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
OMG I hope it comes to fruition. I have been waiting for the movie since I first read Dragonflight in 1972. The book was my first Fantasy/SciFi book and I loved it and couldn't wait for more. Now I can't get enough of dragon reading. If they can do Eragon then they can do Dragonflight. No problem.
Please let it happen and be done right on order of avatar. I have been waiting for Hollywood to do something new and exciting.
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Does any one have any dates on release? I just reread the first part Wyer Search in Nebula Awards #3
O please please please let this finally be happening. I have waited so long for this to come on the Big Screen. And hope whoever does it, they do justice to what was one of the most amazing set of books ever.
Number one: Jeffrey Peasleysr that would have my vote!! 😀
My son (mid 30s) and I already have a date to see Ender's Games and have promised a date if Dragon Riders is ever filmed and released. I would like to see that before I pass though. 😀
I have never read a book series (that was made into a film) before a film was made. For example, I read Lord of the Rings after the films came out. So when I read the books I envisioned all of the actors and landscapes I had become familiar with on the big screen. My husband introduced me to Dragonriders of Pern early in our relationship. I just had to know what it was about if my husband who hates to read loved it. I am currently on The White Dragon, which will be the fifth book of the series I have read (of which included Dragonflight, which the movie will be based on; Wow, said "which" three times in one sentence, didn't I?). I think I can say I am invested in this series now. I have thoroughly imagined the world and characters for myself. So I'm torn. I would love to see a movie made for it, but now I know how all of these people feel when they say that they will be/are disappointed if the movie doesn't/didn't live up to their expectations. I'm pretty good at pretending a movie that sucked didn't happen (*cough* Spider-man 3 *cough*), but you just can't erase the initial disappointment. And even if the movie is great (of course, this goes the same for if it isn't), will I be able to continue reading it with my imagination, or will I only see things the way they were portrayed in the film(s)? Some food for thought.
There are so many more books in this series for you to read and enjoy. You are just getting started. I have been waiting a long time for them to make a movie about Pern. Love this series - Anne McCaffrey and her son, Todd, have made this series/world a totally believable one. I get lost in each and every one of the books.
Hi Meghan, I've reached the stage where I DON'T want Hollywood to make movies of all my favorite books...but as that is never going to happen, I'm going to try and stop myself from going to see them and preserve what personal impressions I have of the books. Yes some film versions weren't bad (LOTR, Hobbit) but they never fully live up to my expectations. Suspect I am in the minority. Ah well.
You have barely started the series. I am almost done with book #18 with #19 ready and I know there are more that I haven't gotten yet. I just wish they were ALL on e-book nso I could put them all on my NOOK.
Meghan - Before you read any more Pern books, you should Google the reading order so they will make more sense to you instead of reading them in chronological order.wish I had done that so they weren't so confusing. 🙂
so true but then again I've read the seris 4 or 5 times starting in 75 I was 7 lol fingers crossed they get there Fax right lol
A fime series of books, would be more than willing to help bring this about. Extra, fetch coffee, or bring a shovel.
I have been waiting for this since I read this series back in the early eighties!! I wanted LOTR to become a film and it did!!! i am still very hopeful for some Pern magic on screen!! Thanks for the Info.
Is there any new news on the movie?
Maby if we asked the SIFI chanel to make it a mini series
Please, keep SiFi out of it. This calls for a major budget with quality screenplay and direction. Anything less would be an insult...sorry to sound harsh.
I agree .... it cannot be done successfully on a small budget, not if we want to give her story the grandeur and spectacle it deserves. I just hope they don't bugger up the first book.
you know i never thought of beating people on head but if they screw it up i will hunt them down
i'll hold'em down we take turns
No producer or studio is up to the challenge. The cost would dwarf Lord of the Rings and Jurassic Park combined.The project is as daunting as the one the novel describes; we are not good enough and do not have dragons. Hollywood and current film technology can't produce the vision entailed, even if funding existed. Seems Pern must remain only in our hearts.
Though mind you, if it COULD be done, revenues might exceed the Harry Potter and even the Star Wars profits. But no. As in the novels, sometimes vision and drive are sadly lacking when they'd matter most. On Pern and Earth.
I would be willing to give to a kickstart project. How about any of you?
Absolutely I would give to a kickstart
OMG! I am 3/4 through book # 18 and have # 19 ready. I know there are more books out there and I will be getting them as soon as I can. I LOVE this series and I think it would be so awsesome if they became movies! I will see them in a heartbeat. My mom was so anxious when she first heard about making it into a movie but she passed on December 8, 2010 before it came to fruition. I think a lot of people will go see them so I really hope they make the movies like they did with "The Chronicles of Narnia"! I would love to have "The Dragonriders of Pern on Blu-Ray! I really hope it will come to fruition within the next 10 years when I can still enjoy it.
i agree, as I all but the last few of the books, just HOPE THEY do PERN THE WAY ANNE WOULD HAVE WANTED IT. But Todd will do his mom proud.
The Pern movie has been in the planning stage since 2011, I guess there is just not enough blood, guts and sex in it for todays jaded audiences
A really good adaption will take a while to make. Are they working on the movie now?
I very much hope so, this is way too good of a series not to make at least one movie
I have loved this series since i was 12 the white dragon was the first book my mom ever bought me and,i have an autographed copy 🙂 meeting Anne was a high point on a young readers life and i will never forget it! If they make the movie i really hope they do it right!!!
I have read all her Pern books since the first came out until the last..I love the dragons and their struggles to protect their world. To see it on the big screen would be awesome. Especially if it could be done like the movie Avatar. Where the animation could bring the beautiful dragons to life.
I would very much enjoy the Harper Hall of Pern being made into a movie...I have read that Harper hall series a hundred times over!
I would definitely go see this movie!!!!!!!!!! When is it coming out?
I hope this movie works out and I hope they make the first trilogy at least if not more of them. I wish some game developer would make a modern version of a game that came out for the dreamcast with better graphics and controls and more to do. I have loved this book series ever since I first began to read them when I started high school. It was these books that actually got me to like reading; before then reading was only done for school work.
Oh yes and let the master harper be shawn conery, my daughter and I have discussed the casting for this eversince she was old enough to read the books . This is an adult fantasy if told correctly. And if not done cheaply could have a following of the harry potter type. I hope it comes our soon!!!
Actually, these books are science fiction. There is no magic, and the "dragons" were genetically engineered from much smaller native life-forms (fire-lizards) when the humans first arrived there. 🙂
HBO wins with GoT. Riders surely just became feasible.
I loved these books ever since I read them in the 60's Yes movies tend to be not as good as the books. That being said I still will enjoy the movie immensely.I have read the books over again a hundred times.I cant wait.
I think Connery is too old for Robinton, I see George Clooney now he's older with grey hair. I don't care if they do it with stop motion play doh as long as they do it. I think Jmaes Cameron or the guy who did LOTR are the only two who are qualified to even attempt it though. I've waited 30 years for this x
Remember he has to sing and he is a master player also. Clooney can be T'ron or T'kul.
Actually I think Trace Adkins would play a perfect Robinton, except his pony tail would have to be hidden
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