Lord of the Rings effects studio to work on Neon Genesis Evangelion, with Jackson?

Katsuya · January 8th, 2004, 10:52

Hmmmm... Interesting...

-data-
Cannes, France - May 20, 2003

In an announcement sure to make waves in the entertainment industry, ADV Films President and CEO John Ledford yesterday publicly confirmed industry rumors that the firm has acquired the rights to produce, and has already begun development of, a live-action feature-film based on the Japanese animated television series "Neon Genesis Evangelion," a multi-million dollar worldwide franchise and perhaps the most influential anime title in the history of the art form.
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The project is a collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax and Weta Workshop, Ltd.

The Participants
ADV Films is the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America. The Japanese anime and game studio Gainax Network Systems was one of the original production studios responsible for "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and Weta Workshop, Ltd. is the New Zealand-based special effects studio that created the effects for Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Peter Jackson (writer and director of The Lord of the Rings Movies) said he loved the anime and is very interested in the project.

"The three main players here represent something of a 'dream-team' for a project like this one," said Ledford. "Between the quality and significance of the Gainax title, Weta's industry-leading skill in the creation of special visual effects, and our expertise in the marketing and promotion of anime and anime-related content, this project is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The Story
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders. Including both a 26-episode television series and at least two animated motion pictures, "Neon Genesis Evangelion" has long been both a fan favorite and an extraordinary critical and commercial success, with the worldwide franchise producing many millions of dollars in revenue.

Timetable
The "Neon Genesis Evangelion" live-action motion picture is in the earliest stages of development. Ledford confirmed, however, that the timetable is an aggressive one, and that more information on the project is forthcoming.

About Weta Workshop, Ltd
Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Peter Jackson and Jamie Selkirk, Weta is a physical and digital effects company providing creatures, special make-up effects, prosthetics, miniatures, armor, weaponry and digital effects for the film and television industry. Over the past sixteen years the company has provided effects for Jackson's "Meet the Feebles", "Braindead" (aka "Dead Alive"), "Heavenly Creatures," "The Frighteners," and "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy, as well as for advertisements and television shows including the popular "Hercules" and "Xena" series. At the height of production on "The Lord of the Rings," Weta Workshop employed 150 physical effects technicians and 350 digital effects technicians at Weta Digital. Weta's work on "The Lord of the Rings" has garnered worldwide praise including two Academy Awards in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup), and one in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects). The British Academy has also honored Weta's work by awarding two BAFTAs in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup) and two more in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Costume).

About ADV Films
In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation ("anime") by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer- distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm's holdings including such premier titles as "NOIR," "Sailor Moon," "Samurai X," "Hello Kitty's Paradise," "RahXephon," "Spriggan," "Robotech," "Full Metal Panic" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion." In addition, ADV Films' product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," "Mutant X" and The Jim Henson Company's "Farscape," and classic science fiction such as the updated "Gamera" trilogy.
-data-

K.I.L.E.R · January 8th, 2004, 17:47

I don't believe even Jackson could pull this off. I believe the movie will end up like a retarded anime imitation.
Anime should stay as anime.

Valcrist · January 8th, 2004, 18:14

Quote:

Anime should stay as anime.

I agree

Alexander06 · January 8th, 2004, 18:21

He shouldn't defile the series.

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Tori-Yama · January 8th, 2004, 18:33

Anyhow, I'm pretty curious about this project. And even it ends up like others here mentioned, I still have another reason to blame reality again

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**Kane** · January 8th, 2004, 18:43

Considering how well LOTR was pulled off, I'm holding back my initial reaction which was 'what the **** do they think they are doing?'. I'm thinking I should wait and see. If it gets the same production values as LOTR, it could be amazing.

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Tori-Yama · January 8th, 2004, 18:53

Not to mention these skin-like entry-plug-suits.

So tight that you could even see their religion ...

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op3n_skill · January 8th, 2004, 19:10

i'd like to see it like Evangelion: Death, or somewhere close to the storyline of EVA64 (a somewhat kiddie ending IMO, but it's better than the manga)...

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Strider · January 8th, 2004, 23:44

Quote:

Considering how well LOTR was pulled off, I'm holding back my initial reaction which was 'what the **** do they think they are doing?'. I'm thinking I should wait and see. If it gets the same production values as LOTR, it could be amazing.

lotr used weta though to recreate masses of things... weta workshop made hundreds and thousands of armors weapons clothing furnishings etc, and weta digital made the MASSIVE(tm) Engine which allowed them to program incredibly complex AIs into thousands upon thousands of digitally created characters (orcs, riders of rohan, etc)

i dunno how well the effects will be with a single angel attacking... the thing was that the digital orcs blended in really well with the HERO orcs (basically people who are actually in the scene dressed as orcs) ...right now im being reminded of the old power rangers scenes with a big purple guy in a costume throwing fake laserbeams at buildings

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MaZa · January 9th, 2004, 10:11

I have heard this already. Its just, how the hell they are going to manage to add complexity of Evangelion to a movie/movie serie. Its not going to work. I bet it will be just an action film with supercool special effects.

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Oten · January 9th, 2004, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaZa

I have heard this already. Its just, how the hell they are going to manage to add complexity of Evangelion to a movie/movie serie. Its not going to work. I bet it will be just an action film with supercool special effects.

supercool special effects sounds cute...and im trying to imagine the actresses they i'll use for asuka and rei....

dammit...sounds good......................

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MaZa · January 9th, 2004, 11:55

Oh yeah, i almost forgot about those. This movie is going to be great.

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January 8th, 2004, 10:52	#1
Katsuya - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: - Posts: 1,934	Lord of the Rings effects studio to work on Neon Genesis Evangelion, with Jackson? Hmmmm... Interesting... -data- Cannes, France - May 20, 2003 In an announcement sure to make waves in the entertainment industry, ADV Films President and CEO John Ledford yesterday publicly confirmed industry rumors that the firm has acquired the rights to produce, and has already begun development of, a live-action feature-film based on the Japanese animated television series "Neon Genesis Evangelion," a multi-million dollar worldwide franchise and perhaps the most influential anime title in the history of the art form. Advertisement The project is a collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax and Weta Workshop, Ltd. The Participants ADV Films is the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America. The Japanese anime and game studio Gainax Network Systems was one of the original production studios responsible for "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and Weta Workshop, Ltd. is the New Zealand-based special effects studio that created the effects for Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Peter Jackson (writer and director of The Lord of the Rings Movies) said he loved the anime and is very interested in the project. "The three main players here represent something of a 'dream-team' for a project like this one," said Ledford. "Between the quality and significance of the Gainax title, Weta's industry-leading skill in the creation of special visual effects, and our expertise in the marketing and promotion of anime and anime-related content, this project is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." The Story "Neon Genesis Evangelion" is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders. Including both a 26-episode television series and at least two animated motion pictures, "Neon Genesis Evangelion" has long been both a fan favorite and an extraordinary critical and commercial success, with the worldwide franchise producing many millions of dollars in revenue. Timetable The "Neon Genesis Evangelion" live-action motion picture is in the earliest stages of development. Ledford confirmed, however, that the timetable is an aggressive one, and that more information on the project is forthcoming. About Weta Workshop, Ltd Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Peter Jackson and Jamie Selkirk, Weta is a physical and digital effects company providing creatures, special make-up effects, prosthetics, miniatures, armor, weaponry and digital effects for the film and television industry. Over the past sixteen years the company has provided effects for Jackson's "Meet the Feebles", "Braindead" (aka "Dead Alive"), "Heavenly Creatures," "The Frighteners," and "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy, as well as for advertisements and television shows including the popular "Hercules" and "Xena" series. At the height of production on "The Lord of the Rings," Weta Workshop employed 150 physical effects technicians and 350 digital effects technicians at Weta Digital. Weta's work on "The Lord of the Rings" has garnered worldwide praise including two Academy Awards in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup), and one in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects). The British Academy has also honored Weta's work by awarding two BAFTAs in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup) and two more in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Costume). About ADV Films In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation ("anime") by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer- distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm's holdings including such premier titles as "NOIR," "Sailor Moon," "Samurai X," "Hello Kitty's Paradise," "RahXephon," "Spriggan," "Robotech," "Full Metal Panic" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion." In addition, ADV Films' product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," "Mutant X" and The Jim Henson Company's "Farscape," and classic science fiction such as the updated "Gamera" trilogy. -data-

January 8th, 2004, 17:47	#2
K.I.L.E.R Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,338	I don't believe even Jackson could pull this off. I believe the movie will end up like a retarded anime imitation. Anime should stay as anime.

January 8th, 2004, 18:21	#4
Alexander06 Someone scoop my box! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: USA Posts: 315	He shouldn't defile the series. __________________ MEMBER OF THE PESSIMISTS' CLUB ************************************** There are 10 types of people in this world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

January 8th, 2004, 18:33	#5
Tori-Yama Jyushi Bismark Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,561	Anyhow, I'm pretty curious about this project. And even it ends up like others here mentioned, I still have another reason to blame reality again __________________

January 8th, 2004, 18:43	#6
Kane 邪魔ゎ指せない Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Gosport, England Posts: 26,303	Considering how well LOTR was pulled off, I'm holding back my initial reaction which was 'what the **** do they think they are doing?'. I'm thinking I should wait and see. If it gets the same production values as LOTR, it could be amazing. __________________ >Site Live< Pop over to my site for help with setting up PSX emulators. Help for the Final Fantasies and other RPGs avalaible Celes: (Desktop) Phenom II X4, 4Gb DDR2, GeForce 8800 GTS 320Mb, 32Gb OCZ Vertex SSD, 500Gb RAID HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium Erika: (MCPC) Revo3610, Windows 7 Home Premium Kimiko: (Craptop) HP Mini 210

January 8th, 2004, 18:53	#7
Tori-Yama Jyushi Bismark Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,561	Not to mention these skin-like entry-plug-suits. So tight that you could even see their religion ... __________________

January 8th, 2004, 19:10	#8
op3n_skill Finally!! :D Join Date: May 2003 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 1,842	i'd like to see it like Evangelion: Death, or somewhere close to the storyline of EVA64 (a somewhat kiddie ending IMO, but it's better than the manga)... __________________ Member of "The Pessimistics Club"

January 9th, 2004, 10:11	#10
MaZa !!!METAL UNCLE!!! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Finland Posts: 1,951	I have heard this already. Its just, how the hell they are going to manage to add complexity of Evangelion to a movie/movie serie. Its not going to work. I bet it will be just an action film with supercool special effects. __________________ Athlon XP 2600+ Barton, 1GB 333mhz DDR RAM, NVidia 6800GT, 2x160GB HD + gainward 3d glasses :fart:

January 9th, 2004, 11:55	#12
MaZa !!!METAL UNCLE!!! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Finland Posts: 1,951	Oh yeah, i almost forgot about those. This movie is going to be great. __________________ Athlon XP 2600+ Barton, 1GB 333mhz DDR RAM, NVidia 6800GT, 2x160GB HD + gainward 3d glasses :fart: