First Look at the Thundercats?
Movie Images, Thundercats Movie — By Nix on May 13, 2008
You may have heard: the Thundercats are coming to a big screen near you. But don’t worry, it’s not going to be live-action, because let’s face it, live-action Thundercats would just be … weird. Instead, the whole shebang will be CGI animation, but if Internet rumors are correct (re: it probably isn’t), then the movie’s got some pretty big names behind it, including Hugh Jackman, Jessica Simpson and Michael Clarke Duncan. And again, i stress the if correct part. In any case, here is your (sorta) first look at what the Thundercats will look like.
From I09, who links to these guys:
Here’s a model of what the heads will supposedly look like in the new CGI Thundercats movie, which appears to be using some kind of motion-capture and supposedly stars Hugh Jackman, Jessica Simpson and Michael Clarke Duncan.
The only sure things about the “Thundercats” movie is that Jerry O’Flaherty will be directing from a script by Paul Sopocy, and the film is being looked at as a 2009-2010 release.
31 Comments
hmm, if that is real then and they are using Zbrush (which that background is the Zbrush background) and to have that high of detail then that’s a lot of damn polys. That head alone is probably 2 million and that’s going to be a pain in the ass to skin and morf.
I don’t see what the difference or wirdness would be if it were made as live action movie,,afterall, we’ve already experienced star wars, narnia, lord of the rings, star trek, etc. as live action films and yet have been successful. i would prefer to see the thundercats as live as possible as i too am in the film industry and computer graphics and to me i see that the more realistic the film the better the outcome.
I COMPLETELY agree with you Joe. I think its weird that a CGI movie should be done first. I think that if you can make a movie about Mutants and Superheroes and fastasy creatures like Orcs, elves etc, making a Thundercats live action film shouldn’t be a problem. I think everyone expects this to be The broadway show “Cats” with weapons and fighting.. and all i have to say is it takes vision. If Chris Nolan can bring back a ruined batman franchise, (yes Joel Schumacher you ruined that), then someone can make this film as good… (well perhaps just under what batman was, because that was an amazing movie)I know this could be an awesome Live action movie..
I also think that its ok that all of these shows from the past are being redone and revamped to our time. It’s something that we grew up with and can connect with again. It will bring in all those adults who loved the show growing up. SO bring on the live action Thundercats!! and if we’re still trying to figure out how to make it live action contact me! I have some ideas!
The difference between the films you just mentioned and thundercats is that thundercats is about cat people. Imagine Hugh Jackman in Tigra make-up. Most people would see that once and say, that’s the most retarded thing i’ve ever seen. So the only two options are really to make a CGI movie that stays true to the series or to make a shitty live action movie that bears little resemblance to it. The latter would end up like the DBZ movie.
JJ,
I agree with you that the movie can be butchered if its done by the wrong people.. But for me putting it completely into CGI/ cartoony format will make it TOO ‘kiddy’ for me, I want to see more meat behind the characters.. not just the same thing we were accustomed to growing up. I think where we sort of cross is in our visions of what a live action movie would be like for this movie… When you think Live action movie, to me it looks like youre looking at the cast as (again to repeat myself) The Cat’s musical, people licking themselve in cat-like ways and hissing and meowing purring (like the movie Catwoman) and on top of all that 80’s fros with bright orange stripes on wolverine… and swords and magic and rainbows… that’s not how i see the the Live Action Thundercats…
I picture the cast looking more like refugees, as their home planet has been destroyed and they’re trying to start over. They would look more human than cat.. having reflexes and certain abilities that cats do, but not the charateristics like lapping up milk or anything like that, it would be like them evolving from cats as we did from apes and don’t continue on ape like traditions (ie picking lice, throwing poop, etc..)… Change up the costumes so Lion-o isn’t running around in a sports bra and underwear and Cheetarah isn’t running around looking for a swimming pool to dive into. They would be more like wolverine (who initially was supposed to be a mutated wolverine – side note), human with animal instincts. You don’t see spiderman with eight eyes or a web that comes from his buttocks, you see him as a human. Try to make it more modern, I’m sure you understand… The symbol would be like a family crest, a jewel of sorts and get rid of some of the cheesy little tag lines or modernize them.. put that all together with a well written script, and you’ll have a decent movie… if they can make star trek over as an actio packed movie with the technology out there today, they can certainly do that with Thundercats.. no problem..
My point is, there are many ways of making a movie, and to use batman as an example, we’ve seen a froot loop disaster and then to the other extreme a work of genius. So yes I agree with you there is a chance of making thundercats like DBZ, which I think should never have been made into a movie in the first place.. but given the right director, writers and vision.. it would be amazing! Anyway those are my thoughts, muddled as they may be… take them for what their worth!
dude i think that live action would be better than CGI. Even in the animated series they looked more human than cat, but if anything just alter the appearence of their noses a bit. Even in the movie ‘Tank Girl’ the rippers didn’t look to much like kangaroos with the exception of the tails, feet, and ears, where as in the comic they seemed more realistic to the animal. DBZ wasn’t that bad they modernized it. yeah i’ve watched it since i was kid and was kind of pissed how it went, but i still liked the movie. either way a live action thunder cats would be pretty epic because honestly lets face it CGI just seems to juvinile i mean what movies do you see done like that these days? kid shows like care bears and casper for gods sake…think of the big picture here boys!
I say we stick with realism on the acters and locations and use Zbrush for other characters that don’t have much screenplay. lets keep it real people and the actors can use makeup to show the cat side.
Let’s do it LIVE action. That would be so much better. I’ve been waiting for this show to finally come to the big screen and know the rumors are spreading that it’s gonna be animated!? Give me a break.
Please make it live action, I have been waiting forever for this, I love thundercats, they need to make it live action, i didn’t like how they made TMNT
LIVE ACTION…whats with hollywood. WE ALL WANT LIVE ACTION
Is there any way we can boycott Jessica Simpson being in the movie? If there is send me the link…I’d get everyone I know to sign it. She’d totally ruin the movie. I love Thundercats, it better be fucking awesome or they shouldn’t do it.
Peace.
I agree with all of the above. Jessica Simpson has a great body, but Thundercats needs someone tall and athletic to play the female lead. And it MUST be live action! Seriously.
After watching the trailer on you tube, I think that the cast they have
shown would be ideal. Vin Diesel would make a fantastic Panthro, Brad
Pitt as Lion-O, Hugh Jackman as Tigra and (excuse me I cant remember her
name) the woman from Farscape I think looked spot on as Cheetarah.
Bring on LIVE ACTION Thundercats.
Jessica Simpson DOES NOT HAVE A GREAT BODY. Her tush is about as shapely as a pancake. The can pad it up like they did in the Dukes of Hazzard tragedy but it’s not the same as a real one.
For a REAL and shapely posterior, you need someone with an athletic body like Jessica Biel or Jaime Pressly. You know, someone who isn’t flat reared like Jessica Simpson.
WTF?? No live action? Are you effin kidding me? How will live action be wierd? I think it would rock to the most awesomest level!! Seriously you cant do a Thundercats movie in CG, thats just wrong! We 80’s kids deserve a damn good movie! Jessica Simpson in the movie? are you serious? i mean she already jinxed the Dallas Cowboys, we dont need her effin up the Thundrcats movies. Last i checked there were no dumb blondes in Thundercats!
i’d agree with the NO LIVE ACTION… cuz most actors tend to ruin a true masterpiece… look at most video games that where turned to movies… the acting was horrible and the directors just sucked… but i will say that final fantasy VII: advent children was a work of art… if the cg work is a great as that movie then all we would have to worry about is the plot of the movie… i just hope it stays true to the 80’s show cuz it was one of my favorites growing up as well as silverhawks, transformers, and g.i. joe…