I just got my new issue of Impact which contains a 4 page article on the new Highlander mini-series series and an interview with David Abramowitz.
Its provisionally called Highlander:Archangel and it will probably be shown in two, two hour parts. David A reckons it will be on our screens by next year.
Apprently it will *NOT* be featuring the previous main cast in prominent roles although it will be consistant with the TV series. It will introduce new characters and *may* have some visting characters from different places.
David A has just finished writing the outline for the story and its tentatively planned to be shot in South Africa in the late spring. Second unit locations suggested are New Orleans, Germany and France.
The mini series looks set to involve a core of five characters with a male and female lead both aged mid twenties (or at least that's what they will look like). "This time, instead of a MacLeod there is a MacKenzie. Michael to be exact".
David A also goes on to say that, "he loves flashbacks and that he gets to look at history and build worlds around actual historical figures such as Attila and the Queen of Spain." Apparently, "there will be lots of flashbacks to the Spanish Inquisition, the 16th Century [around about tea-time - Em] and Attila The Hun..oh and yes the Highlands of Scotland sometime around the time of Connor and Duncan!"
The article goes on in more detail about themes and the like but that is the bare bones of it.
My initial reaction was that I was somewhat disappointed they are only thinking about using some of the old cast. I shall keep everything crossed and sacrifice some chickens that Peter gets a chance to reprise his role as Methos although I have reservations (as do others) as to how effectively this could be done without blowing Methos 'cover' and thereby making a mockery of the whole reason for his survival. It would be *cool* if he turned up in some flashbacks though...kinda passing through! *grins*
I must admit the Spanish Inquisition comment begs for a Monty Python quip and as for the Attila The Hun reference *looks at![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lastrega* You reckon David A read Comes a Scotsman?
*grins*
As mentioned in a previous post I was discussing this with Chris and Ben yesterday by email. Katja andlastrega then got in on the act.
[In response to my intial post which is very similar to above]
Ben: "Hmmm... on the one hand, yay, etc, new Highlander Stuff... on the other hand (holds hand over eyes in mortal terror) there's always The Raven... yuck.
Still, a miniseries is easier to manage than a series - all the
planning of a movie, with a TV budget. You tend to get a leaner beast... and TV is throwing up some exceptional series from cable at present...
As to the lack of cast members from HL:TS - not really bothered. It'd be good to see Methos, but not 'as' Methos - if whole new groups of people find out about his 'secret identity', then it gets increasingly implausible him not having been hunted down by now and fed to sharks, or something. I mean, if anyone can find out...
Equally, if the immortal stars of the show don't find out who he really is, then it's either : a ride over the Exposition Waterfall to Shite City when someone else - maybe Joe? - tries to provide background on the Old Man to a new audience ; or simply never referring to his real identity on screen, which makes his inclusion a rubbish in-joke for the rest of us.
For quality's sake, I'm starting to hope they don't use him...Equally Duncan, unless it's in flashback."
Chris: "News of the Curate's Egg variety - If they do have MacLeod, Methos, Joe, Amanda turn up on occasion, then as far as the ROG is concerned, to give it any kind of credence it will have to be either current time or as a recent flashback, or the suspension of disbelief will be well and truly scuppered.
I'm also a bit alarmed over the Michael MacKenzie - that is too much like a cash-in on Connor and Duncan. Give the Highlander mythos a rest, for gawd's sake! Two Highlanders stretched it a little -*three*???
Does he *have* to be a Scot? Not that I have anything against Scots, you understand, quite the reverse, but! Whatever, thank you for the news - maybe it will inspire the HL Store to release the rest of the series dvd's to the other outlets a bit faster, to build up publicity and consolidate the fan base?"
Me: *laughing* I was hoping Methos would turn up in flashbacks a few times...kinda passing through. That would be amusing. Present day would be a bit difficult to work.. I guess I'm kinda hoping we might get to see all four Horsemen again but .....who am I kidding ;)
I'm with Chris on the Scot thing tho, it sounds a bit stretched but then again its *is* called Highlander I suppose... I'm excited cos its new Highlander stuff but on the other hand I have this horrible feeling its going to be awful!
Altho if Methos turns up in conjunction with Atilla I shall damage myself laughing...
Ben: Could be worse... could be Quentin McLeod...
Chris: Not the dreaded MacClod!! Do not go there - it might yet come to pass!
Ben: "Born in the Highlands of Xeist sixteen years ago... unbelievably annoying... and he is still alive... he is Quentin McLeod... The Tosser..."
Chris: Listen, guys, remember their penchant for annoying sidekicks??? There is a strong possibility that among the 5 main cast is a Richie/Quentin clone.... I think I feel sick.
Me: *gag* Oh goooood! I wonder if all the bad guys will start with K as well? Mind you anything has to be better then bring Ramierez back AGAIN and have him riding a Taun Taun!!
Ben: ANYTHING? Tempting fate, there...
Paints terrifying scenario involving an immortal Frenchman called Roger Bellend travelling the world playing inappropriate guitar solos and 'authentic ethnic/local music' in flashbacks until all other immortals in the world band together, declare him The Anti-One, and cut his head off very slowly with a blunt butter knife...
Me: It would only work if Roger has a mullet...
Ben you are a sick and very twisted individual and I fear you...
Katja: Maybe they'll continue along with the alphabet ... time for the "L" baddies -- Larry, Leroy, Lars, Lancelot. And actually, we've had our "C"onner and our "D"uncan. Time for an "E"? Elmer. Elroy. Euclid. Eyore?
There's got to be continuity, right?
But seriously, Michael? They might as well name him Gabriel.
Me: *snorts* Yeah but immortals are infertile... How about Raphael ....or Michaelangelo?
Dude! Teenage Mutant Ninja Immortals!!!!
Chris: oh, bloody hell - how will I be able to assess the new show with any kind of objective overview *now*! I'll be sniggering into my beer from the word go.
Eyore? Oh, nonono! Has to be Tigger - 'cos he's the Only One.
Katja: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Perfect. *the rest of the office thinks I've gone mad, sniggering away!!!*
Me: Do you think they will have a teacher like the sensai rat?
Lastrega: That would make as much sense as Kate in Endgame, so you never know...
Me: I have come to the conclusion that Kate is simply there to be a *horrible warning* and therefore drive Duncan into Methos' open arms...
Chris: What's the betting that in the miniHL she and Duncan have set up home together [just to piss off certain of us - and the BUG]
Ben: Ah, they deserve each other. The BUG always works better as 'the mistress', anyway...
Me: I keep getting this image of a giant preying mantis with a sword *shakes head* I can see BUG as the Mistress easy but I'd prefer Duncan with *anyone* rather then Kate.
Chris: A squinty eyed praying Mantis who can do cute. The mind boggles.
Ben: You obviously haven't met my first fiancee...
..and then things went really OT.
I blame the drugs myself...
Its provisionally called Highlander:Archangel and it will probably be shown in two, two hour parts. David A reckons it will be on our screens by next year.
Apprently it will *NOT* be featuring the previous main cast in prominent roles although it will be consistant with the TV series. It will introduce new characters and *may* have some visting characters from different places.
David A has just finished writing the outline for the story and its tentatively planned to be shot in South Africa in the late spring. Second unit locations suggested are New Orleans, Germany and France.
The mini series looks set to involve a core of five characters with a male and female lead both aged mid twenties (or at least that's what they will look like). "This time, instead of a MacLeod there is a MacKenzie. Michael to be exact".
David A also goes on to say that, "he loves flashbacks and that he gets to look at history and build worlds around actual historical figures such as Attila and the Queen of Spain." Apparently, "there will be lots of flashbacks to the Spanish Inquisition, the 16th Century [around about tea-time - Em] and Attila The Hun..oh and yes the Highlands of Scotland sometime around the time of Connor and Duncan!"
The article goes on in more detail about themes and the like but that is the bare bones of it.
My initial reaction was that I was somewhat disappointed they are only thinking about using some of the old cast. I shall keep everything crossed and sacrifice some chickens that Peter gets a chance to reprise his role as Methos although I have reservations (as do others) as to how effectively this could be done without blowing Methos 'cover' and thereby making a mockery of the whole reason for his survival. It would be *cool* if he turned up in some flashbacks though...kinda passing through! *grins*
I must admit the Spanish Inquisition comment begs for a Monty Python quip and as for the Attila The Hun reference *looks at
lastrega* You reckon David A read Comes a Scotsman? *grins*
As mentioned in a previous post I was discussing this with Chris and Ben yesterday by email. Katja and
lastrega then got in on the act. [In response to my intial post which is very similar to above]
Ben: "Hmmm... on the one hand, yay, etc, new Highlander Stuff... on the other hand (holds hand over eyes in mortal terror) there's always The Raven... yuck.
Still, a miniseries is easier to manage than a series - all the
planning of a movie, with a TV budget. You tend to get a leaner beast... and TV is throwing up some exceptional series from cable at present...
As to the lack of cast members from HL:TS - not really bothered. It'd be good to see Methos, but not 'as' Methos - if whole new groups of people find out about his 'secret identity', then it gets increasingly implausible him not having been hunted down by now and fed to sharks, or something. I mean, if anyone can find out...
Equally, if the immortal stars of the show don't find out who he really is, then it's either : a ride over the Exposition Waterfall to Shite City when someone else - maybe Joe? - tries to provide background on the Old Man to a new audience ; or simply never referring to his real identity on screen, which makes his inclusion a rubbish in-joke for the rest of us.
For quality's sake, I'm starting to hope they don't use him...Equally Duncan, unless it's in flashback."
Chris: "News of the Curate's Egg variety - If they do have MacLeod, Methos, Joe, Amanda turn up on occasion, then as far as the ROG is concerned, to give it any kind of credence it will have to be either current time or as a recent flashback, or the suspension of disbelief will be well and truly scuppered.
I'm also a bit alarmed over the Michael MacKenzie - that is too much like a cash-in on Connor and Duncan. Give the Highlander mythos a rest, for gawd's sake! Two Highlanders stretched it a little -*three*???
Does he *have* to be a Scot? Not that I have anything against Scots, you understand, quite the reverse, but! Whatever, thank you for the news - maybe it will inspire the HL Store to release the rest of the series dvd's to the other outlets a bit faster, to build up publicity and consolidate the fan base?"
Me: *laughing* I was hoping Methos would turn up in flashbacks a few times...kinda passing through. That would be amusing. Present day would be a bit difficult to work.. I guess I'm kinda hoping we might get to see all four Horsemen again but .....who am I kidding ;)
I'm with Chris on the Scot thing tho, it sounds a bit stretched but then again its *is* called Highlander I suppose... I'm excited cos its new Highlander stuff but on the other hand I have this horrible feeling its going to be awful!
Altho if Methos turns up in conjunction with Atilla I shall damage myself laughing...
Ben: Could be worse... could be Quentin McLeod...
Chris: Not the dreaded MacClod!! Do not go there - it might yet come to pass!
Ben: "Born in the Highlands of Xeist sixteen years ago... unbelievably annoying... and he is still alive... he is Quentin McLeod... The Tosser..."
Chris: Listen, guys, remember their penchant for annoying sidekicks??? There is a strong possibility that among the 5 main cast is a Richie/Quentin clone.... I think I feel sick.
Me: *gag* Oh goooood! I wonder if all the bad guys will start with K as well? Mind you anything has to be better then bring Ramierez back AGAIN and have him riding a Taun Taun!!
Ben: ANYTHING? Tempting fate, there...
Paints terrifying scenario involving an immortal Frenchman called Roger Bellend travelling the world playing inappropriate guitar solos and 'authentic ethnic/local music' in flashbacks until all other immortals in the world band together, declare him The Anti-One, and cut his head off very slowly with a blunt butter knife...
Me: It would only work if Roger has a mullet...
Ben you are a sick and very twisted individual and I fear you...
Katja: Maybe they'll continue along with the alphabet ... time for the "L" baddies -- Larry, Leroy, Lars, Lancelot. And actually, we've had our "C"onner and our "D"uncan. Time for an "E"? Elmer. Elroy. Euclid. Eyore?
There's got to be continuity, right?
But seriously, Michael? They might as well name him Gabriel.
Me: *snorts* Yeah but immortals are infertile... How about Raphael ....or Michaelangelo?
Dude! Teenage Mutant Ninja Immortals!!!!
Chris: oh, bloody hell - how will I be able to assess the new show with any kind of objective overview *now*! I'll be sniggering into my beer from the word go.
Eyore? Oh, nonono! Has to be Tigger - 'cos he's the Only One.
Katja: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Perfect. *the rest of the office thinks I've gone mad, sniggering away!!!*
Me: Do you think they will have a teacher like the sensai rat?
Lastrega: That would make as much sense as Kate in Endgame, so you never know...
Me: I have come to the conclusion that Kate is simply there to be a *horrible warning* and therefore drive Duncan into Methos' open arms...
Chris: What's the betting that in the miniHL she and Duncan have set up home together [just to piss off certain of us - and the BUG]
Ben: Ah, they deserve each other. The BUG always works better as 'the mistress', anyway...
Me: I keep getting this image of a giant preying mantis with a sword *shakes head* I can see BUG as the Mistress easy but I'd prefer Duncan with *anyone* rather then Kate.
Chris: A squinty eyed praying Mantis who can do cute. The mind boggles.
Ben: You obviously haven't met my first fiancee...
..and then things went really OT.
I blame the drugs myself...
