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Ridley Scott’s Forever War To Be in Avatar-Inspired 3D

Posted on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 by Brendon Connelly

forever_the_80s

Which is better, Alien or Aliens? Well, I can answer that one for you - it’s Alien. But Aliens is rather special too. Just not, you know, most-important-film-of-the-70s special.

There is now a new chapter in the give and take between Ridley Scott and James Cameron, however. The BFI here in good ol’ Blighty (that’s what the B stands for) had a Blade Runner day at the weekend and while I didn’t go along myself - shame on me - a good handful of reporters were handy. One of them managed to get down Scott’s key quote on his upcoming sci-fi actioner, and how Avatar has inspired him to shoot it in 3D.

I’m filming a book by Joe Haldeman called Forever War. I’ve got a good writer doing it. I’ve seen some of James Cameron’s work, and I’ve got to go 3D. It’s going to be phenomenal.

London’s Wharf got that dish, giving some of my London chums something sexy to read on the light railway this morning.

I don’t know much about Haldeman or this Forever War, but Ridley Scott doing 3D? He could be adapting the Dick and Jane elementary learner books or Monopoly or something silly like that and I’d still be at the front of the line.

Speculate now, if you would, on who this ‘good writer’ that Scott mentioned might be. I immediately assumed William Monahan, but I think he has other things on. Whoever has the job, I hope they keep the first line of the novel because it’s a doozy:

Tonight we’re going to show you eight silent ways to kill a man.

Eight silent ways to kill a man! In 3D! Box office gold! Even in an anti-war film!

Apparently, the 1974 novel was deeply inspired by the Vietnam scenario. Things being what they are, however, it can’t fail to be relevant now. Forever War indeed.

Note: the image at the head of the post comes from the 80s, when Forever War was almost adapted as a mini-series for PBS. Really.

Comments

Winston Grant

I read Joe Haldeman's FOREVER WAR back in 1974--and since i'd read "Starship Troopers" even before that-(1970)I hadn't ever read two books that cried out to be brought to the screen MORE.--but back when I was fourteen, the technology(or the WILL) to do EITHER ONE of those magnificent books any kind of justice simply didn't exist. Now it does--and i'm still praying for real, no-bullshit science fiction to return to the realm of probability-and to hear "FUCK YOU SIR!*" echoing off the walls of my nearby multiplex for the first time...

*(get the book and read it--this is SIGNIFICANT.)

Geoff

"most-important-film-of-the-70s special"

I nearly fell out of my seat after reading that one. I can add Brendon Connelly to my list of worthless opinions. That has to be one of the funniest opinions I've ever read and keep in mind I'm a huge Alien fan.

GattacaFan

Aliens > Alien. And Star Wars > Alien.

Cerys

Why have you associated war with America?

Leander

The fascinating thing about that book is that I own two or three copies and certain large portions of the book are different in each one (fairly significant, character defining portions). I hope the writer(s) read all of the versions while penning the screenplay because even though they each have merits, I definately have strong preferences among them.

jack

guys... i m hearing a lot abt AVATAR,,,i nvr had such curiosity for a movie..but its AVATAR..and i m a huge fan of james cameron too..............lets see its worth waiting..

Scrappy

I'ts good there'll be another ANTI WAR film coming out....FINALLY!... it's about time someone made a big movie protesting war. Because you know, everyone loves war and there needs to be more negative propaganda about America. What a joke.

Gennaro Gattuso

Christ. Having read this guy since his Film Ick days I'm used to his ridiculous, indefensible opinions on cinema, but saying Alien is the most important film of its decade is Connelly reaching new heights of madness.

I'm not really sure how the hell readers are meant to take his reports seriously considering he peppers them with nonsense like this all the time, but still: A+ for trolling, Connelly.

IckFan

Er... what?

He's not trolling. He's just not sucking the canon and slurping down every drop. It is most definitely not nonsense.

He must be doing something right for you to keep reading his reports, heh?

BlackB

3D is a gimmick. Hey i have an idea Hollywood, start making good movies first and then worry about putting everything in 3D later. A good movie is a good whether it is in 3D or not. So 3D go screw yourself. Off soapbox.

Im really excited for a Ridley Scott sci fi movie and Im REALLY EXCITED for AVATAR!! Thank you for coming back to sci fi Sir Ridley. Cant wait!

ps. i prefer 2D.

Weyland_Yutani

I'm of the same attitude, but I'll withhold comment until Avitar makes its statement. The footage is obviously impressing a lot of people that don't need a gimmick, Scott being one of them.

The flip side to this news is that whatever Cameron is doing may not be as difficult or crazy as it is hyped to be, thus lending itself to easy imitation. Who knows?

Tercotta

You know what other films technologies were called gimmicks at one point? Colour and sound. Now no one would dare claim that. Give some of these major 3D attempts a shot and then we can finally end this gimmick debate (which is a fair one).

pmharrell

Just because Alien was more important than Aliens does not make it a better film.

RamJelly

I enjoy Aliens more. But I don't know if I would argue that it is better or worse. It's different.

BrendonConnelly

That's a fair point and I agree with it. But I would argue that Alien is both the better and the more important film.

BrendonConnelly

That's a fair point and I agree with it. But I would argue that Alien is bith the better and the more important film.

Jared Gores

Alien is undoubtedly an important film. Let us count the ways:

- It paved the way for the sci-fi horror hybrid genre, which has carved quite a path ever since Alien. But Alien did it right--a compelling story and sustained suspense without going for cheap thrills. (The only subsequent film that I think nearly matches it is John Carpenter's The Thing).
- It emphasized the artistry involved in such productions through Scott's extensive production design, claustrophobic cinematography and revolutionary special effects. The alien-chest-explosion scene was mind-blowing in 1979.
- It was one of the first non-romance/drama films to feature a strong, female protagonist. She was the first female action hero, to put it simply. And not only did Signourney Weaver kick ass in the movie, she kicked ass at the box office, too. On top of this, she was a relative unknown at this time, which proved that a female lead could carry such a film.

God, I need to watch this masterpiece again right now.

Chris

nobody is saying it's not important.. but most important of the 70's? no way

JustinBrown

Star Wars yielded more change than Alien. It's not even a contest. Here's eight quick ones:

1. It reestablished the idea of a blockbuster (a mold created by JAWS two years prior).
2. It pioneered the art of merchandising a movie.
3. It helped save the studio system while also changing the way(s) in which studio movies were made.
4. Industrial Light & Magic.
5. THX Sound.
6. Pixar.
7. EditDroid and later, Avid.
8. It put now-commonplace technologies like blue screen matting and motion control cameras on the map.

That's to say nothing of the fact that so many filmmakers in the years since 1977 cite one or more of the Star Wars films as their inspirations to create films of their own.

Alien is a great film and an important film, but Star Wars is more than a film at this point, in terms of what it meant to the business.

RamJelly

Holy shit, I have never heard of "EditDroid". That is awesome.

4site

Looking forward to this, but The novel is really more about its soldiers coming home after, sometimes, hundreds of years away from Earth and how they cope with the changes. They're shocked to find out that everyone is gay and make fake babies. I forget whether or no the babies are clones or something to that nature. The book also starts out in the super futuristic 1990's!

Tercotta

Because 3D is him starving for an oscar...

Weyland_Yutani

I don't see that at all. What do you mean by "behind the curve" anyway? He's returning to science fiction with films like Forever War and BNW. Hardly Oscar bait. This is the same genre that he has managed a few films that are considered classics. I'm actually surprised he's so ambitious still.

RamJelly

Kingdom of Heaven? A Good Year? Matchstick Men I enjoyed. American Gangster felt like his stab at The Departed. Body of Lies was a throwaway though I liked it. His last few films have lacked that wow factor I expect from him and for a guy who use to be ahead of the curve with visuals seeing him only now embrace 3D is surprising. (I don't really care for 3D so my complaint about him being behind the curve in that respect is me complaining about him not embracing something I don't like sooner.) But I still think he's not the visionary he once was, or at the very least his films haven't been as visionary of late. I'd be ecstatic if he proved me wrong with this and if anyone could make me happy to fork over the extra money for a 3D flick it's probably him. I just hope he's still got it.

Weyland_Yutani

I see what you are saying. Good films, but not a lot of greatness lately (Gladiator excepted). I did like Body of Lies quite a bit. Perhaps, a return to sci-fi is exactly what he needs to elevate his "legacy." I hope he can deliver. There will be higher expectations than he's had in some time.

Weyland_Yutani

Yes. Bring on the Alien posts.

The subjective word is "important." If by "important" you mean entertaining, lasting, influential, and immitated, I can see an argument. It will be highly criticized and contested by Godfather snobbery, but I think this argument can be made. It's in my all-time top 5, so I must agree on some level. Important to me? No doubt.

Gennaro Gattuso

So anyone who thinks The Godfather is a better film than Alien is a snob? That's an interesting opinion, son.

Still, call me crazy, but your screen-name kinda suggests you're not exactly unbiased here.

Weyland_Yutani

You have to remember that "better" wasn't the topic Brendon brought up.

JustinBrown

Star Wars.

Gennaro Gattuso

Hope that's a deadpan joke and not a serious claim.

JustinBrown

If you know anything about anything, you know it was not a joke.

790

No I don't watch any 3-D films, so I'm out ,,,

3-D is the new marketing tactic of the future.

AllyndDudnikov

I don't see how colour enhances the progression of the story.

Reel Thinker

Who said anything about colour enhancing the progress of a story? Are you trying to imply that colour was once considered a 'gimmick'? Because of all the gimmicks that were always going to be natural progression, colour was one. Newspapers started printing colour. Storybooks. Photographs. It was universal. I don't see the photo lab offering me 3d photos every time I want some photos printed? Why? Because that would be a lame gimmick...

markahall

ahhhhhhhh hmmm it was called .....tech ni clr.....say it fast

exorcissy72

You could certainly argue that, but I'd argue that 3D as it is right now, is really obnoxiously 3D, it's annoying that things fly right at you, and in a kids film or a schlocky horror film, I guess it works. But in a serious movie? Here's a question for you, would "The Dark Knight" be a better movie in 3D?

AllyndDudnikov

Right on. Also, Hollywood. Start doing good plots and worry about colour and sound and 24 frames after!

Also, I assume me and you agree that "16x9" is a gimmick and that 4:3 was superior!

AllyndDudnikov

you can too say that Alien was the most important sci-fi film of the 70s.

RamJelly

Ridley Scott used to be the man but lately he comes across as behind the curve and starving for an Oscar.

Reel Thinker

3D gives me a damn headache. I still don't see how it enhances the process of TELLING A STORY any different than on a 2D screen. It's like selling a comic as a f*ucking pop-up book. Pointless.

RamJelly

Amen.

G

I just picked up Forever War after reading about Ridley Scott's involvement. Looks great so far. I'm hoping this tech also allows another great science fiction novel adaptation to finally get moving: Rendezvous With Rama. Morgan Freeman has had the rights for years, probably waiting for the tech (and the audience) to be ready. Fingers crossed for both projects.

markahall

rama good frvr war way harder to put on screen ...in a way that ......does not go the way of a......charlie sheen bimbo pilot .....mind reading doogie houser....

Robin Grahm

i haven watched a 3d movie in the theatres ever.
do they give out those uncomfortable red and green glasses to these new 3d films or what?

Brad

No. The red and green glasses have gone the way of the dodo. The new glasses look pretty much like cheap sunglasses with gray lenses.

Jones

Forever War is one of the best military science fiction books of all time. Ranks up there with Heinlein's Starship Troopers, which was much different from the book. Been waiting years for this to get made, glad to see Ridley Scott will be doing it.

Weyland_Yutani

Forever War is a great book that may translate very well to film. Exciting the Ridley Scott has taken it on.

I always felt that Starship Troopers never had a strong narrative for the action. The book just sort of tosses out bits and pieces in between Heinlein's political bits. I actually think The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, with a stronger narrative, will someday make a far better film.

Jones

True, good point, but you have to admit the opening action scene would be mindblowing to watch on film. I do think the politics of Starship Troopers would be interesting, especially today, but your point about the action and narrative is spot on.

Dude_Diggler

Alien>Aliens

Parham

How many films does Ridley Scott have in him? He's over 70 years he old be better get crackin.

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