World of Warcraft Movie Update: Director Signed and Projected 2015 Release

Live Posted 2013/01/30 at 7:13 PM by perculia

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We are pleased to announce that Duncan Jones, director of critically-acclaimed films Source Code and Moon, has signed on with Legendary Pictures to direct the upcoming live-action film based on the Warcraft universe. Click here for more info.

Borys.Kit

Duncan Jones is making the jump to big-budget tentpole movies, signing on to direct Warcraft, Legendary Pictures’ live-action adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s video game universe.

Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing for Legendary along with Blizzard and Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Alex Gartner.

Taking an almost kitchen-sink approach to fantasy, Warcraft, which has grown to be one of the most popular multiplayer online role-playing games out there, is part fantasy, part science fiction and — depending on the game you’re playing — includes elements such as dragons and orcs, zombies and werewolves, and aliens and spaceships.

Legendary is keeping its script, written by Charles Leavitt, under wraps. The Warner Bros.-based production and finance outfit is eyeing a fall 2013 start and a 2015 release.

Jones’ producing partner, Stuart Fenegan, will executive produce while Chris Metzen will co-produce for Blizzard.

Warcraft is a big jump up in terms of scope and scale for Jones, the filmmaker son of David Bowie known for his thoughtful sci-fi work.

Jones (CAA, Independent Talent Group, Bloom Hergott) made his feature debut writing and directing 2009's Moon, the well-regarded low-key indie sci-fi drama that starred Sam Rockwell and cost around $1 million to make. He followed that up with Source Code, Summit’s 2011 time travel thriller that starred Jake Gyllenhaal and cost around $35 million to make. Warcraft is expected to have a budget north of $100 million.

Roven most recently produced The Dark Knight Rises and is a producer on Man of Steel, both of which involved Legendary. Atlas is in pre-production on David O. Russell’s follow-up to Silver Linings Playbook, an untitled project that will star Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. Production begins this March.

Legendary is prepping for the July 12 release of Guillermo del Toro’s monsters vs. mechas tentpole Pacific Rim.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com
Twitter: @Borys_Kit

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Comment by stormrider66If there were to be a good movie over a video game, blizz would be the one to have the resources for it. The most massive mmo in history would make an awesome series of movies, I just hope the dont try to over condense itComment by BorisbadWonderful idea, I'm just wondering who they would get actor wise to play the variuos roles.Comment by StiliyanI hope I live till 2015 D:Comment by RavenlokWonder if the movie will be from both faction perspectives or have a "blended" band of heroes? Needs to have something to appease both sides or you'll alienate half of the WoW players.Comment by 527469This post was from a user who has deleted their account.Comment by Jadayayou sir... are 100% correctComment by 1064663This could be really really good (styled like LotR or 300) or really really bad (styled like Street Fighter or Kill Bill).Comment by shamanixxTwo words to remind us how big a fail this could be....

Dungeons & DragonsComment by AdamsmTwo words to remind us how big a fail this could be....

Dungeons & DragonsComment by InterestTwo words to remind us how big a fail this could be....

Dungeons & DragonsComment by QueenofdruidsThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :DComment by AdamsmThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :DComment by PhantomScourgeThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :DComment by LordplatypusIf they cast thrall as the main character.

I'm gonna jump off a cliffComment by QueenofdruidsThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :DIf they cast thrall as the main character.

I'm gonna jump off a cliffThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :DComment by AdamsmThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :DComment by 511949The only thing this movie needs to have is Ron Perlman as Thrall /dancing after the credits.Comment by QueenofdruidsThey should make a wow movie like Avatar. Avatar reminded me of Zangermarsh. It's perfect :D

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