Question re epic movies:
Some epic movies we’ll all agree are epic flops. Now, whether you loved or hated the “Lord of the Rings” films, we can all agree they weren’t flops, neither financially nor critically.
If you were setting out to make an epic-style movie [period piece, cast of thousands, budget, costumes, sets, the whole shebang], what do you think you could learn from Peter Jackson’s success? In other words, what did he do right that some others have not?
Film fans – you can take this in another direction besides LOTR if you wish. So - What will make our theoretical epic work & not bomb?
Well, base the movie off a good story for starters. Add in quality dialogue and gifted actors who can carry it off. Then actually discuss things with more than just your self and compromise in areas where your ideas might not be the best option. Keep the narrative flowing, and don’t introduce things that stretch the audience’s credulidity too far.
I think casting is actually one of the most important parts. You really need to pick the right people for the job. Can you imagine Tom Selleck as Han Solo? That would have been weird, and probably less effective. Imagine, say, Tom Cruise as Aragorn rather than Viggo Mortensen. I just don’t think he would have been effective. That is what (aside from the crappy script) really ruined Attack of the Clones for me. I just couldn’t buy Haden Christiansen as Darth Vader. He was just a little whiny weasel to me. Also Brad Pitt as Achilles: could buy it, he just wasn’t Greek in my eyes.