Mech Warrior Movie ?

Falker · Post by **Falker** » 02 Mar 2003, 14:45

Thu Feb 27, 2:37 AM ET

By John Gaudiosi

LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Dean Devlin will produce a movie based on the best-selling "Mech Warrior" video games.

Paramount Pictures is in negotiations to option the property from Wiz Kids, a Seattle-based game company, for Devlin's Electric Entertainment, which will develop a screenplay that Devlin will produce.

"Whether I write the script or help with the script or direct, I'm crazy about the material, and this is a real passion project for me," Devlin said.

He said "Eight Legged Freaks," which he produced for $30 million last year, was an experiment in putting almost all of a film's budget into special effects. Similarly, he said his intention with "Mech Warrior" is to make it look like a $150 million movie while spending less than $100 million.

"The type of CG we'd use for this movie, in which warriors battle in giant mechanized suits of armor, would be much easier to create than spiders," he said. "We had 200 CG shots in 'Freaks,' and I think we could get a lot more out of this film."

Devlin said he'd like to get the movie into theaters within 24 months. "The material is a franchise already," he said.

Jordan Weisman, who created "Mech Warrior" 20 years ago, will play a creative role in making the film.

In addition to the games, more than 60 novels have been published. Weisman said the movie will focus on the Republic, a melting pot of people similar to the United States, and how factions in the Republic and forces outside of it are hoping to restart the Mech Wars of old.

"The film is in many ways a coming-of-age story," said Weisman, CEO of Wiz Kids. "It's set 40 years after the Mech Wars have ended and introduces a group of young heroes in their late teens and early 20s that have grown up in peaceful and prosperous times."

Weisman said the sci-fi "Mech Warrior" universe he created was heavily influenced by the relationships that World War II pilots developed with the fighter planes they flew. The fall of the Roman Empire and the feudal system of lords fighting over scraps of land also plays into the game universe.

"This is a very gritty, grimy sci-fi universe," Weisman said. "This isn't 'Star Trek,' where everything's shiny and new. The mechs are constantly breaking down."

Six months ago, Wiz Kids released a collectible "Mech Warrior" miniature table-top game that has sold 5 million units. Penguin Putnam will publish 18 new novels based on the franchise during the next three years.

CAA represented Devlin and Wiz Kids in the "Mech Warrior" deal.

Featherhorse · Post by **Featherhorse** » 03 Mar 2003, 08:02

LMAO

Read it again Benn.
Can you say "Dark Age"?
If not, can you say, "Zzzzzzzzzz".

Speaking of ZZZZ, somebody in the Fort last night said that MW5 developement has been dropped due to the Dev team walking out.

Fethr

Tach Deneva · Post by **Tach Deneva** » 03 Mar 2003, 09:19

Dark Age, Dark Age, rolly polly Dark Age...

You betcha the movie will be Dark Age. WizKids threw us a few Battletech scraps by letting FanPro do the Classic BattleTech thing, but Dark Age is their new baby and they are going to promote Dark Age - which means the movie will be a big flashy commercial for Dark Age. And it will probably be an FX fest with little or no focus on characterization, plot, or political intrigue - ie, all the stuff that made (most of) the BattleTech novels worth reading. Which doesn't necessarily mean that it will be a BAD movie - but it probably won't be the movie most of us (BattleTech fans, anyway) would like to see.

As for MW5, who knows? I've been following the various threads over at the DSC forums, and unless something's changed in the past 15 minutes, it's all rumors and speculation. But it would seem likely that if the MW game does continue it will be Dark Age as well.

It's a 'mech - it's a lawn mower - it's a hedge trimmer - the NEW Ronco Thorazine 5000 LawnAndGardenMech! Keep your lawn and garden tidy and beautiful, and if that pesky neighbor's dog gets into your prize-winning petunia patch, send him packing with twin UltraSpray 5 WaterCannons (USWC5)! Order now and we'll throw in FREE two 30-ton RotoRooterCats for septic tank security beyond compare! Money back guarantee!

Void where prohibited. Citizens of the former Draconis Combine add 15% sales tax. 'Mechs shown actual size. Batteries not included.

TD

Mooseman · Post by **Mooseman** » 03 Mar 2003, 10:25

why oh why can't we have the Blood of Kerensky trilogy in film form? Imagine the battle for Terra, the clans vs the comguards!! sweet

Falker · Post by **Falker** » 03 Mar 2003, 10:59

I would rather have them start the Mech Warrior saga with the Clan Invasion. A good continuation of that would be where ELH gears up and goes to the Clan Home Worlds to kick some Smoke Jag Butt. I would particularly look forward to seeing the Space Battle.

Sounds like it's going to be a youngster movie tho , with the pilots being in their late teens and early 20’s

"The film is in many ways a coming-of-age story," said Weisman, CEO of Wiz Kids. "It's set 40 years after the Mech Wars have ended and introduces a group of young heroes in their late teens and early 20s that have grown up in peaceful and prosperous times."

That's how Luke Skywalker started out but , I’m not looking forward to seeing a group of kids cry in their Battle Mechs and show compassion towards each other tho . I’d rather see some real life and death Battle action that gets right up in your face and has the audience hanging on the edge of their seat. We might see some high tech stuff in there and maybe some Omni Mechs. ComStar found a few Star League Bases along with 2 Star League Battle Ships after the Star League fled the inner sphere. Spending less than $100 million for a movie wont go far for special effects these days but Star Wars didn''t have a big budget either. If it's done up right , there should be a sequel. I’ll be sure and make the time to see it at the theater.

Falker

Oh BTW : I wanna get me one of those (USWC5) for my Kid and maybe one for me too

Do they Take Visa ?

Venom · Post by **Venom** » 04 Mar 2003, 08:45

I would hate to live in the MW Dark age time. Especailly in the Republic. They confiscate personaLLY OWNED MECHS. Those thieves.

Touch LIL KITTY II and you will get never look at opposite sex the same again. Even if you are female I will still rip it out.

My 'mech is a part of me.

Personally I would just head to where I don't have to swim through paperwork just to take my 'mech out for a spin. I think the Republic of the Inner Sphere sucks. Peace loving panzies.

Firemane · Post by **Firemane** » 08 Mar 2003, 12:55

I've always wanted to see great Mech special effects, but honestly would rather they not make a Mech movie as they'll find some way to mess it up. Personally, I would rather see a Succession Wars era than a Clan Invasion. Other than their tech, I never thought the Clans brought much to the story line. I'd prefer the IS blend of intrigue, mercenaries and combat over Clanner testosterone any day (IMHO). And I'll agree with the fears about the Dark Age designs - they look like something you could get at Lowes or Home Depot.

ELH~Lancer · Post by **ELH~Lancer** » 10 Mar 2003, 10:25

When Wiz Kids got hold of BTech 'Political Correctness' came to the Inner Sphere

Venom · Post by **Venom** » 14 Mar 2003, 07:41

"Political correctness" in the IS?

Why do I want to scream BLASPHEMY? Just kiddin. I thought there was already Political Correctness in the IS.

BB, what I am saying is owning a personal mech in the Republic of The Inner is like trying to buy a fully automatic weapon in the US you have to go through tons of paperwork and you can get in trouble if you just have one without a license.

As for banned weps I don't know the full details. I am going to get back to my Drafting stuff.

Yes I am posting this from a school computet in the middle of class. :lol:

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Mech Warrior Movie ?

Mech Warrior Movie ?