Is a 40k movie becoming an inevitability?

[Cactus]

GW's Space Marines were largely modeled after Robert A. Heinlein's novel, "Starship Troopers." The "Starship Troopers" movie aesthetic looks more like Imperial Guard (and Tyranids.)

So, yes, I think it can be done well.

[Psychosplodge]

I thought the starship troopers power armour was more like the Tau's battlesuits?

[grimmas]

I thought the starship troopers power armour was more like the Tau's battlesuits?

That's how I read it. I've always thought the Starship Troopers link is a bit of a misnomer, the only really similarity is that their Armour both has powered joints they a re both very different in form, function and concept. Dune is the real inspiration, that not to say they didn't borrow the idea of Power Armour from Starship Troopers but only in a loose sense.

Also on the SFX point anyone who has watched Edge of Tomorrow will know it will look fine. Although I suspect the suits are more Ork mega Armour rather than Power Armour they still look cool

And as and extra the MIs Armour is much more powerful than either SM Power Armour or Tau Battlesuits, they carry Nuclear weapons for a start. It is much more similar in concept to Tau Battlesuits though.

[Mr Mystery]

Though Starship Troopers does pose the question - could 40k be made into anything other than a somewhat camp pastiche?

I mean, the background itself is very grimdark. Catholic Space National Socialists really doesn't do it justice. My fear is that it can all too easily become a self parody when committed to celluloid - more 1960's Batman than 2015 Daredevil.

Let's consider the iconic weapon - the Bolter. Astartes aren't shy of pumping that trigger. That's an awful, awful lot of enemies coming apart under the barrage of mass reactive shells. And if you want to do Cinema Bolters right, you can't downgrade that damage - indeed the reason Astartes favour the Bolter over other weapons is that sheer psychological impact. Your cover is blaster apart, and what would be a fleshwound from say, an Autogun, instead becomes a limb blown clean off.

How do you film that without it becoming inherently ridiculous?

[Psychosplodge]

That's another reason Space Marines would make a bad subject choice for it.

Guard vs chaos would be easiest by far.

[Mr Mystery]

I'd prefer an Inquisitor movie to be honest.

It reduces down the amount of necessary CGI, and you can do a lot with practical sets for relatively little money (two or three, bit of redressing here and there and you can have five or six).

Show the necessary ruthlessness of The Imperium, and how utterly dystopian it is. Keep it small and focussed. If that film does well, you can increase the scale a bit in the next film (many props from the first can be reused etc).

You can do a lot with a single Inquisitor and their goons!

[Psychosplodge]

True. But like mentioned before, both really lend themselves better to a series.

[grimmas]

The Astartes would have to used as a device rather than character. They need to treated as they are supposed to be in the fluff rarely seen mythic beings that despite the propaganda inspire Fear rather than anything else. They'd need to be used in moderation for shock value, think saving private Ryan when the Americans get shot off the Tiger Tank by the 20mm gun, a moment of extreme violence to forward the plot in some way.

I'm less worried about the parody thing film makers have learnt that dark works in SciFi. You'd need the right director but these plenty about who can grasp the concept. It wouldn't need to be 18 rated either there's no need to show any sex and we know violence is considered much more acceptable on film.

[Psychosplodge]

But I want an awkward sex scene

[grimmas]

Well thats what the Internet is for.