We were all very disappointed when we found out that Guillermo del Toro’s movie adaptation of At the Mountains of Madness was cancelled. And we’ve been hoping against hope that Hollywood decides to fund it someday.
Well, if they do, great. But instead of holding our breath, why don’t we take the bull by the horns?
Here’s what I mean: There have been some really excellent independent Lovecraftian films in the last few years. And yes, At the Mountains of Madness would take more funding than most of those. But what if one of those talented independent filmmakers got funded through Kickstarter?
It’s worth thinking about, so I’m throwing this idea out there to any filmmaker reading this. Do a Kickstarter fund. And I can promise you that if the right filmmaker does this, I’ll promote the hell out of your Kickstarter, and do anything I can to help. And, I have no doubt, so would many other Lovecraftians.
The fact is, we’ve all wanted to see a live-action At the Mountains of Madness movie for a long time. So let’s quit waiting for Hollywood. I’ve said many times that the “little guys” get Lovecraft better than the big studios, anyway.
Yeah… I dream big. I always have. Aim for the stars.
And just maybe, those stars will be right, and some talented filmmaker will read these words and go for it. If you do, you have my full support and I’ll do everything I can to make sure your Kickstarter is fully funded.
Thoughts? Comment below.
Discover more from The Lovecraft eZine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The Lovecraft eZine 
Mike, Attached is the Guillermo Del Toro / Matthew Robbins screenplay for At the Mountains of Madness. Jason S.
________________________________
LikeLike
Mike, You should consider the Ezine sponsoring an ATMOM screenplay contest, it would be a step in the right direction. I have read the screenplay by Guillermo Del Toro and Matthew Robbins, it is unimpressive, derivative and generic. Have you read it? Jason
________________________________
LikeLike
A kind reader bought me a copy and put it in the mail, so I’ll be reading it soon.
LikeLike
With Tom Cruise’s name firmly attached to AtMoM, I was not at all disappointed that it was cancelled. Please resurrect the idea with someone I can stomach, and I will be all over that Kickstarter.
LikeLike
Excellent idea Mike. Kickstarter has seen a lot of HP Lovecraft related projects including films and with the popularity of this story I think this one will do just fine as long as it has the right people heading it up. We’ve seen some famous folks flop on Kickstarter, so fame isn’t enough. It has to be someone who can present a clear vision that backers will love and support. Count me in if that happens.
LikeLike
I’m in.
LikeLike
Although I would certainly support an independent film of pretty much anything Lovecraft, I’d still like to see del Toro’s vision of it. I think he’s an amazing visual storyteller, and that’s more my personal disappointment with the project falling through (though there could still be hope); it’s not so much my disappointment at the story not getting adapted to film as it is my disappointment that del Toro’s vision of a Lovecraft story isn’t getting made. That’s my 2 cents, anyway.
LikeLike
Hasn’t anyone else figured-out by now that claiming he is going to make ATMOM is really just part of DelToro’s schtick? He has been claiming this for years, and something ALWAYS “just comes up”. He has enough pull in Hollywood that if he wanted to get it made, he would have.
LikeLike
The Gibberer makes a solid point. Yes, I absolutely agree that AtMoM would receive a HUGE amount of support from Lovecraftians, practitioners and fans alike, if it was to go to Kickstarter to ask for funding. But I don’t think Hollywood would stiff us for that much longer.
The fact of the matter remains that del Toro still has names associated with big money attached to his adaptation, and the consistent success of those names like James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro would get the attention of the folks in Hollywood. They can’t ignore the screaming for much longer–not with the masses understanding that before there was Prometheus, Alien, and even The Thing, there were the Mountains populated by the most fearsome creatures to ever grace yellow pages.
I don’t think hoping for a big budget AtMoM is hoping against hope. I hold a great deal of optimism that Hollywood will finally pull its head out of its ass and come to face the truth: Lovecraft is the future of horror, and he will not be content with writhing in the shadows (however vast they may be) afforded to a cult status.
LikeLike
If anyone can get an indy version of this started I am more than willing to help on the VFX, I went to school for animation and VFX and would love to work on a Lovecraftian movie.
LikeLike
del Toro’s recent flop, Pacific Rim, probably doomed him. What was he thinking? A shame. He is a born Lovecraftian.
LikeLike
:O
LikeLike
Not that I don’t agree 100%, but I kind of think that the grandeur of At the Mountains of Madness is something to be captured on the “big” screen. I wish someone would focus on another title, such as: The Temple, The Hound, The Haunter of the Dark, or even The Shadow Over Innsmouth. I’m personally worried that there are to many movies out there already that have replicated ATMOM’s plot. ie, Aliens, Prometheus. There are so many other stories of his that focus on cosmic horror and need attention.
Furthermore, I think any respectable film maker who runs a kickstarter for a Lovecraft film will get mucho support from the Lovecraft eZine community. Am I wrong?
LikeLike
I agree. Though, I’m a fan of the big and small screen and you just never know. Maybe someone could make a suprisingly great adaptation with a non-Hollywood Blockbuster somehow. But, I’d rather it be tackled by a larger production house overall.
LikeLike
Who would NOT support this? I would imagine the Lovecraft community would jump at the chance to support this. And I’d be happy to pitch in with some concept art if they need any. Yes, del Toro’s vision would have been great to see on the big screen but all the on-again off-again is disappointing. I’d love to see someone step forward and finally make it.
LikeLike