Fresh from the Cannes Film Festival, comes the following news:
[b]The Lord of The Rings and Attack Of The Clones star Christopher Lee heads the cast of Continent Film's fantasy The Last Unicorn.
Angela Lansbury co-stars. Mia Farrow, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Heath Ledger are in talks to commit to the $45m project.
Based on Peter Beagle's novel, it will feature a computer-generated unicorn fighting to save its species from a demonic enemy. [b]
BrotherDave
Its wonderful news if this project will take off with Mr Lee in it.
As for a precedent where someone portayed the same character in cartoon form and then onto a live-action film, one might consider the "Star Trek" cartoon series in 1973, where some of the actors reprised their live-action characters from the the 1960s TV series in cartoon form, and then onto the big screen in 1979.
The STAR TREK precedent is very close! However that one went from live action TV to animated TV to live action theatrical release. That is entirely another "first" and also quite unique!
I'm looking for an instance where someone voicing a character in an animated theatrical release then portrays the same character in a live action theatrical release. I really do not recall that ever happening before, but it is possible.
That Star Trek cartoon might have qualified if it had been a theatrical release. Still it is an interesting parallel!
I really excited about THE LAST UNICORN. TLU has tons of promise. It can be entertaining, charming, exciting and something everyone can go see. I took my 85 year old father-in-law and my 10 year old son to see LORD OF THE RINGS. My son and I went a total of five times. There are not enough movies that everyone in the family can enjoy. I'm so happy The King of Film (Mr. Christopher Lee, C.B.E.) is going to be there! The other cast members announced pleased me too! Angela Lansbury and Mia Farrow are very talented and both quite popular here in the USA. Miss Lansbury will bring in quite a few people based on the popular success of MURDER, SHE WROTE which is her very respectable U.S. television series.
The film also may have one negative result though. Anyone remember that old novelty tune, "THE UNICORN" by The Irish Rovers? I'm afraid that when TLU comes out they may start playing that old song on the radio again to try to capitalize on the popularity of the film!
(Just kidding! 
That would we a small price to pay!)
Quote:
The film also may have one negative result though. Anyone remember that old novelty tune, "THE UNICORN" by The Irish Rovers? I'm afraid that when TLU comes out they may start playing that old song on the radio again to try to capitalize on the popularity of the film!
(Just kidding! :D That would we a small price to pay!)
C'mon Dave! That was a nice little song:
"There were green aligators and long-necked geese. Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees. . ."
It simpley oozes cuteness.
Which, on second thought, may not be a good thing.
Dave! Yer messin' wit' my mind!
The official movie site for The Last Unicorn live action movie is below:
http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/
They do not update it very often but there is some cool stuff as well as the complete screenplay (which is similar to the book and original movie).
PS. I love the soundtrack by America!!!!
I was so ecstatic to hear that the live action version of one of my favorite books and movies would be made! Finding out that some of the original cast would return was even more fabulous, particularily Mr. Lee. I think his deep, sonorous voice added a lot to King Haggard's character. Whenever I re-read the book now I find I hear his voice as I read King Haggard's lines. What a treat for us all that he is willing to revisit the role. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes he might make in his portrayal this time around.
This is going to be fantastic! And in honor of this occasion I will mention the often repeated quote from "The Last Unicorn" between myself and my best friend, Amy,
"I knew you were the laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast!"
Can't wait to see it!
Cara