ROTTEN TOMATOES: Emmerich Plans 2012: The TV Series Comments

Emmerich Plans 2012: The TV Series

by | November 05, 2009

Summary

Could Roland Emmerich bring his brand of big-budget post-apocalyptic magic to television? That's the plan behind a proposed "2012" TV series. Back to Article

(1-20 of 21 posts) | Reply

Gordon Franklin Terry Sr writes:
on Nov 05 2009 05:18 AM

Weird: when I was thinking about what a waste of time 2012 (aka THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW PART II) is--because its been done before so recently, I thought of how movies should really be about stories more so than "disaster-porn;" and wouldn't it be neat to have a 2012-TV series about individuals' stories within "the dimension of 2012."
far out, fellas.

(Reply to this)

Elixor writes:
on Nov 05 2009 05:38 AM

As if there wasn't already enough crap and nothing to watch on TV.

(Reply to this)

Hari Seldon writes:
on Nov 05 2009 05:57 AM

Interesting. Not what you'd expect to hear from someone such as Emmerich; going for a televsion series instead of a bunch of pointless sequels. This is what Michael Bay should have done with Transformers.

(Reply to this)

Escapefromalcatraz writes:
on Nov 05 2009 09:00 AM

If you want a great "we're all stuck in this together" scenario, check out Stephen King's new book - Under the Dome
Early reviews say this book kicks ***!

(Reply to this)

CFM writes:
on Nov 05 2009 09:17 AM

I, for one, really like end-of-the-world premises with some sci-fi mixed in. (See Battlestar Galactica.) If they hire good writers, then I say this has as good of a chance of being as good as anything else on TV. Maybe even a better chance.

But, negativity is what's hip around here. Let the hating begin...

(Reply to this)

Not L. writes:
on Nov 05 2009 10:58 AM

If done right.. .this could actually be a cool tv series!

Unique compared to what is one now

(Reply to this)

ARTaylor writes:
on Nov 05 2009 11:22 AM

I'd have to see the movie before forming an opinion of a spin-off tv series.

However, my initial impressions are not good. 2012 just seems so over the top silly. The mindless destruction worked for ID4 and Godzilla. It was a little too much for The Day After Tomorrow. But so far this just seems like TDAT times 100,000.

Cars driving alone fault lines. Planes dodging buildings. Limos flying out of crashing planes. I think they went too far this time. My mother saw the preview and said she'd see it just for a good laugh. While his previous movies looked tense and exciting, this just gives the impression of being funny.

While Stargate allowed a great deal of possibilities, I don't know how a series the complete destruction of the world will do. If there was a series based on any of their movies I'd like it to be about TDAT. Then they should show how humanity rebuilds its society after the society not the land was destroyed. Do they rebuild their government as is, or do they try to improve? Does everything go back to normal or do people try to make better lives for everyone? I'd like to see an After-the-Disaster movie/series.

(Reply to this)

phi v. writes:
on Nov 05 2009 01:18 PM

There's no real point to a TV series unless they jump forward in time a lot. Gather into communities > flash forward 100 years > rediscover technology and manufacturing > leave Earth, etc.

-GMR

www.guymoviereview.com

(Reply to this)

Dave J. writes:
on Nov 05 2009 02:18 PM

ARTaylor
I think according to the article, whatever you have mentioned "they should show how humanity rebuilds its society after the society not the land was destroyed. Do they rebuild their government as is, or do they try to improve? Does everything go back to normal or do people try to make better lives for everyone? I'd like to see an After-the-Disaster movie/series." was solely and exactly what this television series was going to be about, the afternmath, and about the survivors. But I think the article also states that there is no green light on the project as of yet. They're probably waiting until the success of this movie first.

(Reply to this)

Gordon Franklin Terry Sr writes:
on Nov 05 2009 03:04 PM

Since my family's forcing me to watch TV lately;
TV shows Can Be Bettter Sometimes if the shows were treated like 15 or 16 hour long movies told over as many weeks. Don't announce the series as a "15-part tv miniseries" just keep the "15-episiode 'movie' conception" as a framework.

Writing a series as a 15 part movie will actually allow the 3 or 4 diverse families (characters) a concise "pre-set" and "pre-cancellation" roadmap upon which to travel and evolve.

Then, the series wouldn't "blow," with various writers coming-up with new ideas all the time to "dis-joint" the flow of the story.

Consider LAW & ORDER'S 22 year run so far: there are two shows within each episode (a cop show and a courtroom drama show).

AND
don't overact or over-direct; on NPR today the critic said THE PRISONER (series remake) "sucks" because its OVER-DONE.

Directing actors to YELL dialog hardly makes the movie or episode any better; YELLING dialog (as an attempt to "sway" an audience) does just the opposite.

keeping the audience with you:
It's like Jerry Goldsmith saying that when he scores a scene of 300 Calvary fleeing from 1,000 "Indians" or vice-versa, Goldsmith dosen't write music for the horses, BUT INSTEAD Jerry Goldsmith wrote the score for the subtle fear and tension of the men in pursuit and the men being pursued.

And Bill Cosby says: "Let the audience follow your gaze" ( the audience will be with you already)

YELLING dialouge only fouls-up the mood of the piece . . . generally.

Remember when Anthony Hopkins won the Acadey award for Silence of the Lambs?
Hopkins Whispered his dialog mostly and terrified "us: the audience" with his entire face, eyes, and movement.

NOT YELLING . . . and trying to scare people by YELLING at Jodie Foster.

GFT, M. Ed.

(Reply to this)

gizgoo writes:
on Nov 05 2009 03:24 PM

So its gonna be a post apocalyptic show with flash backs to the day the world got destroyed. Im not sure but it sounds like its been done.

(Reply to this)

frank f. writes:
on Nov 05 2009 03:49 PM

Roland Emmerich is a bad person!

(Reply to this)

DanieltheShadow XIX writes:
on Nov 05 2009 04:57 PM

oh no

(Reply to this)

rle4lunch writes:
on Nov 05 2009 05:06 PM

Isn't 2012 supposed to wipe out humanity? hmm.

This announcement sorta reminds me of the fake trailers for Tropic Thunder, with Ben Stiller's movie 'Scorcher VI'... oi.

(Reply to this)

pinkincide writes:
on Nov 05 2009 05:18 PM

The only reason to see 2012 is eye candy. Putting it on a small screen without the effects budget is a joke.

(Reply to this)

BLaCKWoLF2009 writes:
on Nov 06 2009 01:39 AM

Well that article certainly killed any surprises that 2012 may have had. It should have had a damn spoiler alert attached to it because it essentially gives away the damn ending to the movie ****.

(Reply to this)

Not L. writes:
on Nov 06 2009 08:05 AM

Oh yeah.. cause there's no way anyone would be able to guess the ending of this one!

(Reply to this)

BLaCKWoLF2009 writes:
on Nov 06 2009 05:43 PM

In reply to this comment (#2559120)
Lol @ Not L. I was doing my best and trying to be super optimistic by trying to believe that for once Emmerich would actually provide some decent plot development, twists and some intrigue in 2012. Stupid and naive but always good to be positive lol

(Reply to this)

Matanuki writes:
on Nov 08 2009 06:16 AM

In reply to this comment (#2559259)
My complaint about this one is reflective of my complaint about War of the Worlds. It's simply not interesting to copout on the ending of something like this with yet another poor man's Deus ex Machina. In WotW, the human race is suddenly rescued by the presence of (sigh) bacteria? Yeah, sure thing. A superior race that has been studying earth since before humans even came into existence is going to make that big of an "oops" come time for invasion. Yeeeaahhhhh, okkkkaaaayyyyy..

And now enter Roland Emmerich, so in love with his penchant for disaster that he loses sight of the meaning of the word "END" in the masterbatory process of translation. Crackpot doomsday theories aside, if you're gonna do a movie about the world's end (or our end!) then don't defeat the film's own premise with a cowardly bull$hit conclusion.

(Reply to this)

BLaCKWoLF2009 writes:
on Nov 08 2009 04:04 PM

In reply to this comment (#2559518)
War of the Worlds was a good film and well made, aside from the obvious flaws that you pointed out. The premise and execution were awesome but it was the final chapter of that movie that seemed far too rushed in order to achieve a conclusion. Signs was exactly the same, still love it though.

Lol, know what you mean, but thats the main trend throughout all of Emmerich's movies. The world has almost come to an end so many times in his movies, that I know I will be extremely surprised when he actually goes through with it lol. I give credit to Knowing for actually not holding out with its ending for that very reason.

Emmerich's formula for movie making:
Destruction of Earth and or Human race Tragic Hero SFX Happy Ending to get repeated viewings out of the audiences = ID4, Day After Tommorow & soon to include 2012

Whats more amazing is that Michael Bay's formula is even more simple than that lol

(Reply to this)

Related Links

2012

Related Articles

Most Discussed

Latest News

Latest Interviews

Latest Features

Sponsored Links