Friday, July 16, 2010

Disney will be making a live-action gargoyles film?



I have news for you today, dear guests, news of a film in the works, a Disney film. Some of you may recall a television show that was made by Disney and aired in the 90s. Allow me to further to refresh your memory.



It was only when I discovered clips of the show on YouTube that I recalled ever watching the show as a child. Now having re-watched many of the episodes, it is surprising just how good it is, especially the plot. This is often a comment that is made about the series, just how well the series was written. And now Disney is getting set to make a live action film about gargoyles. Here’s the catch, they’re not basing it on the TV series Wait, what?

This I do not understand. Why would Disney want to create a completely new story, when already there exists great source material and a fan base? This is the age of remakes and reboots! It is the perfect time for a live-action film based on the Gargoyles TV series to be made! Not to mention the technology is there. With films like Avatar being made with spectacular use of technology, this is the time for Gargoyles. Maybe there is something I am not seeing in all of this. I’m sure Disney has their reasons. They better be good. They are saying that they will be creating a mythology for the creatures, which should be interesting. I will be keeping my eye on this project.

Further more, another issue that needs to be addressed... So the thing is, what we all think a gargoyle to be, is not what a gargoyle really is. Yes, Disney lied to you, yet again.

If you look up the definition for gargoyle it says:
"In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building."

In an interview with TheoFantastique , Gary Varner author of Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Green Men: Ancient Symbolism in European and American Architecture says that:
"Gargoyles serve a very utilitarian purpose as water spouts. In fact, only these features constitute a true gargoyle—anything else is considered a 'grotesque.'"

Water spout? That doesn’t sound like out Goliath.


And that’s because it is not what he is. Then how is a grotesque defined?
"In modern English, grotesque has come to be used as a general adjective for the strange, fantastic, ugly, incongruous, unpleasant, or disgusting, and thus is often used to describe weird shapes and distorted forms such as Halloween masks. … More specifically, the grotesque forms on Gothic buildings, when not used as drain-spouts, should not be called gargoyles, but rather referred to simply as grotesques, or chimeras."

So now you know, a small tidbit of information which I hope you all keep in mind the next time you are looking at Halloween decorations, or perhaps looking up at the carvings on an older building, with your friends and one draws your attention to the "gargoyle", I hope you will remember, and correct them, politely mind you, that it is really a grotesques. Let’s start a revolution and write this wrong!

What do you think my dear guests? Is this film a good or bad idea? Did you watch the Gargoyles series as a kid? Would you rather see Disney make a film based on the series or leave the series as is and make a start fresh for the film? And, be honest, did you know the difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque? I know for a very long time I didn’t know!

Stay Spooky,


Links:

If you would like to learn more about gargoyles (in architecture that is) I suggest you check out the full interview with Gary Varner, over at TheoFantastique

Articles about the upcoming Disney film:

Disney Getting Back into the Gargoyles Game

Disney Wants To Make A Movie About Gargoyles

Disney Is Developing A Live-Action Gargoyles Film, Not Based On Animated Series

7 comments:

  1. You always have the best reccomendations! Disney had been messing things up alot lately, I hate how they changed Rapunzel to 'Tangeled' and are trying to market the film to little boys... I really want to see The Sorcere's Apprentence!

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  2. Thank you for referencing my interview with Varner at my blog TheoFantastique. I'm glad to see there is another fan of gargoyles, both as mythic creatures and as interesting pieces of architecture. Personally, I'd like like to see a dark cinematic treatment of gargoyles or grotesques, but I'm sure this Disney version will be lightened up and family friendly.

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  3. You're welcome!
    Yes, it would be nice if another studio would helm such a project, the Disney film will leave something to be desired.

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  4. Very true words, Disney has been messing things up. With the Rapunzel/Tangled film, I think it would be best if Disney returned to making fairytale/princess movies like they used to, going by the classic story. I like the new animation style they're using, but why can't they just stick to the story? :(
    Be sure to let us know how The Sorcerer's Apprentice was via your blog or twitter :D

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  5. I completely agree. I was exited for a classic disney fairytale but now I'm not sure what to expect. Hehe, when flipping through a magazine the other day I read a snippet about the film that said something about the main character being the stupid Prince followed by "somewhere in the world, Ariel and the rest of the princesses are weeping" and I was!

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  6. I just loved the Gargoyles tv series it was great with great story and characters and i did not know the difference between "gargoyle" and "grotesque", hope disney does not mess this movie up, i mean making a mithology for them sounds cool but they should stick with the original characters the ones we all know and want to see in flesh and bones.

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  7. Agreed! Disney should stick with the awesome idea they already created.
    Haven't heard anything else on the film, not sure if that's good or bad ^^'

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