Breakfast Topic: What quest chains can you imagine on the big screen?
by Brandon Cox 
Jul 26th 2011 at 8:00AM
If there is one thing that I absolutely hate about being a film student, it is that I cannot escape being a film student. See a movie? Rip it to shreds mentally by dissecting every little detail. Read a book? Visualize it as a film in my head, and make changes to the text to support the cinematic format. Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to, everything I do -- all of it is viewed through "film goggles."
This includes World of Warcraft. When I heard that they were planning a film, I was understandably hesitant, yet nonetheless optimistic. While WoW's lore isn't the cream of the fantasy crop, it is undeniably a pretty decent collection of stories and mythology. It is, while not as vast as Tolkien's mythos, very expansive and covers a great deal of in-universe history. With all of this backstory, there are plenty of moments that would feel right at home on the big screen.
The problem is choosing just one. While it is likely that they will go for an original story, there are so many moments and stories in WoW's universe -- both the backstory and the in-game experience -- that would be wonderful to witness in the full majesty of the silver screen. Most every large quest chain that I complete, I envision as some sort of film. My personal favorite candidate is the Cipher of Damnation chain. It has all the makings of an epic fantasy tale -- massive, world-threatening conflict (the elements and their unrest); the revelation of a grander scheme (Kael'thas having the Cipher at his disposal); a family with issues intertwined within the larger narrative (Oronok Torn-heart); an intense, heated finale (Cyrukh); and most importantly, one of the most scenic and (in its own way) beautiful settings the game has to offer.
When you play WoW, do you imagine the story on the big screen? What chain would you want to see Hollywood take on, assuming that they'd do it justice?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Nina Katarina Jul 26th 2011 8:04AM
Little Pamela.
Mage_Pro Jul 26th 2011 8:49AM
See «I'm MT» anime mini-series (on www.warcraftmovies.com e.g.), that line is visualized (3rd season) like many others. Rather epic ))
gaz Jul 27th 2011 2:04AM
I concur. A lot of the epic quests have plenty of big fights and pyrotechnics, but to capture the audience and make a memorable movie, you need something that has heart not just a string of big budget CGI action sequences.
This quest chain definitely has both and will bring out both tears and cheers. Wowhead [url=http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27384]link[/url] to the 1st quest in the chain.
Miraleigh Jul 26th 2011 8:05AM
"The Battle for Undercity" would be great!
almoderate Jul 26th 2011 3:43PM
Wrath of the Lich King, as much as a lot of people like to complain about it, added a lot of wonderful storylines and quest chains. The death knight starting area quests were one of the first to pop into my head. Battle for the Undercity was great-- particularly if you're Horde when you learn that the hero has been helping the bad guys all along. (Though it's always been obvious since vanilla that the Forsaken have been up to no good.) And of course, the entire story of Arthas and his demise is one of the best in Warcraft lore. Ulduar and the quests with Brann Bronzebeard and much of the Storm Peaks.
I noticed someone else already threw in Darrowshire. That's a wonderful bit from vanilla. From TBC, I enjoyed the chain for Black Temple.
With this expansion, I'm quite attached to the whole saga with Staghelm. I'm not only referring to his escape and conversion, but also to the bit of backstory that's revealed in course of the current dailies quests with Leyara. (I don't want to spoil it in case anyone hasn't gotten there yet.)
Anosvek Jul 26th 2011 8:06AM
Onyxia chain hands down
Chrior Jul 26th 2011 8:56AM
Exactly, probably alliance side
Gimmlette Jul 26th 2011 9:17AM
Yes! And it would have to end with a battle against her as well as taking her head to the king and having it hung from the entry arch.
Helston Jul 26th 2011 11:26AM
Already been done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyQ-7o397Uk
Jordan Jul 31st 2011 1:04PM
I do have to agree, that would be awesome, as it puts Ony as a prime baddy - also helps to put up a lil' segway to current events at the end.
::unknown voice over dead Onyixa corpse.::
"They will pay dear sister... They will pay... *roar*"
jenks Jul 26th 2011 8:09AM
Elwynn Forest - Hogger!!!
Shyster Jul 26th 2011 8:13AM
I think I'd have to go with that terrible quest in westfall, tragedy like that needs to be on the big screen... BLANCHY DESERVES JUSTICE!
Revnah Jul 26th 2011 8:13AM
Any raid, really. I realise that's not much of a storyline but I think I'd get a kick out of seeing "real" people work their way through Ulduar, or ICC, or now the Firelands.
As for quests/lore, anything that involves Thrall, Vol'jin, trolls in general, or Cairne/Baine and the tauren. I'm not picky.
And, um, I'd really like to see the story of that affair Thrall and Jaina never had according to Chris Metzen. And no, I didn't just write that in a WoW Insider comment for everyone to see... :-D
Mortenebra Jul 26th 2011 8:28AM
I totally second that idea for raids. My first attempt at writing a WoW "story" was actually supposed to chronicle my guild's trip through Karazhan. It occurred to me after our first official farm run (e.g. no wipes) that it wasn't just a group of people going in and killing crap... The place and bosses had such incredible lore involved, plus the Violet Eye faction associated with the raid made it seem like there was a *reason* people went in and killed stuff (you know, aside from loot).
I would love to see someone with a masterful hand bring such awesome instances (particularly Kara and Ulduar) to life on the big screen!!
Redbeard Jul 26th 2011 9:14AM
And, um, I'd really like to see the story of that affair Thrall and Jaina never had according to Chris Metzen.
Three words: Howard the Duck.
I'm not sure I can handle two of those movies.
noel mcleod Jul 26th 2011 10:48AM
ICC through to the Lich King ... need to be an HBO mini-series, though.
Drysta Jul 26th 2011 10:55AM
If they did Karazhan then they could make it truly epic by having a prequel which followed the key chain quest. Sure, maybe it was 'blah' for some doing it the 5th or 6th time, but I loved it. All those places to travel? All those dungeons to feature? Epic.
Old Dalaran to Shattrath to Mana Tombs (to be able to loot the key in sethekk halls) to Sethekk Halls (to loot the key to the labs) to Shadow Labyrinth (1st keyfragment) to Steamvaults (2nd keyfragment) to Botanica (1st key half for Arc attunement) to Mechanar (2nd key half for Arc attunement) to Arcatraz (3rd keyfragment) to Old Hillsbrad Foothills (to get attuned to BM) to Black Morass (to combine the 3 fragments into the kara key)... phew!
Of course they removed the attunement now but if the heroes didn't know this... epic! ;)
MattKrotzer Jul 26th 2011 8:21AM
All of the Redridge quests... but that's because they've been on the big screen before.
Tsukuri Jul 26th 2011 8:29AM
I would love it if they made a movie based on Arthas' progression through WC3+expansion. Would be great to see a Holywood version of Kel'thuzad, and hope that they get his old voice actor back!
rockychristine Jul 26th 2011 12:45PM
I'd also like to see most of Arthas' story, as illustrated in the novel. There's so much incredible imagery there that I think it would translate well into film format.