DBZ Live action movie

[Tanooki Kuribo]

I was going to post some banther, then I saw Jersymilks post and...well yea, what she said.

[tarsonis]

I would prefer to not even have a remake of one of the sagas but rather a whole new story, like the way the DB and DBZ movies are already. Perhaps even something that would take place between one of the multi-year gaps in DBZ. For instance, it'd be interesting to have something during the 3 years before the Androids arrive. A new movie wouldn't necessarily have to do with that saga, it could just be a new story in that time period.

Building on what others have said, they really need a director and screenwriter who are both extremely familiar with the original source material. Not people who have only seen a few episodes of it in English. They need those who have been fans for years.

[SpaceKappa]

Anyone who had been a fan for years would refuse to take part in a project like this.

[Xyex]

If I were in charge of the script, I would try to stick as closely to the manga/anime as possible. I would start by dividing each saga into its own script and roughly working out some timings/pacings for them, i.e. at what point in the movie would certain battles / dialogue take place and how long would they take place for.

I wouldn't. I've heard several ideas for 'sticking to the canon' and they've all been horrid. I've tried a few times to make a movie that covered, at the least, the Saiya-jin Saga, and presented things in a way that those who didn't know about DBZ could follow it. Not going to happen. You have to re-invision it, or at the least, start with DB.

I would definitely start at the Saiyan saga, rather than making 2 or 3 Dragonball movies. I would condense Dragonball into a short flashback, similar to the beginning of Lord of the Rings, but not giving too much away so that we could go back and make prequels if the Z movies were successful.

Saiya-jin Saga = bad starting point, even if you are following canon. Your best bet would be to alter DB and scrap the Pilaf stuff. It would stack up to this:

Movie 1: Have Goku already in his teens (say, 15 or 16) and do something like The Path to Power where Goku meets the other characters and battles the Red Ribbon Army. Set it up so that it happens close to the 22nd Budokai (like Pilaf stuff did with the 21st). Have the movie end prior to the 22nd Budokai however. (Movie Length: about 1.5 hours)

Movie 2: This would open with the 22nd Budokai and, of course, cover King Piccolo. You'd need a new means of releasing him (since there's no Pilaf in the movies) but it's doable. This one would end with the 23rd Budokai, and you'd not need to alter as much in this movie as the first. (Movie Length: about 2 hours)

Movie 3: Now is when you get to the Saiya-jin Saga. Unlike with Movie 2 the action wouldn't be instant. Catch up with Goku and peace of the world, his little outing to meet his friends, and introduce Gohan first. Then the Raditz fight, followed by Goku's training, the other's training, and showing the bond between Piccolo and Gohan forming (just like the show). All of this would come to a head with the arrival of Nappa and Vegeta and that battle, the deaths of the Z Fighters, and plans to go to Namek to revive them. Easily the least changed of them all. (Movie Length: about 2 hours)

Movie 4: Time for Namek. Kick it off with some 'catching up' to re-cap events and set-up the trip. Or, even, start with Bulma, Gohan, and Krillin just about to land on Namek and remembering the past (the battle and events leading up to leaving) so as to get passed the space travel portion fairly quickly. I don't really see much that would need changed with the events of Namek either. (Movie Length: about 2.5 to 3 hours.

Of course, you could also re-make the Bardock and/or Trunks specials as live action movies. (Hell, if you did Bardock after Movie 4 you could even use Goku's actor.) Plus, the Android's stuff would be farily simple to do a movie for. Buu would be a bit problematic with Fusion, but ya. If you use the Path to Power-esqe opening you've got a solid foundation for staying VERY close to the original after that point.

I would probably drop Lunch as a character and Freeza’s third ‘Alien’ form among other things. You would also have to develop characters such as Tenshinhan, Yamcha and Chautsu early on, so that their deaths would actually have some meaning.

Personally, I'd not do the above (what I listed or what you did). I'd do something new. Perhaps re-envisioning it isn't the way to go. Not so much because it's a bad path to take, hell, I do it enough with my Fanfics. (The AH series, TDOY, and Legends - Book I all completely re-envision the universe, Legends - Book I far more than the other 2.) But more because of the instant discarding it gets (just look at this thread). Still, something new is easily done, via the anime movie path. Place it somewhere in the series span and go with it.

[DBZ MAN]

For me I would start with Dragonball Z, begining with the Saiyan Saga of course. I would have Dragonball be made into an animation prequel Condensing the whole series of Goku meeting his new friends having a scuff with the red ribbon army and facing off with Piccolo.
This will then set the stage for the Saiyan Saga Movie.
The Begining of the live action movie will probably have a closer look from the eyes of Gohan as the film starts off with him waking only to see Piccolo in front of him. The battle with Raditz would probably be a blurred flashback with the opening credits.
1/3 of the movie will be with Gohan in the wild and how he learns to control and enhance his powers. (This would be another good jump on board to show how the Z-fighters learn how to use Ki)
I would try and show the audience a connection developing between Gohan and Piccolo with Piccolo reluctantly softening up as the movies goes. (This will hopefully create a lot of empathy when Piccolo gets killed and drive the story further for the sequel as Gohan goes to Namek along Kuririn and Bulma).
When the Saiyans arrive all the Z-fighters are shown lining up as Gohan see's most of them for the first time. It will then be the battle with the saibamen and will be portrayed exactly as it is in the manga. The audience will hopefully feel the horror, as each warrior dies one by one.
Gohan’s eyes would see the horror until his dad Goku saves him. The story will then switch to the battle with Goku and Vegeta and it will End with Gohan transforming into Ozaruu to pummel a weak Vegeta. Yajirobe might not be introduced to the story and Ozaruu Vegeta would have to get his tail cut off some other way.
The movie will end with the decision of the Z-Fighters to travel to Namek. And after the credits of each film, a teaser of the next film will be shown (for this case it will be Kami's spaceship looking overhead on Planet Namek). All future DBZ films will have the same structure as this, with mostly looking from the eyes of Gohan as we discover this new universe.
Saiyan Saga
Freeza Saga
Android/Cell Saga
Buu saga.
There would be a lot of things that would have to be ignored as filler, because you can only fit so much into a movie. It's like with the Spider-man movies or any other comic-based ones. That’s my rough idea anyway.
For actors I could cast never heard of ones (but well trained of course) and see the what impression they land. This can be beneficial partly because of cost and because most fans can't see any actors anyway that could give the characters justice. The style of the film will have tainted colours (matrix=Green, Spider-man 2=Orange etc.) too add some element of familiarity to it. (e.g. Saiyan saga would have an orange skylight tint and Namek will have a green Tint).
Another artistic style to the film could be on how the whole thing will be presented. There could be very fine lines of 'Inking' around the actors to give off the animie/dbz feel. This can be very debatable when first told to anyone but could be a very well paid off risk.
The Score will be cinematic and in some cases will show hints of the original Japanese themes (Head Cha La). If a music video comes around, any rock bands could fit in the sountrack too (Seether etc.) But it will alos depend on the time its released.
Of course the movie will never 'perfectly' be what DBZ is like in the manga and animie but all comic book films are 'revamped' so to speak.
Also I may only title the films DRAGONBALL as to not completely alienate it from its true Japanese origin.

[Sebastian (SB)]

Anyone who had been a fan for years would refuse to take part in a project like this.

Damn right ........Augh, now my brain hurts just thinking about this movie.

[mictaliano]

I really can't say I agree with a re-invisioned DBZ movie. I think a movie for the fans should be made! Funimation plans to put some of the animated movies in theaters, and they weren't re-invisioned. And some American fans saw DBZ before DB and they weren't aware of Goku's past, I really don't think we had to either to enjoy DBZ's story. Especially with all the flashbacks in the anime. Most of comic to movies were alright, but some changes to the source material just don't make any sense.

[the1payday]

I think a live movie that covers the very first (pilaf) saga of DragonBall would be perfect. The directors wouldn't have to worry about backstory since this is the very beginning. Also, they wouldn't absolutely have to make any sequels since the ending of this saga isn't a cliffhanger, but they could always make more if they wanted. There wouldn't have to be as many special effects as a "Z" movie since the fights and overall obsurdity is toned down much. Just a thought.

[Kaboom]

Okay... I can't help but add my two... or seventy-five... cents... please forgive me...

I believe the best course of action would be, at most, a trilogy. Obviously, filler and unnecessary stuff that came from either the manga/anime would have zero presence and weight on them. Only the heroes and other necessary characters (i.e. Chi-Chi, Bulma and her family, Roshi, Kami, etc...) would be involved. Unlike the show, the universe of the movie would be a futuristic earth not only decidedly devoid of animal people (though the President\King would look about as much like his manga\anime counterpart as possible, without being a dog, cat, bear, whatever...), but also involved in interplanetary activities and politics, and perhaps just a bit nervous about possible hostilities from a certain Ice-jin empire...

Movie 1, DragonBall. An uber-condensed version of the entire original series. The movie-adapted legend of the Dragonballs, as well as Goku's origins (Bardock sending Goku to earth last-minute?), would be shown most likely as a flashback, save for some incident with Goku getting high on brute waves, if ya know what I mean. Then, most of the rest of the movie would have him as a young man with unnatural strength that he, as of yet, doesn't know why he has (also perhaps as a sort of designated protector of the DBs as well as a student under Roshi and\or Kami), with Piccolo as the main antagonist. The story would involve a big conflict over the DragonBalls, and the ending's cliffhanger would point to "something far more treacherous than Piccolo" being on the way...

Movie 2, DragonBall: Heritage, Legacy, Inheritance, or something like that. A few years later (In order to add Gohan, etc...), centers around the Saiyans, obviously, mostly Vegeta. The story would be practically the same as the Saiyan saga; Raditz at first, Goku's killed, everyone's training, etc... But the Saiyans (Perhaps a few more than just Vegeta and Nappa) would show up with a friggin' small army on behalf of Freeza (not just Saibamen) to help conquer the planet (This would somewhat scale down the power of the characters and fights from anime to live-action movie levels, as well as give the "lesser" heroes some screentime to shine, rather than just get the crap beaten out of them by Nappa). Eventually, it will of course come down to Goku vs Vegeta, as in the anime, the legend of the Super Saiyan will come up (probably though some bragging session from Vegeta), and the fight will perhaps end with some sort of Oozaru vs. Oozaru smackdown between 2 or more Saiyans/Demi-Saiyans. The Oozaru, for movie-scaling reasons, wouldn't be office complex-sized like in the anime; more like the size of a yacht or something (But just as hazardous to yer' health). Anyway, like the saga in the original story, the movie would end with Vegeta escaping, and Piccolo/Kami having died, necessitating a trip to Namek...

Movie 3, DragonBall Z. Out of the three movies, this would be the one to most closely follow the original story, save for the ending. Freeza, having been observing the upset that was the failed conquest of Earth, has, of course, listened in and learned about the DragonBalls, and is headed to the up-'till-then-supposedly-uninhabited planet Namek, in order to get himself a heaping helping of immortality. Obviously, our heroes, as well as perhaps already allied-out-of-necessity Vegeta, for each their own reasons, can't let this happen. So it turns into a race to not only get to Namek, but to play some twisted scavenger hunt/keepaway game(except with lots of violence) over the Namek DragonBalls. Most of the events and characters will be the same, with showdowns between the heroes and Zarbon, Dodoria, and (possibly) the Ginyu Force. Goku shows up late, kicks butt, etc... Of course, it will all come down to the remaining good guys vs. Freeza, with the collected set of Dragonballs as the prize. And, of course, the movie will climax with Goku becoming the legendary Super Saiyan, and the resulting fight going much the same way as in the manga/anime, that of Goku handing Freeza's head to him. However, the ending will be a bit different. Namek will be on the verge of exploding, but will be saved at the absolute last minute by a joint effort between Goku and Porunga. The movie will end with Namek being saved, the dead heroes (including Vegeta) and casualties of the attack on Earth brought back to life, and general peace restored from Goku and Porunga's efforts/wishes. However, Goku's, a.k.a. the legendary Super Saiyan's location and status will be unknown, ending the movie with all sorts of opportunities for fanfiction and the like.
...Just kidding. It's just that I think that would be the best way to end it, not only where in the series but closer to how Toriyama-sensei originally wanted it to be.
Cell would be interesting to say the least, CGI'd Buu would be "t3h pwn4g3," and cool-looking higher Super Saiya-jin levels would certainly make the hardcore fanboy within me jump and squeal with joy, but anything beyond Freeza would honestly just be overkill.

...

Wow, that was long.

[Blitzen]

You know, this can't be any worse than the proposed "Ultimate Dragonball!" comic that was thought about on here, but then again this is a "big, bad hollywood production!", so I guess its got more of a chance of coming to pass.

The difference between this movie and FUNimation's plans is that FUNimation are going between 20-40 screens for more fan-centric people. FOX's envisioned idea is something akin to X-men, where you need to assume people dont know the story or were even fans of it to begin with, that has a high production value (because SFX = wow, for some reason), and is going to maybe 2-3000 screens.

[Conan the SSJ]

With today's level of special effects, I can just imagine how flight would be handled. Hell, here's the perfect actor for Son Goku doing it. Here, be dazzled!

[SaiyamanMS]

With today's level of special effects, I can just imagine how flight would be handled. Hell, here's the perfect actor for Son Goku doing it. Here, be dazzled!

Well, I have no doubt now that if they do make a movie, that it definately has the potential to look awesome. Although my main concern with a live action movie is not that it'll look cool, but whether the plot really does have a DB feel to it. (Although, looking cool always helps. )

[gohan2k]

I'd have the movie cover the Saiyan saga beginning with a short shadowy conversation with Nappa, Vegeta and Raditz on Frieza planet #79 talking about Goku and going to get him but never seeing thier faces, a lot of mystery involved.

Then the next scene is a lot lighter on Earth with Goku telling a young Gohan in bed about his adventures in Dragonball....and then the story continues pretty much like the series.

I like that shadowy beginning as it immediately creates interest in the viewer and there can be a foreshadowing of Frieza and such setting up the sequel...if there is one...

[Eclipse]

I agree. At the very least, to a non-DB fan, the Saiyajin arc would look rather nice.

And I daresay if it blows, those FOX executives will never sleep well again...

[Saiya-jin]

I would prefer to not even have a remake of one of the sagas but rather a whole new story, like the way the DB and DBZ movies are already. Perhaps even something that would take place between one of the multi-year gaps in DBZ. For instance, it'd be interesting to have something during the 3 years before the Androids arrive. A new movie wouldn't necessarily have to do with that saga, it could just be a new story in that time period.

Building on what others have said, they really need a director and screenwriter who are both extremely familiar with the original source material. Not people who have only seen a few episodes of it in English. They need those who have been fans for years.

I totally agree.

[Dayspring]

Yes and also there could be a die-hard Dragonball Z fan somewhere out there who happens to be a world famous director

Exactly. Look how long James Cameron's been fighting tooth and claw to get the rights to a GUNNM movie.

[Jerseymilk]

I actually don't consider James Cameron anything more than a good action director, though I suppose DBZ falls into that category and he is well-known. I should have clarified better. My point was referring to directors that actually make critically acclaimed movies, and no, Titanic was ridiculous, unrealistic, and cheesy.

[gohan2k]

I would prefer to not even have a remake of one of the sagas but rather a whole new story, like the way the DB and DBZ movies are already. Perhaps even something that would take place between one of the multi-year gaps in DBZ. For instance, it'd be interesting to have something during the 3 years before the Androids arrive. A new movie wouldn't necessarily have to do with that saga, it could just be a new story in that time period.

If they were doing a new anime movie that'd be great but realistically for a live action movie they're going to want to take it mainstream, if not just for the sake of making money and part of that involves introducing the characters and such. A movie in that time period would be awesome for a fan but to those not yet in the know it probably just wouldn't make any sense.
Not to mention that with a story already in place it would just be easier to adapt that into a movie than to come up with something original.

Of course I'll bet there going to change a few things and here's some of my theories or what they'll probably change (for the Saiyan saga movie).

1. Make Gohan older (5 is too young to be a fighter)
2. Change the colour of Goku's gi (Orange probably won't look good in live action)
3. Krillin will have a nose
4. Characters like Puar and Oolong removed (They are talking animals and they have no real point in being there if their DB part are removed)
....and so on....

On the upside I think if they do things correctly the live action movie could do X-Men sized box office.

Oh and just for the hell of it heres my titles.....

#1 Dragonball Z: Defenders of Earth (Saiyan saga)
#2 Dragonball Z 2: Force of Frieza (Frieza saga)
#3 Dragonball Z 3: The Challenge of Cell (Androids-Cell saga)
#4 Dragonball Z 4 : The Terror of Majin Buu (Buu saga)

[Alex_Verillion]

I say it's a horrible idea for a movie.
Besides, it's already been decided that it's not being made.

[DBZ MAN]

No one can decide that a movie is not going to be made. Hollywood doesn't work like that. And if your commenting on Gohan2k's idea on what the movie should be like, you should give more respect to other people's inputs and reply why you don't agree with it. Not think that your opinion is above all.

I hope I have not fallen into the necro-posting trap.