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Peter Jackson and his wife at the 2002 Golden Globes
© Sue Schneider

Peter Jackson options fantasy series TEMERAIRE

By: Karl Schneider
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Source: Hollywood Reporter

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Peter Jackson dipped into his discretionary fund so that he could option the historical fantasy series TEMERAIRE.

The novels, from Naomi Novik, re-imagine the world of the Napoleonic Wars with the addition of an air force of dragons and valiant aviators. It centers on British naval Capt. Will Laurence, who captures a French ship, where he discovers an unhatched dragon egg in the hold -- a gift from the Emperor of China intended for Napoleon. When the egg hatches, he is forced to give up his naval career to become captain of the dragon he names Temeraire.

"'Temeraire' is a terrific meld of two genres that I particularly love -- fantasy and historical epic," Jackson said. "I can't wait to see Napoleonic battles fought with a squadron of dragons. That's what I go to the movies for."

Jackson continued on to say, "As I was reading these books, I could see them coming to life in my mind's eye. These are beautifully written novels, not only fresh, original and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart."

Jackson has not decided any details regarding the books. He doesn't know if he will make one movie or three, or if the books can be introduced via other media first. Since he optioned the property from his own fund, he can decide the course he wants to take before approaching studios with the plans.

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Comments/Responses

majorbludd • Sep 12, 2006, 02:30am •

probably three movies with special edition come out later that year before the original dvd drops.....

manjisan • Sep 12, 2006, 06:20am •

You have such a major point there. Sick and tired of the remastereds and add'l scenes for add'l money sometimes us fans don't have. PJ, don't come out with a super limited edition of "Meet the Feebles" or.....or....just don't!!

madmanic999 • Sep 12, 2006, 06:37am •

The reason you end up with so many versions is that it takes time to make them, once you finish film, rereleasing a new version takes time, he released the normal DVD for the fans that couldn't wait and the new (awesome versions by the way) laterfor the die hard fans. At least he was honest about it. People new the extended versions were on the way and had a choice. Some studios don't give you that choice by hiding the fact a new version is even in the works so fans are forced to buy both. ANYWHO.... this new project sounds amazing, I want to see how this develops.

• Sep 12, 2006, 07:46am •

I've never read the novels, but I can just imagine the visuals in Jackson's loving hands. I hope this gets made.

• Sep 12, 2006, 08:18am •

I never heard of this but sounds a little to hard to see in my mind right now. I trust PJ though.

Does everyone have to complain about dvd then SE dvd's and so on. I happen to like the special editions as well as the regular ones. Alot of people are the same. They do that guys just come to cope with it. They will always do that. GET OVER IT. You guys go on and on and on and on about it is old.

fft5305 • Sep 12, 2006, 08:58am •

I don't have a problem with special editions. What I have a problem with is when studios release a movie on DVD, then release a special edition after everyone has shelled out the $$, then when people ahve bought the SE, they come out with the platinum edition. Then when people have bought that, the SUPER platinum/titanium edition.....

fft5305 • Sep 12, 2006, 08:59am •

Better just to release a movie in standard edition for the casual watchers and special edition for the true movie buffs at the same time. Let people choose which they want. The rest is manipulative greedy bullshit.

thelastonelives • Sep 12, 2006, 10:14am •

When there is more than two versions of anything released, that falls into the BS column.

And they will not always do this marketing spin, as long as technology and the internet are around, more and more will get the product elsewhere and not pay Hollywood it's electric bill.

• Sep 12, 2006, 10:37am •

They release it seperately USUALLY to appease the fans then they start to work on the EE's Or SE's for the hardcore fans. Sometimes (Lucas) its a movie grab but most of the time is because it take more time and hours and money to add too the EE's and SE's which makes sense. Now for you people who say why dont they just wait and ship them together well why dont you wait till your version comes out. You all know they do that so Wait. Secondly from a business stand point the longer you wait the more people have a tendency to forget about it so they release the original then work on the others. Its smart marketing and business. GL is not a good example of that he seems just plain greedy.

• Sep 12, 2006, 02:56pm •

Yeah, people should leave Peter Jackson alone about the Special Edition stuff. It's not like he's George Lucas or anything, selling the SAME F***ING THING EVERY 3-5 YEARS WITH ONLY MINOR TWEAKS HERE AND THERE AND "A FEW NEW SURPRISES"...I DON'T WANT ANY MORE SUPRISES, MR. LUCAS, UNLESS YOU PUT HAN BACK TO THE WAY HE WAS WHEN I GREW...THE KIND OF GUY THAT WOULD SHOOT GREEDO FIRST!!!

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