Just saw the (newish) Alexander trailer.

[Osbot]

Whats everyone think so far about this movie. I was shocked to actually see what appeared to be soldiers fighting in *gasp* formations. Phalanxes actually LOOKED like a phalanx, and I saw Persian archers that looked like Parthian archers from RTW minus the grapeness ;p

I know most people are probably pretty jaded about these epic style movies, especially after gladiator where they took the trouble to have the legionaires march in nice formations and then break off into a general melee like a bunch of tools ;p

I've got pretty high hopes for Alexander and I think Colin Farrel is the perfect Alexander tempermentally ;p

[Tamur]

Is there a movie? *pulls head out of books* Weird -- I just picked up a reprint of Robin Fox's Alexander book on Saturday, and it had what appeared to be a new-ish movie pic as the front cover. No mention of a movie except that the pic credit was for TimeWarner. Hmm, thought I...

This is something I'll have to look up! I hope it's rated somewhere near what a six-year old can watch. My son is being a Spartan Hoplite for a Halloween party, and would be in absolute heaven to watch a "real" phalanx in action!

(imagines the looks on people's faces at the party... "You're a what??")

[Osbot]

http://alexanderthemovie.warnerbros.com/

Go to the trailer, the panoramic view of the advancing phalanxes I was talking about happens around 52/53 seconds of the 2:29 min trailer. Right near the start is the persian archer shot too.

[Colovion]

Is there a movie? *pulls head out of books* Weird -- I just picked up a reprint of Robin Fox's Alexander book on Saturday, and it had what appeared to be a new-ish movie pic as the front cover. No mention of a movie except that the pic credit was for TimeWarner. Hmm, thought I...

This is something I'll have to look up! I hope it's rated somewhere near what a six-year old can watch. My son is being a Spartan Hoplite for a Halloween party, and would be in absolute heaven to watch a "real" phalanx in action!

(imagines the looks on people's faces at the party... "You're a what??")

Hahaha! That's hilarious! I wish I would have thought to go as a Spartan Hoplite when I was younger. You're my hero - and so is your son

As to the movie I really hope they get it right - but I am not going into the movie expecting to be impressed, I'll be less disapointed that way. I would rather have a Greek actor play Alexander - but whatever, Brad Pitt was Achilles.

[Colt374]

This is something I'll have to look up! I hope it's rated somewhere near what a six-year old can watch. My son is being a Spartan Hoplite for a Halloween party, and would be in absolute heaven to watch a "real" phalanx in action!

(imagines the looks on people's faces at the party... "You're a what??")

Oh, classic! I've gotta do that for my two boys too... Perhaps they could go as Headhurlers...

Or maybe my wife can get dressed up as a "Screeching Woman".

Oh wait, maybe she already is....

Colt.

[Hurin_Rules]

It was SOOOO great to see the phalanxes in formation. From the awful Richard Burton Alexander from the 60s to Braveheart, directors have given us the mistaken impression that when ancient warriors went into battle, the first thing they did was forget all their comrades or any formation and run as fast as possible towards the enemy. What crap.

I'm not saying everything will be that accurate, but it looks damn good so far.

[troymclure]

i dare say it won't be a bad flick. Probably overdone and typically it looks like there's going to be some kind of love/colin farrell/angelina jolie thing going but it's oliver stone and i'm sure the battles will be nice eye candy. I'm a little doubtful as to how historically accurate the whole thing will be but it's definetly got potential.

[andrewt]

I've got pretty high hopes for Alexander and I think Colin Farrel is the perfect Alexander tempermentally ;p

You mean Alexander constantly swears while charging and fighting and leading his troops?

[Osbot]

Well, Alexander was a renowned hothead, likely to lop your head off at a late night drinking session as anything. Colin's pretty much the same sort of character and im sure he'd be the first to admit he likes the liquor, and he's got a wee bit of a temper too ;p

[troymclure]

anyone else think this new movie will tie in nicely with CA's expansion pack?
Makes sense, the phalanx is giving a good representaion in this game, theres been a few other hints and all the ai generals behave exactly like alexander did for most battles (minus the strategy before hand). :)

[The Scourge]

I always thought that the problem with an Alexander movie ,would be the fact that they'll have to try and fit such a full life into two ,or so hours.
I think that to really do the subject justice ,then it would need the Lord of the Rings treatment ,three long films at least ,but I doubt any HollyWood executive is going to go for that one.
Oh well I'll still see it anyway.

[Jugurtha]

[QUOTE=troymclure]it looks like there's going to be some kind of love/colin farrell/angelina jolie thing going [QUOTE]

You mean she's going to play Hephaiston?

[troymclure]

yes jugurtha i was referring to that. :) didn't really doubt alexander/Hephaiston would get the same treatment that achilles/Patroclus got.

[Kekkonen]

When I read the title of the thread my first thought was "Bull****, no way was he jewish".

My only defense is that I just OD'd on chicken curry at the cafeteria lunch buffet, and I have very little blood circulation anywhere but my stomach.

[MadKow]

Being made by Oliver Stone, i imagine there will be some conspiracy theory about Alexander's untimely death...
Seriously though, Mr Stone makes some pretty decent movies so it may not turn out too bad...

(btw, i noticed some unit animations in RTW that seem taken directly from Troy and that duel beween Achilles... and the other guy... remenber how Brad Pit jumped and stroke with his sword? Thats the move... always found it awkward, as if they were trying to put some "martialartHongKongmatrix" style action into a scene that really didnt need it...)

[Hambut_bulge]

[QUOTE=Jugurtha][QUOTE=troymclure]it looks like there's going to be some kind of love/colin farrell/angelina jolie thing going

You mean she's going to play Hephaiston?

Actually I think she's playing his mother....

[Prodigal]

I'm a little doubtful as to how historically accurate the whole thing will be but it's definetly got potential.

They asked a university professor who spec's on Alexander to ensure the story line was as historically correct as possible.

He agreed on 2 conditions:

1) He would be one of the first 20 men in every cavalry charge
2) The credits would include "And Introducing...."

Amazingly they agreed to the first item!

During an interview with the prof. he stated that although items had to be trimmed, they tried to retain as much historical accuracy as possible.

[Patricius]

GSC Gameworld of Cossacks and American Conquest fame are doing the tie-in game. Given that the game is using the Cosssacks II engine it should be worth looking at. JFK was a travesty of history but was entertaining. Alexander could get the history right - though classicists advising a movie did little for Gladiator as not even an inscription in excreble Latin was altered - or it may not, but it will be very entertaining.

[troymclure]

aye i kinda figured they'd keep the him leading the charge thing in, that's why i alluded to alexander the great being the next xp pack as the ai generals do exactly that right now.

[Lazul]

Angelina.... mmmm... Angeliiiinaaaa.... mmmmmmm


but seriusly, this movie looks great, and even tho its odd that an Irish dude is playing a Macedon i still think Oliver Stone will succed in doing yet another masterpiece.


.... and those phalanxes looks great!... and everything ells for that matter

and elephants...

[lars573]

I just went to IMDB and looked up Alexander and here is the cast list of all the major players. It looks like Seleucius isn't in the movie at all.

Colin Farrell .... Alexander
Angelina Jolie .... Olympias
Val Kilmer .... Philip
Anthony Hopkins .... Ptolemy
Jared Leto .... Hephaestion
Rosario Dawson .... Roxanne
Gary Stretch .... Cleitus
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers .... Cassander
Ian Beattie .... Antigonus
Brian Blessed .... Leonidas
Francisco Bosch .... Bagoas
Bin Bunluerit .... Poros, King of India
Raz Degan .... Darius III, Shah of Persia
Michael Dixon .... Dimnus
Paul Hornsby .... Machatus
Neil Jackson .... Perdiccas
Christopher Plummer .... Aristotle
Garrett Lombard .... General Leonnatus

Also here is a bunch of trivia related to the movie also from IMDB,

Some scenes from the film were supposed to be shot in India but the Indian elephants weren't well trained so they had to shoot it in Thailand instead.


'Colin Farrell' sprained his ankle after falling down a stairway while filming.


Val Kilmer gained over 50 pounds and stopped working out for the plump role of Philip.


Historical advisor and Oxford University professor Robin Lane Fox doesn't get an on screen credit. His price for giving his advice was to be allowed to take a place at the head of what is one of the largest cavalry charges ever filmed. Professor Robin Lane Fox was used to riding around the English countryside but gladly dressed up as a Macedonean cavalry officer to live his dream of Charging for Alexander.


The biography of Alexander by Robin Lane Fox was an original inspiration and source of information to director Oliver Stone.


Brad Pitt was considered for the role of Hephaestion, but turned down the role due to personal concerns with the character.


'Oliver Stone' previously tried to mount the project with Tom Cruise in the title role.


Sean Connery was originally considered for the role that was eventually offered to Val Kilmer.


The movie was originally scheduled for release on 5 November 2004 in the USA, but was moved to 24 November 2004. Studio executives stated that the move was to put it in time for Oscar consideration.

[Marius Maxentius]

Hollywood movies aren't meant to be historically accurate. Learn from the past, you all seem to be really good at that. There has never been a 1:1 recreation of history on film, and probably never will be (unless its a live recording of actual events). I go to war movies for entertainment, and nothing more. I care little about accuracy... it detracts from the fun of watching something that's meant to be entertaining.

Works the same way as games. Things get to be a little boring if they're too accurate, or they wont be balanced enough to allow for decent gameplay.

[lars573]

^Agreed close enough is good enough for me.

[maestro]

That's a really good cast....... can't wait.