Could Dragonball be done well in live-action?

[Kamiccolo9]

So, I just saw the live-action Rurouni Kenshin movie (which I highly recommend to anyone; it was amazing), and it got me wondering: what would it take to make a good live-action Dragonball movie? The majority of the people I've seen have been hugely disappointed with Dragonball Evolution, but would it be possible to make up for that? Is a quality live-action Dragonball movie possible? What do you think, and if you had any say in it, how would you go about doing this?

[Cold Skin]

First of all, we have finally reached a point where Dragon Ball fights can be done properly IF it has the budget of the "big movie of the year" type of film (not likely to happen).
Man of Steel is the first time I have seen flying looking natural and aerial battles looking as natural as they should.

Before that, the closest we got to a live-action Dragon Ball fight was the final battle in The Matrix Revolutions which was budget-breaking (I think they actually said that the scene took the budget of a whole stand-alone movie, but it might be my memory playing tricks on me) and yet ultimately seemed like a poor Dragon Ball imitation. That was the limit, with the latest special effects and budget beyond the highest limitations, it was still no match at all for a regular, basic Dragon Ball fight.
Man of Steel has given me hope that it is possible to make flying beautiful and aerial thrown-into-all-buildings-through-the-city fights as impressive as they should be, a true live-action equivalent to what Dragon Ball fights are as anime scenes.

So, someday maybe, cause Dragon Ball is not about to have as much budget and talented directors as Superman, Spiderman, and all those popular heroes!
Comics are much more in the spotlight than any manga as far as the general public goes, any grandma will know who Batman and Superman are and what they look like, which is not the case for Son Goku and won't be for at least a few decenies (possibly due to a future event - that I'd rather not mention and don't want to imagine - that might prompt the industry to give a full-power tribute).

[DoomieDoomie911]

I hate to say it, but some things just don't work in live-action. But even so, as Cold Skin said above, with a budget like Man of Steel I guess it might be possible.

(possibly due to a future event - that I'd rather not mention and don't want to imagine - that might prompt the industry to give a full-power tribute).

By the way, I know I might seem ignorant for not knowing, but what "future event" are you talking about?

[TheMightyOzaru]

From what I've seen of Man of Steel it's certainly possible.

[OutlawTorn]

It's certainly possible for Dragon Ball to be done well in live action, however I don't think that necessarily means it should. I've never understood why there seems to be such an orgy to take animated properties and make live action versions, but if others want to see them, more power to them.

One thing I know would ultimately happen is there will always be a group of "fans" who will do nothing but whine and complain about how they got x-character completely wrong, or Goku's belt is a shade too dark and the symbol on his gi is offset by .072 degrees and therefore it has ruined Dragon Ball forever when, if they despise it so much, they can simply not watch it and ignore its existence.

[DBZ Mick]

I honestly think motion capture would work better than live-action. I mean with a big budget and such I'm sure the battles could be done reasonably well but then acting, pacing , apporpiate music and such are another factor. I think you could capture Toriyama's visuals better and be more true to the battles as well with motion capture.

[Kamiccolo9]

What about a CGI movie? Could DB work if it was done similar to Advent Children or The Spirits Within?

[DBZ Mick]

Yeah, along the lines of that I think could maybe work wonders.

[TheMightyOzaru]

What about a CGI movie? Could DB work if it was done similar to Advent Children or The Spirits Within?

If it's not live action, I don't see much of a point in changing the animation style.

[DoomieDoomie911]

What about a CGI movie? Could DB work if it was done similar to Advent Children or The Spirits Within?

I couldn't imagine Dragon Ball as a CGI film. It just... wouldn't feel right.

[Ringworm128]

As long as the CG didn't look like the Sparking games intros I would be fine with the idea. And as I've said before, with the right crew and budget anything can be done well in live action. Sadly DBE had neither of those.

[UpFromTheSkies]

I think it could be done if they let Toriyama supervise it, and they didn't try to make it serious. Danny DeVito would make a great Pilaf.

[Kamiccolo9]

I think it could be done if they let Toriyama supervise it, and they didn't try to make it serious. Danny DeVito would make a great Pilaf.

Thanks for putting that image in my head.

[Ringworm128]

Personally I think a more serious tone would be a better choice in the long run. Not overly dark but not "durrrr hurrrrr Batman and Robin direction goofy fart jokes made for Disney Channel durrrrrrr." Maybe something on the lines of The Dark Knight rises. But seriously DB deserves more then some goofy Kung Fu hustle knock off.

[WesMan23]

Man of Steel did look like what a good DB film could be. It nailed the destructive fights, and the flying. I seriously think that in a few years from now, as budgets increase and costs decrease, it could certainly be a good possibility. We would need a director and production company with true passion for the source material though. And they can't just hire "eye-candy" actors who can't act or get the characters right. The characters are very unique and it has to translate to the big screen. Visual effects are all well and good, but if Goku isn't a naive, completely innocent, uneducated redneck-character, or Vegeta isn't filled with pride, who lets his ego overwhelm his fighting abilities, we don't have a good movie. They can make it look good, but that doesn't mean it will be a good movie.

[UpFromTheSkies]

Personally I think a more serious tone would be a better choice in the long run. Not overly dark but not "durrrr hurrrrr Batman and Robin direction goofy fart jokes made for Disney Channel durrrrrrr." Maybe something on the lines of The Dark Knight rises.

Dragon Ball was originally a gag manga/anime, it didn't become serious until Piccolo showed up. It wouldn't fit on the Disney channel though, there's too many sexual jokes in it.

[Ringworm128]

Just because the source material is silly doesn't mean an adaptation has to follow, the original Superman and Batman comics were pretty cheesy but did Nolan stick to that? If they gave DB some goofy made for TV movie it would become a very small cult classic. A more serious big budget movie is what most fans want and it would be accepted by the mainstream as well and will overall be remembered more fondly. A goofy DB movie would end up on the shelf of a 2nd hand DVD store for $2.

[UpFromTheSkies]

Just because the source material is silly doesn't mean an adaptation has to follow, the original Superman and Batman comics were pretty cheesy but did Nolan stick to that? If they gave DB some goofy made for TV movie it would become a very small cult classic. A more serious big budget movie is what most fans want and it would be excepted by the mainstream as well and will overall be remembered more fondly. A goofy DB movie would end up on the shelf of a 2nd hand DVD store for $2.

Superman and Batman are different, they've changed a lot since the original stories were told. But Dragon Ball isn't supposed to serious, especially not during the origin of the series. Even during Z which is semi serious you have characters like the Ginyu Force, Buu, Mr Satan, Great Saiyaman, Gotenks, and Kaio-sama.

[Makaioshin]

I feel like this thread is made at least once every month.
Yes, wuxia has been adapted before with chi blasts and flying(which aren't always perfect but can work). It needs special effects but I don't think it really needs over the top destruction or fists constantly moving so fast you can't see them. The animated series we all know was just one way to adapt the fights in Dragon Ball. Even the new movie looks like it takes a slightly different approach to the combat. It can work depending on how they handle the material. It is kinda sad that Stephen Chow and Toriyama could have had a say with Evolution but they remade Spider-Man instead.

Just because the source material is silly doesn't mean an adaptation has to follow, the original Superman and Batman comics were pretty cheesy but did Nolan stick to that? If they gave DB some goofy made for TV movie it would become a very small cult classic. A more serious big budget movie is what most fans want and it would be accepted by the mainstream as well and will overall be remembered more fondly. A goofy DB movie would end up on the shelf of a 2nd hand DVD store for $2.

Even those movies were based on comics that weren't exactly silly. I don't think a DB movie should go full humor but it should find a nice balance. If we had to compare it to superhero movies it should lean closer to those Marvel movies.

[Ringworm128]

I'm nt saying it should be "dead puppies grrrr grity" dark but a more serious tone would still be a better choice, something on the level of Indiana Jones for the early stuff. Full of fun and adventure but not some Nickolodian comedy movie.