Two Thumbs Down
Rumors are once again flying about a possible Dragonlance film project in the works. With the release of Harry Potter and The Fellowship of the Ring to theaters this winter, and a Forgotten Realms TV series in the works, it isn't surprising that the Wizards money machine is seeing possibilities in screen adaptations of their most successful novel line. I'm fairly certain Wizards would market Raistlin bed sheets if they thought there'd be cash in it.
As of yet, rumors on a Dtagonlance project have been vague at best. One source indicated that both Dragonlance and Darksun were being considered for cartoons. Certainly your guess is as good as mine, but with Wizards representatives declining commentary, one gets the feeling that *something* is being discussed.
I happened to enjoy the Harry Potter movie, which despite some definite faults remained as true to the book as any movie I've seen. I'm looking forward to seeing Lord of the Rings. There have been so many inadequate adaptations of that story that one is bound to go right. I'm leery, however, of a Dragonlance project. I don't doubt that it could be done. It could even be done well. What I doubt is that it will be done well. It takes a lot of effort to keep a movie with a cult following from collapsing under the weight of expectation. Look at Episode I.
There are so many ifs involved in the making of a Dragonlance film. There are so many things to consider. And I daresay, alt.fan.dragonlance has considered them all at one time or another. There's no reason to go over them again, because all we need to say is, "There are a lot of details that if overlooked would ruin a DL movie for the fans."
And that, my friends is why a DL movie will fail. Not because it's impossible to make, but because the people at Wot¢ don't care whether we, as fans are pleased. They don't care enough to keep books consistent to one another. They don't care enough to try. It isn't cost effective, and neither is producing a Dragonlance movie for the fans. Their goal, more or less, would be to produce a Dragonlance movie accessible to all audiences, to draw new blood into the line, not satisfy old blood. That's the Wizards mindset as they've shown it time and time again. And if you think this project will be any different, save that thought.
It might make a good fantasy movie some day.
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