Moby-Dick, with dragons!

I've just learned of a movie currently in production in Utah. Formerly known by the working title of Dragon Fire, it's now called Age Of The Dragon, and stars Danny Glover, Vinnie Jones, Corey Sevier and Sofia Pernas. The budget is apparently only $5 million, a pittance by Hollywood standards, but that interests me all the more. If the actors and director can put their hearts into it, even on a low budget, it should be at least as good as the turgid nonsense Hollywood churns out at much greater cost - probably better, as they can't afford to pay for mediocrity.

What most interests me about the film is how the plot was developed. IMDb summarizes it as follows:

Age of the Dragons is a re-imagining of Herman Melville's classic novel Moby-Dick. Set in a mythical realm where Captain Ahab and crew hunt dragons for the vitriol that powers their world, Ishmael, a charismatic harpooner, joins their quest. Ahab's adopted daughter Rachel, beautiful and tough, runs the hunting vessel. Ahab's obsession to seek revenge on a great "White Dragon" that slaughtered his family when he was young and left his body scarred and mauled, drives the crew deeper into the heart of darkness. In the White Dragon's lair Ahab's secrets are revealed and Rachel must choose between following him on his dark quest or escaping to a new life with Ishmael.

Full marks to whoever thought of applying Melville's historically accurate whaling novel to a fantasy setting. It's a very intriguing thought, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out.

Here's a news report shot on the set of Age Of The Dragons in Utah earlier this year.

And here's the first trailer released for the movie.

This looks like it might be worth waiting for.

Peter