This will probably get put in a Friday e-mail, but I had to mention it.
A few days ago, my agent forwards me an e-mail from Chad Oman at JBFilms. It was a simple one line thing that says something like, “We’ve hired Rawson Marshall Thurber to write the Rifts® movie.” The end.
Well, that’s cool, because it means Disney will be renewing the movie option another year.
Then Alex (good ol’ Al) found an online interview that I think just got posted on Monday, November 5, 2007, the same day that I announced it live on the Gateway to the Megaverse® Podcast. It turns out Rawson Marshall Thurber (age 32), is a FAN of RIFTS®! In that interview, when asked the question:
"Do you have a dream project? Is there another novel out there you'd really like to adapt?"
Rawson said: "I guess, in terms of dream projects, there's a property that Jerry Bruckheimer has that I've loved for a long time. It's a role-playing game called RIFTS that I used to play a lot in junior high school with my friends - that's okay to admit, right? Ladies, line up. Anyhow, it's sort of a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thing that I'd love to get my meat hooks into. We'll see what happens."
The movie has dragged on and gone nowhere for sooo long, that it’s hard to get excited, but learning that Mr. Thurber has actually played and loved Rifts® in high school is very exciting.
Here is a guy who knows, honestly knows and understands Rifts® as an RPG. He's one of us, and he’s going to be writing the screenplay. Sure, it could be a pile of garbage, but you know, I don’t think so. I think this is good. Real good. Could a Rifts® movie become a reality in 2-3 years. Let's hope so, eh?
Okay, I know a lot folks will point out that Rawson Marshall Thurber’s breakout movie was Dodgeball, an Underdog’s Tale, but you know what, it was a funny flick that made a pile of money. Furthermore, he’s gone on to write and direct Mysteries of Pittsburgh (a serious film), has been tapped by Universal Studios to write and direct the film adaptation of Magnum P.I. and is doing a comedy for Dreamworks. Point is, this writer is being hired by big name studios so he’s not just some nobody, he's an up and coming hot commodity.
We all have to start somewhere, and all of us good writers would like to think we can write anything and enjoy trying everything. Take Ridley Scott for example. His first to breakout films were Alien and Blade Runner, based on that, one might say, oh, all this Scott guy can do is sci-fi or sci-fi horror. Yet, he went on to make all kinds of great and diverse films including Blackhawk Down, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise and the just released American Gangster (which is supposed to be epic), and a whole lot more! Heck, look at all the diverse stuff I’ve written for RPGs. So don’t count Rawson Marshall Thurber out because he’s best known for Dodgeball. This young writer/director is only getting started.
Palladium’s Next Auction starts Saturday November 10, 2007
The last auction was epic. We sold all but four items and Palladium made some serious coin that helped through a cash flow crunch. Thanks everyone. Then again, we had some really good, rare, and unique items. Well, so will this auction. Think Christmas presents, birthdays and filling your own collection with cool, unusual, rare and collectible items. All signed, of course.
- The Rifts® Licensing Bible (the last one we offered a couple auctions ago sold for over $100). This is exactly what we sent Jerry Bruckheimer, Nokia, and a number of other prospective licensees. Something like two dozen were created and we have a few copies laying around, so I figured, what the heck, let a couple of lucky collectors own one. This is probably the last time the Rifts® Bible will be offered. If not, I’ll only be offering one more, maybe in the December auction. Haven’t decided.
- Beyond the Supernatural Gold “Printer Proof.”
- Rifts® Ultimate Gold “Printer Proof.”
- Rifts® Ultimate Gold #607 signed by more than 25 Palladium creators.
- Rifts® “Silver” Hardcover (only have around 20 copies left).
- Rifts® Machinations of Doom Gold HC “Printer Proof.”
- First edition of Rifts RPG (1990)
- Shadows of Light (Nightbane sourcebook) and two test sheet cover variations.
- Trans-Dimensional Ninja Turtles sourcebook (ulta-rare; found two copies tucked away in a box with convention stuff, go figure).
- A set of The Rifter® #1-14; missing #2 and 8.
- Select out of print issues of The Rifter (down to the last few file copies).
- Set of TMNT sourcebooks.
- A proof sheet for the Valley of the Pharaoh’s box cover (1984).
- A bunch of rare prints and posters.
- A few sets of covers.
- Another beautiful, handmade, Palladium and Rifts® leather dust jackets created by Roger Cartier. So far, he’s made a total of six including the one of each I own, and each of the Palladium jackets features a different dragon.
- A couple of proofreader copies of books.
- Artwork by Breaux, Siembieda, Perez and others
- And other fun stuff. Check it out. Alex has the auctions reorganized and easy to see. Starts Saturday, November 11, 2007.
A publisher’s work is never done
Yes, I’m still working on Dyval when I can. It is turning out fantastic. Unfortunately, I think I overdid it with too many 14-18 hour days and long weekends and have been laid low with some bug. I don’t know, maybe it's just exhaustion. I’ve been pushing myself pretty hard lately and been ignoring people telling me to be careful and slow down. Well, after working till Midnight yesterday, I woke up at 6:00 this morning feeling like garbage. Been moving slow, head's stuffed up, slight fever, hard to think and write clearly, and I needed a couple of naps to get through the day this far. Hopefully, I’ll get over this fast. Sorry.
Work on Robotech® is coming along nicely too. Mike Wilson’s Invid artwork has blown us away. The Manning Brothers are doing their best work ever. Apollo is reworking the cover to make it even better, and everyone is giving it their all.
That’s it for now. Oh yeah, shipped another 47 Christmas Surprise Packages this week already. And that maniac who had purchased eight, shattered the old record by purchasing SEVEN more, 15 total. Yikes. Like I said before, most people order one or two. I’ve also gotten numerous thank you notes and private messages. You are ALL very welcome. The Grab Bags are all about saying thank you and putting smiles on people’s faces. Merry Christmas from all of us at Palladium Books.
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
© Copyright November 7, 2007 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, and Coalition Wars® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Naruni, Cyber-Knights and other titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc.
Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.