If there’s one thing Warcraft is known for in its virtual form, it’s expansion. So it somehow makes sense that the film based on the game is also undergoing a little escalating, at least in its title. The evidence is for all to see, as the newly-named Warcraft: The Beginning has launched a fresh poster.
Moon and Source Code director Duncan Jones is putting the finishing touches to the film, which promises to show both sides of the story set in the seemingly peaceful realm of Azeroth, poised to descend into bitter war between man and orc when a portal opens between their two worlds. We’ll meet the likes of battle-hardened warrior Anduin Lothar (Travis Fimmel), the commander of the human forces and champion of his king, Llane Wrynn (Dominic Cooper). But as opposed to the usual faceless hordes of monsters attacking them, we’ll also check in with the Orcs, who arrive because they’re fleeing the destruction of their own home world, and are led by Durotan (Toby Kebbell).
With Jones and his effects team wrangling another leap in performance capture to bring the orcs in particular to life across a hefty 87-day shoot and a long post-production process, we’ll see more of the fruits of their labour when the trailer opens a portal to the web on Friday.
But if you’re impatient to learn more about Warcraft: The Beginning, you’d best raid (or, er, just visit) your local newsagent/trading merchant and pick up the latest **Empire, which features new pictures from the film and an exclusive on-set talk with Jones alongside some of his cast and crew. The film itself will arrive on June 3 next year.