Topic: Q&A with Prince of Persia Creator Jordan Mechner

[MegaByte]

We take a peek at the upcoming film adaptation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, followed by a Q&A session with long-time game designer Jordan Mechner.

Last week, video game journalists were invited to the first screening of the trailer for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time movie, which is based on the game franchise of the same name.  The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsly, and Alfred Molina, is directed by Mike Newell, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and distributed by Disney.  Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia and screenplay writer for the movie followed up the screening with a question and answer session.

One word for the movie, based on what was shown in the trailer, is "epic."  Featuring tons of action and special effects, the movie looks to bring the Prince of Persia story to the big screen in a big way with action scene after fight scene after action scene.  Elements from the game were shown, such as the sand-filled Dagger of Time, which gives the power to control time, and a powerful antagonist bent on obtaining the artifact.  Like the game, it appears that the interaction between the prince and the princess is also a major feature of the movie, with a lot of sexual tension and witty dialog featured in the trailer.  While many were concerned over the casting of the Prince, I'm actually more concerned with the Princess, who narrates the trailer with an artificial-sounding voice.  Overall, however, it's looking much better than I expected, given the movie-based-on-game stigma.

Click here to watch the trailer and continue to the Q&A with Jordan Mechner...

[Morari]

"produced by Jerry Bruckheimer"

Say no more. This film is already an abomination.

[NWR_Neal]

Trailer doesn't look terrible.
 I'll definitely think about checking it out, more out of curiosity than anything else.

[MegaByte]

"produced by Jerry Bruckheimer"

Just be thankful that Michael Bay was dropped as director.

[ShyGuy]

Are there any Persians in the movie?

[Morari]

"produced by Jerry Bruckheimer"

Just be thankful that Michael Bay was dropped as director.

Regardless, it's obviously just another wanna-be Pirates of Caribbean. Disney and Bruckheimer couldn't even cast the film without a bunch of Caucasians! I'm surprised they didn't use any of that horrendous CGI to make them look more "Eastern".

[NWR_Lindy]

Morari, champion of maintaining an open mind.

[NWR_pap64]

Not to add fuel to the fire, but the original Princes of Persia Sands of Time has caucasian characters, and the Prince himself had a British accent, despite being persian...

*Shrugs

[Stogi]

well it's OLD Persia which included people from all races so I think we can let this slide...

[BlackNMild2k1]

Are there any Persians in the movie?

Ironically, they play the Rich European Westerners that come to purchase the sands at the end of them movie.

[Jonnyboy117]

Much respect for Jordan. I'm looking forward to the movie. His involvement gives me hope that the story will make more sense than the usual Bruckheimer production.

[Morari]

Morari, champion of maintaining an open mind.

This is Bruckheimer we're talking about... Doing a videogame adaption on top of it. It's not about keeping an open mind, it's about knowing when to stop being naive. You know, fool me once?

[RABicle]

You guys and Eurogamer are both covering this? It's like Bruckhiemer is aiming his marketing directly at my heart. I love Mechner.

And yeah the princess casting is very worrying.

Not to add fuel to the fire, but the original Princes of Persia Sands of Time has caucasian characters, and the Prince himself had a British accent, despite being persian...

*Shrugs

No keep burning Morari. It really needs to be mentioned that people in Iran both now and 3 thousand years ago are pretty white. You speak of Caucasians. Do you know where Caucasus is? It's like directly north of Iran.

300 on the other hand, was typically racist in it's depiction of Persians, or enemies in general, as black.
Finally, on the topic of the actual Q&A, why were the journalists asking the SAM FUCKING THIS over and over? It was pretty clear in my head that Mechner wrote the film to stand on it's own and it's not a tie in by the third time he had to re-iterate it. I guess gaming journalists need to hear it 5 times.

[Stratos]

I am excited for this. Been excited since the movie was first announced. Can't wait.

I hope it does live up to expectations.

[Mop it up]

It is kind of difficult to have hope that a movie based on a videogame will be any good considering that it has never happened yet. Resident Evil was decent but that's about it.