MovieChat Forums > Space Battleship Yamato (1979) Discussion > Thoughts on the proposed film.

Thoughts on the proposed film.

posted 14 years ago by bdunlap-2
17 replies | jump to latest

I watched "Star Blazers" as a kid and remembering loving it. As I have gotten older I regularly return to the idea of the show which I think would make a good movie or a good live action TV series (lets face it, Crusade was a knock-off of Star Blazers.)

I read the original live-action screenplay done by T. Murphy back in the 90's and it was a suitable space opera tale. My problem with it was they wrapped everything up in one movie.

To do "Star Blazers" correctly, I think they would need to do a trilogy of films.

The first film would establish how screwed Earth and humanity are, establish the main characters, have help arrive from planet Iscandar, build/unveil the Argo, get them on their way, have them visit a planet or two and have them face a challenge (space battle) that they overcome and let everyone start to feel that there is hope again.

The second film would have the Argo facing more challenges, being involved in more battles (I am thinking space battle and ground assault on some alien fortress), suffer some terrible losses (those who saw the series know what I am talking about), let things appear bleak and then get to Iscandar and get what they need to save Earth. Then have all hell breaks loose as they have to fight to escape. Have them just get away and on their way back home after taking a severe pounding.

The third film would be the return trip and having to face their enemy in a giant final showdown with some other subplots worked through, people admitting they love one another and so on. The Argo is victorious, show them saving Earth, it is the dawn of a new day and an unlimited future...and we fade out.

The End.

Like Lord of the Rings, this is a quest story told in a sci-fi universe. You need at least three films to tell it correctly.

[–] bdunlap-2 14 years ago

A trilogy will also allow some development for the Gamilons as the enemy. Their culture could be explored a bit and other aspects touched on. I mentioned a ground assault on an alien fortress. Such a place could give insight to who these people are, how their military is set up and so on.

Also, three films would allow them to be more than glorified targets and cannon fodder or "evil" guys standing in a corner twirling their imaginary mustaches as their evil plans for universal domination come together.

[–] xenophile2002 14 years ago

I think this could work. I personally like the idea of a live-action TV series, but what you describe here could make me a happy Star Blazer.

I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler.
- Jon Stewart

[–] Dark_Sithlord 14 years ago

As a fan, I agree with you wholeheartedly, and hope this can be done.

But as a realist, I seriously doubt whether any studio would commit the finances and resources to producing a trilogy of movies that may or may not become successful. It's a huge risk financially.

[–] xenophile2002 14 years ago

Every trilogy of movies may or may not become successful. But, would the suits consider this one a worse risk than others? H2IK.

I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler.
- Jon Stewart

[–] bdunlap-2 14 years ago

I'm a realist too and I know that a trilogy of films is a big commitment by any studio, especially considering the scope of this story.

I would just hate for them to do it half-assed. That would upset the fans of the original and it would probably not bring many new fans to the procedings. I think there is a lot of potential with this concept to do something epic in scope, but it would require the right people in front of and behind the camera to make it work.

However, I keep coming back to the money issue and how it is a big commitment. No one expected "The Matrix" to do well and it became so popular that (whether you liked them or hated them) spawned two sequels. The folks in Hollywood can easily spend the money on more revamped super-hero movies or a movie version of some popular tv series.

Although "Star Blazers" was a tv series, it is not know to the majority of Americans...just those of us who were lucky to catch it at the right time. The idea might seem fresh to some people.

Yes, it is going to cost money...probably a lot of money. I am hoping whoever does it sees what they have and realize how big it could be. If that is not possible, I hope someone has a "Charlie Sheen" moment and signs all the appropriate paperwork and checks before anyone is the wiser.

[–] sandrasguy 14 years ago

Putting budget aside, two things really matter:

1) Script. First, the script will have to be penned by someone who can balance the wants of the faithful with the limitations of Hollywood (Hollyweird lacks actors with depth for this type of project). Second, the script would have to be honored by director, and followed-not allowing lazy actors to rip out pages because "I don't feel it man".

2) Casting. From the series, this is a young people's project. The Captain of the Yamato-middle aged for sure, but none of the other actors should be over 24 (save the Marines-if they use them). To that end, to keep this project true the movie should have a bunch of unknowns. Because the pilots will need to appear athletic, perhaps young professional dancers should be cast as the pilots.

[–] xenophile2002 14 years ago

I'll go for that. And (especially if it were a new TV series) there need to be more women aboard. I'm not talking about turning some of the original male characters female, but there need to be more than just Yuki/Nova. Just some random wave motion technicians, pilots, etc.

I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler.
- Jon Stewart

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] karljj1 14 years ago

I may have missed mention but are you guys aware they have made a live action film?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477109/

[–] DrWhen 14 years ago

Good link. No, I wasn't aware. Was it any good?

[–] karljj1 14 years ago

It was excellent. I was shocked at how good the CGI was.

Some nice person has posted an english sub version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0wdoNiFAtM&feature=related

[–] bdunlap-2 13 years ago

Yes. I know that there was a live-action version that was made in Japan.

Its popularity and the demand for it to be released over here in the US have got the wheels turning to do an American version of the story through an American studio.

Here is some news released on the project:

http://screenrant.com/star-blazers-movie-christopher-mcquarrie-ross-102446/

This is a few months old. I have no idea what the current status on the project is.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Blackace 13 years ago

2karljj1
I may have missed mention but are you guys aware they have made a live action film?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477109/

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Yes, I was well aware of the film, but it was released in Japan only. I would love them to make a US version. JJ Abrams or Joss Whedon should direct it. OMG it would be incredible. Especially if they did all 3 movies.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] doctorcrimedog 12 years ago

This is not something that gives me high hopes. There was a script prepared for a Disney-helmed Star Blazers movie over ten years ago, and it was basically Star Blazers in name only. Totally dissimilar plot, characters all changed around; it was a real "why are you bothering?" scenario. The ultimate answer was, of course, that luckily they didn't bother. That fiasco aside, I can't see any studio risking 3 films on such an untried property. Lord of the Rings had the benefit of being based on one of the most famous books ever published. Star Blazers is well-loved by many of my generation, but is not a name familiar to the general public, my age or otherwise. You would need to approach any franchise thoughts with the approach of the original Star Wars, i.e. leave the door open for more, but don't make sequels necessary to understanding the first film, which could've stood alone. Seeing as the plot of the first series was one long journey, having a self-contained story that was also only a third of the journey would be, to put it mildly, difficult. You'd probably have to do the whole first series as one film, a la the Japanese live-action version, and then expand the story with, say, a two-part Comet Empire storyline.

-There is no such word as "alot."

[–] David_Powell3006-1 10 years ago

Call me crazy, but I think it could be done right. My suggestion would be to give it to Clint Eastwood. He's never done SF, and I could see him doing it not only to check that box, but because he really does the character driven deep storylines like no other. Also, he would be a natural to play Captain Avatar. He might get Morgan Freeman in with him to play Orion.