TOP TEN Lists - This Week: "Blank Check" Media Projects.

Getting to work on mine, but it'll be a while before it is finished

 

I may end up being just a spectator for this topic. We'll see. I don't know that I'm that creative and this is a more challenging topic than just ranking my favorite movies.

 

Just take a shot at it. That's what I'm doing. It doesn't have to be definitive. Simply scribble together a list of things that you'd love to watch/play/read, you don't have to go super in-depth.

 

Interesting topic... My number one is loud and clear, now to fill the other 9 spots.

Grrr, !mrahil

 

This topic has people thinking... or nobody wants to be the first to give it a go!

 

Up to now I have a Top 5, so some work needs to be done

Grrr, !mrahil

 

I think I've got my rough top ten penciled in. Maybe a little bit of shuffling... maybe.

 

I suppose I'll lead the dance.

#1. “Skyrim” Warhammer Game⇛ this one is easily my number one choice. It’s essentially a more modern version of the game Skyrim merged with Elden Ring, but set in the Warhammer Fantasy world. The game would feature the ability to create custom characters from all 16 Warhammer 8th edition armies. Each race would have unique traits and abilities as well as altered story points/quests; with the overall narrative branching depending on their good/evil orientation. All the prominent locations in the WHFB world would be visited throughout the game (maybe via portals or some other means of fast travel) on a huge map featuring many key landmarks. Most importantly, the game would feature some updated iteration of the extensive leveling up and skill trees of Skyrim; along with expanded weapons/armour crafting. The combat mechanics would be greatly improved, a weak point of Skyrim, and incorporate many elements from the Souls series. The difficulty would also be greatly increased. I’d merge the existing Bethesda team with key figures of the FromSoft studio, as well as bringing back important contributors that have left since Skyrim. Jeremy Soule would be brought on board to compose the soundtrack. For story writing, I’d bring in members of the Forge World team that produced the Tamurkhan book to work with the team. I’d stay on to ensure that no woke crap makes its way into the game, but would serve no further role.


#2. Darth Bane Trilogy (Drew Karpyshyn + Christopher Nolan) ⇛ a live action trilogy of Star Wars movies based on the Darth Bane novel series. Christopher Nolan would be brought in to direct. Drew Karpyshyn (the original author of the novels) would work alongside of Nolan to create the screenplay. I’d trust Nolan to bring on the actors and actresses he feels would be best. John Williams to compose the soundtrack.


#3. The completion of the Forge World “Tamurkhan” series. ⇛ the original plan was to have three more books follow from the Tamurkhan opener; one for each of the remaining Chaos gods, Slaanesh, Tzeentch and Khorne. I’d simply want that plan realized, to the same exacting quality of the first book. I’d have the original team members continue their work. The only change would be to have extensive playtesting and revision prior to release. And yes, more Chaos Dwarfs were planned for the series, and they would heavily feature in the upcoming books. And while we’re at it, I’d get the team to clean up some of the rules issues of the Tamurkhan book (but leave it otherwise unchanged). The books would have the same aesthetic and quality presentation as the first book.


#4. Samurai Jack "Season 6"⇛ the fifth and final season was a fitting end to the series, but I simply want more. Of course, the man for the job can be none other than Genndy Tartakovsky. I have full faith in Genndy. He could bring on anyone and everyone he deems fit. The story and direction would be entirely up to him (I want to be surprised and play no part in its creation). I’d only ask that the Scotsman be brought back in some capacity and that the original animation style be maintained. As for the story, that would be entirely up to Genndy. “Season 6” could mean some continuation of the story, or an expansion of the series somewhere in the middle. Genndy’s choice! In Genndy we trust.


#5. Chaos Dwarfs 8th Edition army book⇛ this entry is a bit lower on the list only because of the already fine Tamurkhan Legions of Azgorh Chaos Dwarf list. That said, giving them a full army book treatment would be nice. Some new artwork. Lore that expands beyond the LoA fluff, encompassing the entirety of the Chaos Dwarf race. Most importantly, their army roster would get a much-needed boost in terms of variety. The LoA stuff would make a great starting point, but they need more units, more slave units, more characters and more special characters. Fighting CD lord, Bull Centaur lord, slave orcs, slave ogres, a real cannon and more common non-LoA Chaos Dwarf units (just to name a few). The previously mentioned rules issues from Tamurkhan would also be fixed. Keep in mind that I am considering this in a vacuum, if my third choice, the completion of Tamurkhan actually came to pass, then this entry would appear lower on my list as that series would likely cover a lot of Chaos Dwarfs content.


#6. Warhammer End Times movie series - Reworked⇛ A massive movie series, think 3 to 5 films… you know what, let’s make it six films, Slaanesh’s sacred number. Giant spectacles each and everyone. CGI animation of the very highest quality. Top tier action. James Cameron to direct and oversee the project. I’d bring in a collection of GW authors that have shaped the Warhammer Universe to write the scripts, but I’d stay on hand to make final decisions on the broad direction of the film. Essentially, the films would re-write the End Times, where the world’s destruction is averted, and 8th edition lore continues forward. Gone would be the idea of incarnates or the return of Sigmar. Many named characters would meet their end (while still having their chance to shine), but the races would endure in some form or the other. And yes, as I’m in charge, Chaos Dwarfs would have a significant but not outsized role in the series. John Williams to compose the soundtrack.


#7. Quentin Tarantino Star Wars trilogy ⇛ this one is a bit of a wild card. I’d like to see what he could do with the lore. Something still Star Wars but with a very different feel. I’d leave the writing, directing and casting all up to Tarantino. The only stipulation would be that the films focus around Jedi and Sith (I’m less interested in an offshoot that doesn’t include force abilities and lightsabers). And of course, being a Tarantino movie, it would be rated R. No idea how it would turn out, but I’d be interested to see.


#8. Game of Thrones Season 8 Remake (George RR Martin) ⇛ I loved Game of Thrones until the final season, where the quality dropped off and was clearly a rushed product. This time around, the 8th season would be binned entirely and the story would be completed properly. I’m thinking it would need 2-3 seasons to finish it up, but that call would be up to George RR Martin. He would be fully in charge of the script and the direction of the story. To bring the story to life, I’d have Christopher Nolan direct, as he is probably my favourite director of the current day. Where applicable, the original actors would be brought back to continue their roles maybe a bit of de-aging Hollywood magic, if absolutely needed (James Cameron could be brought in to oversee that).


#9. Thrawn Trilogy animated movies ⇛ for those that don’t know the Thrawn trilogy is a series of novels by Timothy Zahn that continues the story of the OT characters not long after the events of Episode VI. As the OT actors have aged out of their roles (or sadly passed away), let’s go with animation this time around. When it comes to animation, I’m always happy to go with Genndy Tartakovsky, who has worked on Star Wars in the past. Timothy Zahn would adapt the script and I’d bring in George Lucas in as a consultant. Three movies for three novels sounds good.


#10. Warhammer 40k – War in Heaven / Necron / C'Tan reworked TV series ⇛ CGI animated series, once again to the very highest of quality. Focusing on the 3rd edition lore, prior to the “modern canon”. The series, across several seasons, would follow the events leading up to, during and after the events of the War in Heaven. The C’tan would be featured heavily throughout, including new ones not previously named as well as the classic ones. The story of the major ones (Deceiver, Nightbringer, Void Dragon and Outsider) would be flushed out in great detail, especially dealing with their interactions with the Necrontyr, each other and eventually the consuming of their own kind. A definitive story detailing the early events that took place millions of years before current day 40k. An elegant lore, for a more civilized age.


#11 [honorable mention]. Warhammer Fantasy Story by George RR Martin ⇛ I’d like to read what he could do in the setting. Looking for something original, not a direct retelling, but tied deeply to the lore. Some lore experts like Gav Thorpe, Rick Priestley, etc. would be brought in to serve as subject experts for Martin to utilize. Something large in scale and scope like his ASOIAF series. And probably a sprinkling of Chaos Dwarfs too!

 

I missed that one could consider non-film projects for this also, but having checked back to the original post and confirmed as such, I'm very much going to make use of those more liberating guidelines .

I have to admit, I'd very much approve of ditching the End Times as-is and rewriting it so that many characters get more worthy 'finest hours' and the attempt to end the world ultimately fails. I presume you'd be willing to kill off Archaon to bring this about? Of course he can have a glorious death, but he certainly has to snuff it somehow I think if we're to avoid the destruction of the Warhammer World.

Not sure if it's a good idea for Nolan to direct any of your projects though - I know you're a fan of his work on Batman, but having seen him direct abortions like Dunkirk I'm still sceptical, and of course you can't turn back the clock to ensure you get 'Peak Nolan' at the time he directed the Dark Knight Trilogy .

 

I'd see that as the climactic end to the series. It would be a massive fight, and he would put a lot of people down before being eventually slain himself. It would be a glorious finale.

Can't choose peak Nolan, we've got to take them as they are current day. Otherwise, I'd probably go with peak Cameron.

As it stands, Nolan has directed some really great films. The Batman trilogy, Interstellar and Inception are some of my very favourites. I wasn't really a fan of Dunkirk, but everyone has duds. I am looking forward to The Odyssey.

If we could have the original cast as they were, that's the direction I'd go with too. I'm just less enthusiastic about a story wide recasting of all the major characters.

Good (half) list.