The computer animated film ‘The return of the dragons. Chronicles of the Dragonlance 1’ (‘Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight’), based on the novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, is scheduled for a fall 2007 release.
It is directed by Will Meugniot, author of ‘Stargate: Infinity’ and ‘The Real Ghostbusters’. The script is by George Strayton. Strayton’s works include ‘Cleopatria 2525’, ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and ‘Hercules: Legendary Journeys’.
The voices of the original version are Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor in ‘Smallville’) in the role of Tanis; Kiefer Sutherland (’24’), as Raistlin; Lucy Lawless (‘Xena’), playing Goldmoon. Fred Tatasciore, Michelle Trachtenberg, Rino Romano, Jason Marsden, Marc Worden or Phil LaMarr will provide other voices.
The intention is to continue with more ‘Dragonlance’ titles to complete a series.
In the official website of the film you can see more information (in English), an interview with the writer, a production diary and many images of the characters, backgrounds, creatures, villains, etc… Co-executive producer Cindi Rice explains in her production diary why an animated film has been made and not a real image. “Why not? Animation is a very fantastic and creative medium, which allows us incredible freedom to represent a fantasy world that is totally unique and very different from our real world. Still, don’t get me wrong. Just because we’ve made this movie doesn’t mean there aren’t any chances of a live-action movie anymore. This is still a viable option. Anyway, I’ve seen a lot of ‘Dragonlance’ deals come and go and this is the first one that has actually become a reality,” she says.
Rice goes on to say that “would we like to make a live-action movie about ‘Dragonlance’? Of course! So far, though, no one has wanted to invest $75 million to make that wish come true, and believe me, I’ve tried. All the production companies in the city have seen projects to shoot ‘Dragonlance’ like a dozen times, in different formations, with different creative teams. I don’t think this means that a live action movie will never be made, but I do think that what an animated film does is encourage that effort. And more importantly, what it won’t do is take away from it and I’m excited that, at least in the meantime, we’ll see ‘Dragonlance’ on the big screen,” concludes Rice.
For those who do not know the origin of this film, I compile this information about Dragonlance being a campaign setting in the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game and also that of a series of epic fantasy books that are set in it, divided into several trilogies and several stand-alone books that tell related stories.
The action of the ‘Dragonlance Chronicles’ takes place in the world of Krynn, and tells the adventures of a group of friends in their search for signs of the true gods, who disappeared after the Cataclysm. After some first general and highly successful trilogies, came other more specific ones about certain characters, and other areas of that world.
‘The dragon’s return. Chronicles of the Dragonlance 1’ (‘Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight’), specifically places its argument after the great cataclysm and the destruction of the world of Krynn. At that moment, several friends belonging to various races and some humans search for what is the evil that spreads through the universe and if the gods of good will do something to solve it. They will have to face the draconians and the black dragons that destroy everything in their path and obey the queen of darkness.
The authors of these books, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, have also written ‘The Sword of Joram’, ‘The Death’s Gate Cycle’, ‘The Rose of the Prophet’ and ‘The Sovereign Gem’, among others.
Source: Sheepie in an e-mail to Blogdecine
