The Last Unicorn (partially found production materials from unmade film adaptation of Peter S. Beagle fantasy novel; 2005-2015): Difference between revisions
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|image=TLA_Alt_Logo_4.png | |image=TLA_Alt_Logo_4.png | ||
|imagecaption=One of the film's logos | |imagecaption=One of the film's logos | ||
|status=<span style="color: | |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> | ||
}} | }} | ||
''The Last Unicorn'' is a popular fantasy novel written by Peter S. Beagle. The story follows a | ''The Last Unicorn'' is a popular fantasy novel written by Peter S. Beagle. The story follows a unicorn who discovers that she might be the last of her kind. So she sets out on a magical journey to find out the truth about the unicorn's disappearance. | ||
In 1982, the novel was adapted into a fully animated feature film by Rankin/Bass and has since become a cult classic. But what many people don't know, is that '''there were once plans to produce a live-action adaptation''' by Continent Films Ltd. | In 1982, the novel was adapted into a fully animated feature film by Rankin/Bass and has since become a cult classic. But what many people don't know, is that '''there were once plans to produce a live-action adaptation''' by Continent Films Ltd. | ||
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In the early 2000s, Continent Films Ltd. announced it would produce a live-action adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's novel by setting up a website to promote the film.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020204192702/http://the-last-unicorn.net/index.htm/ One of the first iterations of the website.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> The website would slowly be changed and updated over the years before finally going out of service in late 2019.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200207175002/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/ What the website looks like now.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> | In the early 2000s, Continent Films Ltd. announced it would produce a live-action adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's novel by setting up a website to promote the film.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020204192702/http://the-last-unicorn.net/index.htm/ One of the first iterations of the website.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> The website would slowly be changed and updated over the years before finally going out of service in late 2019.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200207175002/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/ What the website looks like now.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> | ||
Thanks to the Wayback Machine, it is possible to view the different versions of the film's website | Thanks to the Wayback Machine, it is possible to view the different versions of the film's website and to see various production materials and lists of cast and crew members. | ||
The film was to be directed by Geoff Murphy and produced by Michael Pakleppa, with a screenplay written by Beagle himself.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070904161228/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/credits.htm/ The film's credits list.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> The film would have utilized both practical and non-practical effects. Such as a real horse being used to play the titular unicorn (with makeup and CGI enhancements), a real cat playing the talking cat, and several animatronic creatures.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021207093305/http://the-last-unicorn.net/technical.htm/ Details about the film's special effects.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> | The film was to be directed by Geoff Murphy and produced by Michael Pakleppa, with a screenplay written by Beagle himself.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070904161228/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/credits.htm/ The film's credits list.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> The film would have utilized both practical and non-practical effects. Such as a real horse being used to play the titular unicorn (with makeup and CGI enhancements), a real cat playing the talking cat, and several animatronic creatures.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021207093305/http://the-last-unicorn.net/technical.htm/ Details about the film's special effects.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> | ||
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[[File:Lee_Letter.jpg|thumb|175px|An official letter from Christopher Lee regarding the film.]] | [[File:Lee_Letter.jpg|thumb|175px|An official letter from Christopher Lee regarding the film.]] | ||
The film also would've featured a star-studded cast | The film also would've featured a star-studded cast, such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Schmendrick the Magician, Mia Farrow (who voiced the unicorn in the animated version) as Molly Grue, Angela Lansbury as Mommy Fortuna, Rene Auberjonois as both Captain Cully and The Skeleton (a role he also played in the original film), and most notably, Christopher Lee who would reprise his role as King Haggard.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030608095541/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/cast.htm/ Details about the cast.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> | ||
For over a decade, the film seemed to go through development hell (the exact reason as to why | For over a decade, the film seemed to go through development hell (the exact reason as to why being unknown) with it constantly being pushed back and getting stuck in pre-production. | ||
After Christoper Lee's death in 2016, the website was changed to heavily promote ''Angels Of Notting Hill'' | After Christoper Lee's death in 2016, the website was changed to heavily promote ''Angels Of Notting Hill'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329125729/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/ The Angels Of Notting Hill promotion.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> which was Lee's final film before his death. | ||
Since the website is now no longer in service, and Continent Films (presumably) being dissolved,<ref>[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02394507/ Companies House' page on Continent Films.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> the film has most likely been | Since the website is now no longer in service, and Continent Films (presumably) being dissolved,<ref>[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02394507/ Companies House' page on Continent Films.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20</ref> the film has most likely been cancelled. Whether or not any footage was shot for the film remains unknown. | ||
==Videos== | ==Videos== | ||
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|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 =lUa3VJ-p0GA | |id1 =lUa3VJ-p0GA | ||
|description1 =A video that talks about the film. Which showcases | |description1 =A video that talks about the film. Which showcases both concept art and test animations for the unicorn. | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | <gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | ||
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File:Unicorn_half_front_r.jpg|thumb| | File:Unicorn_half_front_r.jpg|thumb| | ||
File:Unicorn_half_back_r.jpg|thumb| | File:Unicorn_half_back_r.jpg|thumb| | ||
File:Amalthea.jpg|thumb| | File:Amalthea.jpg|thumb|Lady Amalthea. | ||
File:Schmendrick.jpg|thumb|Schmendrick the Magician. | File:Schmendrick.jpg|thumb|Schmendrick the Magician. | ||
File:Molly_Grue.jpg|thumb|Molly Grue. | File:Molly_Grue.jpg|thumb|Molly Grue. | ||
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File:Haggard-Castle-2.jpg|thumb| | File:Haggard-Castle-2.jpg|thumb| | ||
File:Lir_and_Dragon.jpg|thumb|Prince Lir battling a dragon. | File:Lir_and_Dragon.jpg|thumb|Prince Lir battling a dragon. | ||
File:TLU_Article.jpg|thumb|Cannes Film Festival's article on the film. | |||
File:TheLastUnicorn.jpg|thumb|25px|An alternate logo for the film. | File:TheLastUnicorn.jpg|thumb|25px|An alternate logo for the film. | ||
File:OrigUnicornLogo.jpg|thumb| | File:OrigUnicornLogo.jpg|thumb| | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[https://archive.org/details/the-last-unicorn-live-action-film-script/mode/2up An upload of the film's script on the Internet Archive.] Retrieved 25 Oct '21 | |||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021207091624/http://the-last-unicorn.net/script.htm A download link for the film's script. Which was written by Peter S. Beagle himself.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20 | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20021207091624/http://the-last-unicorn.net/script.htm A download link for the film's script. Which was written by Peter S. Beagle himself.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20 | ||
*[https://www.polygon.com/2014/10/11/6962995/the-last-unicorn-nycc-2014 Polygon's article on the film] Retrieved 10 Aug '20 | |||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20011008041513/http://the-last-unicorn.net/ Earliest available archive of the website.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20 | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20011008041513/http://the-last-unicorn.net/ Earliest available archive of the website.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20 | ||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060505023720/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/marketing2.htm Planned merchandise for the movie.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20 | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060505023720/http://www.the-last-unicorn.net/marketing2.htm Planned merchandise for the movie.] Retrieved 04 Aug '20 | ||
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{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Lost films]] | [[Category:Lost films|Last Unicorn]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Lost animation|Last Unicorn]] | ||
[[Category:Partially found media|Last Unicorn]] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:35, 19 December 2022
One of the film's logos
Status: Partially Found
The Last Unicorn is a popular fantasy novel written by Peter S. Beagle. The story follows a unicorn who discovers that she might be the last of her kind. So she sets out on a magical journey to find out the truth about the unicorn's disappearance.
In 1982, the novel was adapted into a fully animated feature film by Rankin/Bass and has since become a cult classic. But what many people don't know, is that there were once plans to produce a live-action adaptation by Continent Films Ltd.
Background
In the early 2000s, Continent Films Ltd. announced it would produce a live-action adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's novel by setting up a website to promote the film.[1] The website would slowly be changed and updated over the years before finally going out of service in late 2019.[2]
Thanks to the Wayback Machine, it is possible to view the different versions of the film's website and to see various production materials and lists of cast and crew members.
The film was to be directed by Geoff Murphy and produced by Michael Pakleppa, with a screenplay written by Beagle himself.[3] The film would have utilized both practical and non-practical effects. Such as a real horse being used to play the titular unicorn (with makeup and CGI enhancements), a real cat playing the talking cat, and several animatronic creatures.[4]
The film also would've featured a star-studded cast, such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Schmendrick the Magician, Mia Farrow (who voiced the unicorn in the animated version) as Molly Grue, Angela Lansbury as Mommy Fortuna, Rene Auberjonois as both Captain Cully and The Skeleton (a role he also played in the original film), and most notably, Christopher Lee who would reprise his role as King Haggard.[5]
For over a decade, the film seemed to go through development hell (the exact reason as to why being unknown) with it constantly being pushed back and getting stuck in pre-production.
After Christoper Lee's death in 2016, the website was changed to heavily promote Angels Of Notting Hill,[6] which was Lee's final film before his death.
Since the website is now no longer in service, and Continent Films (presumably) being dissolved,[7] the film has most likely been cancelled. Whether or not any footage was shot for the film remains unknown.
Videos
Gallery
A scale model of the unicorn.
Lady Amalthea.
Schmendrick the Magician.
Molly Grue.
Prince Lir.
King Haggard.
Mommy Fortuna.
Rukh.
The Red Bull.
A storyboard sequence for the film (1/4).
A storyboard sequence for the film (2/4).
A storyboard sequence for the film (3/4).
A storyboard sequence for the film (4/4).
The Butterfly.
A scale model of the Harpy.
"The Harpy Escapes" by Paul Catling.
The Satyr.
The Manticore.
The Midgard Serpent.
Concept art for King Haggard's castle.
Prince Lir battling a dragon.
Cannes Film Festival's article on the film.
An alternate logo for the film.
External Links
- An upload of the film's script on the Internet Archive. Retrieved 25 Oct '21
- A download link for the film's script. Which was written by Peter S. Beagle himself. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- Polygon's article on the film Retrieved 10 Aug '20
- Earliest available archive of the website. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- Planned merchandise for the movie. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- BFI's page on The Last Unicorn movie. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- The film was apparently announced at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
References
- ↑ One of the first iterations of the website. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- ↑ What the website looks like now. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- ↑ The film's credits list. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- ↑ Details about the film's special effects. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- ↑ Details about the cast. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- ↑ The Angels Of Notting Hill promotion. Retrieved 04 Aug '20
- ↑ Companies House' page on Continent Films. Retrieved 04 Aug '20