300 DOWN, RONIN AND OCEAN TO COME?

**MattBrady** · 02-10-2007, 05:45 PM

by Daniel Robert Epstein

At the producer press conference for the film version of Frank Miller’s 300 that was held today, Producer Gianni Nunnari, was asked what other comic projects he would like to turn into films. Nunnari stated that he is working on Frank Miller's Ronin and Warren Ellis' Ocean.

One of Miller’s perhaps lesser-known works, Ronin was a six issue miniseries published between 1983 and ’84 (after his initial run on Daredevil, and before “Born Again”) by DC, and has been collected in several printings since. The story spans centuries, starting in feudal Japan where a young ronin sought to avenge his former master who was slain by a demon. The ronin was successful, but was trapped in a curse the demon uttered with its dying breath that linked the two.

Centuries later, in a New York overrun by the bio-engineered Aquarius Complex, a boy begins to have dreams about an ancient ronin warrior, and the complex is invaded by an unstoppable terror – the two enemies live again.

For years, Darren Aronofsky had been attached to bringing the project to film.

Ocean, written by Ellis was drawn by Chris Sprouse, and published in 2004-’05 by Wildstorm. Set 100 years in the future, Ocean centers on a crew exploring the Jovian moon Europa which has just discovered that objects in the ocean that covers the moon, The objects – coffins, carrying the bodies of a violent race of humanoids – the ancestors of humankind. Along with the coffins – weapons. Very powerful weapons. UN weapons inspector, Nathan Kane is in a race to learn as much as he can about the coffins and weapons before a software conglomerate (thinly disguised) claims them as their own.

Neither project has been confirmed by a studio as being on their respective dockets.

Updated:: Maybe not so fast. In a post on his website (www.warrenellis.com), Ellis posted:

In regard to this news story forwarded me just now by Jonah Weiland, concerning a producer named Gianni Nunnari apparently publicly stating he’s working on bringing OCEAN, a graphic novel by myself and Chris Sprouse, to film: no. I imagine Mr Nunnari was misheard, or misspoke and will correct himself shortly. No film company has ever attempted to purchase the media rights to OCEAN, which are owned by Chris and myself.

I’m covering this now not only because Jonah just surprised the ____ out of me, but also because I don’t want to be dealing with a shitload of questions in email. There is no OCEAN movie. You may return to your duties now. England Prevails.

Matt Brady contributed to this story

Supreme Convoy · 02-10-2007, 05:53 PM

I've yet to pick up Ronin. It looks cool though. And I thought Arronosfky was attached to Lone Wolf & Cub next?

And I haven't heard of Ellis' Ocean. I guess I'll have to track that down...

Hobowatcher · 02-10-2007, 05:55 PM

Ocean was a great idea, but a crappy execution. Throughout the story, the chracters felt so forced and unbelievable. I was disappointed. Hopefully the movie will fix its dialogue problems.

DianaKingston · 02-10-2007, 05:55 PM

"Ronin" was one of Miller's best works; in terms of studio adaptations, though, I doubt they could surpass "Samurai Jack".

Philminder · 02-10-2007, 06:05 PM

Hey, cool. I'm actually reading Ronin right now, and it's really good. This could be interesting.

Nobody · 02-10-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobowatcher

Ocean was a great idea, but a crappy execution. Throughout the story, the chracters felt so forced and unbelievable. I was disappointed. Hopefully the movie will fix its dialogue problems.

Warren Ellis has this problem a lot. He has about six character archetypes that he reuses over and over and over, and it hinders quite a few of his creations. Ellis will always be one of my all-time favorites and all-time worst writers ever.

I would totally see an Ocean flick, though.

EmeraldGuy32 · 02-10-2007, 06:11 PM

Both would make great films. Ocean especially.

Uchiha_Prodigy · 02-10-2007, 06:12 PM

Wow, hollywood's making movies out of any comic they can get their hands on arent they?

manasteel88 · 02-10-2007, 06:20 PM

doesnt mean these will come out...just means hes working on it...they both seem like interesting ideas...but not very appealing movies....

fearlessrees · 02-10-2007, 06:35 PM

Aronofsky on Ronin would be the best thing in existance.

OM · 02-10-2007, 07:02 PM

...Ronin? Ronin? Matty, have you checked your calender? It's nowhere near April.

MichaelH · 02-10-2007, 07:06 PM

From warrenellis.com:

OCEAN Movie: No, Actually

In regard to this news story forwarded me just now by Jonah Weiland, concerning a producer named Gianni Nunnari apparently publicly stating he’s working on bringing OCEAN, a graphic novel by myself and Chris Sprouse, to film: no. I imagine Mr Nunnari was misheard, or misspoke and will correct himself shortly. No film company has ever attempted to purchase the media rights to OCEAN, which are owned by Chris and myself.

I’m covering this now not only because Jonah just surprised the ____ out of me, but also because I don’t want to be dealing with a shitload of questions in email. There is no OCEAN movie. You may return to your duties now. England Prevails.

Kolimar · 02-10-2007, 07:06 PM

WOO-HOOOOO!!!

*ahem* Excellent news.

Kolimar · 02-10-2007, 07:08 PM

Two more I can add to The Complete List of DC Comics Movies

Kolimar · 02-10-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

From warrenellis.com:

OCEAN Movie: No, Actually

In regard to this news story forwarded me just now by Jonah Weiland, concerning a producer named Gianni Nunnari apparently publicly stating he’s working on bringing OCEAN, a graphic novel by myself and Chris Sprouse, to film: no. I imagine Mr Nunnari was misheard, or misspoke and will correct himself shortly. No film company has ever attempted to purchase the media rights to OCEAN, which are owned by Chris and myself.

I’m covering this now not only because Jonah just surprised the ____ out of me, but also because I don’t want to be dealing with a shitload of questions in email. There is no OCEAN movie. You may return to your duties now. England Prevails.

*deflated* oh...

Oh well, it doesn't mean Nunnari can't make plans about future deals/productions... hey, I can dream, can't I?

HourmanLives · 02-10-2007, 07:23 PM

I might go pick up Ocean now. Sounds cool.

CodeGuy · 02-10-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

From warrenellis.com:

OCEAN Movie: No, Actually

In regard to this news story forwarded me just now by Jonah Weiland, concerning a producer named Gianni Nunnari apparently publicly stating he’s working on bringing OCEAN, a graphic novel by myself and Chris Sprouse, to film: no. I imagine Mr Nunnari was misheard, or misspoke and will correct himself shortly. No film company has ever attempted to purchase the media rights to OCEAN, which are owned by Chris and myself.

I’m covering this now not only because Jonah just surprised the ____ out of me, but also because I don’t want to be dealing with a shitload of questions in email. There is no OCEAN movie. You may return to your duties now. England Prevails.

I think Ellis called it. They asked the director what he would "like" to do, and he named a couple of possibilities. Even if he said he was working on them, he probably meant something as simple as working out some ideas in his head.

Captain Cook · 02-10-2007, 08:03 PM

Ronin would make an excellent film, given the right director and script who has respect for the original comic.

If you haven't read Ronin, you can read a description here .

ptsteelers · 02-10-2007, 08:05 PM

Ocean - Pretty weak outting by Ellis, over all. It lacked the "ooomph" at the end, that I enjoy. Would be a great movie however, if he would allow the ending to be a little more dramatic, or at least not as open ended.
Wasn't a crap story, just not one of his best.

(Doesn't matter now obviously

)

Ronin - Loved this when it first came out. Miller at his best.
As a movie ... I don't know, perhaps.

Jess Nukem · 02-10-2007, 08:36 PM

Ronin would be awesome as an anime, maybe? It's my favorite Frank Miller work.

Nychavok · 02-10-2007, 08:57 PM

Ocean was pretty cool, but it was obvious that the Nathan Kane character was just a rip-off of Captain Sisko from DS9...(looks exactly like him, minus the Starfleet Uniform)

most of the story feels borrowed from the book 3001, which in fact, would actually make a much better movie than Ocean ever could.

on another sidenote, Warren Ellis is really overrated...newuniversal is a big letdown, I think he's starting to lose his mind like Frank Miller already has...

Kolimar · 02-10-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasteel88

doesnt mean these will come out...just means hes working on it...they both seem like interesting ideas...but not very appealing movies....

How do you go from "interesting ideas" to "not very appealing movies"?

If an idea is interesting you can make an appealing movie as long as you do it right. Hell, you can make entertaining movies out of uninteresting ideas.

bluetyson · 02-10-2007, 10:30 PM

Ocean is certainly something that would look cool as a movie. Interesting news.

double_out · 02-10-2007, 10:41 PM

Nuts. I was excited for a minute there about an Ocean flick... throughout reading it, I thought to myself what a great movie it would make. Maybe someday.

A Ronin movie might okay... not one of my favorite Miller stories. I thought the art was really ugly (I normally like his art) but I guess that wouldn't be a concern with a film version. The story has some interesting ideas and a good screenwriter could probably do something with it.

ROBRAM89 · 02-10-2007, 11:51 PM

Like I always say...Ocean would have been a great story if he had remembered to have things happen.