Last week we speculated that the name change listed on the IMDB page for the World of Warcraft movie (from 'Warcraft' to 'Warcraft: The Rise of the Lich King') might have indicated that the film would be based on an existing novel that takes place in the WoW universe. Well today, director Sam Raimi has said in an interview with MTV that this is not the case, he is claiming that the script will be an entirely new story, and will be written by none other than 'Saving Private Ryan' screenwriter Robert Rodat.
From MTV
The aim is to adapt the game, rather than a previously conceived story written within that world. "We want to be really faithful to the game," Raimi said. "We would have our writer, Robert Rodat, really craft an original story within that world that feels like a 'World of WarCraft' adventure. Only obviously it's very different 'cause it's expanded and translated into the world of a motion picture."
Raimi understands that there's a massive "Warcraft" fanbase out there, and a need to serve those fans as much as he serves the need to create a mass-marketable event film. The hope is that they'll properly capture "the Horde and the Alliance and the mythology that takes place in the game, and the archetypes that the game presents. I think we would try and find touchstones within the game to make it accurate and true and choose one or some of the lands that are portrayed in the game with as much accuracy and authenticity as possible."
For me, Spider-Man 3 was a blip on an otherwise spotless record for Mr. Raimi, and the news that a respected screenwriter is on board only gives me more hope for this project. The only question remaining is whether what Bruce Campbell's cameo will be.
Source:
MTV
April 29, 2008, 03:37:14 AM
