HOME TRAILERS 2013 SCHEDULE PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS SHORT FILMS NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

LATEST NEWS

Working Title Conjuring a Contemporary 'Merlin' for Big Screen

by Ethan Anderton
November 10, 2010
Source: Heat Vision

For almost an entire decade, young wizards have dominated the big screen thanks to the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise. Sure Gandalf the Grey/White threw down to give old wizards a good name for a few years, but his roots can be linked to a wizard that is from the times and legends of King Arthur. Without Merlin, the iconic magic man, there would be no Gandalf or Albus Dumbledore. As Harry Potter's journey comes to an end on the big screen, Heat Vision reports Working Title is developing a contemporary take on the magician that will bring the legendary wizard into a modern setting. Isn't the iPhone magical enough?

In all seriousness though, we don't really know what to expect from a modern set tale featuring Merlin, because details are being kept under tight wraps. However, we do know that author/screenwriter Jay Basu is behind this new iteration of the famed wizard. Since his feature film experience is limited to the 2006 film Song of Songs (which I've never even heard of), that's not much to inspire excitement. If anything, I'm somewhat interested, because I enjoyed Disney's portrayal of classic magic in a modern world with The Sorcerer's Apprentice, even if audiences didn't find their way to theaters to make it a huge success. The question is whether this can outdo the version starring Sam Neill from back in the day. We'll try to keep you posted as more information on this project becomes available.

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Xerxex

I'd like to see a Merlin film.
Cracky

According to literature, Merlin lives his life backwards throughout time, like ol' Benjamin Button. It would be pretty brilliant if they had a young adult merlin in modern days, keeping a low profile and trying to figure out how he will spend the rest of his days-- and then a shitstorm of great plot details that I'm too lazy to create. This is what I'm hoping. What I'll get is probably a sack of shit-covered walnuts.
WittyRemark23

the version staring Sam Neill was THE BEST Merlin film/mini-series ever!
Jamie

BS. A Merlin in the modern age would be BS. Hollywood is incapeable of making a serious move about characters from the past. Just look what they did to Green Hornet. Just watch. They'll make Merlin silly/goofy.