It's been too long... (Out-of-touch fandom)

[jwalkallstar]

Wow its been a long time (3 years) since I spent hours on the internet looking at Dragonball Z sites. So much has changed, so excuse my ignorance of the subject matter but what of the Live Action movie?

The first time I heard about it back in 2002 it finally got the go ahead. Then later the project died, then I heard it was a go again, then died. I can't seem to find any reliable information on it. And whatever happened to planetnamek.com? That site just seemed to fall off the face of the earth one day.

[Tanooki Kuribo]

Yea...we don't really talk about it here because the information has changed so many times and nothing was ever official.

[VegettoEX]

Re: Live-Action Movie

FACT: There was an IMDB entry for the live-action movie, then it disappeared, then another one came and went, and now there's a third.

There used to be an entry on the IMDB (located here, which no longer exists) for the live-action movie. In fact... there used to be two! They listed Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) as the director, and 2004 as a probable release. These pages no longer exist. This is evidence that somewhere, somehow, at least these plans were scrapped (if these were even the plans, to begin with).

Much later, this entry popped up crediting (as you'll read below) Ben Ramsey for the writing, Tedi Sarafian (for some unknown role), and Hans Zimmer for the musical score. A 2007 release is noted, since it is "in production".

Please keep in mind that "in production" can literally mean that they're still only thinking about working on the movie, or any other variety of things.

FACT: Early plans called for a series / franchise of movies.

This article, from Anime News Network (but originally posted on FUNimation's own site, despite it no longer existing there), has Daniel Cocanougher noting they planned on "a major, multi-picture franchise like Star Wars."

FACT: Toriyama contacted over decision to create movie.

This article (originally from Animation Magazine) notes Jim Gianopulos, chairman of Fox Film Entertainment, had flown out to Japan to meet with Akira Toriyama and other representatives from Shueisha; the movie would be a collaboration between Fox and Shueisha. The film would be "overseen" (very vague) by Elizabeth Gabler, with Jack Leslie as "director of production." No director or writer was known and/or divulged.

FACT: Variety has reported Ben Ramsey to "adapt [DBZ] for the big screen."

This article, quoting Variety as the source (an actually reputable entertainment news source), notes Ben Ramsey has been, "signed to adapt Dragonball Z for the big screen for 20th Century Fox."

FACT: Asia Carrera declined role in live-action DBZ movie.

Anime News Network posted a quote from the porn-star's website noting, "I hate having to turn down cool mainstream work offers... the producers [of the Live Action Dragon Ball Z Movie] just contacted me about being in it." Carrera declined the role mostly due to her expecting a child in the coming year.

THEORY: ILM would be doing the special effects; PG-13 rating; four movies long.

Whenever Saiyanz Rage posts something, you have to wonder where they got their information from, as it occasionally seems a little outlandish. This article notes that an "inside source" within 20th Century Fox says they would be shooting for a PG-13 rating, looking to go for four movies (Saiyan, Freeza, Cell, Majin Buu), and George Lucas' CGI company ILM would be doing the special effects. None of this was ever confirmed.

Interestingly, there is a follow-up on FUNimation's official site. Even more interestingly, the information they report on their own site is not their own information! The following quotes originated from www.kylehebert.com, yet remain on the official FUNimation website:

Today I called Ellen Pasternack, Public Relations for ILM. I asked her if the rumor was true; if ILM was brought on board to provide the special effects for the Dragon Ball/Z live action movie. Ms. Pasternack's reply was that it had been mentioned, but ILM never officially signed off on anything and it never came to be. She also commented that, as far as she knows, the film is not being made.

...

I literally JUST got off the phone with FOX Studios in Los Angeles, CA. I asked outright about the upcoming live action Dragon Ball/Z movie.

This is exactly what I was told by my contact:

"The Dragon Ball Z movie? We don't have that. I 've got a lot of calls about that so I called around [the studio]. We won't be making that [movie]."

So there you have it, folks. That is the OFFICIAL story from FOX. I know some of you may be disappointed, but I also think it's a blessing.

CONCLUSION: There currently may or may not plans for a live-action movie... no-one really seems to know. An option still remains out there to do so.

Someone, somewhere... retains the option to create a live action DragonBall movie. It seems that this company is possibly Fox, who seems to no longer have any interest in creating the movie. Will one ever be made? It's hard to tell. Luckily, until we find out, we've always got The Magic Begins to remind ourselves just how bad it could be.

RE: Namek

http://www.daizex.com/general/ask/archi ... 26.shtml#1
http://www.daizex.com/general/ask/archi ... 18.shtml#1

[jwalkallstar]

thanks for the help guys, I especially liked the information on the old sites and webmasters. It sounded like a Unsolved Mystries update.

[VegettoEX]

thanks for the help guys, I especially liked the information on the old sites and webmasters. It sounded like a Unsolved Mystries update.

Please do yourself a favor and re-read the forum rules, specifically those on proper grammar. Thanks.

[TheLiveActionAnimeBoy]

Asia Carrera selected to be in DBZ? Or the source really mean Tia Carrie (sp?), from Wayne's World as Cassandra?

If that is true, then what rumors will they come up with next, RON JEREMY AS MR. SATAN!!!???

Other rumors I heard (that have never really been confirmed) are that former WCW (and WWF) superstar, Bill Goldberg, would be played by Nappa.

I remember there was something to the equivalent of an April Fool's joke in Spain some time ago about they there were already filiming the DBZ movie.

[lost in thought]

Asia Carrera selected to be in DBZ? Or the source really mean Tia Carrie (sp?), from Wayne's World as Cassandra?

If that is true, then what rumors will they come up with next, RON JEREMY AS MR. SATAN!!!???

Other rumors I heard (that have never really been confirmed) are that former WCW (and WWF) superstar, Bill Goldberg, would be played by Nappa.

I remember there was something to the equivalent of an April Fool's joke in Spain some time ago about they there were already filiming the DBZ movie.

It was Asia Carrera the on again off again porn star. And it wasn't a rumor, she actually commented in an interview awhile ago that she had been approached to participate in the film, but had to turn it down because of prior commitments. (I am not entirely certain who took the interview, but I saw a rebroadcast of the piece on G4tv back when the 'rumor' propigated.)

Anyway, as far as Bill Goldberg is concerned, I had also heard (actual rumor this time,) that he had been approached as well, and that he had turned it down because he was working on his tv series "AutoManiac" at the time.

But in the end, the film resembled Asia's porn star status, so god knows what they really had planned.

[TheLiveActionAnimeBoy]

And Asia Carrera declined because she was pregneant? Makes you wonder who the father is Didn't know she was THAT DESPERATE to get into the mainstream if that's why she was approached.

But I think Goldberg (despite only having two moves), would fit well with DBZ live action. Especially as Nappa.

I say John Leguizamo should be Kaio-sama. He had to be a fat guy before as The Clown from Spawn. I say his style either acting or humor should fit.

[lost in thought]

I say John Leguizamo should be Kaio-sama. He had to be a fat guy before as The Clown from Spawn. I say his style either acting or humor should fit.

Of course not, sir, for Leguizamo is a poor actor in every respect, and his wooden, unmotivated performances are repugnant to the ears.

[Hao_Kaiser]

This thread brings back bad memories of Beckett DBZ Magazine.

Anyways, I'm glad that it never happened, all we would get is a lame action movie, complete with a director and actors who have never seen the show. If we were to have a movie, I'd much rather have a fan make it, then it might suck a little bit less.

[tarsonis]

That's exactly what I've been thinking. Everyone talks about actors, but more importantly, what about the director? You need someone who is extremely familiar with the source material. Same with the screenwriter. Not people who have only seen a few episodes.