Samurai Jack: the Movie

[shogunthethird]

I heard rumors somewhere about there possibly being a Samurai Jack movie, of course there was also rumblings of a live-action one but given preference I'd prefer the animated one, anyone have any clue when that's gonna happen seeing as how both Dexter and the PPG got theirs?

[Donna lady]

Both movies are indeed planned, but they're currently in production limbo.
The live action one is supposed to be directed by Brett Ratner (director of Rush Hour 2 and the recent hit Red Dragon) and scripted by Todd Alcott (writer of Antz) from a script treatment by Genndy Tartakovsky. In a recent interview, Alcott is supposed to have said that he's making Aku human. :/ No casting info as yet; Jackie Chan was rumored to be cast as Jack, but considering his schedule for the next couple of years, it's very unlikely.
You can check here (http://www.anre.net/samsite/archives/cat_liveaction_movie.shtml) or here (http://www.anre.net/samsite/archives/cat_animated_movie.shtml) for info on the movies. (Right now these links lead to the same page.)

Here's some websites you can check out for more info. Take 'em all with a grain of salt.
Cinescape (http://www.cinescape.com/0/Editorial.asp?this_cat=Movies&obj_id=32134&aff_id=0)
UnderGroundOnline (http://www.ugo.com/channels/FilmTV/animation/article.asp?articleId=6715)
Killer Movies (http://www.killermovies.com/s/samuraijack/)
The Trades - Entertainment Industry Analysis (http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=1092)

These sites don't have much, but it doesn't hurt to check them once in a while for updates.
Film Journal (http://www.filmjournal.com/PublSystem/objects/MovieCommon/_detail.cfm/StructID/43041172)
Prevue Magazine (http://www.prevuemagazine.com/ESearch/movies/1083)
Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/SamuraiJack-10001525/preview.php)

[samurai_miaka]

Donna! You beat me! By three minutes!
*grudgedly gives her a cookie*

As you can probably tell, there is going to be a live-action movie based on Samurai Jack.

Here's an article from Playthings.com: (http://www.playthings.com/index.asp?layout=story&webzine=playthings&publication=playthings&articleid=CA226037)


New Line Cinema today announced plans to produce a live-action feature film of the Cartoon Network's new animated series Samurai Jack.

Known for its highly stylized action sequences, Samurai Jack tells the story of a Samurai warrior sent into the distant future by a shape-shifting wizard. Jack spends his time searching for way to return home while fighting off various enemies.

According the Cartoon Network, more than 2 million children and adults have seen the TV series since its August premiere. Series creator Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory) will write the screenplay for the feature film.

New Line has tapped Brett Ratner (Rush Hour) to direct. A release date has not been announced.

And another article from Digital Media FX (http://www.digitalmediafx.com/News2001/November/112101.html)


New Line Cinema, which is releasing the first of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in December, has announced that it has acquired the movie rights to the Cartoon Networks popular animated series Samurai Jack. New Line Cinema has no plans of keeping it animated, however. The movie will be a live action adventure directed by Brett Ratner, director of the two Rush Hour films that star Jackie Chan.

"With great action and a sense of humor, Samurai Jack is tremendously entertaining to kids and grownups alike," says Toby Emmerich, New Line's president of production. "There is no greater director for this film than Brett, who is not only a tremendous talent but also a major Samurai Jack fan, and we're thrilled to continue our relationship with him on this exciting project."

Samurai Jack tells the story of a great warrior displaced to the distant future by the evil shape shifting wizard Aku. The world has become a bleak place under Aku's rule, segregated into fantastic tribes and policed by Aku's evil robot warlords. Samurai Jack travels this foreign landscape searching for the time portal that can return him to his home.

[Donna lady]

Hee hee, sorry, Miaka. Here's cookies for you because... because I like your sig! ;)

http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/1907886.jpg

[Numbuh 4]

i don't like the idea of an non-animated movie
but nothin' i can do about it...
but its gonna be... really... weird...
i'll still watch it though :p

[LightAngel]

Aku...human??? What kind of evilness is that?? If this becomes more rumor, than all the more reason why a live action movie scares me. However, I'd be more than happy with an animated movie. That's just the way Samurai Jack is meant to be.

[Sharklady]

I think it's possible for a live-action Samurai Jack movie to turn out okay, if it gets the right director and casting. Which is a big If.

Frankly, I don't like the idea of Jackie Chan in the title role. He's a great martial artist and a very funny guy, but he's 1) too well known in his own right, and 2) just a little overage. A younger, leaner guy like Jet Lee would be more appropriate.

And Aku *definitely* should not be played by anything other than a CGI image.

[Samurai Kat]

Well I might go and see the live action one but I think I will wait for the cartoon version to come out.

[Arxane]

Live-action versions of cartoons scare me. Please see for reference: "Inspector Gadget", "Dudley Do-Right", "101 Dalmations".

Live-action anime movies scare me even more. Please see for reference: Dragonball: The Magic Begins (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/dragonball/index.html)

"Samurai Jack" is partially based on anime, so you know it's gonna suck if anything goes wrong. That's usually the case. Of course, maybe I'm being too pessimistic, but hey, we can be that way, once in a while.

Maybe if this live-action movie blows, I can fall back on the quality films in production right now like "Dragonball Z" and "Akira"...no, wait, I can't!