‘Warcraft’ trailer teases monstrous human vs. orc showdown

Here come the orcs.

Legendary Pictures on Friday unveiled the first major trailer for its upcoming “World of Warcraft”-inspired film, “Warcraft.” Due for release on June 10, 2016, and helmed by “Moon” director Duncan Jones, the film sets up a monumental battle between humans and orcs.

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The film pulls from the early aspects of the game’s lore. Set in a fantastical land named Azeroth, the film sees a race of orcs facing the threat of extinction.

To survive, the orcs -- referred to as “beasts” by the humans in the teaser -- flee their homeland in the effort to colonize another. War ensues. “For orcs,” we’re told, “there is no other life but war.”

The film stars Travis Fimmel, Ben Foster, Paula Patton, Toby Kebbell and Dominic Cooper. The two-plus-minute trailer on Friday followed a tease of the film at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego.

Jones at the convention spoke to Hero Complex about the challenge in bringing the property to the big screen.

“There’s been a lot of stories and a lot of characters,” said Jones. “And I think one of the things that’s taken the most time, to get the film right, and why it’s taken such a long time for the film to arrive is to choose the right story and find a way to tell it in a way that is both true for the fans, so they can feel like it comes from the game, but also is accessible to those who haven’t played the game before. It was really important to us to make a film that everyone could enjoy.”

Meanwhile, “World of Warcraft” parent Activision Blizzard Inc. looks to be increasing its presence in Hollywood.

On Friday, the company announced the creation of its own movie and television studio to bring hit titles such as “Call of Duty” and “Skylanders” to screens big and small. First up is an animated TV series called “Skylanders Academy,” inspired by the popular toys-to-life game.

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