Gail Gygax recently mentioned on her Facebook page that something "special" is in the works "for all of Gary's fans for the big screen! Who wants to see something for gamers...I am working for that and well it has been a long long journey one which I think is coming to an end for all of you, I think have found the match."
George Strayton confirmed he is that match, the scriptwriter for a $150 million movie based on Gary Gygax’s life. George describes the film as a “combination action movie and bio pic.” The movie will tell the story of how Gary created Dungeons & Dragons, switching between his real life and the fantasy realm of Dungeons & Dragons.
There are only a handful of movies that have tried to contrast real life with the world of role-playing, and none of them were biopics. Cloak & Dagger featured Henry Thomas as a kid who believed in Jack Flack, a secret spy from a role-playing game that he imagined was real. And of course there’s the execrable Mazes & Monsters, which featured Tom Hanks as gamer who loses touch with reality. The most publicity Gary has received was through Futurama, which parodied Mazes & Monsters in the Bender's Game movie. The release of a major film could really raise awareness for Gary's legacy and the creation of Dungeons & Dragons in general.
George let it slip that a “huge star is playing Gary,” but they're waiting for all the paperwork to be signed with the lead actor and director before making the big, official announcement. If I were to pick an actor, I think Paul Giamatti would be my favorite. He has experience playing broad characters with emotional depth and could do Gary justice. Who would you want to play Gary Gygax? Let's hear it!
George has promised more updates as the film progresses. Stay tuned!
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