Don Bluth and Gary Goldman are at it again. The masterminds behind The Land Before Time, Thumbelina and Anastasia, are looking to bring Dragons Lair Returns to the big screen.
Dragons Lair Returns Branches Out From the Arcades
The popular video arcade game, first created in 1983, follows the adventures of prince Dirk the Daring. The game franchise has had a loyal fanbase since its inception, and versions of the game are even available on he App Store and Google Play store.
The film adaptation follows the story of Prince Dirk, who is a royal only in name. He has to defeat a wizard, Mordoc, and his dragon in order to reclaim the land of his father. The prince is betrothed to a young princess named Daphne, and on the night of their wedding, the dragon sweeps in to kill the prince’s parents. Daphne and Dirk get away thanks to Hilde, the royal nurse who is also a wizard. As with many stories like this, there is a prophecy that declares that once Dirk turns sixteen, he will end Mordoc’s reign and take back the kingdom.
Gary Goldman and Don Bluth to Make Yet Another Blockbuster
The team that will be behind the animation have some intense resumes. Directed by Don Bluth, whose credits include Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone and Thumbelina, this is sure to be a great rendition to the video game. The team of animators is heavily decorated, with credits including The Princess and the Frog, The Lion King, Mulan and All Dogs Go to Heaven.
Is Crowdfunding the Future of Cinema?
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about whole movie productions being crowdfunded. Titles like The Veronica Mars Project and Blue Mountain State, we may be seeing more and more productions coming out through this means.
Why is this convenient? Getting crowdfunded means that productions don’t have to go to studios or adhere to their rules, and they can work with the budget they choose. Not only that, but contributors get a direct connection to the production even before it launches. This could become a much more widespread means of production with time.
