WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A NEW MOTU FILM?

One of the most appealing aspects of the MOTU storyline is that it exists as a mythology. There are many imaginative ideas and interpretations, and I personally believe that for the tales to reach their full potential, they should be developed beyond comics and cartoons. My primary aim in writing Grayskull was to create a story that could be interpreted in movie format. Action, dramatic landscapes and sophisticated characters were obviously necessary to achieve this. Furthermore, the story had to introduce some new themes and ideas while remaining true to the concepts which made the mythology so strong in the first place. I am very proud of the tale, but ultimately it is not for me to judge whether I have achieved my aims.

Creating a website to promote the story seemed like an obvious choice, and I wanted others to be able to read Grayskull even if the silver screen dream never becomes a reality. Until I started surfing the Internet in search of MOTU information, I had no idea that there were so many fans out there. I hope fans who read Grayskull feel the story and this website are fitting tributes to the MOTU mythology.

Of course, a MOTU movie was made while the original toyline was still being distributed. I was very disappointed with that film for several reasons. The storyline was weak, the special effects were poor, and the acting was hardly award standard. For me the worst aspect of the film was that it ignored the fantasy landscape of Eternia and placed most of the action in a science-fiction setting on Earth. The potential was well and truly missed.

I genuinely believe that Grayskull would make a fantastic movie trilogy. Peter Jackson's masterful Lord Of The Rings films have proven that the fantasy epic motion picture has finally come of age. Imagine how amazing it would be to see Castle Grayskull surrounded by the Evergreen Forest or Snake Mountain rising from the Plain of Perpetua on the cinema screen. So, if anyone knows a studio executive looking for a great idea...

One writing technique is to imagine certain actors in the roles of one's characters. I used this a lot in Grayskull, and I thought it might be fun to share my thoughts with you on who I would choose to star in the movies. You will not see every character who appears in the story listed below, because I did not feel it necessary to imagine an actor in every role. If you have any suggestions, let me know on the feedback page.

HE-MAN	To start then, who should play the hero of the tale? The film would need someone who not only looked the part, but who could interpret the introspective moments as well as the action scenes. I reckon KEVIN SORBO would be perfect.
KING RANDOR	The part of the Eternian ruler is very important in Grayskull as the back-story of Randor's struggle against the Evil Horde and his victory at the Battle of Blackmere underpins the whole trilogy. The actor who I feel could bring power and energy to this role is the fabulous BRIAN BLESSED.
FISTO	There are a couple of reasons for my next choice. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER would not only be great at playing the older warrior who is great with children, but his early cinematic role as Conan helped to inspire the MOTU characters, and I think casting him as Fisto would be a great way of acknowledging that fact.
TEELA	I imagined DENISE RICHARDS as Teela. Who better for the beautiful action girl character?
DELORA	After watching the first Lord of the Rings movie, I thought LIV TYLER would be great as Stratos' wife.
BEASTMAN	How about wrestling legend BILL GOLDBERG as Skeletor's most famous lackey?
JITSU	There are loads of excellent martial artists who could handle the action sequences, but most of them are little guys! My first choice for the role of Jitsu would have to be the fabulously evil-looking BOLO YEUNG of Bloodsport fame.
ORACLE OF ELDOR	A small but significant role in Grayskull, the Oracle is one of my favourite characters. I think ANTHONY HOPKINS would be great as the wise man of Eternia.
TARANEK	There was never any doubt in my mind as to who would be my first and only choice as the centaur Taranek. PATRICK STEWART would excel at both the diplomatic and angry sides of the leader of the Se'andari.
LEVYEK	An odd choice perhaps for the leader of the Clan of the Skull, as the person I have in mind is not an actor! He is a famous football referee named PIERLUIGI COLLINA, and his appearance would be perfect for the role.
GAOLER	A name that might not be familiar to audiences outside the UK, ROSS KEMP looks exactly how I imagined the gaoler to be.
SIANA	A brilliant English actress, SAMANTHA ROBSON would be really good as the leader of Talu.
SABINA	I would love to see JERI RYAN as the leader of the Gwylvos Forest dryads.

Well that should give you some idea as to how my imagination works! Beyond the characters, the choice of locations was very important for the story. I wanted to create a sense of vastness to the Eternian landscape - a wild and beautiful world with history and magic. So coastlines, forests, deserts and mountains all appear. The man-made locations were significant too, and hopefully varied in their design and architecture. My vision of the royal palace is similar to how it is illustrated in the minicomic The Power of Point Dread!, the island of Ynys'alar is an ancient citadel, the amphitheatre in the Valley of Eldor is inspired by Delphi in Greece, and the ice city of Valmorlar is intended to be incomprehensibly huge and physically impossible. For a more in-depth look at the thoughts and inspirations behind the locations that I dreamed up, please click on the 'next' button below.