Forthcoming Beowulf film

Not so long ago there was a film version of Beowulf released ("Beowulf and Grendel"). I now see that another version is forthcoming in the fall, this time with the full weight of Hollywood, not to mention some big stars, behind it. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/)

Shall we rejoice, or tremble?

Surely we must tremble. I saw the trailer, and it's all digital, despite the fact they used real actors. I'm not sure what the point is of doing that. The effect is much like the movie Polar Express, which I have only seen clips of.

It felt like I was watching a Playstation II or a wii game. :o(

It may not be completely terrible. Neil Gaiman is one of the writers. And it'll have Anthony Hopkins as Hrothgar.

Time for me to read Beowulf.

yes, Neil Gaiman wrote the script, but it seems like a large chunk of the film is devoted to Grendel's mother (angelina joli with goat legs) trying to seduce Beowulf. WTF???? It shouldn't be in there at all, for any reason! I mean, does there *have* to be a romance scene in *every* movie???
Sheesh. If they cut out Wiglaf, I'm gonna cry.

They're not doing this because they want to tell the story of Beowulf. They're doing it to make money. The Beowulf-ness is just branding.

I quake in fear, but will see it anyways. Anthony Hopkins, you say?!

After all, I did see the last King Arthur. And Tristan and Isolde. The latter being not half bad. And the former have Keira Knightly.

Looks to me like they're trying to do another 300. I'm still not sure how I feel about the half-digital, half-real look.

jen, I agree completely...it annoys me to no end when even the most gruesome, bloody movies have a love scene. I mean, they can be in the middle of a battlefield, and they have to have a makeout session. Why?!?!

#4: so what's wrong with Grendal's mom trying to seduce Beowulf? There is more than one way to "terrorize" or "devour" a man than the traditional tooth and claw thingie.

Do my fellows here know that Beowulf has already been done to tremendous box-office receipts in the "Alien" triology with Sigourney Weaver playing the Wulf?

The first dealt with a monster; the second dealt with the "mother" of the aliens that lived deep in a cave.

In Aliens III, Sigorney goes bald. Why? Because baldness signifies age. If you have any doubt of this as following the Beowulf triology, listen closely to where Sigorney says to her friend: "This isn't like the others. This is more like a dragon."

You didn't have to draw me a picture!!!

*chuckle* (after reading the above)
It *is* a terrible film, and my 6th graders (whose parents shouldn't have let them watch it since it's rated MA) agree. I read them Michael Morpurgo's version of Beowulf, supplemented by excerpts & illustrations from Seamus Heaney's brilliant translation. I am delighted to report that my discerning students disliked its trashiness, irrelevant love scene and not very convincing special effects.
Lisa in Oz

This film was indeed sad. The Seamus Heaney translation is so popular right now, you would think filmmakers might just stick to the Beowulf story instead of trying to *sigh* “improve” it.

I believe those who wish to 'film' Beowulf miss the point. The poem is a dramatic recital and one that is heavily interpolated with Christian sentiment. To adhere to the pagan is to depict a character like Grendel as something akin to a troll. But Grendel is more complex. He is from both the race of Cain and Giants. In other words the worst nightmare of both pagan and Christian worlds. He does not break into the hall, he enters it almost magically. He is THERE. The horror that the hall was set up to withstand, as are the weapons brought against him, are useless. He is Everyman's nemesis. A psychological creature that Beowulf wrestles barehanded...and in the darkness of the hall, as the text reveals, who can tell them apart?