Christopher Webster [Film Festival 11.18.09] movie news interview scifi video action



Rumblings of a movie based on Warhammer 40,000's tabletop role playing games has been around for a while, but now that the first production, Ultramarines, has finally named a director for the film it looks as though it's actually happening and it won't be long before we'll see some badass, hard-combat scifi.

The man to take the reigns on the project is Martyn Pick, a relative newcomer whose past credits include mostly animation work on documentaries like The Age of Stupid and Chicago 10. Apparently Pick was chosen for his "renowned and highly distinctive ability to fuse live action and animation."

The man behind the script, however, should be no stranger to Warhammer fans. Dan Abnett, writer of more than 25 books for Games Workshop’s Black Library (with total sales in excess of 1.2 million copies) has written the final draft. Abnett also works regularly for 2000 AD, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics and has recently seen publication of the first of three novels for HarperCollins' new sci-fi, fantasy and horror imprint, "Angry Robot".

No word yet on a plot, but Abnett promises that it focuses on the film will focus on the most iconic elements of the Warhammer 40K world.

Watch a video interview with writer Dan Abnett after the break.

Big ups to our Polish pals at Opium for the news.

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Anglebender (12 years ago) Reply

this franchise needed a movie long ago, glad it's finally seeing fruition.

Marina (12 years ago) Reply

Admittedly, I'm not a connoisseur of Warhammer but I did always wonder about the game. Seemed like there were more than enough stories to spawn a handful of films. Haven't seen any of Martyn Pick's films yet but I'm looking forward to catching up with The Age of Stupid over the next few weeks - the project certainly sounds promising!

Rook (12 years ago) Reply

I almost wept for joy when I read this! 40K is thoroughly unlike any other sci-fi out there. In fact, I expect it will prove quite a shock to those fans lulled to sleep by the cuddly Star Trek and Star Wars universes. I hope they do this right because we are only going to get one shot at this.

soma (12 years ago) Reply

this needs to be very dark

Kresh (12 years ago) Reply

Horay! Another movie where the military has forgotten how to use cover! Huzzah! Standing out in the open to get show = AWESOME! /sarc

I'm looking forward to this, really I am! As long as they use the artwork from the game for inspiration, and not as actual ideas on how these should lads fight on the big screen, it could be quite good.

Anonymous (12 years ago) Reply

DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA!!

JackCrow (12 years ago) Reply

"We are the Ultramarines, the Sons of Guilliman. Whilst we draw breath, we stand. Whilst we stand, we fight. Whilst we fight, we prevail. Nothing shall stay our wrath."

+++ Marneus Calgar, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines+++

FOR THE EMPEROR!

http://ultramarinesthemovie.com/
https://twitter.com/WH40Kmovie
http://www.youtube.com/user/ultramarinesthemovie



Flyer:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3983492945_605dc65616_b.jpg

Announcement ( to fans):
http://vimeo.com/6912040

Info:
"Introducing ULTRAMARINES – A Warhammer 40,000 Movie!

The moment fans have been waiting for is finally here... for the first time, the Warhammer 40,000 universe will be realised in a feature-length movie on DVD.

ULTRAMARINES is a 70-minute sci-fi thriller that will use CGI and state-of-the-art animation production techniques. Games Workshop is delighted to be working with UK-based production company Codex Pictures, who have the momentous task of bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to the screen."

Feature also on:
http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/10/02/animated-warhammer-40000-ultramarines-movie-being-made/

Jonathan (12 years ago) Reply

One thing that i have always feared about wh40k movie was hollywoodization, shoving in typical hollywood movie plot elements romance, good guy is a good guy, and so on.

There is no place for love in wh40k and beside spacemarines are techically eunuchs, they show no interest toward women and in wh40k nobody is a good guy, everubody is quite evil actually. And mentioning women propably they will also include female spacemarine, movie has to have beautiful woman.

I expect warhammer universe to be distorted and changed in ways that even Tzeentch could not change.

Lotus Eater (12 years ago) Reply

Burn the heretic, kill the mutant, purge the unclean!

I look forward to this.

Alizabeth Bequin (11 years ago) Reply

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!I've known about this movie since last year but I still wriggle uncontrollably with excitement! TEE HEE! wh40K is so delightfully disgusting and dark and evil and unconventional and all the rich people dress up like gay french guys! This movie reeks from miles away with total AWESOMENESS. This movie can't go wrong with Abnett at the wheel; he is the true emperor of wh40K, and any one who thinks otherwise IS A HERETIC AND SHALL BE BURNED! BURN THEM! BURN THEM ALL!
...
Anyways, the next thing they should movie-a-fy is the Eisenhorn trilogy. Awesomeness. The Emperor Protects! (or sends a bunch of spacemarines to destroy you and everything you care about and quite possibly your entire planet just for the sake of it, either way.)

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