Judge Dredd Movie is Green Lit!

[IAMTHESYSTEM]

Bit off the Dredd track but it looks like there might be moves towards a new Dune film. Frankly I consider Dune to be almost unfilmable and since the storyline contains violent Jihad as one of it's central themes it might not go down to well.


http://www.dunenovels.com/news-and-press

[Colin_YNWA]

Now I love me a bit of Matt Wagner, his Zorro is great fun but that's just silly!

Anyway I've said it before and no doubt I'll say it again 'America' is definately the way to go. It'd hardly make it 'Art house'. Its a wonderful moving story that sets up Dredd and his world perfectly side stepping a lot of the troublesome issues a Dredd film would otherwise bring with it.

There's absolutely no reason a more 'intelligent' take on Dredd won't bring in a financial return.

[Mike Gloady]

If it wasn't for Dredd being more intelligent than the general public seems to think it is, I'd not have bothered reading the character in the first place.

[dracula1]

Sounds like you two should be directing it then!

[Mike Gloady]

Speaking of Matt Wagner, I'd like to see him do a spot of Dreddd.

[George Dread]

Watching the original Dune reminded me of the similarities in the casting of Stallones Dredd. Max Von and German spelt name dude who's name can't be spelt on mobile. Both had positions of power, but in Dredd they were enemies.

[JOE SOAP]

Art House 'Dredd' ain't going to make the money $$$ ! .... and there is the problem!

I wouldn't call any Dredd story, especially America, "Arthouse"; it's a straightforward narrative. Judge Death storylines, however, are the least typical of Dredd tales, doesn't really represent the kernel of Dredd, like say the Pit, Sin City or Sunday Night Fever. Just because Judge Death is in it doesn't mean it would make loads of money either but could be in danger of becoming  another kitsch sci fi like the Stallone Dredd and another wasted oppurtunity trying to please a mass audience which rarely works with specific comic characters.

You need to make a basic Dredd film about future cryptofascists and instant justice, why would we want anything else or give non-fans another sci-fi horror flick, who don't really care anyway since it would be just another trip to the omniplex for them.

[JOE SOAP]

Watching the original Dune reminded me of the similarities in the casting of Stallones Dredd. Max Von and German spelt name dude who's name can't be spelt on mobile. Both had positions of power, but in Dredd they were enemies.

Even though Lynch's Dune was a failure, and a heroic one at that, it still has it's merits at least in it's "tone" being correct with great production design. It's more of a film than Stallone's Dreck.

[George Dread]

America is an excellent choice for my idea of how good the film can be. The overall power of the Judges over the citizens (who should be given much more detail rather than a supporting cast.) I've not read America all out but the parts I've picked up on have some filmic connotations and denotations.

[Jim_Campbell]

I wouldn't call any Dredd story, especially America, "Arthouse"; it's a straightforward narrative.

I agree. I've said it before, but 'America' could totally work. You ramp up the terrorist aspect of Total War to heighten the action/threat elements, and play up the SF procedural to give Dredd more to do and you have a proper SF thriller. Terrorism and a fascist authoritarian reaction to the same even adds political relevance in spades.

Judge Death storylines, however, are the least typical of Dredd tales

Indeed. Plus, the other key issue with Death is this: the Joker is the antithesis of Batman -- set them up in opposition and the story practically writes itself. Death, by contrast, is Dredd, just pushed a couple of steps over the edge into total insanity. You can't make Death work until the audience understands Dredd, which makes Death best reserved for a sequel if you're going to use him at all.

Cheers!

Jim

[Colin_YNWA]

I agree. I've said it before, but 'America' could totally work. You ramp up the terrorist aspect of Total War to heighten the action/threat elements, and play up the SF procedural to give Dredd more to do and you have a proper SF thriller. Terrorism and a fascist authoritarian reaction to the same even adds political relevance in spades.

I've always thought going the other way would work. Pushing Dredd back so he's a looming figure casting a shadow over the film but not the 'star of the show' in terms of screen time at least. Make the city and the citizen's the star. Use Dredd almost like the monster in the film Alien (not in the sexual metaphor way I hope you understand!) but as this presence that terrifies but doesn't get examined fully.

I feel there's so much to get through that the first film needs to be about placing Dredd in his context and with luck subsequent films can examine him more closely that context having been established. Then Death would work, for as you say Jim he's Dredd a few steps further, he then enables Dredd to become a good guy. So in any second film (and I know that's a heck of a lot to assume) you say, well yeah Dredd might be bad but look what it might be and frame Dredd more heroically that way.

[Roger Godpleton]

Increasingly over the years I've begun to wonder if Judge Death is, in fact, incongruous to the Dredd universe. Even in the big, flagship Dark Judge mega-epic Necropolis Death is arguably only the fourth most important character! If I was going to be snotty I might suggest the most interesting thing about him is that he was drawn by Brian Bolland.

[John Caliber]

The Dark Judges are classic horror monsters, but Dredd isn't a horror strip. They are probably so well-regarded because they are so odd (as Roger writes. As odd as a Dredd vs. Batman story: two very different genres clashing) in the context of a future cop drama.

Absolutely, their time was over when Bolland stopped drawing them (coinciding with  a perfectly satisfying 'death' scene on Deadworld). All the other stories were creatively pointless. Judge Death introduced Death--he killed a few citizens, was zapped in Boing, end of story. Even Judge Death Lives had no real ideas: we've had Death. Hmmm, now how about four of him?). Necropolis went too far: what if there were umpteen Dark Judges?! Quantity over quality.

I do greatly enjoy Judge Death Lives, BTW!

[Tim Tailz]

Is there anything actually happening with this movie???

[Mike Gloady]

There's a writer attatched who's produced a script which John Wagner's had a shufty at and given the nod to, Jock doing some concept art, bits and bobs here and there.  Studios tend to sit on info like this for as long as possible.  It's a way off yet, but it looks like it'll happen.