FREE THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED PDF Anne Rice | 490 pages | 01 Jun 2010 | Random House USA Inc | 9780345351524 | English | New York, United States Why fans of The Vampire Chronicles hate Queen of the Damned Queen of the Damned is a fantasy horror film directed by Michael Rymerloosely based on the third The Queen of the Damned of Anne Rice 's The Vampire Chronicles series, The Queen of the Damnedalthough the film contains many plot elements from the novel's predecessor The Vampire Lestat. It stars Aaliyah in the title role as the vampire queen Akasha and Stuart Townsend as the vampire Lestat. This was Aaliyah's final film completed before her death on August 25, It received generally negative reviews from critics but was a moderate box office success. The vampire Lestat is awakened from decades of slumber by the sound of a hard rock band, and proceeds to take over as their lead singer. Achieving international success, Lestat, having revealed the existence of vampires, taunts the others of his kind during an interview for promoting his first and only live concert. Jesse Reevesa researcher for the paranormal studies group Talamascais intrigued by Lestat's lyrics after hearing one of his songs play on TV and tells the rest of the group her theory that he really is a vampire. Her mentor, David Talbottakes her aside and tells her they know what he is and that a vampire called Marius made him. David also shows her Lestat's journal that he recovered and gives it to Jesse for her to read. In the journal, Lestat recalls how he was turned into a vampire by Marius and how he awoke Akashathe first vampire, with his music. Unsatisfied with what she read, Jesse tracks Lestat down to a London vampire The Queen of the Damned called The Admiral's Arms, where he saves her from three vampires and confronts her about Marius. In Los Angeles, Lestat is visited by Marius, who warns him that the other vampires will The Queen of the Damned tolerate his flamboyant public profile. Marius also reveals that Akasha has awakened due to Lestat's new music and begs him to cancel his concert, which he refuses. After the vampires reveal their plan to kill Lestat at his concert, Akasha torches the club and kills all the vampires inside. Jesse arrives at Los Angeles and gives Lestat his journal back. She then asks him to show her what being a vampire is like. Lestat scoffs at the idea, but Jesse convinces him to spend his last moments before the concert The Queen of the Damned her. The two spend some time together and Jesse later asks Lestat to turn her, telling him she wants to be with him and that she wants to know everything he The Queen of the Damned. Lestat angrily refuses, showing her what it's like for a vampire to feed on a human, then leaves. While performing at his concert in Death Valleya group of vampires attack Lestat. With Marius' help, they both fend off The Queen of the Damned of the vampires until Akasha bursts through the stage and takes Lestat with her. Akasha brings Lestat to her new home, where the two vampires mutually feed on one another, during which time Lestat becomes spellbound by Akasha and is forced to obey her, and Akasha proclaims Lestat her new king. After the concert, Jesse is taken to the home of her aunt, Maharetwho later reveals herself to be one of the Ancient Vampires. Knowing Akasha's plan to take over the world, the Ancient Vampires discuss their plans to destroy the Queen by drinking from her and draining her of her blood. However, they believe that whoever drinks the Queen's last drop will not survive. When they refuse to join her, Akasha then commands The Queen of the Damned to kill Jesse, as The Queen sees her both as an enemy, due to being Maharet's descendant, and as food, with Akasha making an example out of her for those who dare disobey her command. Lestat ostensibly obeys, but after drinking Jesse's blood, comes to his senses and is released from Akasha's power. He angrily requests for his "crown" and Akasha openly gives him her arm to feed on. Lestat then turns on her and begins to drain Akasha's blood. With the help of the Ancients, Akasha's power diminishes. Maharet is the last to drink Akasha's blood, killing Akasha. Lestat goes to Jesse and, cradling her in his arms, gives her his blood as Maharet turns into a marble statue and "sleeps", becoming the new Queen of the Damned. Lestat and Jesse, who is now a vampire, visit David and return Lestat's journal. When asked by David what it is like, Jesse jokingly offers to turn him into a vampire to which he replies he's too old for immortality. Jesse then bids David goodbye and leaves with Lestat. A few moments later, The Queen of the Damned is greeted by Marius. Warner Bros. An eventual adaptation of Interview with the Vampire directed by Neil Jordan and produced by David Geffen was released inalthough not without controversy, particularly over fan reaction to the casting of Tom The Queen of the Damned as Lestatan objection initially shared by Anne Rice, which she recanted after seeing the finished film. After the commercial and critical success of InterviewNeil Jordan began initial development of the novel's sequel, The Vampire Lestatalthough this went nowhere. As the rights to the novels would revert to Anne Rice at the end of[5] initial story meetings to adapt one or both of the remaining Vampire Chronicles began in The decision was made early to substantially rewrite the plot, and to base most of the movie on the third book: The Vampire Lestat was considered too broad and episodic for a two-hour feature film, although the novel's setup of Lestat's awakening and career as a rock star was used. It was also decided to focus on Lestat as the primary character, and the back story of Akasha and the Story of the Twins were omitted, despite these being virtually central to The Queen of the Damned plot of the novel. Displeased with the lack of progress, and more particularly with the studio's lack of consultation with her over the script development, author Anne Rice wrote a critical reply to a fan's question about the film in [7]. The key factor is that the entire vampire contract terminates in the year All the properties revert to me at that time, unless production commences —principal photography that is—before then. I don't think it is possible for Warner Bros. They simply weren't interested. It was very painful for me, as I had been talking to a new director they'd hired and we were both excited about the idea. I felt snubbed and hurt and have not bothered to approach them since. I'm not too surprised. I think any respectable script writer would be crazy to tackle that novel without having fully developed the background story of Lestat. Anyway, that is where it is. Another Australian, Michael Rymerwas confirmed to direct. Rymer suggested the film be shot in his home city of Melbournewhich would save considerably on production costs. The search The Queen of the Damned an actor to play Lestat took much longer—the idea of Tom Cruise reprising the role was considered but dismissed—although front runners included Wes BentleyJosh Hartnett and Heath Ledger. With a large cast of international and Australian actors, Queen of the Damned began principal photography on October 2, and ended on February 27,in a former biscuit factory, converted into a studio in the Melbourne suburb of St. Location filming took place around the city of Melbourne, although some filming was done in Los Angeles. For the scenes of Lestat's concert in Death Valleyover goths were recruited from Melbourne nightclubs and on the Internet, then driven on a fleet of buses to a quarry in Werribee to act as extras. The songs for Lestat's band were written and performed by Jonathan Davis of the nu metal band Kornand Richard Gibbsalthough Davis's contractual commitments to Sony BMG meant that his vocals could not appear on the soundtrack album. It is Jonathan Davis' version although the credits list it as the Wayne Static version from the album. Davis also made a small cameo in the film. The score for the film was also composed by Gibbs and Davis. Both the main soundtrack album and score album were released in Frank Fitzpatrick and Rich Dickerson The Queen of the Damned the Music Supervisors for the film and the soundtrack album. The original studio recording of "Careless Akasha's Lament " was written and produced by Davis and Gibbs, during the Queen of the Damned sessions. Davis released the song in downloadable form via Amazon and iTunes on November 16, Plans to record a duet between Aaliyah and Davis never materialised, due to Aaliyah's death. By Julyauthor Anne Rice had mellowed her previous stance on the film, much as she had with Interview. When asked about the film's progress, she answered: [15]. Everything I hear about the movie is good. They are working very hard to make it perfect. I have no real news. Let me repeat The Queen of the Damned I mentioned in a recent message. I met Stuart Townsend, the young man who is playing Lestat and he was absolutely charming.