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Script for animated Castlevania film nearly complete
We don't blame you for forgetting about the three-part animated Castlevania film that was announced almost a year ago by producer Project 51 -- there just hasn't been that much news about it since then. Fear not: the adult-themed cartoon based on Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is still on track, according to writer Warren Ellis' production blog.While work on the animation of the feature-length film has not yet begun, Ellis has finished his screenplay of the movie, and he anticipates the finalized, producer-approved script to rear its head in a little over a month. Ellis says he's happy with the script so far; that it's "a good film first and a videogame-movie second." He also promises a sweet nude scene with everyone's favorite anagrammatically-challenged dhampir, Alucard -- "Because girls and gay men need fan service too." Well said, Warren.
Warren Ellis to pen Castlevania script
At least, we think Warren Ellis is going to write something about Castlevania for someone. Between the cigarettes and the Red Bull, it looks like the man himself isn't too sure, either. In a post on the 13th, he said, "Apparently I can now tell people that I'm writing a Castlevania animated film for Project 51 Productions," so it follows that at some point he wasn't allowed to disclose that just yet. And then today (or for those of us in still on the 16th, tomorrow), he says -- in time-honored wink, wink fashion -- that he has no idea what the fuss was about, he's not doing anything with Castlevania, no sir. So it seems that Ellis will be scripting some sort of direct-to-DVD animated Castlevania title, with support from illustrator James Jean. For the three of you who don't know who Warren Ellis is, it seems far too simplistic to say that he writes comics. He writes a lot (some of it probably on napkins) -- screenplays, video games, anything that someone will pay him for. And he has a truly electric web presence and a legion of devoted fans who would rend flesh from their neighbors upon his very word. He's been a huge presence on the 'net for years, offering himself and his opinions through several blogs and forums, the latest of which is Die Puny Humans, a "future-tracking" community. On the comics front, he's half responsible for the bold and brilliant titles Transmetropolitan and Planetary, and he's turned his pen to other popular franchises like Hellblazer. He even had a notable cameo in Powers, the brainchild of Brian Michael Bendis, which poked fun (and violence!) at Ellis. Needless to say, if you don't know Ellis, you should be ashamed of yourself. For the rest of you who do, this is exciting news, even if Ellis is telling us not to get too excited just yet. If anyone can make hunting vampires with a whip seem as cool as it should be, he's the man. With his writing chops, appreciation for both video games and anime, and overall brilliance, we can't think of a better guy for the job.
Production company ready to whore out Castlevania
According to GameDaily Biz, production company Project 51 has snatched up the animation rights to the Castlevania series. And what's already in the works? The company plans on developing DVD movies, a TV series, and a theatrical release.But, before you dismiss this as some half-assed effort to cash in on a storied video game franchise, Project 51 is planning to work with Konami's Koji Igarashi to keep things all good in the vampire hood.The company says: "Castlevania has horror and action, but at its core is a great story about a family that has fought against Dracula for hundreds of years. We want to be true to the characters and stories that [the fans] enjoy, but we want to bring people beyond the game fans to it."For those unaware, Crystal Sky Pictures got the movie rights for Castlevania last year and Paul W.S. Anderson has already been announced as director and writer for the picture which is scheduled for release next year.
