Ranger’s Apprentice, The Movie

Ever since I read the first book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series, I was immediately hooked. The personality of the characters, the action, adventure, and dire moments. Warlords, traitors, nomads, knights, cults, desert tribes, Skandians (the vikings of this world) and so much more. I teared up many times through out the series.

When I read most books, being a filmmaker, I always think of how the scenes would out in a movie. With these books, I always imagined what it would look like on the big screen. How would it be shot? Where would the filming locations be? And I also had my own ideas for the cast. Here’s one.

Chris Hemsworth as Erak Starfollower, a former Jarl (war leader) and ship captain of the Skandians who eventually became the Oberjal (Skandian ruler). His prized ship is Wolfwind, which appears on numerous occasions during the series.

I even began to write ideas for a fan made trailer, thinking of which scenes and lines from the book I would incorporate into it. Here’s one of my favorite paragraphs from the book series.

An archer practices until he gets it right,

A ranger practices until he never gets it wrong.

John Flanagan

In 2008, United Artists, bought the movie rights from John Flanagan, claiming that he wouldn’t have any final say, but he would be involved, due to his relationship with the director. Seven years later, it was still in the pre production phase, until Flanagan announced that funding had been found, and casting would be held in 2015 in Ireland or England.

But once again, the film found itself in a limbo for three more years. In December of 2019, after much waiting, it was announced that production will begin in July of 2020! Funded by Dick Cook Studios, and multiple other investors, Paul Haggis, an award winning director, will not only direct, but write the screenplay for the film adaption. I’m so excited!

Here are some of the cast predictions for the first film, The Ruins of Gorlan, and the the rest of the movie series to come…

Chris Massoglia as the main character, Will Treaty – an orphan and apprentice to Halt, Will becomes one of the most renowned rangers in the entire kingdom, and the nations beyond.

Hugo Weaving as Baron Arald – Baron of one the more bigger fiefdoms in Araluen called Redmont, where Will was raised and trained as a ranger.

Emma Watson as Evanlyn AKA Cassandra – daughter of King Duncan and an expert with the sling shot, she would fight with the Skandians, the desert nation of Arrida, and much more. She would take Will’s side on multiple occasions, in hundreds of scenarios.

Jack Black, star of Kung Fu Panda as Nils Ropehander – a Skandian who’s part of Gundar Hardstrikers crew, he helped save Cassandra’s life from two assassins, and fought alongside Horace (a friend of Will’s) in book 5, The Siege of Macindaw.

Chris Pratt, star of The LEGO Movie as Sir Keren – A knight of the castle of Macindaw gone traitor, who sides with a barbarous nation called the Scotti, (an enemy of the Kingdom of Araluen) in exchange for wealth. Conflicted by his decision, he struggles to decide whether to come clean, or stick with his plan.

I can’t wait for the Ranger’s Apprentice movie to be out, and I know I’m not the only one. Also, I’m a bigger reader, so if you have any favorite book titles, be sure to leave them in the comments below.

Featured image art by Ines92 on DeviantArt