Pern Movie!
Filed in SF/F News on May 25, 2006 with 122 comments
Anne McCaffrey’s (why is it never “Hugo-winning novelist, Anne McCaffrey”?) rich world of telepathic dragons is finally coming to a movie house near you. SciFi Wire reports that Copperheart Entertainment will be adapting it to the movies.
This makes me want to send a note back in time to my 15 year old self and say, “Just be patient. It will come.”
Having read “Eargon” and seeing the film adaptation, I hope the movie version of Pern will be even closer to the original text! I enjoyed the books very much and look forward to a movie version. Maybe we will all be amazed and satisfied.
Michael G. Parrish, AL USA
Ahhh! i’m ecstatic to find other pern lovers! Ok. Anyway. I agree that they should probably use unknown actors, so that the quality of the characters isn’t overshadowed by big name stars (if that makes sense). But, if we are going to fantasize about who should play the big characters, who could play Lessa? With her hair dyed dark, Scarlet Johanssen comes to mind for Lessa. Maybe. That’s just who popped into my head at this moment. I’m sure there’s someone better…any ideas? Tim Curry might make a great Meron, cuz he’s so good at being evil…but he might be too loveable….And, can we work Hugh Laurie and Colin Firth in somewhere? (Sorry, i just really love the Brits.) Shards! I’m so excited!!!!!!
i only recently got into the books my girlfriends mum mentioned them to me so the first thing i did was go to my nearest book shop and buy the first one iv just finished moreta and am now on nerilka’s story and i have to say i havent taken to a series like this before i found out today 16/4/07 about the movie while i was browsing around and couldn’t beleive it i hope the do the books justice afterall they deserve every bit of it.
I am really into the Dragon Riders of Pern Books and on hearing of a film to be made, I have been searching everywhere i can to get information on it. the closest i’ve found is that film was written up then changed so much that it didn’t fit with what Anne McCaffrey had written an so it was ditched. Then along comes Copperheart who have said they will make pern into a movie and that was back in 2006, so if anyone out there knows for sure if indeed there is to be a movie and when its likely to be out, please post here and lets us all know.
Good news for all:
Found a listing for the Dragonriders Of Pern film on IMDB today – it’s still in development (hasn’t it always been), but it’s dated 2008! Don’t know if that’s production or release date though.
Let the bouncing-off-walls commence!
thanx for that bit of info Colin, just one question! IMDB??
imdb.com is a movie site where you can look up all sorts of movies and actors and find out information about them. imdb is short for internet movie database. Look it up and have fun!
I just tried looking it up on IMDB and it’s something they’ll only let you look at if you’re on IMDBPro. Which I’m not about to pay for.
I definitely felt like Eragon was something of a rip off. Of all the dragon stories I’ve seen, Dragonriders of Pern are my favorite.
i love dragon books especialy eragon and eldest but this the best ive ever read and im only 11!
HORRIBLE. thats all i have to say about Eragon. They totally butchered the story…i fear for the Pern movie…if is still exists. I love These books, and i will seriously cry if they totally mess with it…somehow i dont think a movie will ever do all these stories justice, and i most hope it doesnnt materialize. I think perahps if it does that The Masterharper’s story would be the best place to start. He is the Forrest Gump of pern..always managing to be in the right place at the right ttime to see all the political happenings on pern that would shed light to all newcomers to pern lore as to the socity that is pern…hmm…something to think about
Your comments about IMDB really relate to the facts that there is nothing definite in the public domain at the moment. Copperheart seem to be aiming for a 2008 release to cinemas which should mean that it is currently in pre-production. If the IMDB timescale is correct we should hear cast details etc. within the next month or two. I eagerly await some firm news.
that is so cool thet they are making a movie. i just started reading the books and i’m already a fanatic. i’m at the end of Dragonquest.
the movie sis going to be so cool as long as they get the story right. love the Hugh Jackman idea.
(by the way eargon the movie IS a rip off. they left sooooooooo much out and half the book is copied off dragonriders of pern anyway)
OMG. If they get it right, this will be on epic movie. I hope they don’t cut it too much. Just to get Tolkien’s works on the screen, those movies had to be 3 hours long. I would totally sit in the theater that long if this movie is up to par with what I’ve been imagining these last years. I can’t wait until they post comprehensive casting lists. I don’t want a lot of A-list actors/actresses to ruin this movie, of course, it might not be so bad as that.
I agree with Sara that even if the movie was long it would be worth the time, if it staid with the book all the way. But if the book proves to be too long and complex for a single film, then i think it would be a good idea to split the movie into two or three parts. The only downside that I can think of for this is that the movie series would be REALLY long and might cause a loss of interest. But if a movie does have to be split and no matter how many parts to it, I will see them all!
When is this thing being released? Did they stop production on it? I can’t find a cast list or movie poster or triler and its been over a year.
I need an update РCopperheart Entertainment is not listing anything on their site and imdb just has the title listed – this is not good – does anyone have current news on the status of the movie? On the same night I found out that Xanth and Pern were both headed to the moveis in 2008, and I was jumping around at 2 in the morning totally wanting to call someone to celebrate, but now I can’t find updates on either one and am starting to worry…
I read last month that Anne McCaffrey pulled the plug on this movie because Hollywood wanted to screw around with it and sex it up…. I so wish someone in Hollywood or NY would treat this series that they gave Harry Potter… JK was on the set every day and had total say on her script why can Anne not have the same!!! We who are fans think she would make us proud! HP didn’t have any thongs or g strings an it broke records the first weekend. STICK WITH THE STORYLINE. Maybe should check a different venue, North Carolina is getting alot of movie traffic… The scenery would be more adaptable to Pern anyway!!
Good for Anne, if they’re going to mess it up it is better if it is not made.
I hope the movie is still a go. But I agree if they are going to mess with the storyline don’t do the movie.
This series of books is my all time favorites
If they cant do a movie, why not do a TV series? It’s been thought of before and rejecetd, but it seems the only way that the story could be told accurately and/or completely. I think Anne should reconsider the option of a televised series.
I first entered a world of Pern in early 90′s when Dragonquest was for the first time translated into russian, & I’m in it since then. I’d really love to see it on a big screen, I dreamed of it for many years (considering the suitable actors)… but, after watching Eragon… I do hope they will do better… Dont think my mind will survive one more blue dragon-girl with the wings made of feathers…horrible
Eventually my friends this will come. The wait willbe worthwhile. I have been diging for info on a movie since I was in middle school early 90′s. Anneis a playwright/script writer (hollywood dont like that) she (and now todd) owns every bit of her material, and will never let it get fowled. i doubt she would pull a movie due to sex in the story have any of you actually read what happens during a mating flight OMG. You would think with the blue green mating and the guy guy riders the public left wingers would be jumping at it. If anything I think this will happen… we have the tech we have the drive and fans… now we need someone to give anne and Todd money and leave them be. The TV series that ws planned was the best idea I have found and actually went to production before being capped due to technology and funding. be patient my friends.
Not to be annoying but i just found more info. as of AUG 2007 3 months ago on her (annes) official website she has postede this
As Regarding the Pern Movie
October 22nd, 2007 | Archives
We’ve been getting tons and tons of mail asking about the upcoming Pern film. Some of you haven’t seen the press release, which is here, but you have reminded us that there hasn’t been a lot of public discussion about it since then. Everyone (including us) would like to see a movie of the highest quality brought to the screen, as quickly as possible! We have a great deal of faith in Copperheart Entertainment who, at this moment, are in discussions with talent and financiers.
As soon as we can say more, we most definitely will. We promise!
She promises. thats good enough for me.
Hugh Laurie for Robinton. Hugh Jackman for F’lar. Cate Blanchette for Lessa.
We’ve been waiting for this movie for so long, they’ll have to change the name of the character Fax to E-Mail.
lol thats great witht he fax comment.
Oh and i always thought patrick stewart would make a great robinton, and jaoquin phenoix as fax, he made a great bad guy in Gladiator.
Milla Jovavich for Lessa cause she small and can fight well.
One of the things McCaffrey is trying to make happen for the movie is to be sure that the soundtrack involves the musicians she chose for the companion CD to Masterharper (Tania Opland and Mike Freeman). Please raise your voices for this–and if you haven’t yet heard the CD, check it out!
Oh man, I hope it’s true!! My whole family are Pern fanatics – my grandfather got me into Anne’s books when I was still learning to read ^_^. I would LOVE to see some little-known, GOOD actors cast in the lead roles, otherwise the focus will be on “ooh ahh Hugh Jackman, ooh ahh Ian McKellan” and so on. They’re awesome actors but the focus should be on the brilliant story, the rich characters and so on, not on all the “beautiful people” that have been cast.
And I swear to the gods, if Hollywood gets its filthy, oversexed moneygrubbing hands on the films, I’ll cry!
2008 is here, and still o sign that a movie is even in making “sigh”
Come on someone please out us out of our misery and let us know one way or another if the Pern Movie is gonna grace our screens….
I still wait in vain
I returned to the site to see the Movie is still causing a lot of talk, excitement, and hope….
I as many of you have been holding my breath for about 10 years now on a movie about Pern… I know Anne and CO are promising to keep us posted.. but dang, I only have so much nail bed left. chew, chew… Give Us A Sign.
Show Us the… Cast?, Release Date?
A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
Lucheiah “And I swear to the gods, if Hollywood gets its filthy, oversexed moneygrubbing hands on the films, I‚Äôll cry!”
one of the main reasons we have been waiting so very long..Anne won’t let it happen.
anyone have imdb pro they say they have more info when you search dragonriders of pern..but its only available to pro users….Anne’s website has nothing newer than Oct 2007…I did submit an email but I am sure she gets many and they can’t really take time on something so in the future..we will see and I will let yo all know what I find out…let me know if you have pro and you can view more..IMDB does state dragonriders of Pern 2008 so hhhmmm….email me skoshidragon@hotmail.com
I was thinking about how whoever takes the reins of the movie might depict how the dragons looked, and it occurred to me that maybe the best graphical and physical appearance might be created by the people who did the dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park movies. If they could make animatronics for a full grown triceratops and the head of a t-rex, I believe that they could create a dragon with little to no difficulty. And the digitally created looks of the dragons would look beautiful.
So, October 22nd ’07 is the last update on Anne’s website. After looking into Copperheart’s website, I think I would rather this movie doesn’t happen. Their movies seem to be bad horror flicks, and I am not sure they have what it takes to make all of us Pern fans happy. I am a HUGE fan of the Dragonriders, and I would rather not have the visions and memories that I have from the books ruined by a second rate production company. However, if the movie is still on, I’ll be there!!!
Per that companies history the movies they make are wierd but on purpose. Also They have won many awards for their short film animated features relying heavily on CGI graphics they are toted as the best CGI afte lucas’ company (can you say sweet dragons here we go) Anne wouldn’t have allowed them to buy the rights if she wasn’t confident in their ability, and she always has full control. They want to branch out into something differnt than just horror, (and their horror movies are extrememly popular) I wrote them and email and recieved no response, I also wrote anne’s site a few times and recieve no response for an update or further infor on the project with Copperheart. If someone knows how to write an online petiotion we can all sign and submit showing the huge amount of support maybe they can get funding and investments and give us information…..Anyone know how to do that???? even if we all commit to email her and them show a mass effort it worked for Jericho’s return
Per that companies history the movies they make are wierd but on purpose. Also They have won many awards for their short film animated features relying heavily on CGI graphics they are toted as the best CGI afte lucas’ company (can you say sweet dragons here we go) Anne wouldn’t have allowed them to buy the rights if she wasn’t confident in their ability, and she always has full control. They want to branch out into something differnt than just horror, (and their horror movies are extrememly popular) I wrote them and email and recieved no response, I also wrote anne’s site a few times and recieve no response for an update or further infor on the project with this company. If someone knows how to write an online petiotion we can all sign and submit showing the huge amount of support maybe they can get funding and investments and give us information…..Anyone know how to do that???? even if we all commit to email her and them show a mass effort it worked for Jericho’s return
Here we go again still waiting for The ultimate movie for those of us that The Dragonriders and other peoples of Pern. I am sick of hearing it will come out in 2008 we’re here give it to us already! Please so I can stop pacing the tables!
Well once again I come here to see if any news has been released about the “supposedly” in the making Pern Film, and yet again I am left dejected.
Surely there must be some news as to whether or not this film is going to be made. I wonder, does anyone from Anne’s circle or Copperhearts even grace this place or any like it to see what people think about Pern and a potential film?
Chris could you post the webby for Anne’s site “if its allowed” please.
pokes a finger at the screen…
Hello? anyone here??? any news???
Yeah man here is annes offcial website, not updated very often,… maybe if we all email her they will respond… They get lots of emails hence the update on the movie they do have….
http://www.annemccaffrey.org/index.php
I search all the time for any updates,,, you can go to copperfields website too, its on there but no info about it… I wonder if it will ever become a reality. tis on IMDB.com also. Maybe they are keeping it secret but I doubt something like this can be kept secret very long.
http://www.copperheart.ca/
http://toddmccaffrey.org/todd/?page_id=707
the second one has todds offcial press release.
Thats where I start my travels accross the internet on… don’t even remember how I found this little blog. But you guys can follow those bread crumbs. Nothing has come out saying it isn’t being done. and thats good. the TV series nearly came to fruistion, so we will see how the movie goes. They will be cutting and splicing books to fit into a movie, as lots of pern stuff wouldn’t translate well into film… but hopefully in ou life time it will happen.
The only thing that urks me is that if you want anything out of copperheart… on their “news” page… you have to pay for it… CHEEEEEP!
Dragon*Con 2008- Anne AND Todd are slated to be there this year! HRM wonder if they will announce anything?? Will keep my eye on the interwebs!!
Wonderful!!! I keep looking at this lonely little site and will welcome any news… thanks Dragon Lover…
pokes the page Hello? this thing still alive????
@SeaWitch
Not quite. I think it’s on its final leg. Unless theres new info, this page is practically dead.
Yeah… I agree. I’m beginning to think the whole thing is a big tease.
Interesting movie synopsis on this page, dont know if its legit or not:
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/movie/dragonriders_of_pern/
The page lives! Thanks Dragonlover. I don’t remember much of the settlement books, but what you’ve given us fits what I do.