Kamen Rider Dragon Knight - New NA adaptation???
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:31 pmI just stumbled across rumor/news (initially posted around the 3rd of this month) that may indicate Kamen Rider is getting adapted for NA audiences again. On the forum I found this at the news was broken [on the 3rd] by the same poster who revealed PR Mystic Force info before it was announced to the public - so the community has to believe this may indeed be happening.
What seems to be known so far:
-the show will be based on Kamen Rider Ryuki
-the show is tentatively called Kamen Rider Dragon Knight. It seems Saban/Disney still own the "Masked Rider" trademark.
-production on a pilot episode slated to start within the next few weeks. [follow-up post cited Oct. 14-18 starting timeframe]
-"They're calling it the next generation of "Power Rangers" meets "The Matrix". Here are the [character] names below.
Kit (Dragon Knight) Very charming and likeable. Also sarcastic, has good comedic timing, good-looking.
Len (Bat Knight)He is a bad ass. Maybe a bit too serious and needs to lighten up.
Maya (friend/partner, Lois Lane type)
-Some supporting links were later discovered - both list the previously mentioned character names for 'cast calls' for a pilot of "Kamen Rider Dragon Knight".
-One of the posters appears to have emailed Steve Wang [one of the producers/writers for the adaptation] and was sent this in reply:
I am very aware that there are numerous forums that have posted early drafts of the script pages. I am not entirely happy about that and it's my fault for not taking precautions in the beginning. For some reason, it did not occur to me that there was a big cult following here in the US. (then again, I was not getting any sleep for weeks trying to prepare the show...)
Anyway, I am sure you are aware of this as well as I. There are a lot of haters on these forums and any negative press from them could greatly jeopardize the chance of this show getting picked up here in the US.
I don't know what they are expecting from the show. But you can tell them that it's definitely a kid's show (ages 7-12) and not to expect super dark stories and bloody violence. I have been a fan of Kamen rider since the 70's (that's why I was chose by the powers that be to re-imagine the US adaptation.)
You can count on the fact that the vibe of the show is definitely going to be different than MMPR. And you can expect that as a fan of the original series, I will treat the show with total respect. This is not going to be a carbon copy of Ryuki, it's loosely based on some of the concepts and storyline. Different does not mean disrespect. I was asked by Toei people if I know what IS Kamenrider? Guess they approve of my answer.
People who want to see this show succeed should support the effort and not blast it to hell. making this show appeal to an American audience and fans of the original is a hugely difficult task!
We are doing our best with our limited resources.
Steve
and followed up with this
Yes, you can tell the fans what I said. Tell them to stay positive. I am their friend not their enemy. We may not agree on what's good for the show, but then again fans never agree on anything anyway. that's what makes each of us so great.
In regards to using he word "kamen" instead of "masked" It was my idea to pitch to toei about it and they agreed with my reasons. I won't go into it right now. But I believe it is without a doubt, the right approach.
Steve
What seems to be known so far:
-the show will be based on Kamen Rider Ryuki
-the show is tentatively called Kamen Rider Dragon Knight. It seems Saban/Disney still own the "Masked Rider" trademark.
-production on a pilot episode slated to start within the next few weeks. [follow-up post cited Oct. 14-18 starting timeframe]
-"They're calling it the next generation of "Power Rangers" meets "The Matrix". Here are the [character] names below.
Kit (Dragon Knight) Very charming and likeable. Also sarcastic, has good comedic timing, good-looking.
Len (Bat Knight)He is a bad ass. Maybe a bit too serious and needs to lighten up.
Maya (friend/partner, Lois Lane type)
-Some supporting links were later discovered - both list the previously mentioned character names for 'cast calls' for a pilot of "Kamen Rider Dragon Knight".
-One of the posters appears to have emailed Steve Wang [one of the producers/writers for the adaptation] and was sent this in reply:
I am very aware that there are numerous forums that have posted early drafts of the script pages. I am not entirely happy about that and it's my fault for not taking precautions in the beginning. For some reason, it did not occur to me that there was a big cult following here in the US. (then again, I was not getting any sleep for weeks trying to prepare the show...)
Anyway, I am sure you are aware of this as well as I. There are a lot of haters on these forums and any negative press from them could greatly jeopardize the chance of this show getting picked up here in the US.
I don't know what they are expecting from the show. But you can tell them that it's definitely a kid's show (ages 7-12) and not to expect super dark stories and bloody violence. I have been a fan of Kamen rider since the 70's (that's why I was chose by the powers that be to re-imagine the US adaptation.)
You can count on the fact that the vibe of the show is definitely going to be different than MMPR. And you can expect that as a fan of the original series, I will treat the show with total respect. This is not going to be a carbon copy of Ryuki, it's loosely based on some of the concepts and storyline. Different does not mean disrespect. I was asked by Toei people if I know what IS Kamenrider? Guess they approve of my answer.
People who want to see this show succeed should support the effort and not blast it to hell. making this show appeal to an American audience and fans of the original is a hugely difficult task!
We are doing our best with our limited resources.
Steve
and followed up with this
Yes, you can tell the fans what I said. Tell them to stay positive. I am their friend not their enemy. We may not agree on what's good for the show, but then again fans never agree on anything anyway. that's what makes each of us so great.
In regards to using he word "kamen" instead of "masked" It was my idea to pitch to toei about it and they agreed with my reasons. I won't go into it right now. But I believe it is without a doubt, the right approach.
Steve