'Elfquest' Coming to the Big Screen
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Warner Brothers, Scripts, Comic/Superhero/Geek
Now here's some old school fantasy! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wendy and Richard Pini's cult comic book series Elfquest has just been optioned by Warner Bros. Rawson Thurber (of Dodgeball fame) is set to write, direct, and produce, and there's no word yet on whether it will be animation or live action. Hollywood has been toying with an adaptation for a long time, but have only managed a few animated attempts. Elfquest really belongs to that 70's and 80's style of fantasy -- Tolkien inspired, but with more sex and magic powers. It's all about a tribe of elves called the Wolfriders, who fight for survival on an alien world called Abode. There they war with trolls, encounter primitive humans, and discover that they aren't the only elf tribe on the planet.
An underground comic in its day, Elfquest was pretty notable for the sex, war, and the fact that Wendy Pini played such a huge part in its inception. (A chick writing and drawing a comic book? The world nearly ended.) You can read the mythology, and a bunch of free issues over on Elfquest's official website.
Despite my medieval/fantasy nerd reputation here on Cinematical, this is actually the first time I've known what Elfquest is all about. It's one of those things I have only encountered in passing. As I explore the website, I'm beginning to realize that some of the very skimpily clad attendees at my Renaissance Faire are, in fact, Wolfriders. And now with a movie on the horizon, there will be even more of them! It certainly takes all kinds to make a world, doesn't it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-09-2008 @ 11:49AM
lainix said...
i remember reading the series in grade school. they carried them in the school library back then.
Torn on wether id rather see a live action or animatied. but hopefully they would aim it at adults, and not the kids or i tmay lose some of its spirit.
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7-09-2008 @ 12:08PM
ML said...
heh, this takes me back! I had a work friend several years ago who lent me the graphic novel version of this (+ X-Men comics). Could be fun if done right.
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7-09-2008 @ 2:21PM
David said...
LOL, Elfquest definitely has it's fair share of skin. But given that it was created by a woman, it's totally equal-opportunity skin. Check out this cover art if you don't believe me:
http://elfquest.com/gallery/images/eq13.jpg
But really this is long overdue and such great news. If handled properly, Warner Brothers could have a huge, franchisable hit on their hands.
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7-12-2008 @ 5:43PM
Tracey said...
I began collecting Elfquest comics back in the late 80's ...I have all the early copies up to around #26 or so...then some of the novels and even a few original books before then went to Marvel...I loved the storyline and think it's long overdue for the movie!! I Love Wendi's artwork! I've actually drawn large pics of Lita and Cutter and have them on my bedroom wall.
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9-12-2008 @ 12:13AM
Will C said...
Leetah
7-17-2008 @ 3:41PM
Heather Morrison said...
I can't wait for the movie. I have been a fan since I was 5 years old. I love the Elfquest comics!!
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9-12-2008 @ 12:12AM
Will C said...
I have been a fan of Elfquest since 1982! I have wanted to see this on the big screen for so long. I wasn't so sure about a live action version but with technology being the way that it is now it is possible to translate it correctly. Look at Lord of the Rings, Transformers, Xmen--they were able to do those concepts justice.
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