‘Elfquest’ Fans Take Movie Matters Into Their Own Hands in ‘A Fan Imagining’ [Video]

A landmark of self-publishing and cult success, Wendi and Richard Pini's Elfquest is among the many independent comic book series whose translation to film could actually be pretty cool. The highly symbolic story of variously beautiful creatures in a philosophical struggle between tolerance and hate, progress and conservatism, and all sorts of crazy sex stuff, Elfquest movie rumors have existed for nearly as long as we can remember, and a specific project announced in 2008 has yet to materialize.

Unsatisfied with this state of affairs, producers/actors Stephanie Thorpe and Paula Rhodes took matters into their own hands with Elfquest: A Fan Imagining, a nearly five-minute trailer-style short film that was produced with the blessing of the Pinis. Reflecting the fact that Elfquest has attracted far more female readers than most mainstream comics, A Fan Imagining was created by and stars women almost exclusively.Producers Thorpe and and Rhodes were already involved in the Web video series scene when they discovered their mutual adoration for Elfquest, which can be read in its entirety for free online.

ElfQuest showed us the heroines that we could aspire to become and its magic shaped us, ultimately leading us into the creative entertainment sphere. So we owe it a lot!

Thorpe and Rhodes assembled a cast and crew of Web series veterans to create Elfquest: A Fan Imagining, and surpassed its fundraising goal of $5,000 with the help of the Pinis themselves, who sold original artwork to support the production. Fans of original Web series like Thrope's Night of the Zombie King or co-star Jessica Rose's Lonelygirl15 will recognize many of the performers in A Fan Imagining, who, it must be said, look stunning in their big budget cosplay.

The results of the producers' labors are impressive, to say the least. While A Fan Imagining might leave those of us new to the Elfquest universe with just a few cryptic hints as to the nature of the story, dedicated fans will no doubt embrace the trailer as a welcome substitute for a dodgy Hollywood adaptation.

For much more on the production, including cast bios and behind-the-scenes photos, head over to the official Elfquest: A Fan Imagining website.