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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The power of seven become a league of one.

2003 · 110 min · Fantasy
7.3 Modest
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Fantasy Action Thriller Science Fiction

To prevent a world war from breaking out, famous characters from Victorian literature band together to do battle against a cunning villain.

Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Year
2003
Studio
20th Century Fox · Don Murphy Productions · Mediastream Dritte Film

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

Because 20th Century Fox could not secure the rights to H. G. Wells' character name, the Invisible Man was renamed from Hawley Griffin to Rodney Skinner and referred to as 'An Invisible Man' in the script. The Fu Manchu character was also dropped from the adaptation.

Origins

The character of Tom Sawyer was added at the studio's request to boost the film's appeal to American and youth audiences; producer Don Murphy initially called this a 'stupid studio note' but later admitted it was 'brilliant'.

Casting

Sean Connery had previously turned down the roles of the Architect in The Matrix trilogy and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (the latter reportedly worth $450 million) before agreeing to play Quatermain for $17 million, a fee that left little budget flexibility to cast other major stars.

Casting

A character named Eva Draper, daughter of scientist Karl Draper and played by Winter Ave Zoli, appeared in promotional materials despite being cut from the film's final version.

Filming

Principal photography took place in Hungary, Malta, and the Czech Republic, and production was pushed for a summer release to avoid competing with the fall release of Master and Commander.

Filming

Production was delayed when a special effects set failed to perform as intended, forcing filmmakers to scramble for another effects shop.

Filming

Sean Connery had numerous disputes with director Stephen Norrington, who reportedly disliked studio supervision and large crews; Norrington skipped the film's opening party, prompting Connery to joke that someone should 'check the local asylum'.

Reception

Connery said the making of the film and its poor quality convinced him to permanently retire from acting, telling The Times it was 'a nightmare' and that he was 'fed up dealing with idiots'. As of 2023, neither Norrington nor screenwriter James Dale Robinson had worked on another live-action feature film since.

Trivia

In 2003 writers Larry Cohen and Martin Poll sued 20th Century Fox, alleging the film plagiarized their unproduced script Cast of Characters pitched to the studio in the 1990s; Fox denied the claims but settled out of court, a decision Alan Moore felt denied him the chance to clear his name.

Reception

Comics illustrator Kevin O'Neill said he did not recognize the characters when reading the screenplay and felt Norrington and Connery failed to cooperate, criticizing the film for marginalizing Mina Murray by turning her into a vampire.

Memorable quotes

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If you can't do it with one bullet, don't do it at all.

Allan Quatermain Expressing his philosophy on precision and restraint.

[He impales an enemy on the horn of a bull head on the wall. The Union Jack then drapes over the dead enemy] Rule Britannia.

Allan Quatermain After impaling an enemy on a wall-mounted bull horn.

[About Hyde] That was naughty!

Allan Quatermain Reacting to Hyde's violence with dry disapproval.

[Knocks out an enemy by smashing a liquor bottle on him; looks at the broken bottle] Wicked waste.

Allan Quatermain After breaking a liquor bottle on an enemy.

[last words to Tom, as he's dying] May this new century be yours, son, as the old one was mine.

Allan Quatermain His final words to Tom as he dies.

[to Dorian Gray] You broke my heart once. This time you missed.

Mina Harker To Dorian Gray during their final confrontation.

Save your bullets. These men are MINE!

Mina Harker Declaring her intention to handle enemies personally.

[To Sawyer, after he claims not to be afraid] YOU STINK OF FEAR!

Edward Hyde Confronting Sawyer about his fear.

Home. Home is where the heart is, that's what they say, and I have missed London so. Its sorrow is as sweet to me as a rare wine.

Edward Hyde Expressing his nostalgia for London and its suffering.

[to Mina after impaling her] I was hoping I'd get to nail you one last time...I didn't think it'd be literally.

Dorian Gray A dark joke after impaling Mina during their fight.

I'm an immortal, sir, not a gazelle!

Dorian Gray Responding to an accusation about his immortality.

[Mina has stabbed him in the groin] If that had been permanent, I would have been very upset!

Dorian Gray After being stabbed in the groin by Mina.

We're alive. If M has any ideas to the contrary, that gives us an edge.

Tom Sawyer Reasoning about their survival against M.

[after seeing Mina kill one of M's men] Boy. They told me European women had funny ways.

Tom Sawyer Reacting to Mina's brutal combat skills.

Very American. Fire enough bullets and hope to hit the target.

Allan Quatermain Critiquing American firearms tactics.

Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles?

Allan Quatermain Expressing shock at encountering automatic rifles.

I'm feeling a bit of a draft in my nether regions. And I must say, it's quite refreshing.

Rodney Skinner As an invisible man commenting on his newfound state.

This is a charming spot. Does Jack the Ripper live here?

Rodney Skinner Joking about the location being linked to Jack the Ripper.

[after groping Mina] I've been waitin'all week to do that!

Rodney Skinner After groping Mina while invisible.

[to Gray] You think you're better than me. You forget: I've seen your painting.

M/The Fantom Taunting Dorian Gray with knowledge of his portrait.

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