In the past there's been discussions with regards to launching a Dredd film and that some people are of the opionion that you should slowly introduce Dredds world/story to the general public who might not be so familiar with his Universe. Maybe releasing one or two films of that ilk before a huge action packed blockbuster. Well I say fuck that shit, and The first Terminator film was a perfect example of why it's better to go with the blockbuster first and grab the publics attention by the balls. The first Terminator film came out of nowhere, no backstory, nothing, just a great action film, with perfect casting. The public loved the film and then they built a back story and developed a Terminator history after an attention grabbing first film.
This is the same with Dredd, as much as we've know and love the character, the general public will hardly be aware of him. So with the TV series it would be amazing to open it with The Dark Judges. The very first episode should give all the fans and those new to Dredd something to talk about the next day, and go wow, what the fuck was that? Then build on Dredds history once you've got the casual viewer interested.
Tarantino
No. Not the DJ's.
I think the film got it broadly right: chuck everyone in at the deep end, and provide some threads you can continue with. Avoid an origins, because they are dull. Make it accessible enough that you don't need to be steeped in the history of 2000 AD to understand what's happening.
But also probably keep it at least reasonably grounded at first, and recognise that certain powerful aspects of Judge Dredd (the series) are only really powerful when you've had time to get to know the judges and the city. The reason the Stallone Judge Dredd failed is because Dredd gave up on the system. In the comics, this came after years of service, and some of the harshest responses to the citizenship by the judges and Dredd himself. It was a genuine shock. In the movie, Dredd just came across as indecisive, and I just didn't care. It all happened too fast, without you really knowing why this was such a big deal. Similarly, the Dark Judges are a corrupted vision of the MC-1 judges, but that only really makes sense if you've got to know the MC-1 lot.
Even America is far more powerful after a while immersing yourself in MC-1 and Dredd than as an opening salvo. (And although of the major Dredd arcs, it would at least work narratively as an opening, it would also be very much the scene setter, for a kind of series perhaps Rebellion doesn't want to be making. This new Dredd sounds a lot more like The Pit to me.)
DJs are panto villains from the strip's past as an all-ages comic. Their occasional re-emergence has more to do with throwing older fans a bone.
Plus, you're making a show about a gritty future cop and his first adventure has him fighting his evil zombie double from another dimension? Good luck with that.
I had to read this thread carefully as I was confused by some of the comments. I was struggling to remember a time when a sound meister from a disco was a villain in Dredd!
::)
I tend to agree with IP here.And Im not sure if Dark Judges would work on screen.
I'd never considered the Dark Judges as part of an all-ages comic.
Now the whole Luna-1, cape and sci-fi thing I sort of think could be guilty of that.
I think someone reaching in and squeezing your heart til it stops as more 18-cert stuff.
Not really challenging that opinion just never saw it that way.
I don't see the Dark Judges as age-specific, it depends on how they're done. And they would look brilliant on screen, done competently. But Prime and Bear are right: it's the wrong story to introduce Dredd with.
I agree.
I'm all for hitting the ground running with a thriller, and allowing the viewers to catch up concerning the City history and environment as a whole. That way we get to learn the background, but it's done as part of the story without deviating from the main narrative. (Pretty much how the film did it, really, except not necessarily stuck in one place... not that there's anything wrong with that for an episode or two.)
By all means bring in the Dark Judges at some point, (Series 2?) but the first few stories should be the more everyday Mega City crime stories, including pov stories from the citizens too. Not the first episode, but I think it's good to establish a bit of that early.Those stories are often pretty bizarre in themselves! Through those stories, we can learn more about the history of the city without getting bogged down.
My fear is that like a lot of these tv shows based on successful comic characters, such as Daredevil and Luke Cage, they use the character to launch a superhero series but eventually just fall back on their generic, formulaic plots with just occasional nods to their superhero origins. The bulk of each episode could just be another CSI show, or one of any other countless shows, where at the end of each episode the whole cast gathers around a central point to sum up what's happened to them, but basically really just explaining the plot to the viewer.
I would really like Dredd to focus on the madness and badness of the city, keep it as bizarre and crazy as possible and just occasionally drip feed us back-history and "the human story" in Dredds world. It needs to be fast paced, hi octane and futuristic all the way through. I don't want it to follow the formula that so many of these American cop shows follow, where the Judges could be any generic American policeman in a different uniform.
That's why I'd love them to just open with a really bizarre episode, and make the uninitiated viewer go "wow, that was fantastic" and can't wait to tell all their friends about it. And I think the Dark Judges would do that in spades.
Tarantino
In a sense, Lucifer is a good template of what not to do. Almost every element of what made the comic magical was stripped away, until you were left with a fairly dull generic cop show, with a sprinkling of otherworldly oddness (most of which is presented in the most irritating fashion possible).
Quote from: Tarantino on 27 July, 2017, 10:22:58 AM
That's why I'd love them to just open with a really bizarre episode
Creating a raft of futsies probably isn't the best way to guarantee an audience for Episode Two. Doctor's orders.
Quote from: Tarantino on 27 July, 2017, 10:22:58 AMThat's why I'd love them to just open with a really bizarre episode, and make the uninitiated viewer go "wow, that was fantastic" and can't wait to tell all their friends about it. And I think the Dark Judges would do that in spades.
I think the DJs work best once you know the Judicial system, so they wouldn't be great in a season 1 opener.
I agree that a "wow" episode is needed - maybe open with Supersurf 7...
Quote from: Pyroxian on 27 July, 2017, 11:20:01 AM
Quote from: Tarantino on 27 July, 2017, 10:22:58 AMThat's why I'd love them to just open with a really bizarre episode, and make the uninitiated viewer go "wow, that was fantastic" and can't wait to tell all their friends about it. And I think the Dark Judges would do that in spades.
Now that's a good idea, hold a Supersurf, or training for it - something you don't get in other shows but that doesn't give a false expectation of what the series is going to be (if you have Dark Judges from the off people will think it's a supernatural show).
I think the DJs work best once you know the Judicial system, so they wouldn't be great in a season 1 opener.
I agree that a "wow" episode is needed - maybe open with Supersurf 7...
For me the way to start is to use short self contained episodes to introduce Dredd, the city and the citizens and the Judges. Stuff from the late (Prog) 100s to early 200s would be perfect. I'm think Christmas Comes Early to Chalton Heston Block or the Crime Files type stuff or Otto Sump.
Then introduce a Pit style arc.
Supersurf is not a bad idea, but what I'd really like to avoid is an ending to a Dredd episode that goes like this..........
5 judges and Dredd are gathered around a computer
Judge 1
So where did the Dark Judges come from
Judge 2
A place called Deadworld,
Judge 3
Which is in another dimension
Judge 1
I see, and this Judge Death lived there.
Judge 3
Yes, and he surmised that all crime was committed by the living and so therefore life itself is a crime.
Judge 2
To that end he killed everyone on Deadworld
Judge Dredd
He then found away to cross dimensions to travel to Mega City 1 to continue his rampage.
Judge 4
Yes but he never considered that he would be facing his nemesis in Judge Dredd
And that's it, plot surmised, everyone's in the loop, job done
I just hate those moronic endings
Quote from: Tarantino on 27 July, 2017, 01:16:36 PM
Supersurf is not a bad idea, but what I'd really like to avoid is an ending to a Dredd episode that goes like this..........
Considering that type of thing doesn't happen in the comic and the series is being worked on by writers of Judge Dredd, I don't think you've much to worry about.
I don't know which shows you've been watching, but I've never seen that happen on a TV show before. It doesn't happen in Game of Thrones, or House of Cards, or The Walking Dead, or The Handmaid's Tale. It didn't happen in the Dredd movie either. I think you can relax.
It happens in a lot of shows, to be fair – even good ones. Elementary does this often, albeit in a somewhat subtler fashion than that script. It's particularly common in US shows, where the production team assume people haven't been paying attention (so not Game of Thrones, Fargo, House of Cards, etc.)
I can't imagine it'd happen in Dredd. Assuming the Kingsleys stay involved (and why wouldn't they?), they're going to ensure if the show becomes a reality, it won't be shit. Although I know Dredd divided opinion somewhat around these parts, it was objectively a tight, smart, well-edited, decently scripted* movie, and they wouldn't allow a telly show to be anything different.
* Apart from one bit I've never really understood – why doesn't Dredd at any point pick up another weapon when he realises he's running low on ammo? Bit weird.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 27 July, 2017, 08:51:11 PM
* Apart from one bit I've never really understood – why doesn't Dredd at any point pick up another weapon when he realises he's running low on ammo? Bit weird.
Been a while but he doesn't throw away his Lawgiver, does he?
No but he could holster it and use another gun. Not something I'd thought of before but it seems obvious now!
Quote from: Richard on 27 July, 2017, 07:41:34 PM
I don't know which shows you've been watching, but I've never seen that happen on a TV show before. It doesn't happen in Game of Thrones, or House of Cards, or The Walking Dead, or The Handmaid's Tale. It didn't happen in the Dredd movie either. I think you can relax.
Of course there's loads of shows it doesn't happen in but It happens in virtually every American cop show you can name.
Quote from: Richard on 27 July, 2017, 10:43:00 PM
No
It's a Grudawful trope. And not one Garland was likely to resort to, I'm sure.
What's a trope?
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 27 July, 2017, 08:51:11 PM
It happens in a lot of shows, to be fair – even good ones. Elementary does this often, albeit in a somewhat subtler fashion than that script. It's particularly common in US shows, where the production team assume people haven't been paying attention (so not Game of Thrones, Fargo, House of Cards, etc.)
I obviously watch the right show, because that format is completely alien to me.
Quote
I can't imagine it'd happen in Dredd. Assuming the Kingsleys stay involved (and why wouldn't they?), they're going to ensure if the show becomes a reality
Did you watch the talk the Kingsley's gave at the Con?
As the city is as much a character as Dredd and the rest of the Judges, a possibly good way to establish the world, would be to follow a normal citizen, maybe one who works at Resyk, watch him be brutally assaulted by some punks and then watch the law come down hard on said punks and the cit for exposing himself to danger, maybe getting a beating from the Judge for his troubles-could be a way to introduce a corrupt Judge like 'Manners' too and the justice system.
So a bit like the '95 movie's opening 15 minutes, but better.
Belive me,there are plenty of tropes people dont like.
Quote from: Smith on 29 July, 2017, 06:21:51 AM
Belive me,there are plenty of tropes people dont like.
OMG, that's such a trope 😜
Quote from: Tarantino on 28 July, 2017, 06:20:46 AM
What's a trope?
[A] trope: one of many terms that feel like fingernails down the blackboard of my brain when people use it!
See also 'narrative' and many, many more!
And.... relax.
Sometime may have suggested it, but for episode 1 you'd get good mileage out of the League of Fatties. Otto Sump too, as mentioned.
This feels like those letter page suggestions where readers say what guest star should appear next, even though the next few months' issues are done and sometimes the creative team have moved on - by time of printing. Didn't a video/podcast with the producer say the first season was written/drafted/planned and they were planning seasons 2,3, etc. ? :)
DJs is a terrible idea.
I would go with a couple of Rookie Judges on the streets being assessed by a senior Judge, possibly Dredd. it would be a good introduction as we see MC1 through their eyes as well as establishing Dredd as an iconic Judge & introducing the concept of Judges to the audience.
Quote from: JLC on 29 July, 2017, 09:20:45 PM
DJs is a terrible idea.
I would go with a couple of Rookie Judges on the streets being assessed by a senior Judge, possibly Dredd. it would be a good introduction as we see MC1 through their eyes as well as establishing Dredd as an iconic Judge & introducing the concept of Judges to the audience.
Rookie Judge being assessed by Dredd? Hasn't that already been done somewhere? I don't know, it seems to ring a bell 😜
Whitey.
Quote from: Tarantino on 30 July, 2017, 08:07:49 AM
Quote from: JLC on 29 July, 2017, 09:20:45 PM
DJs is a terrible idea.
I would go with a couple of Rookie Judges on the streets being assessed by a senior Judge, possibly Dredd. it would be a good introduction as we see MC1 through their eyes as well as establishing Dredd as an iconic Judge & introducing the concept of Judges to the audience.
Rookie Judge being assessed by Dredd? Hasn't that already been done somewhere? I don't know, it seems to ring a bell 😜
True! But these would be completely new Judges not ones existing in the comic etc. They would become the lead characters of the show. & of course it wouldn't be confined to a single block. Maybe an opening 2 parter?
Have you seen the 2012 film?
Quote from: JLC on 30 July, 2017, 10:32:39 PM
Stop trying to cause trouble again.
You're clearly lying. I'm not going to explain why I think that.
QuoteTrue! But these would be completely new Judges not ones existing in the comic etc. They would become the lead characters of the show. & of course it wouldn't be confined to a single block. Maybe an opening 2 parter?
This suggests to me that JLC has definitely seen the film, as two of the sentences point out how it would not be the same as the film:
- new judges not existing in the comic
- wouldn't be confined to a single block
White Liey.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 30 July, 2017, 10:46:47 PM
Quote from: JLC on 30 July, 2017, 10:32:39 PM
Stop trying to cause trouble again.
You're clearly lying. I'm not going to explain why I think that.
I never asked you to...but thanks for letting me know, I guess?
PS - please try to stay on topic instead of attempting to make sarcastic comments based on your issues with my response in another thread. I won't engage with you further on this matter. Good luck in all your future endeavours.
Quote from: JLC on 31 July, 2017, 07:49:19 AM
PS - please try to stay on topic instead of attempting to make sarcastic comments based on your issues with my response in another thread. I won't engage with you further on this matter. Good luck in all your future endeavours.
Gee. I dunno. I think if you're going to explicitly call someone a liar, the very least you should be prepared to do is justify a pretty defamatory statement, but I'm old-fashioned that way.
If you're not prepared to do that, I think you should head back over to the other thread and withdraw your accusation immediately but, again, I'm old-fashioned.
I'd like to see "The Pit" style opening. I think we kinda know that Dredd is going to be a background character so let's introduce the supporting cast and the scope of the world/series. This way we could have a few different cases being followed, the nature of which would be vital - maybe one a bit whacky (say protecting a competitive eater/freak), one more tense/grisly/hard hitting (serial killer type) and maybe one techy/futuristic. Maybe two out of the three wrapped up smartly in the opening episode with a third ongoing, or linked to something bigger.
There's so much potential, I'm really excited! I'd like to see some big character deaths at unexpected times to give that 'no one is safe' vibe and some SJS tension to add further drama.
Quote from: Pete Wells on 31 July, 2017, 09:30:31 AM
I'd like to see "The Pit" style opening. I think we kinda know that Dredd is going to be a background character so let's introduce the supporting cast and the scope of the world/series. This way we could have a few different cases being followed, the nature of which would be vital - maybe one a bit whacky (say protecting a competitive eater/freak), one more tense/grisly/hard hitting (serial killer type) and maybe one techy/futuristic. Maybe two out of the three wrapped up smartly in the opening episode with a third ongoing, or linked to something bigger.
There's so much potential, I'm really excited! I'd like to see some big character deaths at unexpected times to give that 'no one is safe' vibe and some SJS tension to add further drama.
Sounds good. Most shows nowadays have an arc as well as plots wrapped up in single episodes. I think that would work in MC1 show. Also maybe take a leaf out of The Walking Dead's book, in so far as mix things up a bit in terms of characters & what happens to them. In that show they keep certain key events but transpose them to different characters.
Maybe start with a mystery story about (holding) posts disappearing...
I like Pete's idea the most.
I really have only one wish - please, just let it be good.
I think the young PJ Maybe would be a good place to start. One of the classic villains, but has the advantage of not requiring a massive FX budget to do properly.
Are you going to buy up all copies of the second episode?
No Dark Judges please.
But episode 1 needs to finish with a "Duck Me!" moment.
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 14 August, 2017, 12:11:32 AM
Are you going to buy up all copies of the second episode?
No Dark Judges please.
But episode 1 needs to finish with a "Duck Me!" moment.
I'd argue that, done well, a dark judges storyline could be exceptionally compelling-kind of
Hellraiser in Mega-City One.
But best held of until season two or even season three.
Quote from: dweezil2 on 14 August, 2017, 10:08:35 AM
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 14 August, 2017, 12:11:32 AM
Are you going to buy up all copies of the second episode?
No Dark Judges please.
But episode 1 needs to finish with a "Duck Me!" moment.
I'd argue that, done well, a dark judges storyline could be exceptionally compelling-kind of Hellraiser in Mega-City One.
But best held of until season two or even season three.
I would rather they never turned up! They're OK in the comic but there are so many more exciting characters & stories to tell on the telly show. Adding the supernatural? Well, maybe after PSI-Division has been established but even having a large PSI presence throws up its own problems.
Quote from: JLC on 14 August, 2017, 02:24:53 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 14 August, 2017, 10:08:35 AM
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 14 August, 2017, 12:11:32 AM
Are you going to buy up all copies of the second episode?
No Dark Judges please.
But episode 1 needs to finish with a "Duck Me!" moment.
I'd argue that, done well, a dark judges storyline could be exceptionally compelling-kind of Hellraiser in Mega-City One.
But best held of until season two or even season three.
I would rather they never turned up! They're OK in the comic but there are so many more exciting characters & stories to tell on the telly show. Adding the supernatural? Well, maybe after PSI-Division has been established but even having a large PSI presence throws up its own problems.
Like them or not, they're a major part of the Dredd mythos and one of the most recognisable aspects of it, even to casual fans, so don't be surprised they figure somewhere.
The PSI angle worked well in the 2012 movie so no reason why it couldn't in the series.
The supernatural and more esoteric elements of Judge Dredd are what set it apart from a mere sci-fi cop strip.
Game of Thrones didn't start with the Dragons and the Night King in episode 1. It built up to them, established believable and interesting human characters, and became a successful show.
Quote from: JLC on 14 August, 2017, 02:24:53 PM
I would rather they never turned up! They're OK in the comic but there are so many more exciting characters & stories to tell on the telly show. Adding the supernatural? Well, maybe after PSI-Division has been established but even having a large PSI presence throws up its own problems.
What problems do they raise?
Quote from: Richard on 14 August, 2017, 08:25:54 PM
Game of Thrones didn't start with the Dragons and the Night King in episode 1. It built up to them, established believable and interesting human characters, and became a successful show.
Well, apart from the
zomWhite Walkers in the very first scene :P
Quote from: Pete Wells on 31 July, 2017, 09:30:31 AM
I'd like to see "The Pit" style opening. I think we kinda know that Dredd is going to be a background character so let's introduce the supporting cast and the scope of the world/series. This way we could have a few different cases being followed, the nature of which would be vital - maybe one a bit whacky (say protecting a competitive eater/freak), one more tense/grisly/hard hitting (serial killer type) and maybe one techy/futuristic. Maybe two out of the three wrapped up smartly in the opening episode with a third ongoing, or linked to something bigger.
There's so much potential, I'm really excited! I'd like to see some big character deaths at unexpected times to give that 'no one is safe' vibe and some SJS tension to add further drama.
Good ideas here - especially killing off a big character early on (Judge Giants unexpected death during the Block Mania Saga with no warning, no build up, no portents -got me hooked on 2000ad forever) . Anything can happen, anyone can die.
As the actual intro -as MC 1 is ,as already attested, the central character that should be introduced first, and by NEW eyes. So a new arrival who marvels at the sight, sounds and smells of MC 1 -then BANG hits the harsh reality of the judge system. I would go for that.
Either way this is in very good hands -looking forward very much to what they come up with.
I definitely agree that pretty much any character that isn't Dredd shouldn't be safe. MC1 is a brutal place, it should feel dangerous for the characters in it, for street Judges and especially citizens. Although don't kill Judges too often, they're the best of the best, SAS cops, I feel there should be weight to a Judge biting it. I remember being a kid and reading America, that scene where Total War shoot the two Judges responding to the bogus call and there's a big close up of the gaping bullet hole in the first Judge's chest, he might as well have been Dredd to my young eyes, it was a really shocking thing to see a Judge's life ended so cheaply and brazenly.
I'd establish Dredd himself first along with the world, he shouldn't be the main focus of absolutely every episode but I'd say hes the anchor and should have plenty of his own. I'd perhaps structure the first ep like 'a day on the beat for Dredd', show us both the more 'mundane' side of being a Judge at first, cruising around doing people for easily resolved crimes like littering and Jimping (great way to introduce us to the sights and sounds of MC1 too, as Dredd patrols by hot spots and vantage points in the city, across overskeds etc) and escalate as it goes, ending embroiled in a chase and hardcore shootout with sugar smugglers or something. As the result of Dredd's workload are piled onto the Resyk conveyor to some chilling music (Nick Cave? Are we going for a licenced soundtrack or does that clash with the world?) we see a Total War tattoo on one of the bodies.. !! Whatever the crimes and cases in this establishing ep, I think they should each explain something interesting about MC1.
It could tie up with him getting in the sleep machine for 10 mins (maybe as he fades into sleep the screen fades to black, then our image is instantly back as he seemingly immediately wakes up, a digital clock shows 10 minutes has passed) before -still bruised and scabby from his last shift- grunting wearily as he makes sure his boots are extra tight and then driving out of the Hall of Justice off into MC1.