Matt Greenfield at Tekkoshocon

By The Eva Monkey on Friday, April 28th, 2006

I watched this video of a panel from Tekkoshocon, and I’m surprised to say that the word on the Live Action Evangelion Project seems pretty good. I’ve had severe hesitations, and have on more than one occasion acted as a sort of harbinger of doom in regards to the project, convinced that there is no way in hell that the project would amount in anything of significance or worth. Based upon some of what is being said by Greenfield, I’m starting to think differently. His statements about how the project is currently progressing are actually quite impressive, and make me somewhat at ease to know that at the very least, some amazing talent will go into realizing this project. I’m still skeptical as to whether or not the production can or will capture the same essence of what Anno expressed through Evangelion a decade ago. Nevertheless, it seems like something to keep an eye on in the coming months more than ever, as Greenfield ultimately states that a director will most likely be signed on by the end of the year. Very exciting times appear to be ahead in the Live Action Evangelion Project.

Here are some notes in brief from the panel in regards to the project:

  • Matt Greenfield says that Weta approached ADV about approaching Gainax to do a live action Eva movie.
  • Three “A List” directors that are also fans of Evangelion approached ADV about the project, not the other way around.
  • Greenfield talks about getting their pitch package together and that “the first thing is Robin Williams talking about Evangelion”, who is apparently a big Evangelion fan, and the appearance of the Mass Production Eva toy in One Hour Photo is entirely his doing.
  • Celebrities have been inquiring directly to ADV about being involved in Live Action Evangelion.
  • The director to be signed will most likely be the first to have room in their schedule.
  • Greenfield acknowledges the uncertainty of the final product due to the nature of film making being driven by the director.
  • The slug script was written by a well known writer who has written several well known sci-fi movies. The slug script will be re-written to fit the tastes and vision of the director selected.
  • Greenfield acknowledges that the children will most likely be age appropriate. The kids will be picked and then the adults will be cast to work well with the children.
  • Tiffany Grant asserts that Weta gets 20 times more email about Evangelion than Lord of the Rings.
  • Greenfield says a director will most likely be signed by the end of the year.
  • Greenfiled says they don’t want to make it for profit, but because they want to do it, and they want to do it right, and do it justice in the same way that Lord of the Rings did.