Well, folks, after checking out X-Men, I am now dubiously convinced that Hollywood could give Aeon Flux a fair shake as a live-action film - if they were so inclined. Of course the acting in X-Men ranged everywhere from sub-par (looking at you, Ms. Berry) to outstanding (Capt. John-Luc Xavier and Ian 'Apt Magneto' McKellon) What really convinced me, though, was the treatment of Mystique - no dull expository dialogue - hardly any lines at all, in fact - just fluid, lethal, beautiful motion. The way her fight scenes were handled makes me think that maybe, just maybe, Aeon could make it to the silver screen. Now it's just the teeny tiny matter of casting...

-- Charles Martin (cmmartin@princeton.edu), August 03, 2000

Answers

I agree. I suppose there was once a time when animation had the strength of being perhaps the only medium to depict whatever fantastic imagery the author could imagine, but as of late I think that "live-action" film has almost merged with animation in a sense, and the gap between the two is narrowing. So I think it could be done with Flux, hopefully not in too normal a fashion. As for X-Men, Mystique was my favorite character as well. In a movie in which I cared little for what the characters had to say (I just didn't find it interesting), she was the one persona that really held my attention, through her actions. The sad thing is, I think, that Aeon Flux would be reduced to an action movie full of violence if translated to the conventional Hollywood system, being that that's all some people seem to get out of it when viewing the earlier episodes. And, of course, that would defeat the purpose. Ideally the movie would be about ideas and would focus on subtler aspects like dialogue and action not necessarily connected to bodily harm. But, can you imagine a heavily CG and effects-laden live-action film that isn't an action movie like X-Men? I can, I guess, but the general public probably couldn't. Perhaps there's some way.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), August 03, 2000.

I tend to agree. Although it could be done, should it be done? The action of translating Aeon into live-action will be entirely profit driven. The fact that this forum exists indicates that Aeon appeals to some, but I can't imagine a purely 'Chungian' creation appealing to enough of the general (cinema going) public to really make the kind of money studio executives would demand. You get the feeling they would alter the story, dialogue and character traits to such an extent that it would be very different to the animated series. If Aeon in its original form was generating a significant income for MTV would not thay have let the series run into more seasons?

-- William (stateofflux@yahoo.com), August 04, 2000.

Didn't Peter Chung once say on this forum that if he did Aeon Flux as a film he was going to be totally in charge? I've actually gotten to trust his decisions regarding the treatment of Aeon as a film. He made the remark that the guy that did 'the Matrix' was a friend of his and an admirer of his work, and there were definite references to the Purge. That collaboration alone would be great. Aeon Flux has always been about ideas, and the power of governing. Trevor, a dictator, in End Sinister, began with harmful forced evolution but ended with recognition of the harm he did and sought to correct it. Aeon, an anarchist, with good intentions, destroyed the human race. I once quoted Karl Marx, the creator of Communism, from the Communist Manifesto; 'religion is the opium of the people'. The ep the demiurge is interesting because of the debate between Aeon and Trevor and religion. Trevor, seemingly believing in god, and the good of god for the people, may have been using religion (note the demiurge is in chains) as a way of controlling the populace. Aeon recognized that ploy and freed the demiurge, but her personal agenda was brought out, when Trevor said she was ashamed of the things she had done and did not want to face god. Peter Chung opened us to real thought, I only hope he gets the chance to make it.

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), August 04, 2000.

I think Peter took the opportunity to make TV more cerebral. He still accepts that it is entertainment. It just does'nt have to be dull entertainment (that we are so used to). Also I think that the studios have the rights to anything to do with Aeon now (movies etc...), so it really is not certain Peter would be involved. Although they probably still recognise that as the creator he has more of an insight into the story/characters.

-- William (stateofflux@yahoo.com), August 04, 2000.

I was just reading an article that Darren Aronofsky was considering doing Aeon Flux as one of his future films,dated Sept 99, I am not familiar with his films, but he's aware of Carlos Casteneda, for a start, so I wonder if that's still on the board? (http://movies.ign.com/news/2564.html)

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), August 13, 2000.

On a completely superficial level,(hi, I'm New) I was watching the movie Dogma the other day, and it struck me that Linda Fiorentino would make a decent Aeon. She's not a fantastic actress, but she has a knack of delivering short, devastating bursts of dialogue. Also, the husky voice, dark hair and relative boniness are all present. In reality, though, I don't know if I'd like to see an live-action Aeon...after reading all the responses here I'm feeling a little..dubious. My main problem here is that (judging by your posts)you're all quite intelligent, thoughtful people. Unfortunately, the general public isn't, really. It is terrifying trying to picture your average moviegoer's response to the intense experience that an Aeon film would indoubtedly be. Anyhow, all skepticism aside,so I think I'll just sit back, and puzzle over "chronophasia" for approximately the eleventy-billonth time. no life, have I.

-- Nitemare Hippy (mind_the_bollocks@hotmail.com), September 19, 2000.

"It is terrifying trying to picture your average moviegoer's response to the intense experience that an Aeon film would indoubtedly be".

replace terrifying with really good fun

-- William (stateofflux@yahoo.com), September 20, 2000.

Sometimes I picture myself, sitting in about oh, say the 5th or 6th aisle from the screen, looming above me, Aeon 10 feet high, dressed in her pink skin and her black leather strappy outfit. Her dark deep voice speaking with terse reply to Trevor's insinuations regarding her real motives. I can hear the music of Drew Neumann emphasizing the moment, and feel the rush of adrenaline as Aeon leaps into some uncanny gymnastic motion, perhaps accompanies by gunfire, and I wonder how my fellow Flux fans interpret the story...I look around and see the audience with bewildered and confused looks on their faces, they need the explanatory dialog that usually accompanies these things...and I know more is expected of me, as an inhaler of Fluxlore.

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), September 20, 2000.