Curious Artila DarkTreader Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Okay so there's really no official plans for an Avernum TV series... but I wish there was! One of the most captivating things about Spiderweb games to me is the story. It's unique and interesting and well written and the way it goes, I could imagine creating a TV series out of it. It has to be a TV series because it's too big to be a movie. It's also plot driven, so you need to have the story unfold and get all the important points, uberflashiness is not required. I'd be sad if it was limited to 13 episodes a season but 26 should do nicely. Realistically, I think the best you could do would be to aim to have SyFy pick it up and put it in prime time but if you think you could get it on CW or FOX at a reasonable time (i.e. NOT Friday nights where FOX has killed way too many great shows) go for it. Okay, so we'd need a writer to work with Jeff. J. Michael Strazynski comes to mind, though he's more sci-fi. Maybe Kripke when he's done with supernatural, or Whedon could take it up since he's so good in making cultish fan oriented material and just finished Doll House. Iw as also thinking that it would be 6 seasons one for each game, and we'd have new characters each season for each new story line. And after season 1, we could introduce a CGI nephilim and after season 2 we could have a CGI slith, and perhaps in 4,5 or 6 have any combination of those. Having 2-3 flesh characters and 1-2 CGI might cut down on production costs, and give the characters depth, but then again you have to work hard to not make it look cheesy. 4 Human characters might have to cut it and sliths and nephs only make it in as periodic appearances. And I might rewrite the story just a wee bit to do one thing, and that is to factor in the Demonslayer into all 6 seasons. It doesn't come up prominantly in all of them and it gives people something to look forward to each season to tie the seasons together before the end of each season. As for the secondary characters and villains, you'd have the guest star of the week format of course, but you'd have a huge pool of actors for fans. Just think, who would cast as Gladwell, Patrick, or X? Tell me your thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ineffable Wingbolt Lord Safey Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I could see a TV show working possibly but its highly unlikely that Jeff going to give up rights. You see most people in that line of business have expensive lawyers. If Jeff ever has a dispute over how his material is used or where the money goes to, well chances are it won't end well for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Student of Trinity Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I think Jeff would sign over all his rights in a heartbeat, because TV means money well out of the normal league of indy game designers. Though maybe SyFy is more a minor league, and not so lucrative. I dunno. I'm not disparaging Jeff here, at all. I'm saying he's a professional, in this to make a living, not a shareware artiste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 SyFy has John Rhys-Davies. He could play every character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 *Looks up John Rhys-Davies* Heh, at the very least, he looks like he could play Jeff himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Hypnotic Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 And then the way all shows go, there will be a Spin-off series. Geneforge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dintiradan Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 No. I could go more in depth, but suffice to say that there's little overlap between what makes a computer game (especially a CRPG) interesting and what makes a movie/television series interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Rionep Ecnirp Etlevs Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Well, if it ever happens, I'd like to VA a handful of townspeople, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I'm with Dintiradan on this one. If there was to be a show, it would have to be structured in a totally different way, lest it descend into the same kind of inanities that bogged down other game-into-tv projects. I wouldn't be against a show set in Avernum on principle, I just don't want it to be like a recap of playing Avernum 1. ..."And now, we return to Episode 3 of Avernum: The Series, wherein Mycroft takes on a pack of 5 Nephilim, 3 Nephar Warriors, and 10 Skeletons in a random outdoor encounter." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Sudanna Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I think the special effects and prop quality required to make the Avernum setting would cost way more than anything that could be reasonably expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan La paix Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Ephesos: I've never heard of any game-into-tv projects. What did you have in mind? I also must say no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Game to movie is common, and it's usually terrible. One of the reasons that always fails, though, is the simple fact that games tend to be structured around many small tasks that add up to an overall plot. That's not really how movies work, but that's perfect for episodic TV. Now, most of Avernum (and other RPGs) is combat-heavy questing. A quest as an episode would work fine, but the quests as written would be really boring except as a terrible, low-budget action fantasy. And a movie, probably, because no one could even hope to sustain that. Get a good writer on board, though, and you have a tradeoff: the game starts being about made-up characters and made-up interactions not really from Avernum the game, but the show could be great. That said, Jeff would have to really sign over most creative input, and the show would really belong to the writer. Get a good writer and you can get a good show from almost anything. —Alorael, who will say that nephils and sliths as CGI seems rather unlikely. Good prosthetics for sci-fi and fantasy are old hat. Adding some digital effects to enhance costumes is no longer beyond the ability of even middling budget shows. But fully CGI characters done well are still absolutely in the realm of big-budget feature films. Maybe when the work done for LotR and Avatar filters into the mainstream that won't be true, but it is right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Swimmin' Salmon Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 It would work if the settings were used, but not if the linear plot was used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Originally Posted By: Fractal Ephesos: I've never heard of any game-into-tv projects. What did you have in mind? well there was a dungeons & dragons cartoon so i guess that technically counts that show owned though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Originally Posted By: Ephesos ..."And now, we return to Episode 3 of Avernum: The Series, wherein Mycroft takes on a pack of 5 Nephilim, 3 Nephar Warriors, and 10 Skeletons in a random outdoor encounter." That seems to be taking it way too literally. Obviously, a show wouldn't be based on the game word for word. It would be set in caves, maybe have some key characters like Erika and Rentar. Other than that, screenwriters would surely butcher the rest of the story in their own script, like they always do. Usually, when a movie comes out based on a game, they bank on just chasing in on the name, and don't seem to put to much work into the movie itself. However, since Avernum doesn't have huge name recognition, and is really just a neat concept that would make a good background for a movie or show, I'd say go for it if you can find some writers with talent that are willing to adapt the world for TV. From Jeff's point of view, it doesn't even need to be a success, since he would have made the majority of his money from selling the franchise. That is, sure, something he said he would not do, but I'm guessing he probably still has a price somewhere up there regardless. We all do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dantius Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Well, clearly Iam Mcdiarmid is a shoo-in for Garzhad, but who else? Maybe John Malkovich for the king, but after that I'm drawing a blank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Sudanna Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Your obsession with Star Wars is bordering on gimmicky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dantius Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Originally Posted By: Phanes Your obsession with Star Wars is bordering on gimmicky. no its not --Dantius, who has never had a gimmick. He never steals anyone else's, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Archaeolagent Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Dantdring makes a good point. The best place for this conversation to go is in the direction of casting the major characters with famous actors (who probably could not be paid enough to be part of Avernum McBeal). Here's my cast list for a creepy slapstick comedy revolving around the mages of Avernum: Erika -- Bette Davis Patrick -- Leslie Nielsen Rone -- Steve Carrell Aimee -- Whoopi Goldberg Solberg -- Christopher Lloyd Linda -- Madeline Kahn X -- Phil Hartman Mahdavi -- Julia Louis-Dreyfus Garzahd -- Tim Curry Rentar-Ihrno -- Agnes Moorehead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 uh excuse me it is established avernum canon that rentar-ihrno is played by calista flockhart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast The Mystic Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Originally Posted By: Dintiradan suffice to say that there's little overlap between what makes a computer game (especially a CRPG) interesting and what makes a movie/television series interesting. Case in point: the Super Mario Bros. movie from the early 90's. Originally Posted By: THE DISMEMBERMENT PLANE Here's my cast list for a creepy slapstick comedy revolving around the mages of Avernum: Erika -- Bette Davis Patrick -- Leslie Nielsen Rone -- Steve Carrell Aimee -- Whoopi Goldberg Solberg -- Christopher Lloyd Linda -- Madeline Kahn X -- Phil Hartman Mahdavi -- Julia Louis-Dreyfus Garzahd -- Tim Curry Rentar-Ihrno -- Agnes Moorehead One word, Slarty: Yikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 I see that death is no obstacle in casting. Tor - Don Rickles (see Kelly's Heroes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Who's the everyman who will play Merry? —Alorael, who also wants to know how a single actor with a presumably well-defined gender will play Jenneke. Oh, Avernum. Good thing it's not Exile, then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Archaeolagent Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Merry -- Mel Brooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 "Merry? You again?" "Ya hoid a' me?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast The Mystic Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Originally Posted By: SPACE RACISM (XE'S NO PARAPHOBE) Patrick -- Leslie Nielsen Rone -- Steve Carrell Solberg -- Christopher Lloyd X -- Phil Hartman Garzahd -- Tim Curry Originally Posted By: Randomizer I see that death is no obstacle in casting. Excuse me while I change the casting a bit: Patrick -- Gene Wilder Rone -- Christopher Lloyd Solberg -- Leslie Nielsen X -- George Burns Garzahd -- Peter Sellers Creepy indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dantius Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Originally Posted By: The Mystic Garzahd -- Peter Sellers Isn't he dead? Or am I thinking of Peter O'Toole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 O'Toole is alive. Sellers isn't. —Alorael, who doesn't think he's the first corpse to appear on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Phil Hartman and George Burns are deceased. Not that death has stopped some actors and presidents from appearing in commercials and movies. Kennedy and Johnson got to appear with Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Originally Posted By: Randomizer I see that being a lady is no obstacle in casting. FYT Patrick -- Meryl Streep Rone -- Lucy Liu Solberg -- Queen Latifah X -- Betty White Garzahd -- Jean Marsh Erika -- Gary Oldman Rentar-Ihrno -- Tilda Swinton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Swimmin' Salmon Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Lucy Liu is no lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 She's not the first person on that list I'd have said that about but to each his own, I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Gary Oldman would be a great Erika. —Alorael, who is suddenly struck by how no incredibly minor Avernites have become fan favorites. Maybe it's the fact that so many important Avernites have only bit parts anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon The Almighty Doer of Stuff Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Nance, Elspeth, and Walner seem to be popular, yet they're certainly minor, if recurring, characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Swimmin' Salmon Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 k.d. lang seems perfect for a certain role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Archaeolagent Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I hate to say it, but Monroe's list is quite good. The recurring, minor Avernites used to have fan favourites, in the days of the original trilogy, but they were demolished by A4 and A5. A4, because the recurring Avernites in it lost ALL connection to their previous characterization (Elspeth, Julio, I'm looking at you), and A5 because they just weren't in it anymore. Certainly Tor Gunston had fans, as did the aforementioned Elspeth and Nance. Let's not forget Anastasia and Mairwen (exceptions to the A4 rule above) either. Also, Scab and Asp -- at least one of them recurred, I forget which one. And Captain Johnson definitely had fans. I could go on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Originally Posted By: SPACE RACISM (XE'S NO PARAPHOBE) I hate to say it, but Monroe's list is quite good. Why on Earth would you hate to say it? I swear, you guys are a hoot sometimes, you know that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Archaeolagent Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 The Hecatonchires have the hundred hand facepalm, but it is Argus who has the hundred eye eye-roll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Captain Johnson definitely had fans. I could see Jack Nicholson doing him and grumbling about the need for more discipline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dintiradan Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Jack Nicholson à la A Few Good Men is perfect for Captain Johnson. You're all missing the big question, though. Who's going to voice Spider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Monroe Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Veiling it in mythology don't make it any less rude, you know. Captain Johnson -- Milla Jovovich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Archaeolagent Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 It ain't Isis under that veil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Spider will be the director's hyperactive, very young relative. —Alorael, who could also see it being anyone run through sufficient processing. Crank up the frequency, remove all moderation from the modulation, and you will have something truly cute and neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curious Artila DarkTreader Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 What about Andy Serkis for spiders? Or for the more absurd, what about Dave Coulier? (of full house fame, Uncle Joey!) Or what about a flock of raving fangirls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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