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The Creator of Lethal Weapon to Direct the Death Note Movie?

Topic started by No_name_here on Jan. 13, 2011. Last post by aZidEter 2 years, 3 months ago.
Post by No_name_here (830 posts) See mini bio Level 11
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 Shane Black gets marks in any situation from me for being one of the commandos in the first PREDATOR movie.
 Shane Black gets marks in any situation from me for being one of the commandos in the first PREDATOR movie.

You’re kidding, me.  News about an American version of DEATH NOTE that doesn’t concern Zac Ephron?! Deadline’s got the fairly significant scoop that Shane Black has signed on to direct a feature version of this beloved series about heart attacks, demons and righteous judgment.  I know there’s plenty of overlap in audiences in these circles, but if you’re unfamiliar with Mr. Black, he was pretty much the #1 Hollywood screenwriter in the late 80s and early 90s. He wrote things like LETHAL WEAPON and THE LAST BOY SCOUT, and broke industry records when he got paid $4 million for a script once. Lately, he’s turned to directing and his last effort was the criminally-underrated "buddy noir" KISS KISS, BANG BANG.  

I’m sure the prospect of any Hollywood person on this project would probably make many of lunatics want to write your own names down in the book, but take assurance in the fact that Black is actually a fan. And, considering how KISS KISS, BANG BANG was obviously written by a guy who’d read a ton of pulp, detective novels, I’m inclined to believe this isn’t the usual lip service.

So spoke Mr. Black…

“It’s my favorite manga, I was just struck by its unique and brilliant sensibility… What we want to do is take it back to that manga, and make it closer to what is so complex and truthful about the spirituality of the story, versus taking the concept and trying to copy it as an American thriller.”

Come what may, it's a long time since I've been as genuinely curious about a potential film. You know I love DEATH NOTE, and I've been a fan of Black's for a long time. He was one of few big screenwriters with an immediately-distinct voice and I’ve even studied the guys work over the years. While I’m still skeptical over how well things like Ryuk, Rem and Misa's string of coincidences could translate to an American movie (especially after those corny-as-hell Japanese live-action ones,)  I'm really, really intrigued to see what could result from this unexpected intersection of talent and material.

Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of  HYBRID BASTARDS!  &  UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon   here  &  here .  Follow him on Twitter:  @tompinchuk    
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by metalsnakezero (627 posts) See mini bio Level 16
Is there any point to this? There is already a live action Death Note that came out in Japan  and was subbed here.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by EquitasInvictus (332 posts) See mini bio Level 15
This is a very interesting twist in development for the potential American Death Note film. From the insight you provided, this looks promising! I'd love for a director with an experience for making noir films like Shane Black to do an American Death Note. 
 
I feel like there is no better way to Westernize Death Note than with a noir spin. Death Note simply lends itself to that genre and style of filmmaking best. If he manages to pull it off and complete this film, I would definitely see it. 
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by AJV (51 posts) See mini bio Level 10
Well, this is interesting news...
This gives me a little hope that maybe an American Death Note could be good.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Edited 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sickVisionz (3,784 posts) See mini bio Level 24
Moderator
I'd rather they just remake the Japanese ones ala Ringu and the Ring but this could be good.  Also, why do you address everyone as a lunatic?
Edited 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sotyfan16 (1,331 posts) See mini bio Level 20

Not sure what to think about this. Even though I have not seen the Japanese live-action movies, I think those would be enough.

Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sora_thekey (1,094 posts) See mini bio Level 16
Moderator
An american version if Death Note? Hmmm my interest has been peeked! 
... and I don't even watch Death Note!
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by AsuraXepher (2 posts) See mini bio Level 8
o.o Wait what? I do hope it's good...
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by lionellaflare (21 posts) See mini bio Level 13
Cool, BRING IT.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by obscurefan (216 posts) See mini bio Level 20
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an amazing movie and was very well directed, so this gives me hope for this movie.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by FoxxFireArt (2,530 posts) See mini bio Level 25
Moderator
Ohhh, Live Action anime based movies. Let me count the ways how I don't care.
 
Just because a person says they're a fan, doesn't mean a great deal. I know I've mentioned this a lot as of late, but Joe Quesada describes himself as a Spider-man fan. Still, he managed to create one of the most broken Spider-man stories imaginable. One where the hero violated every guiding principle he was based upon to shake the hand of the devil, and erased decades of canon. All for the idea that Peter to be married anymore or ever again.

If he's so interested in going back to the manga. How about returning the lead character's name back to Light instead of Luke. 
 
I really don't see how this movie could possibly work within the time frame of your average two hour Hollywood film. I never cared for Light from moment one of the series. The only thing that kept me interested was the battle of wits he had with L. So much time is going to have to be used in the movie to explain the powers and limits of the death note that the whole drama of the hunt is going to be cut.
 
I would rather see the money that is going to be wasted on this be spent on bringing movies such as Summer Wars and Evangelion 2.0 to wider distribution in theaters.

@sora_thekey:
Lower your expectations. The best you are going to get is maybe a laugh out of how bad it's going to be. Just see Dragon Ball Evolution as Example A.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by RecSpec (22 posts) See mini bio Level 15
So...what would be the best way to make Death Note accessible to wide audiences? Is there a way without making this an affront to fans?
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sora_thekey (1,094 posts) See mini bio Level 16
Moderator
@FoxxFireArt: Dragon Ball Evolution...? Ugh! Haven't watched it, don't want to watch it, will not watch it! 
Once there's a trailer for this one I'll make a decision on either "to watch or not to watch"
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by ZombiePie (843 posts) See mini bio Level 15
I'm not trying to sound contrarian but Lethal Weapon 1 & 2 are GREAT movies. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang has a WONDERFUL screenplay. That's all I think I really want to say though.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sickVisionz (3,784 posts) See mini bio Level 24
Moderator
@zombiepie: Nah, they weren't written and directed by Japanese people so they're bad by default.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by blaakmawf (59 posts) See mini bio Level 5
I'm hopeful. The Japanese live action movie was awful.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by ZombiePie (843 posts) See mini bio Level 15
@sickVisionz:  You are a dog raping communist.
 
However my point still stands this guy has done some bad stuff, but he's done some really good stuff. LETHAL WEAPON! How can anyone hate that movie!
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sickVisionz (3,784 posts) See mini bio Level 24
Moderator
@zombiepie: If this comes to pass I hope Ryuk says, "I'm too old for this shit" when Light makes him search for surveillance cameras.  Even better if there's a sweet saxophone solo playing in the background.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by ZombiePie (843 posts) See mini bio Level 15
@sickVisionz:  Unfortunately there were no photo-shopped images that can visually convey the magic you have described. I TURNED SAFE SEARCH OFF and put my life on the line to bring you internet hilarity and failed...I personally apologize for this.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
Post by sweetre15 (4 posts) See mini bio Level 4
@FoxxFireArt: It's easily possibly that he might turn Light back to being Light since it's obvious that he's throwing that last script in the trash.
 Plus remember what he said in the quote about taking it back to the manga VERSUS copying the concept and making an American thriller. 
 
Versus:
1. against, in opposition to; compared with, as opposed to
 
2. 
"in comparison or opposition to":  
 
 So with that in mind, atleast as far as the core story of the source goes," Americanization" is NOT what he wants to do.
Posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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