TV Shows about Vikings and pirates in development

[Allyn Gibson]

Australis wrote:

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A guy wanted me to write a Viking film script based on his outline, but it was seriously awful, and he wouldn't let me change it into something, well, better. Centered on a wimpy, artistic kid forced to become a Viking like his father. And that makes it sound a lot more interesting than it was. The character as written had no internal life, and he wouldn't let me give him one. He's now going to write it as a novel.

Sounds a bit like the "Lindisfarne" storyline in Northlanders, the DC/Vertigo series by Brian Wood about the Viking Age.

[Temis the Vorta]

Gep Malakai wrote:

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Isn't that How to Train Your Dragon?

Sure sounds like it, which just shows that the basic concept is perfectly marketable.

Australis wrote:

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Vikings ren't known for their introspection.

How do you know? Ever met one?

Don't confuse the media representation for the real historical thing. I'm certain Vikings were just as complex and diverse a bunch as any other group in human history.

[Australis]

Of course not. I am talking about a media representation. Trust me, a producer would read the first ten pages and heave it into the round filing cabinet.

And being a Scot, there is more than likely Viking blood in me (which explains my need to plunder monasteries, drink mead, and in no way be introspective).

[Temis the Vorta]

I'm far less interested in seeing a regurgitation of popular misconceptions about pirates, Vikings or anybody else than I am in seeing something that is the product of research into how these cultures actually were, something that will feel both authentic and fresh. It might not be such a challenge to find a TV producer interested in such a thing; you just need to know who to pitch. AMC or HBO for instance. They're looking for intelligent material to suit their intelligent audience.

["t jd "]

The Republic of Pirates come to nbc

[Enterprise is Great]

Charlize Theron, 'Hotel Rwanda's' Terry George Developing Viking Drama

The actress-producer has sold The Clan to ABC, marking the Oscar winner's third sale this development season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

The Clan is described as a sweeping drama set in the Highlands of medieval Scotland where the great clans battle each other -- and the Viking invaders.

Hotel Rwanda writer-director-producer Terry George -- who picked up a writing Oscar nomination for the Don Cheadle starrer -- is on board to write, direct and executive produce the project.

[Aragorn]

Couldn't find it on YouTube, but Entertainment Weekly has a 30 second teaser for this History Channel TV show.

[Theodore Jay Miller]

The series will follow Jeb - the only son of Bluebeard - on his quest to reclaim The Scrimshaw; the ship that is rightfully his.

Do you think they mean Blackbeard? He was the pirate; Bluebeard was the guy who murdered his wives.

[Kelthaz]

Three pirate series? Well I think that just about doubles the amount of Pirate media created by human civilization since the dawn of time.

Why is pirate media so rare anyway? Pirates are popular, but they never star in anything...

[Australis]

In case it wasn't mentioned earlier...

Roman Polanski made a movie called 'Pirates' that stiffed badly. Then came 'CutThroat Island', and that was even worse and took down Carolco. I only watched CTI yesterday, I kind of like it, some of the support roles and the locations are excellent, as is the soundtrack, plus there's a stunt sequence that makes me laugh every time, but the story is overly complex and the two leads were, frankly, woeful.

Back in the 60s there was a TV series series about Drake with Terence Morgan in the lead, and as a preteen I LOVED that show!

I have a script for a pirate movie out doing the rounds, but man, it's tough getting it read!