Warcraft Film Begins Shooting Next Year

[Guestowel]

I was only interested in it because it was going to be a Sam Raimi film. I really like his work.

 

[walrusaurus]

OP: Well, I'm sure if this were released a few years ago, I'd care. But since Actibliz killed the series with pandas...

Except it was the last expansion that ruined the game: the one with the fire and brimstone and the only WoW expansion that was about dragons. You know all those things that "serious" fantasy games are "supposed" to do. Mists of Pandaria is far from perfect but its the most fun and engaging WoW has been in many years.

Anyone who trots out the 'HURR BOBBY KOTICK KILLD TEH WOWZ WITH KUNG FU PANDA' trope has obviously never played the game.

 

[Ferisar]

OP: Well, I'm sure if this were released a few years ago, I'd care. But since Actibliz killed the series with pandas...

Except it was the last expansion that ruined the game: the one with the fire and brimstone and the only WoW expansion that was about dragons. You know all those things that "serious" fantasy games are "supposed" to do. Mists of Pandaria is far from perfect but its the most fun and engaging WoW has been in many years.

Anyone who trots out the 'HURR BOBBY KOTICK KILLD TEH WOWZ WITH KUNG FU PANDA' trope has obviously never played the game.

The reason Cata and dragons were completely stupid is because Knaak godmodded them into WoW. I think he has a thing for dragons. I'm not TOTALLY SURE yet though.

It's too bad because his goddamned books weren't anywhere near as bad as the characters became, at least at first. Ugh.

I do agree with what you said though. Dragons. ALIENS.

Oh, right. Movie. Woo. I'll see it.

 

[Evonisia]

Well it's about time, who am I kidding? This will turn out to be fake too. Hopefully this will try to mend some of the damage WoW has done to the story.

 

[Aeshi]

The CMPP studio claims to be the "largest and newest purpose-built film and TV studio complex in Canada," and has served as home to films and television shows including Twilight, Watchmen, Tron: Legacy, Eragon, Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica and many others.

That doesn't inspire much confidence in this movie. None of those are what you'd call "Great", not by a long shot.

OP: Well, I'm sure if this were released a few years ago, I'd care. But since Actibliz killed the series with pandas...

Yeah, I mean sure Warcraft has Cow people, a slightly different kind of Cow people, Fish people, a slightly different kind of Fish people, Bird people, a slightly different kind of Bird people, Snake people, Pig people & Bear people...

...but a slightly different kind of Bear people? That's just ridiculous!

 

[Zetatrain]

They had pandas in Warcraft 3.

Really? Where?

A few show up during the campaign of the The Frozen Throne, and they're one of the neutral heroes you can use during skirmishes.

Spoiler: Pandaren Brewmaster

True, but weren't the Pandarens in WC3 just suppose to be joke characters? Before the MoP expansion came out I'm not sure there was anything lore wise about the Pandarens.

And there's nothing wrong with a joke character becoming part of the canon; not doing so might actually be worse since you've now got a random race of beings wandering about in the campaign. And, before Burning Crusade came out, how much lore was there about those weird, alien races that are only found in Outland?

I suppose not, but I think the problem stems more from the fact that Blizzard took a race that was barely a even footnote in Warcraft lore and suddenly made them a playable race. I guess you could call this a case of too much too soon. The Goblins and Worgen on the other hand had been part of WoW lore for sometime before they became playable characters.

If they had slowly introduced the Pandaren race in other expansions or patches before making them the main draw of MoP then its possible players would have been more excepting of them. Instead Blizzard just suddenly says this panda race exists and their a big deal. In the other expansions for WoW, the main draw was something that had been part of Warcraft lore for sometime. In BC you had the Outlands and the Burning Legion, WotLK the Lich King/Arthas and the Scourge, and in Cata you had Deathwing. MoP by comparison just comes out of left field.

As for the races of Outland before BC...I wouldn't know. I didn't start paying attention to Warcraft lore until months after the Burning Crusade was released, but considering that Outland was in the frozen throne expansion and possibly in WCII I'd say they probably had more lore than the Pandarens prior to WoW.

While the Pandarens might have been part of Warcraft lore in WCIII it's not much of a defense when they were just a joke character to begin with. If you take a joke character and then suddenly tell the player base you are suppose to take him seriously, I can see why some players might not be very excepting of the idea at first glance.

Now all this isn't criticism against the the idea of Pandarens being a significant or major part of Warcraft lore but rather how Blizzard suddenly introduced them in the first place. If people like the Pandaren lore that has been added since the expansion then that's fine.

 

[CriticalMiss]

Legendary Pictures has set up offices at the Canadian Motion Picture Park in Victoria, British Columbia

Maybe we will see cameos from LRR :O

 

[Skeleon]

Really? Don't get me wrong, I loved the Warcraft games back then (specifically Warcraft 2 and 3 with their expansions; I just couldn't deal with the controls in Warcraft 1), but their story (kind of a big part of a movie) never really was their selling point. Cliché and largely predictable, really. True, I missed out on all the story-stuff since WoW started, but I doubt it'll suddenly have improved in quality or something. I'd be surprised if it didn't suck in terms of content. But I don't doubt that a) it'll sell incredibly well regardless and b) they'll ensure it'll at least be a visual spectacle.

 

[LetalisK]

How do more pandas ruin anything anyway?

Very slowly but cutely, I'd imagine.

I think I'd like cats better.

The closest we got so far is this:

Not very cute.

True, but weren't the Pandarens in WC3 just suppose to be joke characters? Before the MoP expansion came out I'm not sure there was anything lore wise about the Pandarens.

I think that was actually part of the reason why they chose Pandarens: unlike their previous expansions there was no lore to consider outside of "Yeah, they exist", thus they basically had one big ass sandbox to play with and no restrictions.

 

[Bestival]

I'm old enough to remember a time when advertising was just 30 seconds long and didn't cost you $15 plus snacks and, perhaps a carbonated soda.

All the internets to this guy, for referencing the most quotable movie of all times!


OT: The movie will probably be too late to cash in on WoW's peak audience. However, it might also boost subscribers again by the time it comes out, as it might be the final push for some of us oldies pondering to go back.

 

[Gunjester]

Yeah, I mean sure Warcraft has Cow people, a slightly different kind of Cow people, Fish people, a slightly different kind of Fish people, Bird people, a slightly different kind of Bird people, Snake people, Pig people & Bear people...

...but a slightly different kind of Bear people? That's just ridiculous!

There's a few explanations for why people hate Pandarens...
1. Neutral races are things that people don't take kindly to, especially when given an original setting that gets thrown out after little more than an hour or so of gameplay.
2. Pandas are mistakenly perceived as cutesy and non-threatening by the general media, despite being quite dangerous in reality, a similar problem happens with Deer, for instance.
3. The people being outraged are stupid and think that they put in the Pandarens because of Kung-Fu Panda, when in fact Pandarens were in Warcraft 3.
4. People were angry because there were other races they'd rather play as, i.e. Satyrs or something.

Either way, it's still unnecessary to get upset over an optional race.

 

[Diddy_Mao]

I'm cautiously optimistic.
The art direction is so much of what makes up the feel of Warcraft that I question how well it will translate.

Also curious as to how broad a net they're hoping to cast with this. Lore nerds will attend regardless but to attract the general public I imagine the story will be Alliance focused.

Which is pretty much the least interesting and sympathetic aspect of the lore.

 

[Icehearted]

I'm old enough to remember a time when advertising was just 30 seconds long and didn't cost you $15 plus snacks and, perhaps a carbonated soda.

All the internets to this guy, for referencing the most quotable movie of all times!


OT: The movie will probably be too late to cash in on WoW's peak audience. However, it might also boost subscribers again by the time it comes out, as it might be the final push for some of us oldies pondering to go back.

Thank you. I'm glad someone picked up on that.

Okay, so in my haste I forgot that this happened throughout movies history, it just at least felt less like they were being so overt about it. Political agenda, product placement (enchirito, nacho, burrito!), toy advertising. It's just these days they don't exactly go out of their way to hide it like they used to. And yes I know, even back in the 40s and up they did this, but still it just feels worse now than ever.

 

[Ferisar]

OP: Well, I'm sure if this were released a few years ago, I'd care. But since Actibliz killed the series with pandas...

Except it was the last expansion that ruined the game: the one with the fire and brimstone and the only WoW expansion that was about dragons. You know all those things that "serious" fantasy games are "supposed" to do. Mists of Pandaria is far from perfect but its the most fun and engaging WoW has been in many years.

Anyone who trots out the 'HURR BOBBY KOTICK KILLD TEH WOWZ WITH KUNG FU PANDA' trope has obviously never played the game.

The reason Cata and dragons were completely stupid is because Knaak godmodded them into WoW. I think he has a thing for dragons. I'm not TOTALLY SURE yet though.

It's too bad because his goddamned books weren't anywhere near as bad as the characters became, at least at first. Ugh.

I do agree with what you said though. Dragons. ALIENS.

Oh, right. Movie. Woo. I'll see it.

Not helped much by the writers in general pushing their gary stu's(ohai Med'an who was so hated that even blizzard is afraid to mention you anywhere these days!) and the likes. Or them now understanding common sense in the slightest. At least WoW still has the social and mechanical aspects I like alongside RP with friends. It's still a shame that fanfictions average quality is better than the canon stuff though. >.>

Yep. I think Thrall went from my "among the liked" to "wow, what happened" character lists within the span of half an expansion. I seriously don't know who did it. Probably Metzen.

Probably Metzen...

Honestly, I don't expect some pillars of storytelling and the best intrigue or anything, but come ON.

I don't know though, Pandas isn't too bad right now, but something about the way Blizzard presents stories now is just a little off to me. I mean, the way every line from a character has EMPHASIS on IMPORTANT WORDS and hammering HOME repeatedly WHY things ARE IMPORTANT.

CHAMPION.

Ranting.

I think I mentioned this in another thread, but I still can't hate anyone there, even if the writing has gotten silly. They're nerds and hard to hate. Also, Blizzcon, has info on all 3 franchises this year (WoW expansion, more on RoSouls, SC2 LoV, and Hearthstone), so there is hope. THERE IS HOPE.

 

[walrusaurus]

OP: Well, I'm sure if this were released a few years ago, I'd care. But since Actibliz killed the series with pandas...

Except it was the last expansion that ruined the game: the one with the fire and brimstone and the only WoW expansion that was about dragons. You know all those things that "serious" fantasy games are "supposed" to do. Mists of Pandaria is far from perfect but its the most fun and engaging WoW has been in many years.

Anyone who trots out the 'HURR BOBBY KOTICK KILLD TEH WOWZ WITH KUNG FU PANDA' trope has obviously never played the game.

The reason Cata and dragons were completely stupid is because Knaak godmodded them into WoW. I think he has a thing for dragons. I'm not TOTALLY SURE yet though.

It's too bad because his goddamned books weren't anywhere near as bad as the characters became, at least at first. Ugh.

I do agree with what you said though. Dragons. ALIENS.

Oh, right. Movie. Woo. I'll see it.

I couldn't agree more. Nothing would make me happier if Blizzard just up and said: "yeah... you know all that expanded universe stuff written by any/everyone NOT named Christie Golden? None of that ever happened."

I do think it says a lot about warcrafts worldbuilding though when dragons-about-to-blow-up-the-world is the least interesting thing they can do.

 

[Whytewulf]

Blizzard should announce a new Warcraft game around the time the teaser trailers for the film start coming out. That would create a massive boost of interest in the franchise.

That's exactly what I was thinking.. Would be prefect tie in..

 

[chozo_hybrid]

WELP. I can't help but be excited. One of my favorite lores is being put to film.

Haven't played since Frozen Throne for Warcraft 3. Nothing against WoW, just not an MMO person. So I kinda wish they could continue the single player aspect too, this films start point will be the first ever games story, or what? I wonder... Is there any way someone can read up the story past Frozen Throne? Like books or anything, do you know of any that don't require knowledge from the MMO to read or anything yet allow you to follow the plot. Or is it kind of a jumbled mess.

In any case, cautiously optimistic.

Blizzard should announce a new Warcraft game around the time the teaser trailers for the film start coming out. That would create a massive boost of interest in the franchise.

That's exactly what I was thinking.. Would be prefect tie in..

Preferably one with a better story focus, like a single player game. I hear the MMO is hard to follow plot wise and such, I never really played it. Loved Warcraft, Warcraft 2 and 3 though.

 

[MrMixelPixel]

WELP. I can't help but be excited. One of my favorite lores is being put to film.

Haven't played since Frozen Throne for Warcraft 3. Nothing against WoW, just not an MMO person. So I kinda wish they could continue the single player aspect too, this films start point will be the first ever games story, or what? I wonder... Is there any way someone can read up the story past Frozen Throne? Like books or anything, do you know of any that don't require knowledge from the MMO to read or anything yet allow you to follow the plot. Or is it kind of a jumbled mess.

In any case, cautiously optimistic.

I've been playing WoW off and on for awhile now. Although, I stopped playing seriously around when Cataclysm came out. I've been crossing my fingers for a single player warcract game for awhile now.

If you're looking for novels that take place during the mmo...

Spoiler: Quoted from the WoW forums. Much better than I could have done.

Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy (Comic) - This is just before WoW vanilla since some Horde holdings (Tauren Mill) are still Alliance held. Sets up Kalygos and his motivations mostly.

Warcraft Legends Vol. 1-5 (Comic) - These are all over the place, but primarily just before WoW Vanilla with some flashback stuff.

The Dragons of Outland (Comic) - Trilogy set between Vanilla and TBC.

World of Warcraft Books 1-4 (comics) - Set between TBC and WotLK, covers a lot of plot spillover.

Death Knight (comic) - Set before and during WotLK. Sets up Thassarian.

Mage (comic) - Set before WotLK. Sets up why Dalaran is a floating city over Northrend.

Night of the Dragon (book) - Set before WotLK, deals with some stuff spilling out of TBC, especially dealing with Kalygos and the two new dragonflights in Outland.

Stormrage (book) Set after WotLK. Sets up Malfurian Stormrage and Tyrande and the status of the Emerald Dream corruption.

Shaman (comic) - Set between WotLK and Cata.

The Shattering (book) - Covers all the details between WotLK and Cata that were going on while we were doing the pre-launch events.

Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects (book) -follows the former War Chief of the Horde as he struggles with the ongoing repercussions of the Cataclysm

From the few I've read, you don't need to know much about what takes place during the mmo to read the books.