Nerd Alert! Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern Movie Is Actually Happening
In news that might have caused my fifth grade self to break out in an awkward dance of joy, there is actual movement on a long-attempted adaptation of Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern series. X-Men writer David Hayter will reportedly adapt Dragonflight, the first novel in McCaffrey's celebrated book series set on the planet of Pern, where generations of humans form telepathic links with fire-breathing dragons to defend themselves from a deadly enemy known as Thread.
Allow me a moment to geek out over McCaffrey's Pern series, which has been a staple of any sci-fi/fantasy-loving geek kid's personal library for decades. At least, it served as such for me; I spent my youthful days devouring every installment in McCaffrey's 19+ book series (she wrote additional Pern stories with son Todd). Though Hayter is starting with the first novel, originally published in 1968, there are literally generations upon generations of Pernese stories to tell, including more traditionally sci-fi-oriented origin tales. But embarking on this franchise, with its many potential sequels and prequels, should be no small commitment for whichever studios and production companies might eventually come on board.
According to HitFix, Don Murphy and Susan Montford's Angry Films are currently involved and production is slated to begin in early 2012, but there's no director or cast yet attached. And, as a warning to hopeful fans, remember that this is not the first time an attempt has been made to adapt the Pern saga for the screen; before current production company Copperheart Entertainment optioned the rights, The WB was attempting to make a version for television under Ronald D. Moore (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Battlestar Galactica) and had even built Ruatha Hold and Benden Weyr sets before production was halted days before it began.
But with its blend of fantasy, romance, science fiction, and medieval-like setting, Pern is a fictional world rife for cinematic imagining. One would assume CG effects will be involved in the depiction of its dragons, who, bound to their human counterparts at birth, take flight to mate (trust me, it can get pretty hot what with the humans linked psychically on the ground) and fight the spores that rain down periodically upon the world, devouring everything organic in sight. Fans might hope that the adaptation has the budget to cover massive sets and casts on the scale of a Lord of the Rings, WETA-driven production -- or else have a director with a really good workaround plan.
More as it develops... in the meantime, where my Pern fans at? Chime in below.
· X-Men scribe David Hayter will adapt first 'Dragonriders of Pern' novel [HitFix]
[Original cover art by Michael Whelan]
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Comments
I vote for Jason Momoa for F'lar
I thought the same thing and then have Keith Hamilton Cobb as F'nor of course looking like he did in Andromeda
Finally! I have been waiting for this to happen for SOOOOOOOO long.
I just hope they do it right and not screw it up like they did with X-Men.
They did not follow the original story on X-Men so I am hoping that Anne McCaffrey has veto powers and does not let the writers to go off and make stuff up that was not in the books like they did with X-Men.
All that said,WA_HOOOOO!!!!!!!! It's about time! I have not looded forward to a film since the original Star Wars films.
Thaks Anne!
Ric
I vote no big name stars, no big name director, no over controlling producers,
I wish for some one who has the skill to read the books, share the love for them, and do right by the Dragon Mistresses stories.
I fear Hollywood Stars and big wigs putting Their visions, views and personalities on what is not theirs, to screw with.
Let us not forget, the “treatment” Paul Verhoeven gave Starship Troopers.
The I am Will smith, and bigger then this story, feel of I ROBOT, Robin Williams touch, on Bicentennial man. And if George Lucas is involved, (gods forbid) we may never get a solid vision.
No, No hope for the best no names, and wish them the best!and enough money to bring us the best movie of Annes PERN, Not Theirs
While I could see this as a possibility, Roger needs to drop about 30 pounds of so, IMHO. Robinton is invariably described as "lanky". I suspect we all have such indelible images in our mind's eye of the characters, it might be hell on a casting agent to find the "right" person.
A little over 25 years ago, I got the "Dragonriders of Pern" from Science Fiction Book Club as one of the automatic, send if you don't respond books. It was a hard cover of the first 3 books. Because I reread the books every year or so, that original copy finally lost its binding and is now gone - don't worry, it has been replaced.
As SLWELLS says, with the technology as used in Avatar and LOTR, a Pern movie can definitely be done.
I was a big fan of the LOTR movies even though the story line could not follow the books faithfully (time and money, among other things). But if a Pern movie can be made on that kind of scale (or larger), I would be thrilled to say the least.
I'm almost as gray as Anne waiting for this movie... come * on * already! And remember RUTH! The little white Dragon and Jaxom??? All three series please. Don't skimp on the storyline! And after the three??? Moreta! Yessssss. Me want Dragons! *The SeaWitch hisses in glee*
I read the Dragon Riders of Pern series as a teenager and I am currently reading them again on my Kindle. Anne McCaffrey is one of my favorite authors and I love getting lost in the world of Pern. I would love to see this series come to life on the big screen, but I am afraid that I will be disappointed because I have found movies are never as good as the book. If this movie is going to be made I hope that Ms. McCaffrey is given final approval so that at least it will be as close to the books as possible.
I don't think that Daltrey could do the role justice. While he can certainly play and sing, our beloved Robinton is described as having a versatile, expressive baritone voice. Daltrey is, and always will be, a tenor. Besides, I've seen his acting ability, and I felt that he was rather one-dimensional.
Perhaps it would be better for the cast to be heavy with relative unknowns. That way, the movie won't be constantly compared to other roles by those actors. The story should stand on its own (as it has for decades), and should not soar or crash because of one or two big-name actors who happened to get the parts.
I know Robinton is described as tall and lanky but that doesn't mean it has to be that way in a movie. It's more about who could pull off the character. I vote for Patrick Stewart
Oh wow! I have been waiting for this for 30 years!!!!!!!! With the first Pern book I read,dragon singer, I was hooked! When Juraasic Park came out I thought it might be time. A beautiful world was created for avatar. This means Pern will be really spectacular! I don't expect the movie to stay true to the exact story line since that would mean way too many movies. If they stay true to the heart and soul of the world Anne created it will be wonderful! If I could be a part of this production in the smallest of ways it would be a lifetime dream come true for me. And......I finally get to fly my nerd/geek/fan flag!!!!!
OMG OMG OMG!!!! I love these books, and I am so excited for these movies to happen. I have been reading these books since I was in middle school, and my mom read them when she was a kid. So excited! :):):):) Can't wait for the new book next year!
I'm glad that they are finally doing a movie. I have been a fan for ever and have reread the books over and over again. I would love to see Vigor Mortonsen as F'lar and as far as who's doing the movie I had hoped it would be Peter Jackson after all he did such a good job on the Lord of the Rings and stayed as true to that story line as could be done I have always felt the he could to justice to pern. But no matter who does it I hope they remain true to the story line and do Pern justice, there are alot of us out here who love the Pern series so whoever does the movie needs to realize that he/she will have alot of critics judging their work.
F'lar: Nathan Fillion
Lessa: Eliza Dushku or Summer Glau
Robinton: Brent Spiner
F'nor: Christian Bale
Fandarel: Michael Clarke Duncan
Lytol: Sean Bean
Manora: Gates McFadden
R'gul: Dennis Quaid
Fax: John Noble
Lady Gemma: Marg Helgenburger
Only problem with Viggo as F'lar is that the man is 52 years old now. While I'd like to have an actor that can swing from young F'lar in Dragonflight (around 28 when the book starts, could easily be older if necessary since it skips forward several years quickly) to older F'lar in "The White Dragon" (around 45-50), I think that might be too much of a jump. See some of my suggestions below, I welcome comments! 😉
Kylara: Jolene Blalok
D'ram: Viggo Mortenson (there is definately a spot for him in the film!)
T'bor: Chris Pine
Wansor: Oliver Platt
Lord Groghe: Ray Winstone
*clears throat* AAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! FINALLY!
OK, this will soon get lost in the cloud, but my choice for Lessa would be Shiri Appleby (of Roswell fame). She has the look and she has the experience. And she's in the right place in her career to break out big.
OMG this is so amazing :3 I can't wait
ooh my goodness!! this is soo freakin exciting! i really really hope it works out!!!!
my husband and i were just talking about this!! something that i have been wiat for since i read the first book when i was 12!!! there are so many great actors that can play these parts, and all the characters are gonna be a challenge....and i personally prefer Scarlette Johanssen for Kylara....
It is my fervent hope that Ms Mc Caffrey did not sell the rights to the Pern series totally, but maintained enough control to have final script approval. I have seen too many fantastic novels turned into just so much Hollywood trash. Lets all pray that the writer is able to stay true to the books.
I hope that there is still progress with this project. As great as it would be to see it as a movie, might a tv series or mini-series provide more time to fully tell the stories?
Meanwhile, I am very sad at the loss of Anne McCaffrey at the age of 85. My hope is that whomever finally brings this story to life, in any format, will stay as true to her stories as possible to bring honor to her work.
Agreed, I wonder if we'll get an update on the project soon... and man, just looking back at the response here I'm reminded how many folks out there LOVED Anne McCaffrey's series as much as I did. I never knew I was in such company as a young, nerdy, bookish kid.
R.I.P. Anne McCaffrey.
What the are you all celebrating so prematurely for? David Hayter is on the production team as a screenplay writer and he's only written one good script out of the four movies he was involved in.
Do you all really want The Scorpion King, X-men and X-2 in Dragonflight?
F-lar= Hugh Jackman, F-nor= Norman Reedus, Lessa= Freida Pinto I know her eyes are too dark for the part and she is a bit too old but I think she could do the part. I can't come up with another actress for the part.
I'm a long time fan of the Dragonriders of Pern books. I'll be waiting eagerly for the movie to come out. I hope the producers will stick as closely as possible to the book.
Okay here is a general casting though. Get UFC fighters for Dragon rider roles. Tough looking scarred up cauliflower ears and all. Won't need makeup.
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