Live-Action Gaiking Project Starts Writer Search, SFX R&D:
Producer Gale Anne Hurd interviewed.
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Producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens, The Walking Dead) revealed in an interview with entertainment news website Collider that the production team behind the proposed live-action Gaiking film is currently seeking out writers for the script. Hurd also stated that the staff has started research and development on special effects.
She added, “You don’t want people to look at something and think that was a fantastic special effect. Visual effects now you really feel as if you can reach out and touch, whether it’s a creature’s face or a machine.”
She also stated that despite Warner Bros.’ plans for a Robotech film and World Events Productions’ plans for a Voltron film, she does not feel there is a competition between the features. “I did Armageddon, there was also Deep Impact and we ended up being the most successful movie at the box office that year in the world even though we were second. I also did Dante’s Peak. There were three underwater films released when we made The Abyss. I think the most important thing is to make the best film you can.”
Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment announced development of the live-action Gaiking film with Toei Animation and All Nippon Entertainment Works (ANEW) in December.
Gaiking is currently set for a live-action adaptation from a joint venture between Producer Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment, Toei and Al Nippon Entertainment. Here’s what Hurd had to say about the project.
On the current status of the project, that was first announced back in December.
Gale Anne Hurd: “We just closed the deal (with Toei and Al Nippon Entertainment) and we are out to writers as we speak.”
On whether there’s definitive plans in place at this point and whether there’s a timeframe for prodcution.
GAH: Its early on, I’d hate to do that before the writers have an opportunity to look at the material and sit down with me. I don’t think we want it to look like something you’ve already seen on screen before. As you know, if you know Gaiking, it’s really the character driven part of it that’s so compelling to all of us. It’s more important to get the right writer and the right take than it is to do something in a particular timeframe.
With Pacific Rim coming out soon and Robotech, Gigantor and Voltron also in production, is there a rush to beat the competition.
GAH: No, I’ve been first and second. I did Armageddon, there was also Deep Impact and we ended up being the most successful movie at the box office that year in the world even though we were second. I also did Dante’s Peak. There were three underwater films released when we made The Abyss. I think the most important thing is to make the best film you can.
Has SFX R&D begun?
GAH: Oh, absolutely. You don’t want people to look at something and think that was a fantastic special effect. Visual effects now you really feel as if you can reach out and touch, whether it’s a creature’s face or a machine.
On whether the deal with Toei and Al Nippon means all parties must agree or if her production company, Valhalla decides the direction and tone and they support.
GAH: We’ve all agreed on which writers we’re going to go out to and I always like my partners to be happy but I think they will support the direction that we want to go.
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