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ExploreMany video games are spin-offs of movies, allowing us to play in the worlds we saw created on the big screen. But with the upcoming Warcraft movie, we will see on the big screen a world we’ve been involved with virtually for years. And this big question is: Will it meet the fans’ expectations?
My goal here is to give those expectations a dose of reality. To prepare ourselves that the movie may not be what we want it to be. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will be bad. As a matter of fact, the recent trailer has made me hopeful.
Yes, we will see Azeroth portrayed on the big screen. So far, the places shown in the trailer match the game. That should be a no brainer for any art director, since a blueprint for Azeroth was created long ago. But with Hollywood these days, you never know.
It’s not the place that may be an issue to some fans, but the time. For those who don’t know (because I didn’t until recently), the movie is actually a prequel to the MMORPG game. It’s based on the earlier Warcarft strategy games Blizzard Entertainment created for PCs.
The first of those games was Warcraft: Orcs and Humans. If you haven’t guessed from the trailer, the movie is an adaptation of that game. The peaceful world of Azeroth is invaded by a generation of formidable orcs who are fleeing their dying world. And the humans are not too happy with these unwanted visitors. It looks like orc Durotan is trying to work with human Lothar to keep the peace… but fail miserably.
From the trailer, I get a sense of a story with depth and themes that may strike a nerve in today’s society. (Refugee orcs, huh? No, no, we won’t get political here.) Some feel it’s a little too focused on Orcs and Humans and lacking in other WoW races. If you examine the trailer closely you will (barely) see some dwarves and elves, and the director assures us you will see other races.
Oh and that director? A guy named Duncan Jones who at one time was known as Zowie Bowie (yes, the late, great Goblin King’s son). Besides his famous parentage, he’s got some cred of his own. He directed the 2011 film Source Code, staring Jake Gyllenhaal. I have to stop myself from raving on and on about that movie, but it was so well done and original. That gives me hope that Warcraft is in the hands of a person who knows how to bring a unique story to life.
The even better news is that the story is by Chris Metzen, who had a major hand in creating the Warcraft universe. So the filmmakers went right to the source. The hope is this is the kick-off story for a trilogy, and that Tides of Darkness and Reign of Chaos will also be adapted into films. Even the trailer hints at that as we see a green baby orc float down the river Moses style (Thrall?)
And who knows what will come after the suspected trilogy? Well, we may have some ideas (wink, wink). Warcraft could be the beginning of a franchise as big as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (but hopefully not as bloated as the latter). But let’s all try to go into the first movie with an open mind. It may not be exactly what we imagine (or been playing), but I have faith that they will give us something epic.
But first, I need to figure out what t-shirt I’m going to wear to opening day!
TeeHunter made a collection of World of warcraft t-shirts, we’re linking them below.
