R.I.P. a LEGEND - Now the MOVIE (Homage)

[Memnoch]

LEGEND – The original, the flawed, the template, yet the best - I have thought this work of brilliance should have been made into a film years ago, when I first read Legend!! If it isn't obvious to all that have read it or maybe will after reading this, you clearly don't understand what the majority of film goers look for in a major motion picture, this has it all, violence, bloodshed, love, lost love, colorful characters, an exciting story of huge unmanageable odds overcome, deep characters with flaws that are painful to read that has you cheering them as they grow and understand each other, 2 major hero's from totally different backgrounds, lots of peripheral hero's, magic, myth, a rich new world yet not to different from our medieval past, an adversary of deadly proportions that you can sympathize with yet hate all at the same time, truly an all round masterpiece yet so simplistic you think, ( Why didn't I write this!) No one could have of course only David. To cap it all the perfect bitter sweet ending!! PERFECT. I picked the book up as a last resort as I was just heading on some holiday or other, I forget where but not what brought me to the holy grail of fantasy writing. It seemed a smaller less mature book than my usual fantasy novel, yet I was running late for my plane, so what the heck. I read the book twice during my hols plus managed to pick up lion of Macedon and sequel, whilst away, another great couple of books I was hooked, a Gemmell convert. This also introduced me to Alexander the Great, what a missed opportunity Oliver Stones' attempt was!! Legend the movie though with a big budget, far sighted and intuitive direction (Jackson, Cameron maybe) with true quality actors a few well known "stars" it wouldn't fail to be a smash, the book reads like an epic film of old as it stands, Spartacus, Ben Hur, El Cid or the more recent, Gladiator!! The characters are flawed and likeable and Druss alone could become a better known an easily more identifiable character than Conan (poor films made little sense) It would hardly be a big risk for a film producer and with the mouth watering prospect of prequels to boot, I see it as an obvious and exciting move.

I have championed this idea on other forums since the gut wrenching news that my favorite fantasy writer has moved onto the next world, R.I.P. David Gemmell a true Great, amazing and engaging all your books sit proudly on my shelves and I await the finale to the troy trilogy with reverence and anticipation.

A FILM IS THE PERFECT HOMAGE TO A BRILLIANT IMAGINATION. THOUSANDS AGREE!!

 

[Memnoch]

I have championed this idea on other forums since the gut wrenching news that my favorite fantasy writer has moved onto the next world, R.I.P. David Gemmell a true Great, amazing and engaging all your books sit proudly on my shelves and I await the finale to the troy trilogy with reverence and anticipation.

A FILM IS THE PERFECT HOMAGE TO A BRILLIANT IMAGINATION. THOUSANDS AGREE!!


So what think ye? A petition to get the ball rolling? Who do we approach? Why not a film? Gemmell liked the idea although disliked the way the companies wanted rights to the characters? The biggy who could play the MIGHTY DRUSS? . . . . . An Ageing muscled star medium in stature huge in charisma that can speak English properly?

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

There's already a rather large thread about the possibility of filming Gemmel's work.

http://www.chronicles-network.com/forum/5695-gemmell-movie-6.html

I don't think the will is currently there to do it. Although quite a successful novel, Legend has never scaled the heights of popularity that LotR or Harry Potter popularity so I doubt a film company would take a punt on this without proof of a huge fan demand for it and even then (like LotR) it may take decades to sort out.
Not to mention rights issues. I'm not sure if DG ever optioned any film rights for his work and I'm not sure what the procedures are with dealing with his estate (i.e his wife Stella) to obtain them.
Sadly, I can't see it ever happening. Internet petitions don't work and I shudder to think of Hollywood getting their hands on it and 'adapting it'.