Supposedly, Brass at WB and DC are suppose to meet to discuss how to get a few more of their main characters on to the big screen. More importantly, get them on the big screen and make some money with them. This is not a new battle with WB & DC, they have had numerous heroes in the working that have never come to fruition. Batman has been DC's only marketable series as of late. Superman Returns was bad-mouthed by most and was consider a flop at the box office. 
Justice League was suppose to begin shooting, but because of script issues (during the writer's strike), and alot of negative feedback by fans about the casting rumors, it was shelved. A Green Arrow movie named "Super Max," is in the works, rumors are still swirling that a Flash film is being made, and another Superman is yet to happen. Outside of those, nothing! So, I thought it be a perfect time to review some DC characters (some are already in works and other not) that should be stream-lined into production so they can compete with Marvel Studios heafty lineup. All of the titles mentioned should be geared towards
The most recent incarnation of Teen Titans would work the best for a film version geared towards adults. Teen Titans include; Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven. Other team members have included Kid Flash, Superboy, Wonder Girl, Impulse, Aqualad, and from time to time Batman. The reason a majority of the later characters named wouldn't work, is due the fact most are kids who grow into thier older roles in the Justice League of America. Teen Titans could work very well in a film version with the right director and writing staff. I feel Matt Damon or Milo Ventimiglia, would be a perfect fit for Dick Grayson whether he is Nightwing or remains Robin.
The development of Dick Grayson's character into Nightwing would make for an excellent stand-alone comic film. Like batman, nightwing uses plenty of gadgets, is trained in highly skilled arts of martial arts, and has a dark origin, which makes for great story and character development. Throughout the run of nightwing there have been many incarnations of him and could prove to make a tricky plot. The best idea I can see, is a development of nightwing as if Batman has died, and Grayson must move forward in his crime fighting against villains of Gotham. There would be some very interesting aspects the film could cover in Gotham with batman gone and only nightwing left to continue on. 
Justice League of America is DC biggest and best series! It has all of their flagship characters in it and has oustanding plot developments. The problem with Justice League is, you need to give each one of theses characters their own movie first, before making the team film. Marvel is it doing it this way, and so far it has paid off very well. Justice League is the pinnacle of DC comics and they should take definate care in putting out the project. Having George Miller, fresh off 'Happy Feet,' isn't the smartest choice and casting a ton of "no-names" wont cut it either. You got to spend some money to make some money! (Tell that to Bryan Singer) I really want to see this movie made, but first there are a few more key characters that deserve their own film first! Main members of the Justice League include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Martian Man Hunter. The team outside of its core members has always had a revolving door of heroes that have been in and out including Hawkman, Atom, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Plastic Man, Capitan Marvel, Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Blue Beetle, Black Lightning, Vixen, Supergirl, Congorilla, Starman, Doctor Fate, and probably a handful more. With this huge list of potential heroes, Justice League could be a great franchise as long as it develops it core members first.
That's right Princess Diana herself, Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman is an iconic role that could be the first female role to really get women behind comics. Their have not been any real lead comic characters other than Tomb Raider, that have been on the big screen and made a good amount of money. (Don't even think about putting Angelina Jolie in Wonder Woman, no way, no how!) Heavily based in greek mythology, Wonder Woman was awarded several gifts by the Olympian gods, including the Lasso of Truth created from the Golden Girdle of Gaea and indestructible bracelets formed from the shield Aegis of Athena. Created by William Moulton Marston who wanted to, "create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman." Wonder Woman has a host of superhuman powers granted to her by the gods and goddesses of Olympus. Wonder Woman would make for a dynamic film that would prove to be a huge success. Jessica Beil would be an obvious choice for the film. (She had previously turned down the role, in the last attempt to make the Justice League.) Anne Hathaway could also work, but girl would really have to train her ass into shape!
There are two main version's of The Flash, Barry Allen and Wally West. However, the very first appearence was in 1940, and was Jay Garrick. More recently in 2006, a new storyarc has begun with Bart Allen, grandson to Barry. The Flash since his inception has always been one of DC's more popular heroes and has the ability to run and move extremely fast, use superhuman reflexes, and seemingly violate certain laws of physics. I believe the Wally West storyarc would best in a film feature for a couple of reasons. First, Wally was the nephew of Barry Allen, so you would already have he opportunity to have both characters in the same film. Second, starting off as Kid Flash and a member of Teen Titans, you would have a setup/prequel for Teen Titans. Thirdly, when West dies, Bart Allen, Barry's grandson excepts the role of the Flash and the would have the making for at least a triology. Adam Brody would be a good fit to take on the role of the Flash and was recently casted in the Justice League of America film that was thankfully scrapped earlier this year. Ryan Reynolds would also be an awesome choice, but has recently stated he would like to make a full-length Dead Pool film.
Dressed like Robin Hood, Green Arrow is an archer, who invents trick arrows with various special functions, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City; he is best known to his associates as Ollie. Green Arrow has more recently been featured on Smallville as a teen and has a feature film in the works witten by David Goyer. Goyer wrote a script titled 'SuperMax' which see's Green Arrow wrongly accussed and set to a super-villain prison, with the likes of DC greats such as Riddler, Lex Luthor, Joker, Gemini, Djinn, Backlash, and Pied Piper. Reviews have been strong for the script and Super Max should be in pre-production very shortly. Matthew McConaughey or Mark Wahlberg seem like perfect choices for this role. Matt Damon was rumored to be up for the role in 2007 when the script was first finished.
Lobo is DC's anti-hero, much like Marvel's Wolverine, Dead Pool, and Punisher. Lobo is a Czarnian with exceptional strength and fortitude. He enjoys nothing better than mindless violence and intoxication. Killing is an end in itself; his name is Khundian for "he who devours your entrails and thoroughly enjoys it." He is also arrogant and self-centered, focusing almost solely on his own pleasures, although he proudly lives up to his word. Lobo is the last of his kind, having committed complete genocide by killing all the other Czarnians for fun. (Sound like a good time? Duh!!) Lobo needs to be made, 
Aquaman is another one of the flagship characters that makeup the Justice League of America. Aquaman has been something of a tricky situation around DC and WB. The problem arises, because of the fact majority of the film would have to take place under water, meaning massive amounts of CGI and money are instore to make the film look believable. Regardless of those major obsticles, Aquaman needs to be made.Aquaman, born as Orin to Queen Atlanna and the mysterious wizard Atlan in the Atlantean city of Poseidonis, was abandoned on Mercy Reef as a baby because of his blond hair, which was seen by the superstitious Atlanteans as a sign of a curse they called "the Mark of Kordax." As a feral child who raised himself in the wilds of the ocean with only sea creatures to keep him company, Orin was found and taken in by a lighthouse keeper named Arthur Curry who named Orin "Arthur Curry" after himself. Aquaman, including underwater breathing, submarine speed, and superhuman strength. Arthur can't survive outside of water for long. He also gained telepathic powers. He now speaks and understands the languages of the sentient sea peoples unaided, and has a limited ability to communicate with nonsentient sea life. He cannot speak directly to them, but can send and receive emotional impressions and desires, such as communicating a need for help. He is working to expand the latter ability, and in one instance has been able to "see" through the eyes of nearby fish. Aquaman has so many different positive ways that it can go within it's hostory that I am sure, it would prove to be a huge hit at the box office. With the right star in the lead, Aquaman could prove to be as big as Spider-man, a close incarnation in Marvels universe. Mark Wahlberg was once rumored for the role back in 2005.
Green Lantern has had the most incarnations of a single DC character, but is still kick ass in all versions. His most memorable have been Hal Jordan and the more recent John Stewart. The John Stewart story arc is DC & WB's best choice to make a film version. Reason being, John Stewart is black, meaning get Will Smith in the black and green suit! Putting Big Will in the Green Lantern will guarantee box office success. (Nobody else will work as the Green Lantern for a big success with the hero, putting once rumored Common and or Tyrese Gibson, is an extremely bad choice, if you can't get Will Smith forget it!)Stewart's origin, an unemployed architect, was selected by the Guardians to replace Guy Gardner as the backup Green Lantern for Jordan. When Jordan resigned from the Corps for an extended period of time, Stewart served as the regular Lantern for that period. Since then, Stewart was in and out of action due to various circumstances, even joining the Darkstars when the Green Lantern Corps was destroyed by Parallax. With this story, DC would be able to setup Hal Jordan being the mentor to Jon Stewart. Allowing them to go either way with the franchise (meaning both prequels and sequels), and also having two potential "big-time" actors dawning the green ring. Green Lantern would also be able to lead into the Justice League of America film, being one of the team's original members.
Superman is DC! Next to Batman, he is their biggest superhero! Unfortunately, Superman Returns was deemed unsuccessful, and the future of the Man of Steel isn't to bright. The original Superman films were cool, back then. They really don't hold water now days. Don't get me wrong I love the first two Superman films. They were the best thing as a kid, but watching them now, something is missing. (The other two superman film's made with Reeves are similar to the likes of Schumacher's Batman films, pure shit!) I liked Superman Returns, but I get all of the gripes and agree it was just a rehash of the original Superman. A quality Superman film needs to be made! A kick-ass, full-throtal action, that has a Superman put in real danger, and a worthy advisary for him to battle! In 'Returns,' Supes did nothing that was all that spectacular for being Superman. The film revolved primarily around he and Lane's relationship and had a very weak finale. We need to see Superman really put at the hands of fate, not stuck with a sliver of kryptonite and kicked into the ocean. (Really, that's the best finale you could think up between two arch nemeses, Singer?) That said, I am not sure if Singer is the right director for Superman.
Recently it has been rumored, that Louis Leterrier was offered Superman: Man of Steel (new title), after the success of Incredible Hulk. Regardless of who ends up directing Superman, it needs to be action packed. Obviously, a strong story is needed, but we dont need 35 of minutes of romance in a superman film, 'Superman Returns' proved that. I love Superman and hate to see the leader of the Justice League be tarnished. DC and WB need to work long and hard and come up with a quality script, that has all the right elements to be a success. I believe Brendan Routh can still pull off the Man of Steel very well and people are already use to his face as Superman. Give Superman a real villain, like Doomsday or Lobo and they'll have one hell of a great movie on their hands, that is sure to make a good chunk of change.
1 comments :
Love this article great thought on smith as the green latern! But I also think Derek Luke would be a good choice! Superman Returns was great but Man of Steel better brinng on the action.
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