Rumor: Disney Developing New Live-Action Dragon Ball Movie With Asian Cast

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Assuming Disney wanted to do a Dragonball movie I would start with DBZ and Do Dragonball as Disney + show.

A live action series could be a possibility, and a good way of testing the waters to see if live action Dragon Ball can be successful. It will more than likely be from Netflix rather than Disney though as they have already set a precedent for anime adaptations, and it will likely depend on how well the upcoming One Piece series does.

[dario03]

Assuming Disney wanted to do a Dragonball movie I would start with DBZ and Do Dragonball as Disney + show.

I would prefer them NOT start in the middle of the story. That's like telling someone to start with The Force Awakens.

I'm still not sure if live action would work great but I would prefer they start around the end of Super. Instead of retelling parts of the story just make it a continuation. Have it mostly made with the assumption that the audience has seen DB but with a bit of a recap at the start of the story. Then just make it mostly an action movie since high budget cgi fights would probably translate better than the rest of DB would.
Battle of Gods would have been good for something like this.

[ABED]

Sorry Dario03, if an adaptation with any real budget is going to happen, you can't just assume mass audience has seen DB and know the characters.

MyVisionity, you're losing the forest from the trees. The individual takes on the characters might not be vastly different when it switches from one hand to the other, but when you take a step back and look at the entirety of those characters, you can see vast differences overall..

Compared to that task, adapting something like Dragon Ball would seem like a breeze, at least on the surface.

It's quite the opposite. With comics, even Marvel, we're talking decades of "continuity" but that continuity is so malleable as to practically be non-existant, and Lee had the philosophy that every comic is someone's first comic. They had some continuity but stories didn't used to be so dependent on what came before that you couldn't just jump in and enjoy something even if the first issue came out in the 60s. DB is very continuity heavy even in a simple story. It has a beginning that is easily found.

[KBABZ]

I'm still not sure if live action would work great but I would prefer they start around the end of Super. Instead of retelling parts of the story just make it a continuation. Have it mostly made with the assumption that the audience has seen DB but with a bit of a recap at the start of the story. Then just make it mostly an action movie since high budget cgi fights would probably translate better than the rest of DB would.
Battle of Gods would have been good for something like this.

I'd prefer if they started from the beginning and retell existing arcs in a new and condensed way. Adding to the Super story like Broly did would be just confusing for most audiences (who aren't conditioned to live action/animation mix like with Star Wars), and IMO would be more redundant than the animanga.

Dumb idea: what if it followed up on that sequel hook left at the end of Evolution to kick off the Saiyan arc?

[dario03]

Sorry Dario03, if an adaptation with any real budget is going to happen, you can't just assume mass audience has seen DB and know the characters.

Like I said, it could have a recap at the beginning of the movie. Like how they explained Goku beating Freeza at the start of BoG, except make it longer and cover more. Wouldn't be the first time a movie hasn't started at the very beginning of a story. Or heck, it wouldn't be the first time that DB basically started in the middle for a large portion of its fandom.

I'm still not sure if live action would work great but I would prefer they start around the end of Super. Instead of retelling parts of the story just make it a continuation. Have it mostly made with the assumption that the audience has seen DB but with a bit of a recap at the start of the story. Then just make it mostly an action movie since high budget cgi fights would probably translate better than the rest of DB would.
Battle of Gods would have been good for something like this.

I'd prefer if they started from the beginning and retell existing arcs in a new and condensed way. Adding to the Super story like Broly did would be just confusing for most audiences (who aren't conditioned to live action/animation mix like with Star Wars), and IMO would be more redundant than the animanga.

Dumb idea: what if it followed up on that sequel hook left at the end of Evolution to kick off the Saiyan arc?

DB is very popular so I think a decent amount of people would be familiar with a decent amount of the story. Its also not that complicated so a decently made recap at the start of the movie should get people caught up. And they could always re tell the movie in animation with Super if they think the mix would be to much for some people (though I don't think it would). Retelling BoG and RoF in Super would have made a lot more sense if they had been live action movies.

I would imagine that they will pretend Evolution never happened, which is probably best for everybody.

[ABED]

Sorry Dario03, if an adaptation with any real budget is going to happen, you can't just assume mass audience has seen DB and know the characters.

Like I said, it could have a recap at the beginning of the movie. Like how they explained Goku beating Freeza at the start of BoG, except make it longer and cover more. Wouldn't be the first time a movie hasn't started at the very beginning of a story. Or heck wouldn't be the first time that DB basically started in the middle for a large portion of its fandom.

I'm still not sure if live action would work great but I would prefer they start around the end of Super. Instead of retelling parts of the story just make it a continuation. Have it mostly made with the assumption that the audience has seen DB but with a bit of a recap at the start of the story. Then just make it mostly an action movie since high budget cgi fights would probably translate better than the rest of DB would.
Battle of Gods would have been good for something like this.

I'd prefer if they started from the beginning and retell existing arcs in a new and condensed way. Adding to the Super story like Broly did would be just confusing for most audiences (who aren't conditioned to live action/animation mix like with Star Wars), and IMO would be more redundant than the animanga.

Dumb idea: what if it followed up on that sequel hook left at the end of Evolution to kick off the Saiyan arc?

DB is very popular so I think a decent amount of people would be familiar with a decent amount of the story. Its also not that complicated so a decently made recap at the start of the movie should get people caught up. And they could always re tell the movie in animation with Super if they think the mix would be to much for some people (though I don't think it would). Retelling BoG and RoF in Super would have made a lot more sense if they had been live action movies.

I would imagine that they will pretend Evolution never happened, which is probably best for everybody.

That's a shit ton of stuff to recap and leave as mere backstory. If we're adapting DB into a different medium (live action film), why would you make it a continuation of where the story left off? Wouldn't it make more sense for a continuation to be an animated series or series of animated movies?

[dario03]

Sorry Dario03, if an adaptation with any real budget is going to happen, you can't just assume mass audience has seen DB and know the characters.

Like I said, it could have a recap at the beginning of the movie. Like how they explained Goku beating Freeza at the start of BoG, except make it longer and cover more. Wouldn't be the first time a movie hasn't started at the very beginning of a story. Or heck wouldn't be the first time that DB basically started in the middle for a large portion of its fandom.

I'd prefer if they started from the beginning and retell existing arcs in a new and condensed way. Adding to the Super story like Broly did would be just confusing for most audiences (who aren't conditioned to live action/animation mix like with Star Wars), and IMO would be more redundant than the animanga.

Dumb idea: what if it followed up on that sequel hook left at the end of Evolution to kick off the Saiyan arc?

DB is very popular so I think a decent amount of people would be familiar with a decent amount of the story. Its also not that complicated so a decently made recap at the start of the movie should get people caught up. And they could always re tell the movie in animation with Super if they think the mix would be to much for some people (though I don't think it would). Retelling BoG and RoF in Super would have made a lot more sense if they had been live action movies.

I would imagine that they will pretend Evolution never happened, which is probably best for everybody.

That's a shit ton of stuff to recap and leave as mere backstory. If we're adapting DB into a different medium (live action film), why would you make it a continuation of where the story left off? Wouldn't it make more sense for a continuation to be an animated series or series of animated movies?

Regular DB covered a lot of stuff, but there wasn't really a recap of it for all the people that started with Z and that worked fine. Other franchises start part way through stories or later add back story and work fine.
And no, I don't think changing format means we need to re imagine everything that has been told before, it has already been told, new viewers can go back and watch it if they want. And they could also continue with animation too if they want.
I just don't think DB will translate to live action that great since the only thing that would really be cool would be the live action/cgi fights. I don't think any thing else will really gain much by being live action.

[ABED]

Because Z started literally the week after DB. The same goes for GT.

Other franchises start part way through stories or later add back story and work fine.

Not the same thing AT ALL. DB isn't backstory, it's story. Episode 4 of Star Wars is quote unquote in the middle of the story, but it's still structured in a way to give the audience the information they need when they need it for maximum impact. DBZ doesn't do that. It would be insane to just casually drop a bit of information like Chaozu, Muten Roshi, and Kuririn had both died once before unless we had already experienced that.

And no, I don't think changing format means we need to re imagine everything that has been told before, it has already been told, new viewers can go back and watch it if they want. And they could also continue with animation too if they want.

What a dick thing to do - tell the audience of a $100 million to 200 million film they need to watch nearly 600 episodes to get the full context.

[dario03]

Because Z started literally the week after DB. The same goes for GT.

Not for a large portion of the fandom since Funi dropped DB early in its run and jumped right to Z.

Other franchises start part way through stories or later add back story and work fine.

Not the same thing AT ALL. DB isn't backstory, it's story. Episode 4 of Star Wars is quote unquote in the middle of the story, but it's still structured in a way to give the audience the information they need when they need it for maximum impact. DBZ doesn't do that. It would be insane to just casually drop a bit of information like Chaozu, Muten Roshi, and Kuririn had both died once before unless we had already experienced that.

Thats exactly what happened for anybody that started with Funi's initial release of DB.

And no, I don't think changing format means we need to re imagine everything that has been told before, it has already been told, new viewers can go back and watch it if they want. And they could also continue with animation too if they want.

What a dick thing to do - tell the audience of a $100 million to 200 million film they need to watch nearly 600 episodes to get the full context.

Calm down, I never said they had to go back and watch/read everything. I said they could if they want to. So if the recap isn't enough, or it gets them interested then they can. Just like you don't have to go back and read/watch everything in other franchises even if there is more to it.

[ABED]

Because Z started literally the week after DB. The same goes for GT.

Not for a large portion of the fandom since Funi dropped DB early in its run and jumped right to Z.

Other franchises start part way through stories or later add back story and work fine.

Not the same thing AT ALL. DB isn't backstory, it's story. Episode 4 of Star Wars is quote unquote in the middle of the story, but it's still structured in a way to give the audience the information they need when they need it for maximum impact. DBZ doesn't do that. It would be insane to just casually drop a bit of information like Chaozu, Muten Roshi, and Kuririn had both died once before unless we had already experienced that.

Thats exactly what happened for anybody that started with Funi's initial release of DB.

And you think that's right for the story? The only reason to start this hypothetical release at the end of the story is if you are targeting a harcore audience. For a film that would cost at least 100 million, that's about the dumbest thing you could do.

A lot of the dramatic impact of DBZ was lost because we started 1/3rd of the way through the story. Tenshinhan's grief over losing Chaozu, and even Piccolo's decision to give his life for Gohan are lessened as a result of having not experienced the first 1/3 of the story.

Calm down, I never said they had to go back and watch/read everything. I said they could if they want to. So if the recap isn't enough, or it gets them interested then they can. Just like you don't have to go back and read/watch everything in other franchises even if there is more to it.

A recap wouldn't work. The only way something like this works is if the story pretty much stands alone. But still, what is gained by coming in at the end of the story in a completely new medium? You aren't going to get a mainstream audience on board. You'll appeal purely to hardcore fans, but that's not enough to make it a success given the budget it would take to convincingly pull it off.

You aren't comparing apples to oranges. I can't think of a franchise where they change mediums to continue the story and expect the audience to pick up where it left off.

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

What's with the fucking obsession with skipping over half the story in favor of starting the "popular" parts? What's the storytelling justification? The material being popular is not an excuse to not follow basic story structure.

If Disney can make a LA movie that starts anywhere but Saiyan-onward I'll become a Disney shill if only because pre Z-stuff will finally have mainstream exposure as the beginning over the mislabelled Z era.

[dario03]

Because Z started literally the week after DB. The same goes for GT.

Not for a large portion of the fandom since Funi dropped DB early in its run and jumped right to Z.

Not the same thing AT ALL. DB isn't backstory, it's story. Episode 4 of Star Wars is quote unquote in the middle of the story, but it's still structured in a way to give the audience the information they need when they need it for maximum impact. DBZ doesn't do that. It would be insane to just casually drop a bit of information like Chaozu, Muten Roshi, and Kuririn had both died once before unless we had already experienced that.

Thats exactly what happened for anybody that started with Funi's initial release of DB.

And you think that's right for the story? The only reason to start this hypothetical release at the end of the story is if you are targeting a harcore audience. For a film that would cost at least 100 million, that's about the dumbest thing you could do.

A lot of the dramatic impact of DBZ was lost because we started 1/3rd of the way through the story. Tenshinhan's grief over losing Chaozu, and even Piccolo's decision to give his life for Gohan are lessened as a result of having not experienced the first 1/3 of the story.

Noooo…. The dumbest thing you can do is try to re imagine early parts of DB to fit live action. Have it not work for new audiences and anger all the old fans because of all the changes. That's how we ended up with DB Evolution.

[ABED]

his life for Gohan are lessened as a result of having not experienced the first 1/3 of the story.


Noooo…. The dumbest thing you can do is try to re imagine early parts of DB to fit live action. Have it not work for new audiences and anger all the old fans because of all the changes. That's how we ended up with DB Evolution.

That film failed because the story was terrible and had "Cheap" stamped over every single frame - from the directing, the writing, the acting, the CGI, and the production design. It had NOTHING to do with starting at the beginning.

It is such a horrendously terrible idea to make a big budget film that speaks to just people who know the property. You have to speak to audiences who don't know the source material. A damn recap won't solve that problem. DBZ didn't have that issue because it was sufficiently simple, but it also didn't cost 100s of millions of dollars to produce, distribute, and advertise.

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

Noooo…. The dumbest thing you can do is try to re imagine early parts of DB to fit live action. Have it not work for new audiences and anger all the old fans because of all the changes. That's how we ended up with DB Evolution.

Being accurate to the source material was the least of DBE's problems. DBE was not a good because:

1) Miscasting (not for the actors look but their acting skills)

2) Underdeveloped characters

3) Dull directing

4) Dull presentation

5) Subpar fighting

Among others, being source accurate means shit in the face of the above flaws.

[ABED]

To be fair, the film had some talented actors, but look at the material they had to work with.

[dario03]

his life for Gohan are lessened as a result of having not experienced the first 1/3 of the story.


Noooo…. The dumbest thing you can do is try to re imagine early parts of DB to fit live action. Have it not work for new audiences and anger all the old fans because of all the changes. That's how we ended up with DB Evolution.

That film failed because the story was terrible and had "Cheap" stamped over every single frame - from the directing, the writing, the acting, the CGI, and the production design. It had NOTHING to do with starting at the beginning.

It is such a horrendously terrible idea to make a big budget film that speaks to just people who know the property. You have to speak to audiences who don't know the source material. A damn recap won't solve that problem. DBZ didn't have that issue because it was sufficiently simple, but it also didn't cost 100s of millions of dollars to produce, distribute, and advertise.

Again, I said make it mostly an action movie, doesn't have to be very deep with the story, aka simple. Do you really need that much knowledge of DB to watch its specials and movies? Yeah you won't know the exact reason for every tiny detail of everything that's going on but they could cover enough to not leave the audience confused. Did the majority of film audiences know every reason for everything in the Lord of The Ring movies? I recall plenty of people having tons of questions but the movies still did very well, and if you really want to know you can find out a lot more about the story.

[ABED]

The movies stand alone and usually aren't very good. That wouldn't be the template to use when adapting DB to live action. They're also targeted to people familiar with the source material.

Terrible example with Lord of the Rings. Even the books were meant for an audience who wasn't immersed in the middle-earth lore. It gave people all (and usually way too much) information to follow the story. The Lord of the Rings isn't a sequel as much as a spin-off. Their tone, characters, structures, and target audiences are completely different.

[dario03]

The movies stand alone and usually aren't very good. That wouldn't be the template to use when adapting DB to live action.

Terrible example with Lord of the Rings. Even the books were meant for an audience who wasn't immersed in the middle-earth lore. It gave people all (and usually way too much) information to follow the story. The Lord of the Rings isn't a sequel as much as a spin-off. Their tone, characters, structures, and target audiences are completely different.

I never said it was a sequel. And its not a terrible example if you look at the point I was actually making. You can have a movie work even if the audience doesn't know all the lore and backstories.

[ABED]

The movies stand alone and usually aren't very good. That wouldn't be the template to use when adapting DB to live action.

Terrible example with Lord of the Rings. Even the books were meant for an audience who wasn't immersed in the middle-earth lore. It gave people all (and usually way too much) information to follow the story. The Lord of the Rings isn't a sequel as much as a spin-off. Their tone, characters, structures, and target audiences are completely different.

I never said it was a sequel. And its not a terrible example if you look at the point I was actually making. You can have a movie work even if the audience doesn't know all the lore and backstories.

And my point is you don't need to know them. The story gives you them.

I still don't know why you would want a DB movie to take place towards the end of the series. The emotional weight of the story isn't contingent on anyone having read The Hobbit. Unlike DBZ where Piccolo's choice to give his life takes on a whole different dimension if you know how deep the rivalry between Goku and Piccolo goes, same with Chaozu and Tenshinhan.

[dario03]

The movies stand alone and usually aren't very good. That wouldn't be the template to use when adapting DB to live action.

Terrible example with Lord of the Rings. Even the books were meant for an audience who wasn't immersed in the middle-earth lore. It gave people all (and usually way too much) information to follow the story. The Lord of the Rings isn't a sequel as much as a spin-off. Their tone, characters, structures, and target audiences are completely different.

I never said it was a sequel. And its not a terrible example if you look at the point I was actually making. You can have a movie work even if the audience doesn't know all the lore and backstories.

And my point is you don't need to know them. The story gives you them.

I still don't know why you would want a DB movie to take place towards the end of the series.

The simple answer is I think the action parts of DB would translate over a lot better than the story would. So instead of retelling, shortening, and changing a bunch of stuff to make it fit a movie, just leave it as is. Then early on cover the main theme of DB and few things that would need to be covered to set up that movies story via a recap but have the movie be mostly action. If more movies are made they could cover some more stuff if needed.