Elric to go the way of Lord of the Rings

[Brian Halligan]

>From CNN.com:

> 'Elric Saga' fantasy series optioned
>
> Monday, February 24, 2003 Posted: 12:32 PM EST (1732 GMT)
>
> NEW YORK (Variety) -- Universal Pictures has joined in optioning "The Elric
> Saga," a multi-part, Tolkein-esque fantasy series written by Michael Moorcock,
> for development as a potential big-screen trilogy.
>
> The literary series began with 1972's "Elric of Melnibone." Universal's option
> deal with production company Depth of Field covers 11 books -- the original
> six installments of the series and five subsequent novels that touch on the
> saga.
>
> The film adaptation, which will be produced but not written or directed by
> Depth of Field partners Chris and Paul Weitz, is conceived as a potential
> trilogy whose first installment will be culled from the series' first six
> volumes. The producers plan to shop the book to writers and directors.
>
> The novels are sensual and atmospheric sword-and-sorcery tales that center on
> Elric, a brooding albino warrior who presides over an unruly, decadent island
> nation. The novels follow Elric on a series of adventures, in which he is
> betrayed by his cousin, sent into exile and attempts to come to terms with his
> own humanity.
>
> "We have loved this series since we were kids and can appreciate it even more
> as adults. It's a sophisticated, literate, philosophically dense fantasy -- a
> sort of 'Matrix' of the sword-and-sorcery genre," Chris Weitz said.
>
> Moorcock oversaw the sci-fi magazine New Worlds and helped usher in the "new
> wave" sci-fi movement of the 1960s and '70s. He also performed in the British
> hard rock band Hawkwind and will co-produce the movie project.
>
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