TBF, Mags, you have been doing a lot of the heavylifting for the quest, so this will be in good hands.
To be clear to everyone, this is just me burning out on imagination of the quest, since my muse has been hitting me over the head a lot with so many different ideas that I just can't find myself too interested in this.
I'll still hang out here, though, since this still does have a sepcial place in my heart.
I'd like to thank you all for making this a wonderful experience while it lasted.
I'd also like to thank @Magoose, @Fluffy_serpent, and @Martin Noctis for doing so much to help prepare and write this quest. I couldn't have done it without you all.
Well, we already have a deal with them so a partnership, or partial ownership, would work for the best in my opinion. Perhaps if we give them the idea for He-Man as well we could get to own said franchise before Mattel tries it.
I still think that we should buy them outright, or at least a major share... We get more control over our merch and we get extra benefits out of the merch by removing the middleman.
@Magoose how much would it cost to buy Hasbro? because with the deep Crisis they are in we could probably buy them outright for 10-30 million dollars (their price per share right now is 22 cents)
@Magoose how much would it cost to buy Hasbro? because with the deep Crisis they are in we could probably buy them outright for 10-30 million dollars (their price per share right now is 22 cents)
Well, we already have a deal with them so a partnership, or partial ownership, would work for the best in my opinion. Perhaps if we give them the idea for He-Man as well we could get to own said franchise before Mattel tries it.
We don't have a deal with them, we have deals with Kenner and Bandai who handle our Star Wars and Gundam merch. Kenner has made billions of dollars of Star Wars toys and very high quality. I'd rather buy out Kenner, which is a plus cause it means we also keep those manufacturing jobs in America.
We don't have a deal with them, we have deals with Kenner and Bandai who handle our Star Wars and Gundam merch. Kenner has made billions of dollars of Star Wars toys and very high quality. I'd rather buy out Kenner, which is a plus cause it means we also keep those manufacturing jobs in America.
Oh, sorry. I looked it up and it mentioned them making Star Wars toys. Must have misread them. Alright then, let's go for Kenner and keep our partnership with them.
Funny how we got a partnership with Bandai as well, considering that in OTL they were the ones to buy Sunrise Studios in the future.
We don't have a deal with them, we have deals with Kenner and Bandai who handle our Star Wars and Gundam merch. Kenner has made billions of dollars of Star Wars toys and very high quality. I'd rather buy out Kenner, which is a plus cause it means we also keep those manufacturing jobs in America.
TBH I don't really mind if we go for Hasbro, Kenner, or Mattel... I was suggesting Hasbro because OTL 1979 was the perfect time to buy them due to the deep Crisis of the company at that time...
But yeah we should definitely buy our own toy company to handle merchandising (and eventually also buy Bandai)
Anyway, I want to make Brandon an Hollywood action star of the late 80s and early 90s and I'm currently thinking about some sort of generic action movie pitch that could be decent enough.
...I mean, I think that a good way to do that would be Tijuana Takedown, given its relatively lower technological creep and fairly grounded combat [compared to what comes later in Cyberpunk- be easy enough to get by with tacticool gear] and it'd be simple enough to introduce him as Cpt. Jack Tanner's newest and youngest boot with something to prove or as one of his buddies that's since passed away from the start of the war (if flashbacks).
And if he lives, well...Brandon's now welcome to be a recurring character in the series.
[EDIT: And now that I think about it, we could also put him in Red Dawn as the only kid from school who bothered learning hand to hand...]
Alright, I can't recall who it was that was telling us about The Last Unicorn, but I do remember watching the movie a long time ago and thinking it was pretty "Meh" in the end. I was not so sure what it was until I saw it again, and realized that it had been made by Rankin-Bass. It had to be them with that animation style. Dear God, what was with all the blue around as well, it was like there was not a single palette they could use but that.
I kept on thinking that it could be done better. Our animation department is among the best, we have different styles thanks to hiring visionaries, old guard, and international animators. not to mention that the story itself seems to be tailor made for Don Bluth himself. The man can draw gorgeous characters and backgrounds, while also making the entire story and experience seem dark and foreboding. His movies basically make you earn your happy ending, as tragedy goes all around you.
This story, being adapted by him, would be amazing.
So, I give you:
Movie Pitch: The Last Unicorn GENRE: Adventure/Fantasy SUBGENRE: Drama/Romance
FORMAT: Animated Movie
Set Up: Based on the 1968 novel The Last Unicorn written by Peter S. Beagle. The story is about a unicorn who, upon learning that she is the last of her species on Earth, goes on a quest to find out what has happened to others of her kind. In her travels she faces dangers all around her, along with her companions who aid her quest as she also learns of love and regret when temporarily turned into a human, as well as sacrifice and courage as she faces the Red Bull who hunts her kind.
Director: Don Bluth Composer: Alan Menken
The Last Unicorn/Lady Amalthea: She is the eponymous "last unicorn" who, in her search for the other unicorns, is transformed into a young woman by Schmendrick, taking the name of "Lady Amalthea" and learns about regret and love as her memories of being a Unicorn slowly fade away. She is terrified of the Red Bull who has hunted all her fellow unicorns, but faces him after he attacks Prince Lir.
Played By: Debbie Harry Alternate: Susan Sheridan
Schmendrick: A magician who accompanies the Unicorn on her quest to find others like her. Schmendrick is considered to be the "Most incompetent Magician in the Land", but no one knows that in reality he's just too powerful and can't control his power appropriately. In the end he manages to turn Lady Amalthea once more into a Unicorn, a feat that even his master had said was impossible.
Played By: Rene Auberjonois Alternate: Alan Arkin
Prince Lir: He is King Haggard's adopted son who falls in love with Lady Amalthea. Although he is later told by Schmendrick that she is a unicorn, his feelings for her remain unchanged, as he says emphatically, "I love whom I love". Prince Lir is a kind and brave man, who tries to impress Lady Amalthea through her stay until she turns back into a Unicorn. Afterwards, he vows to be the best King his lands deserves in her honor.
Played By: Alec Baldwin Alternate: Kurt Russell
King Haggard: He the ruler of a dreary kingdom, who has never been happy, save for when he looks at unicorns. Ever since his creature, the Red Bull, scared all the Unicorns into the sea, he's tried to find any and all things to try and find happiness, from good to bad, even hiring Schmendrick to see if an incompetent wizard would be able to cheer him up.
Played By: Christopher Lee Alternate: Vincent Price
The Red Bull: A bright red bull creature, whose sight and ferocity have chased many a Unicorn into the sea. It is his actions which set the plot in motion, as he has hunted nearly all Unicorns save for the last one. He is not very bright however as turning the last Unicorn into Lady Amalthea is enough for him to stop chasing her. He's also a coward, as when he's attacked by the last unicorn he retreats and does not know how to react.
Played By: Frank Welker Alternate: Mel Blanc
Mommy Fortuna: She is a witch who uses her illusory magic to run the Midnight Carnival, a travelling circus/creature show which showcases mythical creatures that are, in truth, just normal animals. Later, the harpy Celaeno, one of the two real mythical creatures (the other being the last unicorn), kills her and her henchman, Ruhk.
Played By: Angela Lansbury Alternate: Jeanette Nolan
Captain Cully: He is the captain of a gang of bandits. A man who so dearly wants to be respected as a modern-day Robin hood, and thus does everything possible to impress and give an air of cunning, heroism, and swashbucklery, yet always falling short. When his men run after the illusions created by Schmendrick, he ties him to a tree to hold him hostage.
Played By: Jack Albertson Alternate: Christopher Plummer
Molly Grue: She is the love of Captain Cully who joins Schmendrick and the Unicorn in their travels after Cully runs off. A pragmatic and blunt woman, Molly is nonetheless also kind, willing to give advice when someone needs it, as well as a shoulder to cry on when in distress. She, along with Schmendrick, decide to travel together after the end of their adventure and their goodbyes to Prince Lir and the last unicorn.
Played By: Tammy Grimes Alternate: Diana Chesney
The Butterfly: He is a creature that gives the Unicorn the news of the disappearance of all the unicorns, as well as a hint as to where to find them.
Played By: Robert Klein
The Cat: A talking cat that gives hints to finding the Red Bull and its lair.
Played By: Christopher Plummer
The Skull: A Skull that guards the clock that serves as an entryway into the Red Bull's lair. He also rats the group out as they're about to enter.
Played By: Don Franck
Celaeno the Harpy: A real harpy that was captured by Mommy Fortuna, freed by the Unicorn, and kills the former out of vengeance for trapping her.
Played By: Keenan Wynn
Mabruk: He is King Haggard's court magician who is replaced by Schmendrick.
Played By: Paul Frees
A.N.: You know, I've heard that the author of this book also wrote the screenplay. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing since the movie itself could've perhaps added a few more scenes, or just changed some parts near the end to make it somewhat cheerier. Then again, just making the animation somewhat better than Rankin-Bass would be more than enough for me.
Alright, I can't recall who it was that was telling us about The Last Unicorn, but I do remember watching the movie a long time ago and thinking it was pretty "Meh" in the end. I was not so sure what it was until I saw it again, and realized that it had been made by Rankin-Bass. It had to be them with that animation style. Dear God, what was with all the blue around as well, it was like there was not a single palette they could use but that.
I kept on thinking that it could be done better. Our animation department is among the best, we have different styles thanks to hiring visionaries, old guard, and international animators. not to mention that the story itself seems to be tailor made for Don Bluth himself. The man can draw gorgeous characters and backgrounds, while also making the entire story and experience seem dark and foreboding. His movies basically make you earn your happy ending, as tragedy goes all around you.
This story, being adapted by him, would be amazing.
I think that OTL Last Unicorn is an amazing film and an absolute classic of animation that didn´t shy away from including mature themes and that did not treat its audience as if it was dumb...
But yeah, we can do it even better (we have to get the rights from the author first though)
I think that OTL Last Unicorn is an amazing film and an absolute classic of animation that didn´t shy away from including mature themes and that did not treat its audience as if it was dumb...
But yeah, we can do it even better (we have to get the rights from the author first though)
As I said, my main criticism was the animation in the film, not the overall story (though I would have loved a happy ending, the bittersweet one was also good). Bluth can enhance both in my opinion.
A.N.: You know, I've heard that the author of this book also wrote the screenplay. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing since the movie itself could've perhaps added a few more scenes, or just changed some parts near the end to make it somewhat cheerier. Then again, just making the animation somewhat better than Rankin-Bass would be more than enough for me.
As I said, my main criticism was the animation in the film, not the overall story (though I would have loved a happy ending, the bittersweet one was also good). Bluth can enhance both in my opinion.
Yeah the author adapted the screenplay, but the studio wanted to cut a good portion of its deeper and more philosophical dialogue... And it was thanks to Christpher Lee that the studio didn't do that (he had already read the book and he loved it)
And why do you want to make the ending "Cheerier"? One of the best things of the film is that is brave enough to end in a bittersweet note... They won, the Bull is defeated and Unicorns return to the world, but Amalthea/the Unicorn will be forever a stranger among its own kind because she is the first and only Unicorn that knows love and regret.
It is a beautiful ending that fits perfectly with the themes of the story.
Yeah the author adapted the screenplay, but the studio wanted to cut a good portion of its deeper and more philosophical dialogue... And it was thanks to Christpher Lee that the studio didn't do that (he had already read the book and he loved it)
From my research, good Book writers ususally don't make for good writers fro screenplays, due to having to adapt for a whole different medium. Removing the philosophical dialogue might have been for the best, or at least reducing it enough so that it could still be there but does not slow down the story.
And why do you want to make the ending "Cheerier"? One of the best things of the film is that is brave enough to end in a bittersweet note... They won, the Bull is defeated and Unicorns return to the world, but Amalthea/the Unicorn will be forever a stranger among its own kind because she is the first and only Unicorn that knows love and regret.
It is a beautiful ending that fits perfectly with the themes of the story.
Eh, I can see your point, but not every story needs to have a completely happy ending. I see no reason to change the ending for TLU from what I know, but ultimately, it's your pitch and I shouldn't try to tell you how to do it.
Also, slightly unrelated, but this is the firsr thing that came to mind when I saw the pitch for Last Unicorn.
Removing the philosophical dialogue might have been for the best, or at least reducing it enough so that it could still be there but does not slow down the story.
And if you remove that, which is what makes the film unique, you turn The Last Unicorn into a generic fantasy cartoon with some talking animals (and a harpy with 3 tits)...
The Last Unicorn is supposed to be a slow and introspective story... The Book from which is based is considered one of the best fantasy books of the 20th century and it was always a mature story not made for kids.
Yeah, but Peter S. Beagle did a great job adapting The Last Unicorn... The things for what this film is most remembered and cherished are its characters, mature themes, and dialogue... Which comes directly from the script.
Yup. I didn't mean to say that all book writers are like that, but there are enough that I think my point is made. Not that I'll deny him the chance to write the screen play, just saying that if Don Bluth manages something better then we should go for it.
Eh, I can see your point, but not every story needs to have a completely happy ending. I see no reason to change the ending for TLU from what I know, but ultimately, it's your pitch and I shouldn't try to tell you how to do it.
Eh? My pitch never said that it woud go for the happy ending. Heck, the only part where I mention that is in my A.N., which are my own thoughts and suggestions, but overall not a complete part of the Pitch. Heck, if I wanted a happy and cheery ending I would have put Musker and Clements as directors rather than Bluth.
Eh? My pitch never said that it woud go for the happy ending. Heck, the only part where I mention that is in my A.N., which are my own thoughts and suggestions, but overall not a complete part of the Pitch. Heck, if I wanted a happy and cheery ending I would have put Musker and Clements as directors rather than Bluth.
So I just found out something cool. Clint Eastwood has his own personal production company called Malpaso Productions which he does the majority of his films and all of his Director films. And from this point on to present day, with a few exceptions almost all of his films were made with Warner Bros:
With Warner Bros defunct, this means that the rest of Clint's career is now an unknown and while he is making the Dirty Harry movies with Columbia, who better to partner Malpaso with than his "nephew" and the studio which saved his film career and gave a boost to the dying western through a fortunate marketing and distribution campaign? It'd be cool to have Clint as a permanent member of the Lucasfilms team and we'll always have a chance to star in his movies. We already got precedent with the Ladd Company, why not move forward with Malpaso? Not to mention that it would be a very fortunate replacement for that cocaine dealer Producer that unfortunately became a wasted recruitment.
With Warner Bros defunct, this means that the rest of Clint's career is now an unknown and while he is making the Dirty Harry movies with Columbia, who better to partner Malpaso with than his "nephew" and the studio which saved his film career and gave a boost to the dying western through a fortunate marketing and distribution campaign? It'd be cool to have Clint as a permanent member of the Lucasfilms team and we'll always have a chance to star in his movies. We already got precedent with the Ladd Company, why not move forward with Malpaso? Not to mention that it would be a very fortunate replacement for that cocaine dealer Producer that unfortunately became a wasted recruitment.
I'd be all for it; getting the chance to work more with Clint Eastwood, and perhaps (if we're very lucky) get to direct some of his movies sounds like a dream come true. We should definetely use that as an option next turn.
No Prob. One thing I would like to change though is to finally just having the setting more clarified. I mean, it seems to be your typical fantasy land where magical creatures exist, yet it also seems to be Earth, but not our kind of Earth. It's never really explained where the story takes place, so perhaps the movie could do that.
Anyone else want to make an animated musical with Queen? They're fans of us anyway so surely they'd be game, right? It'd not necessarily be a "Yellow Submarine" type affair, of course!
And I'd love to do something "out there" like Cowboys Vs Aliens with Clint. Though with a more subtle name to make the genre-bending twist more surprising.
Anyone else want to make an animated musical with Queen? They're fans of us anyway so surely they'd be game, right? It'd not necessarily be a "Yellow Submarine" type affair, of course!
And I'd love to do something "out there" like Cowboys Vs Aliens with Clint. Though with a more subtle name to make the genre-bending twist more surprising.
