was later turned into a fantastic television mini series. The story is rich and deep with fantastic character and ever evolving plot turns with an immersive history behind it all.
I can’t remember the last time the mini series was on television… it was originally aired way back in 1980. It was one of the first novels I’ve ever read (it’s a long one). If you read it, you’ll totally see why I have it on this list. It would clearly need to be done as a trilogy or a big 2 parter. But sadly no one really knows about Shogun anymore, and it’s far too old now to have a following I think. Most likely will never happen. Sigh….
SOOOOO….
What do you guys think of my list? I’m sure you have about 50 movies you’d like to see done too.
So jump down to the comments and start listing movies YOU’D like to see made that will probably never happen. GO!
I think they should do a star wars force unleashed film the game had a great plot.
Yeah, it was amazing.
And it tied into the original Star Wars trilogy really well.
yh but there one strange thing there was an ending were you kill darth vadar and the entire star wars unvierse gets fucked up …… so lets hope they dont do dat ending lol
yh but there one strange thing there was an ending were you kill darth vadar and the entire star wars unvierse gets fucked up …… so lets hope they dont do dat ending lol
Under the video game idea, I think the Legacy of Kain series with Raziel would make an awesome movie. Still love those games, wish they make a modern one.
The last time a Miniseries was on television. Actually it’s running now on BBC America and I highly recomend, Torchwood: Children of Earth.
I watched “Day One” last night and I can’t wait to watch “Day Two”.
enjoy
I think he was wondering about that specific miniseries. Personally I think it’s a very underrated medium - gives you more time to explore the story universe than a film, but tell a more compact story than a full series (and in America, gives you an excuse not to fulfil the producers’ inevitable demands for further series).
I think your list is pretty cool. I could see Star Wars coming out with another trilogy but in probably 20 years. Movies keep getting recycled and remade all the time.
..but I agree that we will probably never see any of these movies ever made.
Star Wars episodes 7, 8, and 9, done by someone other than George Lucas.
Also episodes 1, 2, and 3 done by someone other than George Lucas.
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.
Robotech!
Robotech is potentially coming, the last animated one was not bad.
The Thrawn Trilogy spoken of above would easily be an episode 7, 8, and 9. Most people have been referring to it as such for years (least Star Wars fans).
Great list though. I have most of those on DVD, and a really crappy copy of Megaforce. Just watched Shogun maybe a year ago on my set. It does not fade in time, that is for sure.
I would die to see an Age of Apocalypse movie
Im sure one day itll get made
just to be devil’s advocate I’m gonna say it’ll never be a live-action film(s). Maybe an animated feature.
I am with you though, I’d kill to see it happen!
I would love a Shogun movie. Read the book about five years ago, but never saw the miniseries… no clue why I haven’t. Awesome book.
Would also like to see a Starblazer movie. See a live action representation of that ship is space would be some serious eye candy.
One not mentioned, but would be at the top of my list to see is a live action series of movies based on the anime Last Exile. The way they do the air battles with the ships floating on clouds as if they were on the sea would make quite a view in live action, and the dog fights with crazy looking planes would be beautiful. Granted, the budget for such a series of movies would probably be a bank breaker.
Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X)
It would probably take more than one movie to do it right but it would be AWESOME !!
im still waiting for my neil gaiman’s sandman movie or mini series.
and the same with gaiman’s sister death movie.
- which is suppose to be on its way but never seems to get here.
and where is my tobor the 8th man movie. :/
Agreed, I’d be happy with anything Neil Gaiman; however, I could of sworn I read once that Gaiman said he never would approve of a live action Sandman movie. I could be wrong, since it has been over a decade since I remember reading that… or he could have just changed his mind.
There once was a time when NG’s Sandman ALMOST happened as a film, back in the mid to late 90s. Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio were hired to write the script. The studio chose to pull the plug. and, if it crops up again, it will most likely be scripted anew. In any case, Elliott & Rossio’s second draft can be read at: http://www.wordplayer.com/archives/SANDMAN.cover.html
Note: you have to click on “Sandman” which gives a brief history of Rossio and Elliot’s work (and communication with both Neil Gaiman and Roger Avery, who was once slated to direct) and it will lead you to both the PDF or online 2nd draft of Sandman.
Forgot about that.
That would be awesomest… Maybe in the light of Gaimans recent screen-success. Who knows?
Star Blazers.
.
Ticket money in hand as we speak.
I have always wanted to know what happened after the events of Return of the Jedi more so then the prequels, so the Thrawn Trilogy would get me dribbling. Age Of Apocalyspe… YES!
1: The Legend of Zelda
2: Visionaries
3: Chris Nolan’s Dark Claw
3: Marvel Studios’ What If..X-Men 3 didn’t exist?
4: A George Lucas film with believable dialogue
There are a dozen and one ways to retcon X3 let alone bring back dead characters. One, in fact, was already brought back in the stinger. But y’know something?
A “What If” Marvel film would be wicked.
YES John I love you for the Age of Apocalypse selection. Way to be a hero.
I agree that Timothy Zahn is the master of the Star Wars novels and having read them all, I can honestly say while not every one is “great” you can only really call Kevin J Anderson’s books “tripe” because that guy has NO grasp of the Star Wars universe. Utter failure.
Zahn returned to write two other Star Wars books that I came to love almost as much as the Thrawn Trilogy (Which deal with the Chiss Ascendancy - Thrawn’s race) And that is Survivor’s Quest and Outbound Flight - Two books that share a storyline but exist in two eras 60 years apart. Stand alone genius, but incredible read back to back.
He also wrote Allegiance - which is a VERY cool book about some stormtroopers of the 501st elite guard that really illustrates how Stormtroopers were not just cannon fodder and bumbling meat puppets with blasters. Very good book indeed.
I read and loved the Thrawn books in the mid-nineties, actually the only Star Wars books I read. My imagination of them was therfore as the original movies looked. Just to make it even more unlikely, I would love for the films to be made using purely late 70s early 80s tech… just sayig… whilst we are dreaming and everything!
I agree with you Rodney about Kevin J Anderson I’ve never been more frustrated reading and he was able to write so many novels! The other author that drove me nuts was Barbara Hambley, she’s not a bad writer, but she was bad for Star Wars.
I haven’t read a SW novel is years, but during the 90s and early ’00s my favorite writers where Zahn and Stackpole. I really enjoyed the X-Wing series.
All excellent choices; I can’t top them but I’d like…
The X-Men Dark Phoenix saga DONE PROPERLY (y’know with drama and tragedy and pain and character development and emotions and stuff).
An excellent big screen version of Dune.
Ditto Inspector Gadget and The Avengers (the British one).
Pixar’s Grim Fandango (that’s a graphic adventure PC game set in the land of the dead that is truly one of the best ever made - if you’ve played it you know the idea of Pixar making a film out of it is like a wet dream).
pixar grim fandango sounds amazing
A movie that I want to see that probably won’t happen is Godzilla vs. Gamera. My two favorite giant monsters fighting against each other unfortunately Toho had the chance back in 2003, but chose not to make it.
Actually, there is a recent report just a few days ago on ANN that a Japanese live action film on Yamato is in development. There is also a Japanese Gatchaman live action has been green-lidded but this was reported in 2007. I’m not sure if its still on the table.
I would have add Robotech/Macross to the list a few years back but it seems there is a strong possibility of it getting made now that giant robots is all the rage.
When I was in high school for English class, a sci-fi novel that we have to read as part of our studies was The Chrysalids/Re-Birth by John Wyndham (the author of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos aka. Village of the Damned) and after reading it, I thought to myself it would be really great to see this get adapted into a movie.
Anybody remember the Disney animated TV series Gargoyles? For a Disney show, its surprisingly had balls for the mature audience. There was no dumbing down the story for the kids. I really enjoyed it alot but I doubt it will ever get turn in a live action film.
I see potential in a movie for Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu from Marvel comics if they cast Donnie Yen in the lead role and it had some cool ass fight scenes. No CGI or wire BS, just hardcore action. What ever happen to this project? I remember hearing it was getting made a long time ago but since then, there is no news update.
Gargoyles would make a great film.
I always remember watching Gargoyals on Fo and the reruns on Disney… did Disney make Gargoyals. Much respect if they did.
and by Fo I mean FOX
Id like to see Brian Lumley’s work on the big screen - Necroscope! Vampires vs ESPers
Star Blazers! Yes!
THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.
I highly doubt this one will “Never happen”. Even if Nolan doesn’t continue it’s almost a given that there will be another Batman film in a few years
I heard Zack Snyder wants to do it. So Warner Bros. may let him.
i think that one is actually do-able and people would go see it
I love Zack Snyder (Non gay way) but I just can’t see him doing Batman. He has a particular style that I don’t think fits. His style is dark so that might fit. But he did such a good job on Watchmen, and Watchmen is very different than Batman. Sucker Punch I just can’t wait for. I hope it’s a hard R bloody, gritty, ultra violent film.
But anyways, am I the only one who thinks Snyder isn’t the man for TDKR
Snyder hasn’t really convinced me as a director yet and I don’t think he would be the best fit for The Dark Knight Returns, but definitely an interesting one.
Yes his style is dark, and Watchmen was dark, but it was not gritty. That’ll have to be worked out if he wants to tackle Batman.
Metal Gear Solid - A video game with a plot which can rival most movies.
Cybersix - This was a mature animated series with some awesome villains and characters.
Gargoyles - Gargoyles!
Beasties/Beast Wars/Beast Machines - The animal counterpart to Transformers.
My List
1. Serenity 2
2. True Lies 2
3. Star Wars trilogy that based more on Sith and rated R
4. Babylon A.D. fuck the ending start where VIn blacked out.
5. Terminator 3 rise of the Machines
Didn’t they already announce a Serenity 2?
There is just it on paper that is about it.
Thanks for the clarification.
Serenity 2 never ever going to happen.
Unfortunately is most likely never gonna happen…its just another example when a good movie flops.
Oh that Dark Knight film John talked about where Bruce Wayne is retired and comes back to fighting but is old so it is real hard on him. I think there is a animated one but I want Live Action
There’s no full length animated version. An episode of Batman: The Animated Series titled “Legends of the Dark Knight” features the mud pit fight between Bats and the mutant leader, but that’s about it. Also, here’s a CGI feature that’s pretty badass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG1eCLLNErk
Alex Ross’ Kingdom Come!
Wow I was reading through this and when I hit this I was like …. WOW. I think I just had a nerdgasm picturing a live action big budget rendition of Kingdon Come.
Oh I forgot a Halo film directed by Peter Jackson Del Toro or my self.
I would love to see the “Star Wars: Dark Empire” trilogy turned into films, live-action or animated, I don’t care!
Someone else mentioned “Serenity 2″ and I say YES YES YES. I’m a late comer to the Firefly universe. When the television show aired I didn’t give it the time of day, but to be fair I didn’t, and still don’t, watch much TV. Then when the film came out, again, I gave it a pass. Only about half year ago I bought “Serenity” and gave it a gander for the first time ever…and loved it! So much so I bought the Firefly series on DVD and watched the whole series in one sitting. Great stuff!
The top of my list is “Evil Dead IV” or “Amry of Darkness 2!” Will it happen? Who knows, Raimi has expressed in interest and claims to be kicking ideas around with his brother, but with the Spidey series consuming most of Raimi’s time and the fact Bruce Campbell isn’t getting any younger I’m beginning to have doubts. Although, the geek in me keeps fanning the flames. Hope springs eternal.
anyone else remembers The Centurions? man would that be a dope movie/tv show but the effects would make the costs high.
Age Of Apocalypse will most likely happen. I bet 13 (Monopoly) dollars that it will happen. I agree with number 5, I’d love to see that happen!
WOAH!
Gargoyles???
That would make a BEAST movie!
Great post.
I think that the Japanese/French 80’s cartoon series ‘Ulysses 31′ would make an amazing movie. If you ever get the chance to watch it you’ll know what i’m talking about. The soundtrack alone makes it worth a look.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_31
OMG, Ulysses 31 rules!
Best TV show when I was a kid (along with the manga Cobra).
Street Sharks and Biker Mice live action movies YEAH!!!!!
I thought I was the only one who knew of Biker Mice From Mars and Street Sharks. This is absolutely unbelieveable…
Couldn’t agree more on the Heir to the Empire trilogy.
These are under the category of MAYBE they’ll actually get made one day:
Stephen King’s: THE TALISMAN & THE GUNSLINGER
Robert Kirkman’s: WALKING DEAD (HBO series??)
THE PREACHER!!
More obscure would be:
BATTLE CHASERS (if fact I would just love a few more of the comics!)
RISING STARS
And I am totally on board for Age of Apocalypse and the Dark Phoenix (done properly!!) storylines!
They’re actually adapting The Dark Tower series. But I don’t know if they’re doing it for film or t.v., I heard J.J. Abrams is doing it. But yeah that’s one film saga I wouldn’t mind seeing hit the big screen.
Producing not Directing
Preacher would be cool to see, and i can see it being ridiculously popular. For now I’m happy with the books…
Anybody else think Jessie Custer looks exactly like the title character from Robert Rodriguez’ El Mariachi (the guy who played Banderas’ character in the first movie)?
I would love to see the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon on the big screen. I always here rumors that it will happen… but I am not convinced!
Good Omens.
I’d love to see a Kingdom Come movie, although I know it probably happen since the many, many DC characters and new metahumans they’d have to introduce and give backstory for.
Meant won’t happen cause of the various characters.
Megaforce 2 is being made, its called “GI JOE, Rise of Cobra”
The Secret of Monkey Island
Yeah, so much in Pirates of the Carribean seemed taken from Monkey Island. We’ll never see a film of that sadly.
well my number one has always been EVIL DEAD 4.
but Raimi wont let go of his cash sack in spiderman.
Avanue Q although im not sure if it would transfer well from broadway to hollywood.
HAlO directer by Peter JACKSON. i dont want him producing it i want him directing it.
wasnt it announced a few days ago that a “Space Battleship Yamato” Live Action movie is in the works?
Right you are!! Thrawn deserves a movie along with the force unleashed, I think they could be episodes 7,8,9 (adding Shadows of the empire) and they could be sort of the inbetween trilogy (before 4, after 5 and after 6)
Thank you for mentioning Age of Apocalypse!! I thought I was the only one thinking this should be a great movie or even a great live action series.
And Shogun rocks!! but i think Hollywood already did the bastard son of Shogun when Tom “Jumping Wacko” Cruise did The Last Samurai, the stories are quite similar.
Live action Voltron would rock…..Still waiting for Thunder Cats “snarff, snarff”.
Of the six titles listed above “Age of Apocolypse” and “Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy” caught my attention, would really be excited to see those on the big screen!
Regarding Shogun the mini-series, it is easily found in forums all over the net, to say it is not still popular or no one knows about it is crazy. I am an avid collector of Samurai Movies and any collector worth his salt will have the mini-series amongst his/her collection.
I have watched countless amounts of anime and I can tell you the most beautiful story that should end up on the big screen is……
Guardian of the Sacred Spirit (USA Title)
Seirei no Moribito (Japanese Title)
Easily this would be the most beautiful movie made and the soundtrack as well would just blow you away, I dream of this on the big screen!
5. A sequel to The American President.
4. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Impossible enough already with the actors 10 years older & the Trek franchise nearly dying; even more impossible with how the Trek franchise has been rebooted.)
3. Ender’s Game (Based on novel by Orson Scott Card; stuck in pre-production purgatory for what seems like a decade now.)
2. The Chronicles of Amber (Based on two “cycles” of five books each by Roger Zelazny.)
1. A big screen adventure in the Babylon 5 universe.
Have you been reading the Ender’s Game comic series??
I agree i would love to see a enders game film. Only problem that many child actors would make it horrible. I mean look at the harry potter series. on another note not a harry potter fan, just sayin.
No, I didn’t even know there was an Ender’s Game comic. I’ll have to check it out now. Thanks for letting me know.
Actually i think the Thrawn Trilogy or other non-prequel Star Wars movies could happen. But it wont be till after George Lucas is ether retired or dead and someone else is in charge. So it wont be anytime soon.
I would love to see the thrawn series, nothing sayin they couldn’t do it like the animated clone wars. hopefully if they do it they won’t ruin it like the clone wars.
John your a filmmaker now aren’t you. Why don’t you makes these movies. I understand that you are just starting off and you don’t have too much creditability as a filmmaker yet. I am just say sometimes it better just to do stuff yourself.
Sure…. got $300 million I can borrow? ;)
No, I wish I did because I am sure I would make my own films by now, or help out a friend make a film. Money can be a bitch to deal with especially when you don’t have very much to work with.
Good list! I would absolutely love the Star Wars sequels and X-Men.
sigh…
I’m with you on the Thrawn trilogy, I’ve read that series a few times over, and their the only expanded universe novels that I’ve bothered to read aside from Dark Force Rising.
Starblazers…well I believe I started this movement back in the other thread!
G-Force would come off as campy and stupid in live action…just my opinion.
Dinosaucers and BraveStarr!
Shogun!
Easily one of my all-time favourite books. Probably the first time I became enamored with Japanese history.
Recently saw the 70s mini-series (its been released on an attractive looking dvd boxset), and its pretty good, though a little corny at times (the choice of music ruined parts of it for me)… Seeing Toshiru Mifune as Toranaga and John Rhys Davies as the portugese pilot were worth it. And the guy who plays that asshat Yabu is spot on…
But agreed, there’s WAY too much there to condense into one film. Two films could do it. But I just worry it’ll end up starring Tom Cruise somehow…
Big fuck yeahs to The Thrawn Trilogy and The Age of Apocalypse.
My list is huge but here are a few.
1. Age of apocalypse
2. Dark knight returns
3. superman: Doomsday
4. Gargoyles (the animated series)
5. robocop vs. Terminator
6. an action movie with stallone and arnold together
7. A marvel studios movie Civil War
What do you think john? Would you like any of these?
Stallone and Arnold yes please!
A Marvel Civil War would be AWESOME. But I prefer “World War Hulk”
I thought they were both supposed to be in the Expendables?
I got Rambo 5 he must go to Austria where he faces off against Arnold who is causing terror trying to get back at Europe for what they did in Post WWII.
My movie I’d want to see made was something that I thought up and the basic premise would be like Jedis and Sith coming to earth.
I think it would be cool to think up the kinds of reactions that different people would have to them.
-Like the govenmernt would want them as a weapon
-Super Nerds would go crazy
-people make fun the Sith for their stupid outfits and they’d die
and also there could be alot of cool action stuff and I’d want it to be Hardcore and maby an R if it needed to be.
But one question about your list. Why isn’t Dark Knight Returns on the list?
My guess is because this is a list of movies that “probably won’t happen”, rather than a list of movies that “probably will happen”?
-Stephen King’s ‘The Long Walk’ (book)
-Matthew Reiley’s ‘Contest’ (book)
-Full Metal Alchemist (anime)
oh god i remember that reilly book. Thats the one with the intergalactic death match inside a public library, right?
Correct. I thought it was simply enthralling.
Here’s my Top Six. They are a bit out of the box, so have a seat, sip a soda. Number one for me is, in fact, numero uno.
1. Kilroy Was Here
Remakes are, for strange reasons, popular. So are musicals. So are musicals that feature popular recording artists of the 70’s and 80’s. Back in 1983, the rock band known as STYX made a small film that would be shown during their “Caught In The Act” tour of 83-84. Some of the film was also shown as rock videos on MTV as well.
The subtext was a critique of how the band was unfairly targeted and misunderstood by some critics, specifically the “ultra” religious right who made a big stink over backward masking and other ‘brainwashing/subliminal’ messages. While that craze has died down, censorship and miscommunication hasn’t. There are even christian themed bands that get “hit” themselves by Extreme Bible Thumpers. Then there are those whose goals are not to sell souls to the devil, but just want to have a good time and jam with friends.
I consider myself generally conservative and christian: I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost . But I also believed then, as I do now, that not “everyone” is out to corrupt the youth. It should be clear that “Kilroy” wasn’t anti-God or anti-faith. It was a simple criticism. It was also fun.
‘Sides, who doesn’t want to see an updated Roboto?
Dōmo arigatō!
The film would feature all the Kilroy songs, as well as songs from Pieces Of Eight (”Renegade” at least!) and Paradise Theatre.
I throw down the gauntlet; I have made my case.
Moving on…
2) The Wolf’s Hour
WWII. Spies. Action. Intrigue. Romance. The hero is a werewolf.
Like it already? Good! It’s a bestselling novel from Robert R McCammon. I wouldn’t mind Stinger, Gone South or Swan Song get made, but if I had to choose…Wolf’s Hour wins. Swan Song would work better as a miniseries anyway.
3) Knight Hawk
I happened upon this paperback in the late 90’s, a techno thriller (usually meaning a novel that deals with military aircraft) and it concerns…two f-14s, both being flown by women pilots, one of who has flipped and will attack NYC AND Washington DC with armed missles. I thought it would make a great action-thriller movie. Then 9/11. Then Iraq. Then Saddam Hussein was hung. The book is dated, and while it’s possible it could still be adapted, I doubt it will ever be made.
4) Neuromancer
If William Gibson’s novels were given another shot at the big screen, go for the blue ribbon of sci fi, I say. Get the freaking brass ring. What were the other two adaptations? The box office duds New Rose Hotel and Johnny Moronic, I mean Mnumonic (yes, where Keanu lost his mind, a dolphin hacked computers and Dolph Lundgren was a bounty hunting killer Jesus…oh, you REMEMBER it NOW, don’t you? Sorry about that!)
5) The sequel to Innerspace
I always wanted one. Gio has his wishes for Megaforce 2, I have wishes for Innerspace 2 (Outerspace?)
and finally we come along to:
6) Daredevil II: Born Again
So close to thinking about a new Howard The Duck or how well a new Man Thing could work in the current Marvel films storyline (after all, Man-Thing WAS a Hulk-like variation of Captain America! And in last years Hulk film, a military base WAS near the Florida Everglades! Wait..I can…make..a…case…) and there’s a part of me that would like to see a Doctor Druid movie. Or Sleepwalker…so many comics from Marvel to DC (Sandman sounds good, and I always liked Enemy Ace…)
But I had to think about this for a moment. Then, it occurred to me. There’s a few comics related films that I don’t want to see restarted/rebooted. Daredevil is one of them. I would simply want it recast where needed.
I would also like to see a return of Wesley (Leland Orser) become la Keyser Soze-ish character. Why did the Kingpin keep this wussy weasel around? (The answer is loosely in the director’s cut- as an enforcer, Wesley would shoot a woman in the back; he’s cold as they come). Still, with Kingpin’s turf up for grabs, there could be a gang war. Wesley is cleaning house for Kingpin’s return. In the meantime, Kingpin frames Daredevil/Matt Murdock, indirectly causes Karen Page to turn to drugs, and then “hires” Nuke (in place of Bullseye) to take out Daredevil/Murdock once and for all, after Murdock has stopped his impostor, a drug lord and a killer nun.
We could also have fandom speculation on the origin of Nuke, since FOX also handles the X-Men franchise(s)
Sadly, any revenge plot by Kingpin will never happen in the movies as FOX still plans to restart Daredevil (giving a double meaning to ‘Born Again’?) and to the point, I doubt if they will even get that far.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Fred Sabrehagen’s “Empire Of The East”
Actually would love to see ANY William Gibson, done properly, on screen!
Agreed on “The Wolfs Hour” great book…
I would love to see a live action version of M.A.S.K. I always loved the cartoon and toys as a kid.
The Belgariad series from David Eddings, as well as the 5 Mallorean books that followed. THAT would be epic.
Oops, just remembered another one. ‘The Covenant With The Vampire’ series by Jeanne Kalogridis. Over 3 books, the story precedes and overlaps the events of Stoker’s Dracula through the eyes of the other members of the family Dracul…friggen excellent books! A must read for fans of vampire fiction, and I’d love to see a few movies made.
I am good on Vampire films for at least five more years but then it would be amazing to see some good Vamp films.
Shogun I think is my favorite pick of the litter. They re-aired it maybe five or six years ago, but I remember my dad telling me about it when I was a kid. I think it might work out better as an HBO mini series though. What do you think John, would you settle for a mini-series re-launch?
True Lies 2 goshdarnit:(
Maybe X-Men: The Age Of Apocalypse will be a animation…..
Cool list, everyone has at least one thing they really want to see get made…here are a few of mine…
#1…The Tripod Trilogy, based on a late 60’s youngsters book series where in the future Aliens have take over earth, enslaved mankind, and we all live to serve them, those who don’t live in 1800’s like small villages…Directed By Peter Jackson
#2 Tim Burton remakes the Wizard of Oz, (Johnny Depp as the Scarecrow)
#3 An original Star Wars flick(trilogy), set in the time pre-old republic, that tells the story of the first Sith, who was once a Jedi, and broke away and founded the new order…Directed by Ridley Scott
#4 Six Million Dollar Man, directed by John McTeirnan, lead played by Bradley Cooper
#5 Time Rider, my own original screenplay that chronicles the first Vampire, who survives the biblical flood, and lives to present day and then lives on to see the end of the world…a view of history through his eyes…directed by David Fincher
#6 The Legion Of Doom, an X-Men esque movie that tells the story of DC villians who band together to prey on mankind, followed by the sequel, the Justice League….Directed by Gierrmo Del Toro
Wow that Six Million Dollar Man idea has merit!
The Tripod trilogy would be stellar- even if it *is* an offshoot of War Of The Worlds.
The Tripod Trilogy was an answer to the cold war days of the 60’s, and about different nationalities working together against a common foe, so it could be updated to fit today’s world as well…The best part of it is the mystery about who/what the Tripods are…The BBC did, a never completed TV series of it in the early 80’s, it’s very dated but cool nonetheless…
Orson Scott Card’s book: Ender’s Game deserves a full length feature. This could be a great sci-fi action story.
And, even more unlikely than Ender’s Game is a set of movies based on the Ender’s Shadow series, only the first of which I’ve read (actually I’ve only read the first Ender book too).
I’m not sure if the rest of Bean’s story in the Shadow series runs as parallel to the Ender books as the first one does, but they’d basically have to film at least the first book of both series at the same time.
That Starblazers thing reminds me of the BSG remake i guess it’s because of the Navy vibe i get and the nukeing of Earth.
Comic wise I’d like to see Planet Hulk or WWH or maybe The Boys.
A 80’s cartoon i’d like to see adapted would be exosquad
Oh and a live action Flight of Dragons would be awesome, not enough dragons at the cinema these days.
I would like to see, in no particular order:
The Dark Tower.
The Talisman.
Black House.
Insomnia.
Evil Dead 4.
True Lies 2.
The Dark Knight Returns.
Aliens vs Predator (based on the 1st Dark Horse comic book).
Movies that will never be made…
Ender’s Game
Alvin Maker
According to my sources, Orson Scott Card is a complete douche to try and work with…which sucks because the man can write!
Unfilmable:
Brian Lumley’s Necroscope
Edding’s The Belgariad series (but fan casting that one is fun!)
Raymond E. Feists Krondor
Stephen King’s The Dakr Tower
Filmable but won’t be made:
WEB Griffin’s The Corps, Brotherhood of War, Badge of Honor and Presidential Agent series.
Anymore Clive Cussler books (See above).
Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar novels.
Dean Koontz’ Lightning
Also the Chronicles of Amber books won’t be made…aren’t filmable IMHO…
You may be right, but haven’t they said that about other things before, such as Watchmen, maybe Lord of the Rings too?
I have to admit, it’s hard enough, even when reading the books, to imagine what certain things look like, such as shadow walking, walking the pattern, trump travel, the Black Road, the Logress, and the Abyss. But, with the right writer(s), director, and special effects, I think maybe they could pull it off.
They couldn’t condense it much though. It would have to be one movie per book, and I don’t know if the books are well known enough for a studio to commit to a 5 or 10 movie series (depending on whether you include the Merlin cycle or just Corwin’s).
I wonder if that would make a good topic for John to do a blog entry or video blog on — books that are considered un-filmable, and is anything truly un-filmable.
at this point alien 5……
I don’t want them to do anymore films based on “Alien”….they are already gonna screw it up by making a prequel and giving the creature an origin.
wow u sure have opinions that are so far from mine at some points….i really hope some of these choices are jokes
Evangelion!
I’d prefer it stay as an anime, I just know Hollywood will screw it up.
I agree w/ Slashbeast…I LOVE Evangelion, its w/o a doubt my favorite anime and “The End of Evangelion” is my favorite film that I own. I know that a live action film is in “Developement Hell” and it will probably stay there.
Yep….you’re probably right. There isn’t any way you could really do justice to the series in a stand-alone film. The “Rebuild of Evangelion” four part film series is probably the closest we will ever get
Any Star Wars movie not written, directed….well maybe produced by George Lucas.
Tom Clancy”s Without Remorse. Apparently it’s been in the making for a while but nothing has come of it.
Metal Gear Solid - just the first one.
My Genghis Khan movie.
I remember getting paroled from college in ‘91 and hearing about the Star Wars novel hitting the shelves….what a delight….I could not wait! And it was pretty good too.
Speaking of Star Wars, Star Blazers was one of the best cartoons ever. I sometimes spend my ride to work developing a 60-hour long script that would make Titanic, Heavens Gate and Transformers look puny. In fact, it would have a budget that would rival the Bailout.
(as an aside, the absolute best part of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series was that it was THE closest any filmed entertainment ever came to a live-action Star Blazers).
And G-FORCE > great gobs of Goose Crap > a live action feature film would knock the socks off of any audience.
Why is Hollywood waiting?
So many comments already, but…
I’d venture to say that each of the other Timothy Zahn Star Wars novels were pretty good as well. I believe it has more to do with the author himself and his talent and creativity over the other *fanboys.*
@ John - just got around to reading this article and wanted to throw a shout out.
Just fyi - Zoltar (aka Berg Katse) actually was a hermaphrodite. Not a man nor a woman. If i remember correctly it had something to do with him being a boy/girl twin merged/mutated in the womb, I think it’s revealed in the same ep when Jason dies (although i think they heavily edited it for American TV.)
I was sure Ghostbusters III and Evil Dead 4 would be on this list, they are #1 and #2 on mine. Sure hope they still do Evil Dead 4, although now it’s too late for GB4, since they went the video game route instead.
Do we really need another 3 Star Wars movies? Aren’t 6 of em enough already? It’ll be like Star Trek once there’s too much of it.
It’s a Wonderful Life” remake is an abomination. What do you cats think of that. Jeffrey Tambor just nailed signed on as Potter. He’ll be joining Don Cheadle as Clarence. Can’t wait to see who gets the George Bailey lead?!?!?
Agree on the 3 new SW flicks. Unnecessary.
And, yes, “Wonderful Life” remake is sickening. If the rumors are true then Dane Cook will be putting a new twist on George Bailey. Cant believe it.
I would like to see a movie involving the mechwarrior franchise.
Tom Clancy brands like Endwar, Ghost Recon, or Hawx
A Guitar Hero movie! that would be so rightous!
A classical book of mine called Ghost Boy(not Nick’s Danny Phantom)
A Macross Movie that if it ever happens(you know how outrageous their proposals get, one of them included Thundercats) at least it wouldnt be degrading.
Another interesting concept would be a crossover movie. Sort of like Transformers working with CSI: NY. But Marvels is about to make that happen anyway with the soon to be, and hopefully will not be scraped Avengers movie
Anime Adaptations:
1)Trigun
2)Fullmetal Alchemist
3)A good remake of Cowboy Bebop to cleanup the god-awful mess Fox is going to make out of it (Keanu Reeves as Spike? Really?)
Book Adaptations:
1)A good Clive Cussler adaptation
2)Ender’s Game
3)Dune
4)Lonesome Dove
1. The Catcher in the Rye
2. Fahrenheit 451 (better than the 1966 one)
3. Murders in the Rue Morgue(better than 1932/1971)
4. The Black Cat (Edgar Allan Poe)
5. The Tale of the Body Thief (Anne Rice)
6. Memnoch the Devil (Anne Rice)
7. The Witching Hour (Anne Rice)
8. Twilight Zone (Episodes: “Third from the Sun”, “The Obsolete Man”, “The Parallel” “On Thursday We Leave for Home”, “I Shot an Arrow Into the Air”)
I’m hoping Leonardo DiCaprio keeps his promise in planning to make a series of movies based on episodes written by Rod Serling
Call of Cthulhu film with color and sound.
For me at least there are specifics I want to see remade or adapted from books/tv shows.
1. The Talisman - I really wish Spielburg would get off of his ass and get this one made. This has to be done in either a 3 part trilogy (lotr style) or a 4 part mini-series done by HBO or Showtime in order to do the book justice. Easilly for me the greatest novel ever written, it would take I believe a 100 million dollar budget per film (or 130 million if done as a mini-series) to make happen. The question is in getting the right talent as the villians. Jack Sawyer and Richard Sloat would need to be newcomers but Morgan Sloat and Sunlight Gardner need to be serious talent or the film flops. I like Tim Curry for Morgan and Jim Carrey for Sunlight.
2. The Legend of Zelda - I think it would have to be using the storyline from Occarina of Time. The question is wether or not Nintendo would allow a good producer/director to keep the film from being to cheesy, like what happened with Super Mario Bros.
3. Captive Planet - it was my personal favorite of the early 80’s “choose your own adventure” (Dungeons and Dragons) books, and I think with a better, long script the story basics allow for a damn good film to be made.
4. Voltron - one of the biggest cartoons of the late 70’s and early-mid 80’s I think the special effects are advanced enough to make a great movie, finally. Casting will be key, because there isn’t a lot of room for hollywood heavyweights, so getting good young talent (basically a new generation of brat packer types) will have to carry the film.
5. Akira - the Godfather of Anime, done finally as a live action film could be gold.
6. The Mysterious Cities of Gold - a kids’ cartoon from nickelodeon in the mid-80’s, I think it could be adapted into a really cool family/adventure movie.
Robocop V’s The Terminator ! would love to see that made!!
I will re-do my last comment that I do not see. I love your list of movies. I hope that Death Equity by Kimberly Bridges becomes a movie.
The book is fantastic. It is a thriller with drama and even a little bit of romance.
Patients start to mysteriously die at a hospital. Employees get suspicious. This could really happen and the reason will STUN you. Maybe it is already going on in some hospitals.
This is the book I SO want to see become a movie!
Great topic. Thanks.