On to some pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing. Tony and Rogue, what are your thoughts on that? :v
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Onto more pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing.
Of course you think Batman and Robin is brilliant while A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man is overrated.
Onto more pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing.
Of course you think Batman and Robin is brilliant while A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella is overrated.
Well, actually I don't, which shows just how little you know about me. 8-)
On to some pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing. Tony and Rogue, what are your thoughts on that? :v
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing. Tony and Rogue, what are your thoughts on that? :v
I'm all for an F4 3, but I'm lukewarm on the 're-boot' - maybe a re-envisioning - but not a re-boot. I enjoyed the cast of the first two (but I could do with someone more imposing than Julian McMahon as Doom). Also the 'Batman and Robin' connection makes me nervous.
Fantastic Four has a unique aspect to it in which the comic had a bit of a unwitting campiness to it which I felt the films didn't lose. It made them a tough fit for the other Marvel film incarnations but I still had a hard time disliking them for it.
Of course, this 're-boot' still seems like a long way off from actuality so I won't stress too much on the details.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
On to some pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing. Tony and Rogue, what are your thoughts on that? :v
Well personally, it's funny that Fox would make an announcement about rebooting the FF franchise just 24 hours after the news about Disney buying Marvel. I smell a powerplay in the works.
Fox can keep the franchise just as long as they are making movies on all or a portion of the characters just for spite. I don't care if the reboot film is of Roger Corman quality, the contract pretty much states it's their's to lose. That's right - Fox could make a film based solely on Doctor Doom and still retain the movie rights...or to pour salt on a wound, make a film entirely on Franklin Richards ) . It all falls under the FF umbrella.
It could also be a ploy on Fox's part to raise the price on Disney if they so desperately want the characters back under the Marvel wing. It could go either way.
As for me seeing another film of FF, why reboot? I had no problem with the other two per se. The Batman & Robin writer penning this does make me gag a little though...
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Of course you do because you are an idiot, Damn Stupid. You were stupid enough to like Titanic over Gone With The Wind.
8-) 8-) 8-)
BANNED!
I've been wondering how much slack needed to be paid out to that one. With all due immodesty, I must confess that not engaging him in any depth lately has been one of my most Herculean accomplishments B-)
Interesting news about an FF reboot, although I confess I really enjoyed the two previous films. They had a certain sense of what they were supposed to be.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
God, what happens to this place when I stop posting? )
Anyway, glad to hear about an FF reboot. The new ones were horrible. And anyone who disagrees with me should shut up because they have horrid taste.
Seriously, though, we need a less annoying, blonder Torch, a better acting, slightly older looking Woman, and an older Reed. Thing was good, so he can stay.
Doom also needs to be more ridiculously in love with himself.
I'd been deliberately avoiding this thread until the bloodletting had subsided...one way or another. Now that we can all get back on topic...
I really don't know what to make of Akiva Goldsman being attached to Fantastic Four. He has some pretty impressive credits in his resume but his genre stuff is very much hit or miss (Batman & Robin and Hancock being two of his more high profile creative duds). BTW, I've read somewhere that Fox's license with Marvel basically gives them rights to the FF and X-Men characters in perpetuity for as long as they make movies. So if Marvel and/or Disney want them back, they'll have to pay for them.
I also don't think an out and out reboot of FF is needed; I for one don't want yet another origin story. They should just go the route of the Hulk - begin the film with the characters already established and fill in any backstory for the uninitiated as necessary.
As to casting, I thought most of the cast from the recent FF movies were fine, the main exceptions being Jessica Alba and Julian McMahon. Alba is pretty but a weak actress and not at all the Sue Richards I remember from reading the books. Likewise, McMahon really didn't tap into Doom's egomania and snobbiness enough for my taste; Doom just isn't Doom unless he starts talking in the third person. Chiklis and Gruffud were fine and Chris Evans only needed to dye his hair blond. Though honestly, I think they're all history as far as this franchise is concerned.
I could also do with a more ambitious plot that really puts their abilities on display next time around; not the extended soap opera of the first movie or their basically playing second banana to the Silver Surfer on the second one. The last two FF films were entertaining for what they were, but they were also modest efforts. Of course, 20th Century Fox doesn't have a history or reputation for really nurturing their comics properties so until I see something to prove me wrong, I'm keeping my expectations modest.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
I should have seen this coming after the news of the Disney/Marvel acquisition; it appears that WB/DC Comics had a strategy to counter what might be considered a future comic book movie war?
Please forgive the size of the paste, it's pretty lengthy:
Warner Bros. Creates DC Entertainment!
Source:Warner Bros. September 9, 2009
Warner Bros. has officially announced the restructuring of DC Comics into a new company:
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI) has created DC Entertainment Inc., a new company founded to fully realize the power and value of the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms, to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.
DC Entertainment, a separate division of WBEI, will be charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. Entertainment and all its content and distribution businesses. DC Entertainment, which will work with each of the Warner Bros. divisions, will also tap into the tremendous expertise the Studio has in building and sustaining franchises and prioritize DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products. The DC Comics publishing business will remain the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month and continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry.
In her new role, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, in order to best capitalize on DC Entertainment's theatrical development and production activities and their importance to drive its overall business with each of the divisions of Warner Bros.
Nelson will bring her expertise and more than 20 years' experience in creative brand management, strategic marketing and content development and production to ensuring DC Entertainment's dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.' resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material. Additionally, Nelson will continue to oversee the franchise management of the Harry Potter property, which she has done since 2000, and also continue to represent the Studio's interests with the author of the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling. Nelson will segue from her post as President, Warner Premiere but maintain oversight responsibilities of that division. (An executive succession plan for Warner Premiere will be announced shortly.)
Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC's business operations.
In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive. Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media. Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry's creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment's goal of maximizing the value of DC properties. Further, Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades.
Widely recognized and respected for his support of writers, artists and creators in the comics industry, Levitz is best known creatively for his work with DC Comics, having written most of the classic DC characters, including Batman, Wonder Woman and the Superman newspaper strip. At Comicon International in 2008, Levitz was awarded the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the only industry executive ever so honored.
"DC Comics and its super hero characters are truly touchstones of popular culture, and the formation of DC Entertainment is a major step in our company's efforts to realize the full potential of this incredible wellspring of creative properties," said Meyer. "Diane knows our studio as a creative executive, a marketer and a senior manager, and this varied background will help her effectively and creatively integrate the DC brand and properties across all our businesses. We're also thrilled that Paul will remain involved with DC and we'll be able to tap his expertise to help us reach our goals for this new business."
"It's no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters," said Horn. "While we've had great success in films and television, the formation of DC Entertainment will help us to bring more DC properties across additional platforms to fans around the world, while maintaining brand integrity and authenticity. Diane is a terrific choice to lead DC Entertainment, and with Paul in his new role as a valued consultant and contributing editor, both our company and comic fans win."
"Based on the great success we've had working with DC Comics to create some of the most popular and successful super hero films of all time, I've long believed that there was much more we could do across all of Warner Bros.' businesses with this great body of characters and stories," said Robinov. "The prioritization of DC and the creation of DC Entertainment is a great opportunity that reaches far beyond the film group. There are endless creative possibilities to build upon the many significant successes already achieved by my colleagues Kevin Tsujihara and the Home Entertainment Group in the videogame, home video and direct-to-platform arenas and Bruce Rosenblum and the Television Group in live-action, animated and digital series. Collectively, we have the ability to grow a body of properties highlighting the iconic characters and the diversity of the creative output of DC Comics."
"The founding of DC Entertainment fully recognizes our desire to provide both the DC properties and fans the type of content that is only possible through a concerted cross-company, multi-platform effort," said Nelson. "DC Entertainment will help us to formally take the great working relationships between DC Comics and various Warner Bros. businesses to the next level in order to maximize every opportunity to bring DC's unrivalled collection of titles and characters to life."
"After so many roles at DC, it's exciting to look forward to focusing on my writing and being able to remain a part of the company I love as it grows into its next stage," said Levitz. "It's a new golden age for comics and DC's great characters, and I hope my new position will allow me to contribute to that magic time."
DC Comics will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2010 (NEW FUN COMICS #1, the first DC comic, began publishing in 1935), at which time more explicit details regarding DC Entertainment's corporate and management structure, film and content release slate, creative roster and business objectives will be unveiled at a multi-faceted anniversary celebration and press conference in the first quarter of the year.
Current DC properties in development and/or production at Warner Bros. Entertainment include:
-- "Human Target" is being produced by Warner Bros. Television for a mid-season debut on Fox.
-- "Midnight Mass" is in series development at Warner Bros. Television for consideration for the 2010-11 season.
-- "Jonah Hex," Warner Bros. Pictures' supernatural Western starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich, recently wrapped production in Louisiana.
-- "The Losers," Dark Castle/Warner Bros. Pictures' action-adventure drama starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans, began principal photography mid-July in Puerto Rico.
-- "The Green Lantern," Warner Bros. Pictures' next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date.
-- "Lobo," based on the DC Comics anti-hero, has Guy Ritchie attached as a director; Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona are producing for Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures.
-- Warner Premiere's direct-to-platform DVD animated release of "Green Lantern: First Flight" debuted July 28.
-- Warner Bros. Animation currently produces "Batman: The Brave and the Bold," which airs on Cartoon Network.
-- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released "Batman: Arkham Asylum" on August 25, a dark, action packed videogame adventure for Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows.
Prior to being named President, DC Entertainment, Nelson most recently served as President, Warner Premiere since its founding in 2006. Warner Premiere is a Studio-based production company which develops and produces high-quality, direct-to-DVD and short-form digital content, including the highly successful line of DC Universe animated DVD titles, and also pioneered the development of the motion comics category. Under Nelson's leadership, Warner Premiere functions as a full-service production entity with its own resources and release schedule, furthering the Studio's mandate of being a destination for both established and up-and-coming talent to create stand-alone properties as well as experiment in new media.
Before that, Nelson served as Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management, Warner Bros. Entertainment, with the primary responsibility of working cross-divisionally and throughout Time Warner to maximize and optimize all the various windows and outlets available to the Studio's signature franchises, brands and event properties on a global basis. In this post, Nelson's primary focus was the management of the Harry Potter brand, which she has overseen since the brand's launch at the Studio in 1999. These efforts have helped drive the success of the brand to become the most successful film franchise of all time, as well as a respected consumer property that has generated billions of dollars for the Studio.
At Global Brand Management, Nelson and her team of more than 15 employees worked in all media and platforms to support a number of other key franchise properties, including "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions," "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," "Happy Feet," "Polar Express" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," among others.
Prior to overseeing Global Brand Management, Nelson had served as Executive Vice President, Domestic Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures. Nelson rose quickly through the ranks, having also served as Senior Vice President, Domestic Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures and prior to that, Senior Vice President, Family Entertainment, Warner Bros. Corporate Worldwide Marketing and Planning. She was also Vice President, Worldwide Corporate Promotions, a post to which she was promoted in March 1998, after joining the Studio in September 1996 as Director of Worldwide Corporate Promotions.
Nelson came to the Studio from Walt Disney Records, where she served as Director of National Promotions. She is a graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I've read elsewhere that this reorganization was all orchestrated by Jeff Robinov, who had been working towards this for the last couple of years. I honestly didn't think Robinov had this level of interest in DC Comics. It'll be interesting to see where this goes and what editorial impact Robinov and his new team have. Will they let the writers of the books do their own thing or will they try to push their own creative ideas (ie: going as dark "as the character will allow") on the books? I'll also be curious as to what will become of Paul Levitz long-term.
Oh well, if nothing else it sounds like WB is trying for a unified approach to the core DC characters and that's probably a good thing at this point, as is taking Wonder Woman away from Joel Silver.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Not here to try and tell anyone how to spend their hard-earned dollars but to forewarn you, you might want to think twice before going to see WHITEOUT which premieres in theatres this weekend.
I read the graphic novel about a year and a half ago and while the artwork is very good, the story failed to put me on the edge of my seat. It's very predictable and quite underwhelming. Which made me ponder upon news of hearing that this book was being made into a major motion picture, WHY? There's so much other comic material worthy of the big screen- this one should've never been considered.
If you have any faith in Rotten Tomatoes, it is already at 2% Fresh and that's out of 53 reviews thus far.
If you just want to go because Beckinsale's in it, then go for it. Just know that you've been warned. Don't let the Carpenter-esque THE THING trailers for it fool you. It's not a horror film, it's an at best average thriller...
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Not here to try and tell anyone how to spend their hard-earned dollars but to forewarn you, you might want to think twice before going to see WHITEOUT which premieres in theatres this weekend.
I read the graphic novel about a year and a half ago and while the artwork is very good, the story failed to put me on the edge of my seat. It's very predictable and quite underwhelming. Which made me ponder upon news of hearing that this book was being made into a major motion picture, WHY? There's so much other comic material worthy of the big screen- this one should've never been considered.
If you have any faith in Rotten Tomatoes, it is already at 2% Fresh and that's out of 53 reviews thus far.
If you just want to go because Beckinsale's in it, then go for it. Just know that you've been warned. Don't let the Carpenter-esque THE THING trailers for it fool you. It's not a horror film, it's an at best average thriller...
But Rogue, you get to see Kate Beckinsale in skimpy underwear. )
Yeah, the trailers didn't inspire much confidence and the first thing my brother said was that it looked like an inferior ripoff of The Thing.
-- "The Green Lantern," Warner Bros. Pictures' next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date.
A Green Lantern film sounds great, but please, make sure the Green Lantern isn't Hal Jordan. :v )
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
-- "The Green Lantern," Warner Bros. Pictures' next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date.
A Green Lantern film sounds great, but please, make sure the Green Lantern isn't Hal Jordan. :v )
I turn my nose up and sneer at your pitiful attempt at fanboy humor Dan; besides, I very much doubt you could name me even one other Green Lantern without resorting to cheating. Leave it to the professionals. {:)
BTW, Spiderman IV now has a firm release date and is set to weep its way into theaters on May 5, 2011. The summer of 2011 is already shaping up to be a crowded one genre-wise with several comics adaptations including Thor, Captain America and The Avengers all set to debut that summer and I'm sure Marvel is none too pleased at Sony throwing this potential monkeywrench in their release schedule. The next Star Trek film is also tentatively set for a summer 2011 release. And then of course there's also Green Lantern, although the complete lack of news leads me to suspect that WB still doesn't quite know how to go forward.
Personally, I'm not at all hyped about another Spiderman movie; I've really grown tired of Tobey, Kirsten & Co. and Sam Raimi's quirky, ultra-angst ridden take on the material was always a little too sappy for me. I'm sure it will make money by the bucketload but I would have preferred a new cast in front of the camera and a new creative team behind it. Compared to the more slick, hip and adult efforts like Iron Man and Dark Knight, Spiderman just seems so...high school.
BTW, Spiderman IV now has a firm release date and is set to weep its way into theaters on May 5, 2011. The summer of 2011 is already shaping up to be a crowded one genre-wise with several comics adaptations including Thor, Captain America and The Avengers all set to debut that summer and I'm sure Marvel is none too pleased at Sony throwing this potential monkeywrench in their release schedule. The next Star Trek film is also tentatively set for a summer 2011 release.
Personally, I'm not at all hyped about another Spiderman movie; I've really grown tired of Tobey, Kirsten & Co. and Sam Raimi's quirky, ultra-angst ridden take on the material was always a little too sappy for me. I'm sure it will make money by the bucketload but I would have preferred a new cast in front of the camera and a new creative team behind it.
Seeing the latest Raimi film not so long ago (Drag Me to Hell), convinced me that he is still capable of making another Spidey film. As long as they revert back to the single villain approach, and perhaps make Peter's life happier, I think a new Spidey film could be great.
BTW, I saw a preview for Whiteout at the cinemas last Saturday night, when I was out with my GF, and I immediately remembered Rogue's warning about it.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Here's an early review of the Superman/Batman Public Enemies DVD over at DVDTalk.com. The reviewer, who comes across as a comics fan, says it's a good though not particularly memorable entry in WB/DC's animated offerings. That pretty much mirrors my feelings of the comic upon which this particular show is based as I thought it was a decent but hardly memorable read with some weak plot contrivances and a lazy deus-ex-machina resolution to one of the sub-plots. While the DVD seems to be very faithful to the comic on which it is based, it sounds like the story has been slightly reworked to address some of these shortfalls.
The extras sound really good though; there's a roundtable discussion with Bruce Timm, Andrea Romano and Kevin Conroy that spans the entire history of Bruce Timm's DC animated shows and, for once, some good bonus episodes, including The Demon Reborn and Knight Time, two of the best Batman Superman teamups from the animated shows. The sneak peek at the next animated offering featuring the JLA taking on their evil doppelgangers from a parallel universe also sounds interesting (though a very similar story was already done in one of the JLA shows).
A while back there was some buzz that the SyFy Channel (what a stupid moniker) was readying a retooled version of Lee Falk's The Phantom. After some horrid early concept designs there was no more news and everyone thought that it had died quiet merciful death. Well, I guess we weren't so lucky. Turns out SyFy has been filming a miniseries and it is close to premiering. AND IT LOOKS LIKE UTTER CRAP. I'm normally a fairly mellow person but if the rest of the show's quality matches the preview, then everyone involved should be taken out to the deepest jungle, stripped naked and hunted for sport. It looks that bad. Here's a YouTube video by way of Superherohype. Gaze upon it and despair. God I hate that channel.
On an unrelated matter, here's a sneak peek of WB's next direct to DVD DC animated movie, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths by way of AICN. While not based on any particular story, it does appear to cherry pick ideas and characters from many of DC's multiverse stories published throughout the years.
A while back there was some buzz that the SyFy Channel (what a stupid moniker) was readying a retooled version of Lee Falk's The Phantom. After some horrid early concept designs there was no more news and everyone thought that it had died quiet merciful death. Well, I guess we weren't so lucky. Turns out SyFy has been filming a miniseries and it is close to premiering. AND IT LOOKS LIKE UTTER CRAP. I'm normally a fairly mellow person but if the rest of the show's quality matches the preview, then everyone involved should be taken out to the deepest jungle, stripped naked and hunted for sport. It looks that bad. Here's a YouTube video by way of Superherohype. Gaze upon it and despair. God I hate that channel.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
The Billy Zane movie wasn't that bad.
How can they do this? It just looks like utter garbage!
BTW does anyone remember the animated series Phantom 2040? Still wish they'd release it-the adaptation was basically the Phantom meets Blade Runner.
It does look horrible. I loved the Zane film, and I see no reason why they can't make a 'Phantom' film along similar lines. Instead of trying to reinvent it, why can't they stick with what works? The period setting, the costume, the characters, the backstory; it was perfect.
Oh, and Tony, I have read one Phantom comic; I saw and loved the Zane film; and my father was a huge Phantom fan when he was a kid, and even joined the Phantom fan club, so I'm not exactly a virgin when it comes to The Phantom. :v
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
I decided to download Superman Batman: Public Enemies using the Xbox Live video service as I wasn't sure whether the show, which has gotten some middling reviews, warranted a purchase. I just got thru watching it with my brother and we both enjoyed it quite a bit.
The plot involves Lex Luthor, who is now president of the USA, using a meteor made of kryptonite hurtling towards Earth as an excuse to put a bounty on Superman. Much action and mayhem ensues as a pleothora of heroes and villains try to cash in. Along the way, the relationship between two of comic's most iconic characters is fleshed out quite nicely and we learn just how evil and twisted Luthor really is.
Clocking in at just 66 minutes, the focus is primarily on the action and we get to see Supes and Bats really flex their muscles in this one. There is also some pretty entertaining banter between the two heroes as they quip and bicker their way thru the story. Based on a miniseries by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, the animated show is actually quite faithful to the story despite its brevity. It also makes some improvements on the original storyline, which probably had too many characters and some weak plot contrivances. Voicing the main characters are Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Clancy Brown, who reprise their respective characters from the animated shows and deliver earnest performances.
Public Enemies was a lot of fun and I'll definitely be picking up the BluRay (which along with the DVD includes a lot of extras in addition to the main story). Definitely worth a look if you're a fan of these characters.
And here's a little quote from Marvel's Jon Quesada about the upcoming Captain America movie:
Sticking with Hollywood, Quesada offered a brief update on "The First Avenger: Captain America," with which he's had some involvement. "I've seen a couple of outlines and an initial screenplay, and it's going to rock everyone's socks off," he said. "It's very unexpected, the kind of movie it is." Quesada added that "Captain America" sets up "The Avengers" in "a fantastic way" and also mentioned that there is an undisclosed wish list of actors to play the star-spangled superhero.
This is slightly on-topic. Stephen King, one of my favourite writers and IMO one of the best writers never to have won the Nobel, will soon be publishing a comic book series. It will be named 'American Vampire' and tells the story of the first American vampire, who happened to be powered by the sun.
(From the Guardian) Stephen King is the latest mainstream author to turn to comics with a new series about a distinctly American vampire, powered by the sun, set to launch next spring.
Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin and twist-in-the-tale novelist Jodi Picoult have both recently dabbled with comics, but although his bestselling books The Stand, The Talisman and the Dark Tower series have been adapted into graphic novels, the American Vampire series will be the first original comic-book writing King has done.
The five-book arc will tell the story of the first American vampire, the murderous, bank-robbing 1880s cowboy Skinner Sweet. His Wild West origins mean he has rattlesnake fangs, and unlike European vampires he is powered by the sun. The series was dreamed up by short story writer Scott Snyder, who approached King for a blurb only to find the bestselling author was keen to get involved himself.
"I love vampire stories, and the idea of following the dark exploits of a uniquely American vampire really lit up my imagination. The chance to do the origin story – to be 'present at the creation' – was a thrill," said King. "I owe big thanks to Scott Snyder for letting me share his vision, and sip from his bucket of blood."
Snyder's storyline will follow the adventures of Skinner's Jazz Age descendent Pearl, a frequenter of Hollywood's speakeasies and dance halls who dreams of becoming a star. Each of the first five issues will feature both Snyder and King's stories, with the ongoing series by Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque to trace the histories of Skinner's descendants in different periods of American history. The American Vampire series will be published monthly by Vertigo from March 2010.
I love 'sip from his bucket of blood.'
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
As someone who's never cared one iota for Smallville, I did more than my fair share of eyeball rolling when I read that the Justice Society - including classic stalwarts Hawkman and Dr. Fate - would be making an appearance in a couple of upcoming episodes. Imagine my pleasant suprise then when I see this image of Hawkman straight from the show...
...looks very promising; now if they can just do Dr. Fate (one of my favorite Golden Age heroes) justice, I may give this one a spin.
Hey--he actually looks like Hawkman--that right there is a rarity for Smallville! (Tony, I never liked the show, either. . .as I once read on Ain't It Cool News, a better title for it would have been Clark's Creek. Gimme my superheroes in costume, dammit!)
Comments
And you always accuse me of using that icon. Every other post you have it because you are special.
On to some pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing. Tony and Rogue, what are your thoughts on that? :v
Thank you for proving my point.
Of course you think Batman and Robin is brilliant while A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man is overrated.
Well, actually I don't, which shows just how little you know about me. 8-)
On to some pleasant stuff. Apparently 20th Century Fox is rebooting Fantastic Four, with Akiva Goldsman (the writer of Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man) producing. Tony and Rogue, what are your thoughts on that? :v
No you can't just insult me and except to get away with it.
Of course you do because you are an idiot, Damn Stupid. You were stupid enough to like Titanic over Gone With The Wind.
BANNED!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I'm all for an F4 3, but I'm lukewarm on the 're-boot' - maybe a re-envisioning - but not a re-boot. I enjoyed the cast of the first two (but I could do with someone more imposing than Julian McMahon as Doom). Also the 'Batman and Robin' connection makes me nervous.
Fantastic Four has a unique aspect to it in which the comic had a bit of a unwitting campiness to it which I felt the films didn't lose. It made them a tough fit for the other Marvel film incarnations but I still had a hard time disliking them for it.
Of course, this 're-boot' still seems like a long way off from actuality so I won't stress too much on the details.
Fox can keep the franchise just as long as they are making movies on all or a portion of the characters just for spite. I don't care if the reboot film is of Roger Corman quality, the contract pretty much states it's their's to lose. That's right - Fox could make a film based solely on Doctor Doom and still retain the movie rights...or to pour salt on a wound, make a film entirely on Franklin Richards
It could also be a ploy on Fox's part to raise the price on Disney if they so desperately want the characters back under the Marvel wing. It could go either way.
As for me seeing another film of FF, why reboot? I had no problem with the other two per se. The Batman & Robin writer penning this does make me gag a little though...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I've been wondering how much slack needed to be paid out to that one. With all due immodesty, I must confess that not engaging him in any depth lately has been one of my most Herculean accomplishments B-)
Interesting news about an FF reboot, although I confess I really enjoyed the two previous films. They had a certain sense of what they were supposed to be.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Anyway, glad to hear about an FF reboot. The new ones were horrible. And anyone who disagrees with me should shut up because they have horrid taste.
Seriously, though, we need a less annoying, blonder Torch, a better acting, slightly older looking Woman, and an older Reed. Thing was good, so he can stay.
Doom also needs to be more ridiculously in love with himself.
I really don't know what to make of Akiva Goldsman being attached to Fantastic Four. He has some pretty impressive credits in his resume but his genre stuff is very much hit or miss (Batman & Robin and Hancock being two of his more high profile creative duds). BTW, I've read somewhere that Fox's license with Marvel basically gives them rights to the FF and X-Men characters in perpetuity for as long as they make movies. So if Marvel and/or Disney want them back, they'll have to pay for them.
I also don't think an out and out reboot of FF is needed; I for one don't want yet another origin story. They should just go the route of the Hulk - begin the film with the characters already established and fill in any backstory for the uninitiated as necessary.
As to casting, I thought most of the cast from the recent FF movies were fine, the main exceptions being Jessica Alba and Julian McMahon. Alba is pretty but a weak actress and not at all the Sue Richards I remember from reading the books. Likewise, McMahon really didn't tap into Doom's egomania and snobbiness enough for my taste; Doom just isn't Doom unless he starts talking in the third person. Chiklis and Gruffud were fine and Chris Evans only needed to dye his hair blond. Though honestly, I think they're all history as far as this franchise is concerned.
I could also do with a more ambitious plot that really puts their abilities on display next time around; not the extended soap opera of the first movie or their basically playing second banana to the Silver Surfer on the second one. The last two FF films were entertaining for what they were, but they were also modest efforts. Of course, 20th Century Fox doesn't have a history or reputation for really nurturing their comics properties so until I see something to prove me wrong, I'm keeping my expectations modest.
Please forgive the size of the paste, it's pretty lengthy:
Warner Bros. Creates DC Entertainment!
Source:Warner Bros. September 9, 2009
Warner Bros. has officially announced the restructuring of DC Comics into a new company:
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI) has created DC Entertainment Inc., a new company founded to fully realize the power and value of the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms, to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.
DC Entertainment, a separate division of WBEI, will be charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. Entertainment and all its content and distribution businesses. DC Entertainment, which will work with each of the Warner Bros. divisions, will also tap into the tremendous expertise the Studio has in building and sustaining franchises and prioritize DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products. The DC Comics publishing business will remain the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month and continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry.
In her new role, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, in order to best capitalize on DC Entertainment's theatrical development and production activities and their importance to drive its overall business with each of the divisions of Warner Bros.
Nelson will bring her expertise and more than 20 years' experience in creative brand management, strategic marketing and content development and production to ensuring DC Entertainment's dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.' resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material. Additionally, Nelson will continue to oversee the franchise management of the Harry Potter property, which she has done since 2000, and also continue to represent the Studio's interests with the author of the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling. Nelson will segue from her post as President, Warner Premiere but maintain oversight responsibilities of that division. (An executive succession plan for Warner Premiere will be announced shortly.)
Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC's business operations.
In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive. Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media. Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry's creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment's goal of maximizing the value of DC properties. Further, Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades.
Widely recognized and respected for his support of writers, artists and creators in the comics industry, Levitz is best known creatively for his work with DC Comics, having written most of the classic DC characters, including Batman, Wonder Woman and the Superman newspaper strip. At Comicon International in 2008, Levitz was awarded the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the only industry executive ever so honored.
"DC Comics and its super hero characters are truly touchstones of popular culture, and the formation of DC Entertainment is a major step in our company's efforts to realize the full potential of this incredible wellspring of creative properties," said Meyer. "Diane knows our studio as a creative executive, a marketer and a senior manager, and this varied background will help her effectively and creatively integrate the DC brand and properties across all our businesses. We're also thrilled that Paul will remain involved with DC and we'll be able to tap his expertise to help us reach our goals for this new business."
"It's no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters," said Horn. "While we've had great success in films and television, the formation of DC Entertainment will help us to bring more DC properties across additional platforms to fans around the world, while maintaining brand integrity and authenticity. Diane is a terrific choice to lead DC Entertainment, and with Paul in his new role as a valued consultant and contributing editor, both our company and comic fans win."
"Based on the great success we've had working with DC Comics to create some of the most popular and successful super hero films of all time, I've long believed that there was much more we could do across all of Warner Bros.' businesses with this great body of characters and stories," said Robinov. "The prioritization of DC and the creation of DC Entertainment is a great opportunity that reaches far beyond the film group. There are endless creative possibilities to build upon the many significant successes already achieved by my colleagues Kevin Tsujihara and the Home Entertainment Group in the videogame, home video and direct-to-platform arenas and Bruce Rosenblum and the Television Group in live-action, animated and digital series. Collectively, we have the ability to grow a body of properties highlighting the iconic characters and the diversity of the creative output of DC Comics."
"The founding of DC Entertainment fully recognizes our desire to provide both the DC properties and fans the type of content that is only possible through a concerted cross-company, multi-platform effort," said Nelson. "DC Entertainment will help us to formally take the great working relationships between DC Comics and various Warner Bros. businesses to the next level in order to maximize every opportunity to bring DC's unrivalled collection of titles and characters to life."
"After so many roles at DC, it's exciting to look forward to focusing on my writing and being able to remain a part of the company I love as it grows into its next stage," said Levitz. "It's a new golden age for comics and DC's great characters, and I hope my new position will allow me to contribute to that magic time."
DC Comics will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2010 (NEW FUN COMICS #1, the first DC comic, began publishing in 1935), at which time more explicit details regarding DC Entertainment's corporate and management structure, film and content release slate, creative roster and business objectives will be unveiled at a multi-faceted anniversary celebration and press conference in the first quarter of the year.
Current DC properties in development and/or production at Warner Bros. Entertainment include:
-- "Human Target" is being produced by Warner Bros. Television for a mid-season debut on Fox.
-- "Midnight Mass" is in series development at Warner Bros. Television for consideration for the 2010-11 season.
-- "Jonah Hex," Warner Bros. Pictures' supernatural Western starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich, recently wrapped production in Louisiana.
-- "The Losers," Dark Castle/Warner Bros. Pictures' action-adventure drama starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans, began principal photography mid-July in Puerto Rico.
-- "The Green Lantern," Warner Bros. Pictures' next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date.
-- "Lobo," based on the DC Comics anti-hero, has Guy Ritchie attached as a director; Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona are producing for Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures.
-- Warner Premiere's direct-to-platform DVD animated release of "Green Lantern: First Flight" debuted July 28.
-- Warner Bros. Animation currently produces "Batman: The Brave and the Bold," which airs on Cartoon Network.
-- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released "Batman: Arkham Asylum" on August 25, a dark, action packed videogame adventure for Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows.
Prior to being named President, DC Entertainment, Nelson most recently served as President, Warner Premiere since its founding in 2006. Warner Premiere is a Studio-based production company which develops and produces high-quality, direct-to-DVD and short-form digital content, including the highly successful line of DC Universe animated DVD titles, and also pioneered the development of the motion comics category. Under Nelson's leadership, Warner Premiere functions as a full-service production entity with its own resources and release schedule, furthering the Studio's mandate of being a destination for both established and up-and-coming talent to create stand-alone properties as well as experiment in new media.
Before that, Nelson served as Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management, Warner Bros. Entertainment, with the primary responsibility of working cross-divisionally and throughout Time Warner to maximize and optimize all the various windows and outlets available to the Studio's signature franchises, brands and event properties on a global basis. In this post, Nelson's primary focus was the management of the Harry Potter brand, which she has overseen since the brand's launch at the Studio in 1999. These efforts have helped drive the success of the brand to become the most successful film franchise of all time, as well as a respected consumer property that has generated billions of dollars for the Studio.
At Global Brand Management, Nelson and her team of more than 15 employees worked in all media and platforms to support a number of other key franchise properties, including "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions," "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," "Happy Feet," "Polar Express" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," among others.
Prior to overseeing Global Brand Management, Nelson had served as Executive Vice President, Domestic Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures. Nelson rose quickly through the ranks, having also served as Senior Vice President, Domestic Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures and prior to that, Senior Vice President, Family Entertainment, Warner Bros. Corporate Worldwide Marketing and Planning. She was also Vice President, Worldwide Corporate Promotions, a post to which she was promoted in March 1998, after joining the Studio in September 1996 as Director of Worldwide Corporate Promotions.
Nelson came to the Studio from Walt Disney Records, where she served as Director of National Promotions. She is a graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Oh well, if nothing else it sounds like WB is trying for a unified approach to the core DC characters and that's probably a good thing at this point, as is taking Wonder Woman away from Joel Silver.
I read the graphic novel about a year and a half ago and while the artwork is very good, the story failed to put me on the edge of my seat. It's very predictable and quite underwhelming. Which made me ponder upon news of hearing that this book was being made into a major motion picture, WHY? There's so much other comic material worthy of the big screen- this one should've never been considered.
If you have any faith in Rotten Tomatoes, it is already at 2% Fresh and that's out of 53 reviews thus far.
If you just want to go because Beckinsale's in it, then go for it. Just know that you've been warned. Don't let the Carpenter-esque THE THING trailers for it fool you. It's not a horror film, it's an at best average thriller...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
But Rogue, you get to see Kate Beckinsale in skimpy underwear.
Yeah, the trailers didn't inspire much confidence and the first thing my brother said was that it looked like an inferior ripoff of The Thing.
I turn my nose up and sneer at your pitiful attempt at fanboy humor Dan; besides, I very much doubt you could name me even one other Green Lantern without resorting to cheating. Leave it to the professionals. {:)
BTW, Spiderman IV now has a firm release date and is set to weep its way into theaters on May 5, 2011. The summer of 2011 is already shaping up to be a crowded one genre-wise with several comics adaptations including Thor, Captain America and The Avengers all set to debut that summer and I'm sure Marvel is none too pleased at Sony throwing this potential monkeywrench in their release schedule. The next Star Trek film is also tentatively set for a summer 2011 release. And then of course there's also Green Lantern, although the complete lack of news leads me to suspect that WB still doesn't quite know how to go forward.
Personally, I'm not at all hyped about another Spiderman movie; I've really grown tired of Tobey, Kirsten & Co. and Sam Raimi's quirky, ultra-angst ridden take on the material was always a little too sappy for me. I'm sure it will make money by the bucketload but I would have preferred a new cast in front of the camera and a new creative team behind it. Compared to the more slick, hip and adult efforts like Iron Man and Dark Knight, Spiderman just seems so...high school.
True, true. ;% I have to say, though, I didn't feel completely comfortable returning to this thread, until I had poked the bear at least once.
Seeing the latest Raimi film not so long ago (Drag Me to Hell), convinced me that he is still capable of making another Spidey film. As long as they revert back to the single villain approach, and perhaps make Peter's life happier, I think a new Spidey film could be great.
BTW, I saw a preview for Whiteout at the cinemas last Saturday night, when I was out with my GF, and I immediately remembered Rogue's warning about it.
The extras sound really good though; there's a roundtable discussion with Bruce Timm, Andrea Romano and Kevin Conroy that spans the entire history of Bruce Timm's DC animated shows and, for once, some good bonus episodes, including The Demon Reborn and Knight Time, two of the best Batman Superman teamups from the animated shows. The sneak peek at the next animated offering featuring the JLA taking on their evil doppelgangers from a parallel universe also sounds interesting (though a very similar story was already done in one of the JLA shows).
Here's a link to the full review: Superman Batman: Public Enemies BluRay Review
The New, Improved Phantom
=================================================================
On an unrelated matter, here's a sneak peek of WB's next direct to DVD DC animated movie, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths by way of AICN. While not based on any particular story, it does appear to cherry pick ideas and characters from many of DC's multiverse stories published throughout the years.
Preview of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths
The horror. . .the horror. . .
The Billy Zane movie wasn't that bad.
How can they do this? It just looks like utter garbage!
BTW does anyone remember the animated series Phantom 2040? Still wish they'd release it-the adaptation was basically the Phantom meets Blade Runner.
Oh, and Tony, I have read one Phantom comic; I saw and loved the Zane film; and my father was a huge Phantom fan when he was a kid, and even joined the Phantom fan club,
The plot involves Lex Luthor, who is now president of the USA, using a meteor made of kryptonite hurtling towards Earth as an excuse to put a bounty on Superman. Much action and mayhem ensues as a pleothora of heroes and villains try to cash in. Along the way, the relationship between two of comic's most iconic characters is fleshed out quite nicely and we learn just how evil and twisted Luthor really is.
Clocking in at just 66 minutes, the focus is primarily on the action and we get to see Supes and Bats really flex their muscles in this one. There is also some pretty entertaining banter between the two heroes as they quip and bicker their way thru the story. Based on a miniseries by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, the animated show is actually quite faithful to the story despite its brevity. It also makes some improvements on the original storyline, which probably had too many characters and some weak plot contrivances. Voicing the main characters are Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Clancy Brown, who reprise their respective characters from the animated shows and deliver earnest performances.
Public Enemies was a lot of fun and I'll definitely be picking up the BluRay (which along with the DVD includes a lot of extras in addition to the main story). Definitely worth a look if you're a fan of these characters.
http://marvel.com/movies/Iron_Man.Iron_Man_2
Sticking with Hollywood, Quesada offered a brief update on "The First Avenger: Captain America," with which he's had some involvement. "I've seen a couple of outlines and an initial screenplay, and it's going to rock everyone's socks off," he said. "It's very unexpected, the kind of movie it is." Quesada added that "Captain America" sets up "The Avengers" in "a fantastic way" and also mentioned that there is an undisclosed wish list of actors to play the star-spangled superhero.
(From the Guardian) Stephen King is the latest mainstream author to turn to comics with a new series about a distinctly American vampire, powered by the sun, set to launch next spring.
Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin and twist-in-the-tale novelist Jodi Picoult have both recently dabbled with comics, but although his bestselling books The Stand, The Talisman and the Dark Tower series have been adapted into graphic novels, the American Vampire series will be the first original comic-book writing King has done.
The five-book arc will tell the story of the first American vampire, the murderous, bank-robbing 1880s cowboy Skinner Sweet. His Wild West origins mean he has rattlesnake fangs, and unlike European vampires he is powered by the sun. The series was dreamed up by short story writer Scott Snyder, who approached King for a blurb only to find the bestselling author was keen to get involved himself.
"I love vampire stories, and the idea of following the dark exploits of a uniquely American vampire really lit up my imagination. The chance to do the origin story – to be 'present at the creation' – was a thrill," said King. "I owe big thanks to Scott Snyder for letting me share his vision, and sip from his bucket of blood."
Snyder's storyline will follow the adventures of Skinner's Jazz Age descendent Pearl, a frequenter of Hollywood's speakeasies and dance halls who dreams of becoming a star. Each of the first five issues will feature both Snyder and King's stories, with the ongoing series by Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque to trace the histories of Skinner's descendants in different periods of American history. The American Vampire series will be published monthly by Vertigo from March 2010.
I love 'sip from his bucket of blood.'
...looks very promising; now if they can just do Dr. Fate (one of my favorite Golden Age heroes) justice, I may give this one a spin.