We have a Dragonlance Dragons of Autumn Twilight interview with Co-Executive producer Cindi Rice and Paramount Pictures Product Manager, Chris Dreyer. In addition we have some exclusive stills from the movie which is due for release on January 15th 2008. We'd like to thanks the folks on the NWN2 IRC #nwn2CR channel for their input into the questions, as well as Maximus for his. Finally, thanks to Shane K. DeFreest of Maverick Public Relations for enabling us to conduct this interview.

1) How much of the three books is covered in the movie?
Cindi Rice: The film is an adaptation of the first book in the trilogy, Dragons of Autumn Twilight.

2) Why Kiefer Sutherland for the voice of Raistlin?
Cindi Rice: We thought he would be perfect for the role not only because he is an amazing actor but he also has a distinctive voice, with a naturally raspy, breathy quality, which we felt would help convey Raistlin's distinctive illness and quiet power.

3) Is Tas portrayed as a thief like he is in the books?
Cindi Rice: We tried to follow Margaret & Tracy's careful balance with Tasslehoff, portraying him as a fun-loving "acquirer". While he is definitely a "thief" in game terms, it's important to keep in mind that as a character, Tas does not see himself like that at all. He doesn't plan to steal or take things from anyone, and he's always happy to give them back if anyone notices. This may seem like a fine line, but it's one of the many things that make him so fascinating as a character. Tas just unconsciously collects things that attract his attention (no matter who happens to possess them at the time), though he is genuinely surprised if anyone accuses him of stealing something.

4) When casting for each character, what was it that you were looking for?
Cindi Rice: Obviously, the most important thing was finding talented actors, as well as making sure all the voices were distinct from one another, though each character did have key qualities we wanted to embody through their voices. For Tas, we were seeking a voice that could combine eager enthusiasm and innocence. For Flint, we needed to convey his friendly gruffness, in contrast to Fizban, who had to come across both bumbling and lovable. Tika needed to be vibrant and coy, while Laurana's voice should seem both naïve and regal. Sturm's voice required quiet strength and nobility, and we felt that Goldmoon should sound wise and steadfast. Tanis was probably the hardest, since he needed to seem haunted and uncertain, while also instilling confidence as the default leader of the companions.

5) What style of animation will the movie use?
Cindi Rice: The movie is a hybrid of 2D and 3D animation.

6) What bonus features will the DVD have?
Chris Dreyer: Special Features - There are two very short segments / slideshows. One shows early test animation, the other shows the original character line art. We knew the fans would want additional content besides the film so we put these two pieces on. We originally had looked into archived footage from past conventions etc. but with clearances etc. we simply didn't have enough time. However, if the opportunity ever arises for a special edition we would absolutely endeavor to get additional content. But we think fans will be pleased with the overall release that will be available on Jan 15

7) How long did it take to produce?
Cindi Rice: We began working on the script with George Strayton in March 2005, we began character designs in March 2006, animation commenced in August 2006, and final post-production was just recently completed.

8) Are there plans for other releases?
Cindi Rice: From the beginning, we hoped to produce this as a series of films, adapting as many of the books as we could. Obviously, sequels will depend on how well this first release performs, but we've already begun planning the next one.

9) Will it be available worldwide?
Chris Dreyer: Paramount international is currently determining which international markets they will release the dvd. But it will for sure be released in territories outside the U.S.

10) What were some of the challenges in creating the movie?
Cindi Rice: The biggest challenge was probably with the script. Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a huge story with a large group of characters, so it was not easy to adapt into a 100-page script. Luckily, Margaret & Tracy were extremely helpful in identifying the heart of the story, guiding us through the process of choosing what elements to focus on for the film.