Spielberg to WOW filmgoers?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:30 pm PT

Source: Reports on numerous film- and game-fan sites, including Joblo.com, which cited a report in Variety. The official story: See below. What we heard: At the 76th Annual Academy Awards, legendary director Steven Spielberg handed out the Best Picture statue to The Lord of the Rings: Return of...

Source: Reports on numerous film- and game-fan sites, including Joblo.com, which cited a report in Variety.

The official story: See below.

What we heard: At the 76th Annual Academy Awards, legendary director Steven Spielberg handed out the Best Picture statue to The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. It was the first fantasy film to ever win the top Oscar, and Spielberg heaped praise on the picture and its director, Peter Jackson, both during and after the ceremony. "It's a great day for fantasy and fantasy fans," he told reporters at the post-awards press conference.

Spielberg's comments seemed ironic, as he himself has never directed a high-fantasy movie. Though his futuristic sci-fi efforts are myriad, including War of the Worlds and Minority Report, the closest he has ever come to fantasy are the supernatural-themed Indiana Jones adventures, the schmaltzy romance Always, and the children's film Hook.

So when reports attributed to Variety claimed that Spielberg was getting onboard the recently announced World of Warcraft movie, it struck many as the perfect fit. Besides being an avid gamer who attends E3 every year, Spielberg has also had a long-term relationship with Universal Pictures, which used to be a subsidiary of media conglomerate Vivendi. Vivendi is the current owner of WOW developer-publisher Blizzard Entertainment.

Alas, like so many things that sounded too good be true, the Spielberg rumor was just that. Today's issue of Variety contains no articles on a WOW movie, and there's no article in its archives where Spielberg mentioned being involved in the project. By the afternoon, several sites like Joblo had retracted the rumor, although others continued to parrot is as gospel.

For its part, Blizzard would only say no World of Warcraft director has yet been chosen. "No final determinations have been made at this time," a rep told GameSpot. "We're working closely and carefully with [production company] Legendary Pictures on ensuring that the team that forms around this epic production will be equipped to fully capture the Warcraft universe on film. We look forward to revealing further details about the cast and crew in the months ahead."

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus for now--but one can dream, can't one?

149 Comments

  • KenderDragon

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 10:41 am PT

    Well, in case you don't know now... it's Sam Reimi! lol

  • vmfstorm1

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 9:12 pm PT

    a fact of life: game movies always suck and games based on movies also suck. Directors have to realize this and stop giving games a seeminlgy comical clout when some people take them seriously

  • bildo2020

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 6:58 pm PT

    a wow movie....lol....that would be the day! this will never acctually happen and if it does.....can you say "flop"

  • HaloFanPY

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 12:09 pm PT

    I dont think they coukd pull off a good movie without CG. And anyone who has been a blizzard fans since the beginning like me know that they have always made amazing cinematics and great stories. They dont need a director they have a enough talent to make a great movie with theur current team.

  • paluza32

    Posted Jun 26, 2006 1:16 pm PT

    i think that the epic story behind the games of worldcraft will make a wonderful movie. however it will be hard to create a storyline that will be new. teh only way the movie could be messed up would be if, like doom, there is a scene that is just like the games. i would really like to see a Warcraft movie, if not for the story, for the intense fight scenes.

  • MEM_basic

    Posted Jun 24, 2006 8:24 pm PT

    Blizzard states that the movie is NOT World of WarCraft or any story based on WarCraft 1, 2 and 3. but rather it's going to be a movie based on the WarCraft Universe got it? so it will definitely not suck.

  • Crowtalon

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 11:57 pm PT

    it's true most movies based on games suck

  • Nightfire117

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    I hope Spielburg does it. Peter Jackson would be nice but since hes doing producing Halo, no chance.

  • 1blackhearted1

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 6:59 am PT

    Here we go again, another crappy video game movie.

  • Igiss

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:37 am PT

    Let Uwe Boll do it! Quality comes with experience. After a Postal movie, Warcraft is going to be easy for him.

  • Vitamin_D82

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:25 am PT

    Ryuketsu2043
    You know i love spielberg.. ireally do..but after jurrassic park..he's kinda gone downhill..had his day shall we say..

    I gotta say dude. You watch Saving Private Ryan and say that again.

  • nookie182

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 10:54 pm PT

    Metal Gear Solid is the way to go. Deep storylines and twisted plots. Spielberg would be just perfect to direct such an intense/extreme espionage tactical based movie.

  • petrino

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    i dont know....i mean...spielberg...naah....thats gonna leave a rotten smell on the whole project...now who made the games? who directed reign of chaos or frozen throne? i am hoping theyre making it cgi style like the cinematics from the games...i do not want to see any famous actors dressed like orcs and elves...that would sooo suck...

  • rbarahona

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 5:54 pm PT

    For any director it would be very hard to make a movie to please every fan of the game (or a fantasy fan in general); however I really think that Spielberg is capable of delivering if they actually choose him for that role.

  • alonw

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 3:59 pm PT

    When was the last time spielberg made a good movie?
    Here is an idea - how about Blizzard team up with Square to make a CGI animation movie? Blizz got the stories, Square got the technology. I wouldn't say this can't go wrong, but it can be totally awesome!

  • grey_fox1984

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 3:20 pm PT

    i swear, after several franchises are sullied by Uwe Boll, how can even the most militant fan-boy complain about spielberg directing a warcraft movie. might i remind you that spielberg is the man that gave us most of the great movies we grew up with and is still making great movies to this day. (Munich's deep commentary on government sponsored terrorism was much more substantial than Crash's format of RACIST EVENT followed by a MORE RACIST EVENT and repeat until we finally see a few people treating others like human beings).

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 2:25 pm PT

    Better than Uwe Boll o.o

    He would make it into a FPS

  • shebby

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 12:27 pm PT

    if this movie came out it would sell!!!!!!!!!!!, u know how many plaeyrs there are of this game lol
    neway ii was thinking, they say peter jackson is more of a fantasy director e.g lotr but atm he supposed to be doin the halo movie and speilberg is more of a futuristic director e.g war of the worlds, well dont u guys think (if they did direct these movies) they should swap movies u know instead speilberg for halo (sci-fi futuristic), and jackson for wow(fantasy) it would make more sense

  • dryden555

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 11:44 am PT

    suspect if the movie is made, it will be for kids and rated G.

  • diablusx

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 11:37 am PT

    Who ever directs WOW must remember 2 things. 1- The movie needs at least 4-6 episodes like Star wars but as long as LOTR (uncut). 2- DO NOT PUT CHEESY SCENES OF CUTE $#!@# TO MAKE MONEY! The only way the movie will work is to make it a serious movie with a few bits of humor. Remember this if a FANTASY movie.

  • XtremePhsyco

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 10:59 am PT

    i wonder how the story would be? would it show both sides of the story or what?

  • Gigastormz

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 10:44 am PT

    If it's true it wouldn't happen for at least 3 years. He's doing two other movies right now plus executive producing the new Transfomers movie. I know he's doing Battle Angel but I can't remember the name of the other movie.

  • ultimatiumomega

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 10:23 am PT

    WOW sucks.

  • Dups79

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 9:42 am PT

    Well, the fanbase is not bad. The thing is you better have hotties in the movie. The only reason Tomb Raider was a profitable movie.

  • MronoC

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 9:28 am PT

    why a WORLD or warcraft movie? why not just make a movie about warcraft?

  • CJTheBurninator

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:45 am PT

    If it does happen, I have a strong feeling it won't be any good.

  • Benny_is_here

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:26 am PT

    Movie adaption of a MMORPG? Sounds fishy.. I wonder if the lines consists of w00t and n00b...?

  • midn8t

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:25 am PT

    I hope this dosnt turn into movie like wing commander or dungeon and dragons i hope they give it proper funding and dont try to make a 5 hour story into a hour and 15 min movie

    I hope what htey do is they take one of the games, liek warcraft 1 or warcraft 2 or 3 and they take plot and they turn it into a 2 hour movie

    then they could do actully do each of the diffrent games they could start with warcraft1 and go all way to warcraft 3 have 3 sequal 3 movies if frist one is put to gethere well.

  • matt_mg

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:25 am PT

    I want Jet Lee...

  • sSubZerOo

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:16 am PT

    Horrible idea for a movie, the game and story is alrigth and all... I don't think it would be good for a movie...

  • VenomousOne

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:12 am PT

    This is going to be an unpopular comment, but I just can't imagine anyone, anywhere being able to make a World of Warcraft movie that was any good. Not that WoW is a bad game, I just can't see how it could ever translate to a quality film.

  • roadrunner1178

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 8:01 am PT

    That would be cool. I love fantasy movies and most of Spielberg's.

  • Nradd99

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:58 am PT

    The first person to direct a good video game movie would definately be remembered. It would be a smart move for Spielberg.

  • zehoo

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:57 am PT

    Watching a wow movie made by Spielberg would be like swallowing razor blades. Unfortunately most production companies today care more about maximising return rather than making a good movie.

  • Flan_Man

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:51 am PT

    Warcraft II the movie.... people would think of that as a sequel. Warcraft the movie.... people would get tired of watching peasants and peons build roads... Starcraft.... now that would be more Spielberg or Jackson...maybe.

  • Kingsnake976

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:41 am PT

    And yes..... ANYONE is better than Uwe Boll.

    A drunken, violently-ill chimpanzee with a camcorder could make better cinema than that guy...

    Actually, now that I think about it, I think that I read somewhere in the bible that, and I quote "In the last days of the world, a hack director would walk among them, and he would bring darkness across the land. And he would bring plagues and pestilence, and a film of unimaginable horror to them and it would bask in its own wretchedness and the world would be once again visited by the twin plumbers, and so would begin the fall of man...."

    Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't....

  • sancezz

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:41 am PT

    ..a WoW film? OH FOR GOD SAKE.

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:32 am PT

    what about Bowell??

  • Kingsnake976

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:29 am PT

    Hmm.... A movie based on a MMORPG.... That has no main character to identify with. And no simple storyline that would be easily adaptable to the screen. And seems to be nothing more than the milking of a cash-cow franchise....
    Yeah, I could see why an Oscar-winning director like Spielberg would be just clamoring to have his name tied to this......

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 7:08 am PT

    Spielberg isn't the man anymore and hasn't been for some time. So hopefully this is just a rumor.

  • Doolum

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:58 am PT

    Well,this is one movie that i am definitely going to watch...if ever it is made and released.Waiting to hear a little bit more news on the MGS game that is probably on the horizon

  • jerrywojo

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:42 am PT

    I recall hearing that the movie will have little or nothing to do with the game World of Warcraft. But be inspired by the mitho's and concept. Although I'd love to Ironforge in all its cg glory!!

    Spielberg as director doesn't equal instant classic. Look at War of the Worlds for example...goodness. Peter Jackson won't do it cause he plans to do The Hobbit one day. How bout Rob Bowman....givin a decent budget?

  • assfault88

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:41 am PT

    This gives rise to many questions: would it be a CG movie or have real actors? And, in the end, would it turn out as just another Lord of the Rings movie? This could be good for video game movies if it turned out good (not that I care much for video game movies, read my blog), but I can't see it. Maybe that's why Spielberg would be better at making this than I would!

  • badboy231

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:40 am PT

    wow lets see how this tures out

  • badjames

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:37 am PT

    some games dont need to become movies like WoW because playing them is better than squeezing the game into a 3 hour movie even if Spielberg is directing. Besides, its Spielberg he should be able to create his own Fantasy movies.

  • patton101

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:34 am PT

    I'd be way more interested in a Starcraft movie than anything if Blizzard did want to make one of their games a movie. WoW is a noobs mmorpg anyway and if your going to make a Warcraft movie, just call it "Warcraft". If theres any mmorpg thats good for a movie I'd say EverQuest2 has got great potential.

  • Hellisunreal

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:33 am PT

    old ages is catchin up wit da guy

  • Moptop

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:29 am PT

    Whoa.. why did that post so many times? I have deleted the excess posts - sorry about that.

  • paradyme777

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:17 am PT

    Spielberg, a lot better then Uwe Boll. I hope Spielberg knows what he is doing and can make this video game movie something great.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 6:07 am PT

    WoW on FILM?!?!

    If such a thing happens they should do it with Ultra high-res graphics...I don't want to see small people as gnomes and others running around in Cow costumes.

    I had so much respect for Blizzard…but I think the change started back when Vivendi bought them because now it’s just money and not the end user like it once was.

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