Who do you want to direct a DB movie reboot?

[SuppaSaiyanNerd]

I'd like to see Cristopher Nolan do a Dragon Ball Z film either from Saiyan, Freeza or Cell's arc, but it'd be a dark, short of comedy and serious.

Loved watching Dark Knight and Batman Begins on Blu-ray.

That might just be the worst combination possible. Get a director who's known for dark, grounded stories, and isn't that good at directing action direct an over the top colourful martial arts epic? Uh, no thanks.

It would probably be the best way to go. Nowadays when a franchise is getting a reboot on the big screen, they always tend to make it a lot more gritty and dark. Think of Transformers, an old action packed cartoon just like DBZ.

And besides, despite all the computer effects of today, there is no way they could make any live-action fights as fast as in DBZ.

[dbboxkaifan]

It's a clash of genres, but I'd still like to know if Nolan would consider doing a DBZ film if he was given the opportunity to.

[kemuri07]

I'd like to see Cristopher Nolan do a Dragon Ball Z film either from Saiyan, Freeza or Cell's arc, but it'd be a dark, short of comedy and serious.

Loved watching Dark Knight and Batman Begins on Blu-ray.

That might just be the worst combination possible. Get a director who's known for dark, grounded stories, and isn't that good at directing action direct an over the top colourful martial arts epic? Uh, no thanks.

It would probably be the best way to go. Nowadays when a franchise is getting a reboot on the big screen, they always tend to make it a lot more gritty and dark. Think of Transformers, an old action packed cartoon just like DBZ.

And besides, despite all the computer effects of today, there is no way they could make any live-action fights as fast as in DBZ.

Which is why DBZ should never again be made into live-action film; especially if you're using Transformers as a reference.

[SuppaSaiyanNerd]

That might just be the worst combination possible. Get a director who's known for dark, grounded stories, and isn't that good at directing action direct an over the top colourful martial arts epic? Uh, no thanks.

It would probably be the best way to go. Nowadays when a franchise is getting a reboot on the big screen, they always tend to make it a lot more gritty and dark. Think of Transformers, an old action packed cartoon just like DBZ.

And besides, despite all the computer effects of today, there is no way they could make any live-action fights as fast as in DBZ.

Which is why DBZ should never again be made into live-action film; especially if you're using Transformers as a reference.

I was using it as a reference just to demonstrate how they turn action catoons into more realistic live-action movies. I didn't say that I wanted Michael Bay to direct a DBZ film. Transformers movies suck because the story is crap, but the effects and action is amazing. So get a GOOD director like Christopher Nolan, and make a more realistic DBZ film.

You can argue that Evolution tried that, and it is kinda true. But they just fucked up in so many things that I can't even count. You can still do a more realistic take on DBZ without totally fucking up the original story.

[Hellspawn28]

If a DBZ movie was done similar in style of the TF films but executed better then I won't mind it. A tone similar to the recent Marvel Avengers films could fit for a Dragon Ball film.

[Son Geeko]

Hmmm... well, I do attend at a film school. Heh, if there was anyone who could do a live-action DB film right, being a fan and have just the right vision and imagination for it. Maybe, just maybe....

Nahhhhhhhhh.

I think the Wachowski Brothers/Siblings would be perfect for a DBZ live-action adaptation. I absolutely adored Speed Racer, and the kinetic energy and over-the-top direction of that film would be perfect for DBZ.

much like the Wachowski Brothers did with Speed Racer, which, IMHO, is an underrated film.

Wait, there are people here who actually like that film?

Saw about 20 minutes of it when it was airing on Cartoon Network. Turned off the TV right after.

I'd rather have a DB film that's successful AND gets positive reception from critics.

[Super Sayian Prime]

I'd like to see Cristopher Nolan do a Dragon Ball Z film either from Saiyan, Freeza or Cell's arc, but it'd be a dark, short of comedy and serious.

Loved watching Dark Knight and Batman Begins on Blu-ray.

That might just be the worst combination possible. Get a director who's known for dark, grounded stories, and isn't that good at directing action direct an over the top colourful martial arts epic? Uh, no thanks.

It would probably be the best way to go. Nowadays when a franchise is getting a reboot on the big screen, they always tend to make it a lot more gritty and dark. Think of Transformers, an old action packed cartoon just like DBZ.

And besides, despite all the computer effects of today, there is no way they could make any live-action fights as fast as in DBZ.

None of the Transformers movies are really all that serious. The third one has a scene with two men sharing a bathroom stall as a device for humor... They have serious moments, and maybe their bloated length makes it feel like the entire film is serious, but they aren't. Actually, thinking about it given the love for potty humor Michael Bay wouldn't really be that bad of a choice for a Dragon Ball film. I wouldn't think he'd do it, and I'd really fear seeing his versions of the characters but meh.

[Hellspawn28]

Saw about 20 minutes of it on Cartoon Network. Turned off the TV right after.

I'd rather have a DB film that's successful AND gets positive reception from critics.

Thank you for saying that since I said almost the same thing. Speed Racer was hated by critics and fans of the original show, was also one of the biggest box office bombs next to Battlefield Earth and Heaven's Gate. I don't want that to happen with a DB movie. DBE did poorly due to that no one had real interest on seeing the film since it looked so bad. A DB movie can do both well at the box office and get good reviews depending on how makes the film.

His Star Trek film 'spits on ground' was as much Star Trek as Dragon Ball Evolution was Dragon Ball.

JJ's Star Trek was more respectful to the source material then DBE was. Not to mention JJ's Star Trek was the best Star Trek movie since First Contact and was a huge step up after the last two god awful TNG movies. I think JJ could handle Dragon Ball pretty well.

[AgitoZ]

Speed Racer was hated by critics and fans of the original show, was also one of the biggest box office bombs next to Battlefield Earth and Heaven's Gate. I don't want that to happen with a DB movie. DBE did poorly due to that no one had real interest on seeing the film since it looked so bad.

The biggest flaw with the Speed Racer movie was that it was a Speed Racer movie. I don't which fans you've spoken to.

[Gotham22]

I was using it as a reference just to demonstrate how they turn action catoons into more realistic live-action movies. I didn't say that I wanted Michael Bay to direct a DBZ film. Transformers movies suck because the story is crap, but the effects and action is amazing. So get a GOOD director like Christopher Nolan, and make a more realistic DBZ film.

You can argue that Evolution tried that, and it is kinda true. But they just fucked up in so many things that I can't even count. You can still do a more realistic take on DBZ without totally fucking up the original story.

Then don't expect Tienshinan, Oolong, Chiaotzu and many others to exist in a more realistic world. a lot of DB characters are far from realistic. Nolan's realistic world Goku is not a Saiyan but a special human being.

[Pantalones]

I don't know about you, but to me an alien species with monkey tails seems a lot more realistic than one "special" human just inexplicably having one, and also super-strength, for no reason whatsoever.

I mean, if superhero movies can do the whole "trying to be more realistic" thing and yet still have Spider-Man getting powers from a mutant spider bite, Bruce Banner turning into a giant green guy when he gets angry, and Superman existing at all, then Goku should have no problem staying a Saiyan in the "realistic-ized" Dragonball world. Maybe without the Oozaru transformation, or with Oozaru being more neanderthal/Bigfoot and less 50-foot monkey, but just being an alien with a monkey tail isn't nearly as "unrealistic" as half the things that have shown up in the supposedly "more realistic" superhero movies.

[MarcFBR]

I don't know about you, but to me an alien species with monkey tails seems a lot more realistic than one "special" human just inexplicably having one, and also super-strength, for no reason whatsoever.

I mean, if superhero movies can do the whole "trying to be more realistic" thing and yet still have Spider-Man getting powers from a mutant spider bite, Bruce Banner turning into a giant green guy when he gets angry, and Superman existing at all, then Goku should have no problem staying a Saiyan in the "realistic-ized" Dragonball world. Maybe without the Oozaru transformation, or with Oozaru being more neanderthal/Bigfoot and less 50-foot monkey, but just being an alien with a monkey tail isn't nearly as "unrealistic" as half the things that have shown up in the supposedly "more realistic" superhero movies.

I think you are mixing up 2 different concepts.

1 is the 'generic superhero film' which attempts to add 'some' realism into it (suit designs, coming up with slightly different explanations for things)

2- The Chris Nolan method- Anything that isn't (theoretically/pseudo) 'possible in the real world' get's tossed out.

[gohan2k]

Then don't expect Tienshinan, Oolong, Chiaotzu and many others to exist in a more realistic world. a lot of DB characters are far from realistic. Nolan's realistic world Goku is not a Saiyan but a special human being.

To be honest I don't see either Chaozu or Oolong appearing in any live action movie. Apart from them being hard to portray in a live action film realistically they aren't necessary to the stories that will be told (Piccolo Daimao/Saiyan etc) to be included. Dragonball already has far too many characters to be introduced in the one movie. Evolution cut too many characters though - Krillin and Tien are essential to any Dragonball story.

I love by the way how these threads about the live action movie always turn into threads about if one is even necessary, and how it should be done.

[MarcFBR]

Evolution cut too many characters though - Krillin and Tien are essential to any Dragonball story.

That sort of ignores that the original 'story' had neither.


And really? Tien is essential? Tien? I like Tien, but he isn't essential at all.

Inanimate Carbon Rod is more essential than Tien.

[gohan2k]

Well when I say story I meant the story they were likely to tell, which is hopefully going to be Piccolo Daimao (trying to start the story any earlier than this would result in far too many changes to make the story work) but could also likely be the Saiyan saga.

And although I suppose you could cut his character and re-assign his parts to other characters but I don't think that'd be right.

I suppose actually that Tien is a borderline character to be included. It could go either way.

[SuppaSaiyanNerd]

I was using it as a reference just to demonstrate how they turn action catoons into more realistic live-action movies. I didn't say that I wanted Michael Bay to direct a DBZ film. Transformers movies suck because the story is crap, but the effects and action is amazing. So get a GOOD director like Christopher Nolan, and make a more realistic DBZ film.

You can argue that Evolution tried that, and it is kinda true. But they just fucked up in so many things that I can't even count. You can still do a more realistic take on DBZ without totally fucking up the original story.

Then don't expect Tienshinan, Oolong, Chiaotzu and many others to exist in a more realistic world. a lot of DB characters are far from realistic. Nolan's realistic world Goku is not a Saiyan but a special human being.

Well, now that I think about it, a Nolan's Batman movie type approach would be too realistic. What I had in mind was that the characters would look more realistic and the world too. For example, Puar could look more like a real cat, etc. So 1. of MarcFBR's examples.

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

Kevin Smith. He'd nail the standing around powering up/talking...BAM! I'M SO FUNNY!

No but seriously, Anyone who can film decent fight choreography(that isn't up close shaky cam). Before Speed Racer, I would have said the The Wachowski...siblings. Their love for anime and the way they handled fight scenes in the Matrix would have been perfect. I still would give them a shot as long as they didn't go overboard with the style.

[Makaioshin]

As for other directors...Quentin Tarantino, perhaps? The man has a wide palette for pop culture, and certainly knows how to construct a gripping action sequence or two. Throw in the fact that Dragon Ball is of Japanese origin, and I think he would give it the respect it deserves. I'm thinking of the amount of detail he paid to the Hattori Hanzo scenes in Kill Bill, particularly. But ultimately, his vision of the story would probably be a lot different than what most of us would expect, though. (not that it would necessarily be a bad thing)

I think this would be kinda of cool. He does at least love the types of movies which actually inspired/influenced Dragon Ball.
Of course there is no way he would do this movie.

[MarcFBR]

No but seriously, Anyone who can film decent fight choreography(that isn't up close shaky cam). Before Speed Racer, I would have said the The Wachowski...siblings. Their love for anime and the way they handled fight scenes in the Matrix would have been perfect. I still would give them a shot as long as they didn't go overboard with the style.

Congratulations, you just hired James Wong.

Has a great love for anime.
Filmed decent fight choreography in a film that had great fight scenes that could easily be imagined as transferring to a DB film (The One.)


We all tend to be fond of the bullet point method (finding specific elements that in theory lead to a good goal) but Bruce Campbell does a great job explaining why that's a bad idea (short explanation, it led to him making Congo.)

[Piccolo Daimao]

We all tend to be fond of the bullet point method (finding specific elements that in theory lead to a good goal) but Bruce Campbell does a great job explaining why that's a bad idea (short explanation, it led to him making Congo.)

I don't understand. I thought bullet time's only bad if it's abused to fuck, like Zack Snyder did with Watchmen (still a good director and a decent film, though).