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Paul Anderson to Head Castlevania Film

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the vampire-killer dept.

Via 1up, the news on the Coming Soon site is not good. Paul W.S. Anderson is to film a Castlevania movie, beginning next year. From the article: "Anderson's script spans many time periods but mostly takes place in 15th century Transylvania. It represents a fresh take on the much-filmed Dracula legend, mining back to its genesis in the story of the Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler. 'You could almost call this movie Dracula Begins,' Anderson said. 'It's an action/horror project in the vein of Underworld and Blade, and hopefully it will be a big franchise for us, Rogue co-president Andrew Rona said." But ... Underworld and Blade are nothing like Castlevania.

42 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Not at all like it. by WhatAmIDoingHere · · Score: 1

    Vampire killing is vampire killing is vampire killing.

    --
    Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
  2. What about the animated film? by Kelson · · Score: 1

    It was only recently confirmed that Warren Ellis is writing a Castlevania animated film.

    Did the owners sell the live-action and animated movie rights to different people at the same time?

  3. Re:This is the guy that did AVP by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2, Funny

    So you want Uwe Boll instead?

  4. What's a mattah? by snuf23 · · Score: 1

    Don't you like a little good old fashioned Alien wrassling?
    Who knew that Predators learned all their moves from watching Hulk Hogan?

    --
    Sometimes my arms bend back.
  5. Perspective... his credits by jacks+smirking+reven · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027271/


    Director - filmography
    (In Production) (2000s) (1990s)

    1. Deathrace 3000 (2008) (announced)
    2. Man with the Football (2008) (announced)
    3. Castlevania (2007) (announced)
    4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
    ... aka Alien vs. Predator (Germany) (USA: short title)
    ... aka AVP (USA: promotional abbreviation)
    5. Resident Evil (2002)
    ... aka Resident Evil (France) (Germany)
    6. The Sight (2000) (TV)
    7. Soldier (1998/I) (as Paul Anderson)
    8. Event Horizon (1997) (as Paul Anderson)
    9. Mortal Kombat (1995) (as Paul Anderson)
    10. Mortal Kombat: Behind the Scenes (1995) (V)
    11. Shopping (1994) (as Paul Anderson)



    Based on this either you will be really really excited, or really really pissed off. I am the latter.

    1. Re:Perspective... his credits by qbproger · · Score: 1

      I agree. This sucks. A Castlevania movie has so much potential too. It's story has such depth, i bet nothing close to what i envision castlevania as will be portrayed.

      --

      - Joe
    2. Re:Perspective... his credits by obi · · Score: 1

      I'm neither. I liked Resident Evil and Event Horizon, but thought the others were ... meh.

    3. Re:Perspective... his credits by DeadChobi · · Score: 1

      If the producer doesn't understand what actually makes Castlevania great, and relates it to *shudder* Underworld, then it'll suck simply because we'll all go in expecting a movie detailing the accomplishments of the Belmont family. What we'll get is most likely just a crappy generic action flick like the beginning of Underworld 2, with a bunch of bullet time and really dumb stunts meant to put you at the edge of your seat. Then there'll be a few sex scenes along the way, because all Belmonts are ravishingly horny vampire hunters and that's completely related to the plot of Castlevania. At least one of these has to end in bloodshed, because sex and violence all in one scene is just daring enough to work! At the end, there'll be a gigantic fight scene where Dracula is defeated "Once and For All!" There will probably be a helicopter somewhere in the scene which nearly takes the Belmont's head off, and Dracula will jump right into the blades and die like a complete moron. Anyone who thinks they can't reuse that scene more than once without it looking cliched is deluding themselves.

      What they're really hoping for is a massive turnout of 13 year old girls and people who think like them to get on their blogs afterward and post something to the effect of "omg, like Castlevania is totally awesome!" Then they can score some serious viral marketing or something. I dunno. I forgot why I was typing this. I also stopped caring.

      --
      SRSLY.
    4. Re:Perspective... his credits by MBraynard · · Score: 1

      Soldier was pretty good.

    5. Re:Perspective... his credits by Twisted64 · · Score: 1

      I'm confused. I remember watching Shopping, and thinking it was a good movie, despite being ultra-depressing. I loved the first Mortal Kombat, and Event Horizon. I liked Soldier, and thought Resident Evil was ok. I regret paying money to see AvP. Nothing I've seen of his bears any resemblance to Shopping, which was a gritty British thing. I don't know what to hope for or expect :/

      --
      Consciousness is a myth. Trust me.
    6. Re:Perspective... his credits by NinjaFarmer · · Score: 1

      Well I looked at that list, and the first thing I thought is "Well at least he didn't make any of the sequels." Event Horizon was good, the rest that I've seen were ok action flicks.

    7. Re:Perspective... his credits by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      Personally Event Horizon was his best film, it got silly at the end with the Black guy floating through space, bouncing off the ship and the poor special effects in that scene ruined the mood the film had.

      --
      Jonathanjk.com
    8. Re:Perspective... his credits by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Funny
      Hard to believe someone with a resume like that wouldn't have at least ONE Oscar under his belt.

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    9. Re:Perspective... his credits by miller701 · · Score: 1

      Event Horizon had potential, but it went form a Horror movie to a Splatter movie the last 30 minutes and totally lost me.

  6. Soundtrack by blue+l0g1c · · Score: 1

    I hope the soundtrack has some throwbacks to the video game. I love that music.

    1. Re:Soundtrack by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      It'll use remade versions of the music done by popular rappers and pop singers...

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    2. Re:Soundtrack by illeism · · Score: 1

      The Minibosses did some wicked cool remakes of the castlevania music and some other old school video games as well (like megaman)
      check em out
      I hope they get those guys to do the music

      --
      Help test the /. effect at my min
  7. Paul Anderson by HappySqurriel · · Score: 1

    Paul Anderson produces awful movies but, in my opinion, they are mostly awful because he stays true to the original source material which is (mostly) stupid. Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat were really bad movies but they were pretty decent adaptations of the videogames which spawned the movies.

    I've said this before and no one listens ... Videogame movies suck mainly because the stories in videogames are awful; most games are written with the main focus being on getting a "hook" that will look good in a 200 word review.

    1. Re:Paul Anderson by cryfordawnsend · · Score: 1

      Actually, the story behind the original Mortal Kombat game was very good and could have been adapted into an excellent movie. The movie flattened all the characters into two groups (good vs. evil) instead of allowing the individual stories and motivations to come through.

    2. Re:Paul Anderson by vecctor · · Score: 1

      This is untrue of AvP. That was based on a comic book that itself was based on two franchises that are considered fairly good. In any case, the comic book was good, but he didn't stay true to the source AT ALL (not even the right time period) and it completely sucked. He pulled a Uwe Boll on it. He is up there with Uwe. Not quite as bad, but almost.

      --
      Why, yes I have been touched by His noodly appendage. And I plan to sue.
  8. A few things I want to know are, by DRAGONWEEZEL · · Score: 1

    Are they going to incorporate the storylines from the originals? and if so whos going to play Grant DaNasty, Sypha Belnades, and Allucard

    --
    How much is your data worth? Back it up now.
  9. Castlevania...? by obi · · Score: 1

    ... it's still Vampire Killer to me. That's what happens if you memorize what's hidden behind every bloody candle and chest in the entire game.

    1. Re:Castlevania...? by (A)*(B)!0_- · · Score: 1

      The series is called Castlevania.

  10. anderson? by rayde · · Score: 1
    I, for one, would prefer if it was Wes Anderson directing instead of Paul Anderson. Then we could all bask in the glory of Futura! And the Wilson brothers could be Belmonts, and Bill Murray can play Dracula, with Anjelica Huston as the love interest!! and when it was over, we'd all try to figure out the "deeper meaning"..

    it's perfect! ;-)

    1. Re:anderson? by jbrader · · Score: 1

      Or P.T Anderson, then there would be torrents of nudity and profanity.

      --
      You are so boring that when I see you my feet go to sleep.
    2. Re:anderson? by elrous0 · · Score: 1
      I just can't take seeing another damn scene with raining frogs. Though, admittedly, the frogs were better actors than Tom Cruise.

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  11. Don't forget by Bongo+Bill · · Score: 1

    that Warren Ellis is supposedly writing this.

    --
    ...but is it art?
    1. Re:Don't forget by technos · · Score: 1

      Warren Ellis is writing an animated movie version.

      When asked about the live action one, he said:
      "No connection, no effect at all."

      --
      .sig: Now legally binding!
  12. Uwe Boll Killing? by Ahnteis · · Score: 1

    >>So you want Uwe Boll instead?

    I don't think I've seen a movie about killing him yet... but it would be entertaining. (No, not REALLY killing him. Sicko.)

    1. Re:Uwe Boll Killing? by NinjaFarmer · · Score: 1
      He's going to be playing a Nazi version of himself anyway.
      So... He's going to be playing himself?
  13. OMG no by grapeape · · Score: 1

    This scares the crap out of me. Granted its one of the few video game franchises that could translate into a cool movie, and the first Mortal Kombat was actually not too awful, but this could also be so easy to totally screw up. I will squeel like a fanboy though if just once Simon uses his whip to knock down a lantern. I expect it to be really bad, but I so want this to be good.

  14. Castlevania was never too thick on plot by Pacifist+Brawler · · Score: 1

    As long as they stick mostly to vampire killing and have a good action director they will be fine. Having played a few of these games, I don't think that plot development was ever the key.

    --
    IANA*
    1. Re:Castlevania was never too thick on plot by bladesjester · · Score: 1

      Aria of Sorrow (GBA) actually had something of a storyline.

      You are, however, correct that most of the castlevania games didn't. Though it might be a good idea to keep in mind the fact that there was a book based off of castlevania 2.

      --
      Everything I need to know I learned by killing smart people and eating their brains.
    2. Re:Castlevania was never too thick on plot by keitosama · · Score: 1

      Aria of Sorrow (GBA) actually had something of a storyline. Not something to base a movie on, though. The story elements were only there to wrap the whole game together, making progress more visible for the players, and also give them a few seconds break before going back to killing beasts.

  15. Mining back to the 15th century my ass by stevejsmith · · Score: 1

    In real life, Vlad the Impaler - Vlad ?epe? in Romanian (pronounced TSE-pesh) - was a prince who unified (sort of) Romania. He was horribly gruesome and tortured thousands of enemies and ordinary people. His favorite method was obviously impaling, but he had others, of course. The irony about Bram Stoker having set a story about vampires in Romania is that although most Eastern European countries had folktales about vampires before Dracula popularized them, Romanian mythology did not. He was also called Vlad Dr?culea after his father, and dracul is a cognate of dragon, but has nothing to do with vampires.

    It's bullshit when they say the game will be drawing on elements of real life - there was absolutely nothing actually in Vlad the Impaler's life that has anything to fighting things in castles, unless the things he's fighting happen to be Turkish soldiers.

    1. Re:Mining back to the 15th century my ass by Darth · · Score: 2, Interesting

      To my knowledge nobody called him Tepes in Wallachia or Transylvania until after his death.

      In the regions where he was Voivode, he was called Dracula (as you pointed out) which means son of the dragon (or son of the devil. the dragon was a symbol to represent the devil).
      His father spent a large amount of time in Germany during his (the father's) adolescence and had joined a holy order of knights called the Order of the Dragon. Their symbol was a dragon broken over a cross, which they wore on a pendant. When he returned to Wallachia, he wore the pendant and it was the source of the name Dracul.
      The order of knights were created to fight against the insurgence of the Turkish armies into Christendom.

      Vlad Dracula is mentioned in Pope Pius' (i think. i might have the wrong pope on this) memoirs as being one of the greatest defenders of Christendom in his time.

      During his reign, Dracula had an ambivalent relationship with the German merchants who would come trade with his citizens. He felt they were ripping off the peasants and threw many of them out of the country. They, in turn, created a smear campaign to try to get him removed from rulership. All the woodcuts depicting Vlad eating lunch in a field of impaled corpses and many of the stories that paint him as a raving, impaling lunatic originated in Germany.

      He did impale many people, which lent the stories an air of truth, though. (impalement was a form of punishment that he learned from the turks when he was imprisoned by them as a child/young adult).

      --
      Darth --
      Nil Mortifi, Sine Lucre
    2. Re:Mining back to the 15th century my ass by zr-rifle · · Score: 1

      However, all the candle smashing to retrieve floating hearts is historically correct as will be portrayed in the movie...

      --
      Hack your mind out of its sandbox.
    3. Re:Mining back to the 15th century my ass by king-manic · · Score: 1

      From some articles I read about valad, they say he did those horrible things to invading armies and brigands. The negative stories were spread by the turks who tried to invade.

      --
      "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
  16. The Life Vampiric with Steve Belmont by 5c11 · · Score: 1

    For a second there I thought that said Wes Anderson.
    My first thought was, wow, that's a bit out of his milieu. My second thought was, wow, that's is gonna be the best movie ever.

    Ah well, I can dream.

  17. Re:Explain Wing Commander then by PoderOmega · · Score: 1

    Yes, I totally agree with what you are saying. I touched on this briefly the other day http://books.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=203727&c id=16658763. I really think Chris Roberts started with WC1 because he thought it would be a success then move on to WC2. Total ego. He should have started with WC2, then gone to WC3. I mean, your character in WC1 never even spoke and was really only known as "Bluehair" (other then the name you gave him or "Hotshot" in the Sega CD version). WC1 really set a really nice universe set up, but left it too open for some movie writer to mold it into derivative Hollywood crap.

  18. Re:This is the guy that did AVP by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 1

    hello yes, i am UWE BOLL and the news postings is wrong is really me who are making CASTLEVANIA film and it going to be GREAT ASS KICK flim but nobody like vmapire movies except for BLOODRAYNE was also ass kick and this mvoie eaxctly like that excpet now CHIRTSAN SLATER plays smimon belmont and nobody is a vampire and it in the future with REAL PORSTITUES from ROMANIA who are drunk and MEAT LOAF also he was drank and also heroin he drank too.

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  19. Re:This is the guy that did AVP by IsoRashi · · Score: 1

    Okay, I know this is retarded but AvP was crap. Just crap. Uwe Boll's movies, on the other hand, are so bad that they make me laugh. I wouldn't go to see one of his movies in the theaters, but they're worth renting and watching with some buds and brews imo. So we've got "this is crap, what a waste of my money" vs "this is crap, but at least I'm laughing".

    --
    This is not the greatest sig in the world, no. This is just a tribute.