MLP 2017 Movie Thread (Spoilers Inside)

[Rares]

One thing that should help given the number of characters is that they seem to be in four distinct groups, with certain roles.

Spoiler

You've first got the Mane 6, obviously. They're the protagonists. Then you have the main villains, that is Storm King (main baddie), Tempest Shadow (the main henchpony/ The Dragon if you frequent TVTropes) and Gabber (The comic relief goon). Afterwards is Capper and Captain Birdtits (I don't remember her name). They're probably pirates that the Ponies will get the aid of in terms of getting from point A to point B, and joining in the fight against Storm King later on. I see them sort of as a collective Han Solo. Then you have the Seaponies with a Queen and a Princess, likely to give aid and worldbuilding in this whole affair.

Given I recall the original synopsis being about something flooding Equestria, I expect a lot of swashbuckling in it. With the amount of charscters, I wouldn't be surprised if the Mane 6 essentially act as one protagonist. They'll have their own traits and personalities intact of course, but I'm thinking something similar to The Cutie Map, where they worked as one unit (expect for the portion where Fluttershy seperates herself from the group). While I would like some more interpersonal drama between the Mane 6 and such, I don't think there is enough room in the plot to fit any major subplots about it.

And yet I don't mind that too much. It's meant as a grand epic. While the story would probably function exactly the same with just Twilight as with all 6, I'm sure we're going to get a lot of really good character moments and banter between them, but have the majority of the character development go to the side characters to flesh them out further. This won't be like Equestria Girls, where the Mane 6 are younger and much less developed versions of themselves. Even if their own personalities aren't the focus, they don't need to be. I'm not waiting on my bated breath for some truly impressive character pieces showing something we've never expected for from the Mane 6, as that's what the show is for. The show is meant as a slice-of-life, where the greater nuance of the characters comes into focus, and that focus drives the plot.

In essence, I'm not expecting something like the show. I'm expecting Lord of the Rings with ponies.

Also needs more rock horse. I mean seriously.

I feel like I disagree with you and agree with you at the same time. With your first point, I think you're right about that. Though when you're getting into The Mane 6 acting as "one protagonist" I really dislike that idea a lot, because they shouldn't be. What makes them work is that they're each individuals already having a group dynamic. A big part of concern comes from the fear that they do that, because then there's no point in having them, as it can reinforce that why bother having the Mane 6 when they could just use Twilight. Which really upsets me since aside from S6 (and Cutie Map), that's what they've done since Canterlot Wedding. I think that's a huge problem, and at least a very big red flag since the person responsible for making everything more Twilight-centric since Canterlot Wedding is the one who wrote the movie. Because of that, I fear this being just like Equestria Girls except with now even more characters.

Thinking of EQG also brings up something else, the movie probably won't be that much longer than the EQG films. At most maybe 80-90 minutes. And if EQG already can't tell a Mane 6 story, except for some good moments in 2 and 4, that doesn't lend much room when more characters are around. Though hopefully you're right about their roles, as that would help things.

Also maybe some good news from the presentation.

Spoiler

Hasbro still calls the Mane 6 the main cast, and specifically listed everyone else as supporting characters. On top of that, the elements of harmony were mentioned for the characters for the film, so maybe they're not forgotten about either, so that might mean some good news.

Also hope for rock horse too.