Could DC's Smallest Hero Be A Big Screen Success?

It seems WB and DC comics have gotten their acts together.  Finally.  Let's exclude the Superman situation, and look at what we have coming up.  Jonah Hex wrapped shooting and is currently in post production for a June 2010 release, The Losers, is currently filming in Puerto Rico, Red is set to star Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman, Guy Ritchie is all set to direct Lobo with filming to start early next year, and Adam Strange on the schedule.  All of these projects are fairly low risk with a potentially very high reward.

Now, I know we all want to see another Superman movie, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Hawkman before any of the above mentioned as a lot of folks tend think of them as "less deserving".  I don't think like that, and seems the studio isn't either.  There is a specific character I'd like to focus on for the purpose of this article; The Atom.

Who is The Atom, and how did he get his powers you ask?  Well, students, The Atom has been the name of several fictional characters in the DC Universe, but today's lesson is about Ray Palmer.  Ray Palmer is a science professor at Ivy University in Ivy Town.  Throughout his comic book existence he's mostly been a supporting player, but a movie would be his time to shine.  Palmer gets a hold of a piece of a whie dwarf star, and experimenting with it, learned to use it's matter to manipulate his size and weight.  He's a genius like that.  He uses a bio-belt to control his size.

Now, you might be thinking 'Shrinking down in size is boring, what can be done with that?'  Allow me to paint this picture for you.  Ray Palmer, as The Atom (in his classic superhero suit of course) shrinks down and discovers an entire subatomic universe.  That universe fully functioning and highly intelligent but don't like him as an outsider, and decide to be rid of this unwelcomed guest.  The Atom's villains much like himself are not icons and allows the writers mroe leeway with what they can do.  Perhaps in his subatomic universe he is threatened by M'nagalah.  The telepathic king of this place who claims to be as old as the Earth itself and the father of all life on the planet

Ray's girlfriend, and future wife, and an eventual fairly major player in the DC Universe Jean Loring begins life as a lawyer.  Ray, in the comics would often investigate cases she was working, and help her solve them using his powers, to find evidence no one else could.

A favorite method of travel of The Atom, and something I think would be cool as hell to see on screen is call a location, and shrink down small enough to fit through the holes of the phone, and travel through the phone lines and emerge at the location he called in a matter of seconds.

As in all comic book properties, you neeed to at least have the idea of sequel in your head.  Maybe during the first film, Ray can meet a highly intellectual student and the best in his class by the name of Ryan Choi.  For something decidedly different, Palmer can travel to Central America where he meets a race of six inch humanoids and becomes a Conan-the-Barbarian type hero, and adapt The Sword of The Atom, or come into conflict with perhaps his most infamous villain, Chronos.

So, you see there is a lot of big adventure that can be told with The Atom.  The Atom is not on any list of comic book movies "to do" list.  Not yet, anyway.  Just one I know I'd love to see.  Like the movies at the beginning of the article, it would be cost effective to make with a potentially very high financial reward , and what studio doesn't love that prospect?  I know that I, for one and am very happy that the studio is seeing beyond the \S/ and the Bat to bring forth what could be greta franchises.  And hey, you never know, maybe some exec will read this article and think 'hmmm'.

If just reading about The Atom isn't really whetting your apetite for an Atom adventure to hit the silver screen, perhaps a animated aid is in order.  Below is a clip from the excellent cartoon series JLU, and provides just a small does of just how cool The Atom can be.  It also provides an exellent example of his personality.

Mastodon To Score Jonah Hex

Harry Knowles over at Aint It Cool News broke the news today that the heavy metal band Mastodon will be scoring DC's Western badass Jonah Hex's movie.  To read what Harry had to say, simply click the link above.  Needless to say he's pretty stoked about it.  A metal band scoring a Western?  An odd mix to say the least, but one I imagine I'll like.

For those who don't know Mastodon, check out their song Oblivion below:

Nikolaj Arcel to direct Deadman!

Variety has now confirmed with this article what Bloody-Disgusting first broke four days ago. Danish director Nikolaj Arcel along with Guillermo Del Toro will bring to life Deadman (pun not intended).

Deadman is the story of muredered circus acrobat Boston Brand whose spirit cannot pass on until he finds his murderer.  He soon finds that as a spirit he can do good and help right wrongs.

This is one comic movie I cannot wait to see.  Hopefully there's smooth sailing ahead.  It's just so different than anything we've yet to see.

Matthew Vaughn Wants The Avengers, Superman...And More!

Matthew Vaughn.  One of my favorite directors working today, who has done such films as Layer Cake, the criminally underrated Stardust, and the upcoming Kick-Ass.  He was also at various points attached to X-Men 3, and Thor.  Not to mention, he was revealed to be the director working with Mark Millar on the pitch for Superman.

It's pretty obvious this guy loves comic movies and wants to do more.  For those unsure both Stardust and Kick-Ass originated in the paneled page.  He recently spoke with MTV's Splash Page.  Here's a particularly telling quote sure to make fanboys happy:

The Mighty Avengers

"I was desperate to do 'Iron Man' about 8 years ago, and everyone was like, 'Iron Man, no one will go watch that,'" he said. "Cut to now, and it's a huge hit."

"I grew up watching superhero films, so I want to make superhero films," he added.

So, at one point or another he's been attached to two separate Marvel films, was eager for Iron Man, and has thrown his name in the hat for what is sure to be the most epic of Superhero films, The Avengers.  He also wanted the holy grail if you will.  Superman!  So he has no company loyalty per se, just a fan of superheroes like the majority of us here at TMT.  Millar's ideas didn't really appeal to me, though a Vaughn helmed Superman movie could be an amazing spectacle.

Perhaps, one day he'll return to the X-Men and direct First Class, or even an entirely new take on the beloved characters closer to the books themselves that Phil wrote about just a few days ago.  Maybe he'll get his dream to direct Iron Man AND Thor by doing The Avengers.

From reading the article at Splash Page, I get the sense that he'd like to tackle an icon while refreshing them with his own take.  There is an icon out there who could use a cinematic reinvention at your hands Mr Vaughn.  Her name is Diana of Themyscira.  Known to the world as Wonder Woman!

Interested Mr Vaughn?

Fans of the character have long waited for someone to bring the worlds greatest superheroine to the silver screen.  You'd think the story of an amazon warrior sent to mans world to stop Ares from starting World War 3 and setting himself up as the ultimate god would have been done long ago.  That's the simpilcized version of Geroge Perez's excellent Gods and Mortals trade paperback from 1985.

Last we heard, Wonder Woman was still looking for writers and directors.  Gail Simone writer of the Wonder Woman comic did recently tweet that she was working on a hush hush film project not long after the announcement of Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison and Marv Wolfman being hired to help with DC movie properties.  The tweet made all the message board conspiracy theorists scratch their chin and say 'hmmmmm'

Before anyone asks, I don't know if she is or isn't working on it, but I think she'd be great for it.

As for casting, I'm high on Bridget Regan, and Julia Voth

There is another comic book property a bit further along, also being produced by Joel Silver, and that's the Main Man himself, Lobo!  The current screenplay was written by Angel Dean Lopez, and while I'll not link the video review to respect WB/DC wishes as they do intend to make it, I'll say it can be found in one of the obvious places.

Imagine Vaughn's imagination turned loose with all the alien creatures and locales a Lobo movie would have?  The thought makes me all tingly.  Especially with Joel Silver's desire to make Lobo his Avatar.  Possibilites are endless here.

The Main Man LoboOdds are Matthew Vaughn WILL do another comic book movie property.  maybe a DC Icon like Wonder Woman, or The Flash.  Maybe a lesser known character like Lobo.  Maybe he'll head up The World's Mighties Heroes in The Avengers or do any of the other of Marvel's thousands of properties, especially now that Disney purchased them.  Maybe he'll get his dream and reinvent Superman for a new generation.

I'd be happy to see him tackle just about any of them.  I always look forward to his movies.  As a life long fanboy I'm happy that comic book films have become a genre all their own, and that we now have the technology to truly capture the worlds of our heroes.  Seems we have a friend, in the talented director who loves superhero movies as much as we do.

So, what comic book movie should Matthew Vaughn do next? 

For the record, I'm hoping the stars align, and he gets Wonder Woman off the ground.  He's beena favorite of mine for that project for several months now.

Ericson Core to Direct XXX: The Return of Xander Cage

The threequel no one asked for or cared about. Honestly, I've not see either of the first two XXX movies. the first starred Vin Diesel (returning for the third), and Ice Cube in the second. However you can count on Hollywood to milk every franchise until it's bone dry.

Here's what the Hollywood Reporter had to say:

Ericson Core has signed to helm "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage," Columbia's third installment in the action franchise. Neal Moritz and Joe Roth are producing.

Vin Diesel is reprising the role of the extreme sports athlete-turned-government operative he originated in the 2002 movie directed by Rob Cohen. Diesel and Cohen skipped the 2005 sequel, "XXX: State of the Union," which starred Ice Cube and was helmed by Lee Tamahori.

Last year, Diesel and Cohen agreed to reteam for the new installment, but in June, Cohen segued to helm "Medieval" for Regency.

Columbia went on the hunt for a helmer, who also had to get the OK from Diesel. Diesel has worked with Core before, though not under an actor-director relationship; Core, a cinematographer-turned-director, worked as DP on Diesel's 2001 flick "The Fast and the Furious."

John Brancato and Michael Ferris ("Terminator Salvation") wrote the script for "Xander Cage." It involves Cage's return to the National Security Agency after an eight-year absence. Richard Wilkes, who wrote the original movie, did a recent polish.

The studio hopes to move fast, capitalizing on Hollywood brand hunger and Diesel's resurgence as a boxoffice draw, and aims to roll cameras early next year.

Core, repped by Gersh, made his directorial debut with the 2006 football drama "Invincible." He's attached to direct the coming-of-age thriller "Conrail" at New Line and the Touchstone war thriller "Liberty."

Aquaman: King of Atlantis...and the Box Office

Well, he's no Box Office king, at least not yet. Aquaman, King of the Seas, and much maligned member of the Justice League. Perhaps best known as 'That guy who talks to fish'. Admittedly, at first glance, I admit, it does seem a rather stupid power. However, come with me a moment and imagine:

"The Black Manta, Aquaman's most famous villain, and sort of an underwater Iron Man with evil intentions, discovers Atlantis location. His mind fills with thoughts of the treasure and riches he can now lay claim to. SUDDENLY, his suits sensors pick up a faint sonar transmissions, as he looks up from the sensors on his arm, he finds himself surrounded by a dozen great whites, a giant octopus, and a few prehistoric sea creatures long thought extinct.

As he's scared still, a VOICE calls from behind. Manta's heart JUMPS! 'They won't attack you, but you should leave this place now.' The voice is calm yet authoritative. Black manta turns to face a man, unaided, blond, handsome, with a golden shirt the appeared to have a scale like surface, emerald and gold gauntlets on each wrist, green pants, and a belt connected with some type of crest best described as an "A".

This is our first glimpse of Aquaman! the King of the Seas. Once the shock of a man unaided speaking to him as if they were standing next to one another in an elevator wears off, Manta looks once more at the sea creatures, then again at Aquaman before taking off back to the surface at an incredible speed.  He is equally fascinated and frightened.

Black Manta

Now, I'm no screenwriter, but I think that would be a pretty cool cinematic first meeting. There's drama, conflict, intensity and sets the stage for what is to become a legendary rivalry.

Aquaman is a film that would combine the best elements of sword and sandals features with Arthurian legend and Shakespeare. Think of him not as a superhero, but as an underwater guardian protecting a vast kingdom from surface dwellers who intend on stealing Atlantis secrets and treasures.  Or protecting his throne from those who seek to usurp him.

Now, you might be thinking what's up with this Aquaman article, and why is it in the Movie&TV News section of TMT? Well, a few weeks ago, Hollywood Reorter reported that Leonardo DiCaprio's production company Appian Way. Could Leo himself take the lead role? Well, one could only hope. I mean that's INSTANT credibility, for a charcater known as nothing more than a lame joke to the general public. His presence would curb that immediately.

My thinking is this, even if Leo doesn't take the lead, and he probably won't, I don't think he'll produce something that is shit, as I'm sure he won't want his name attached. You can bet your ass, lead role or not if, and when Aquaman gets made, you'll be seeing "From producer Leonardo DiCaprio" all over the ads.  He could use his sway to land a top tier director. That Cameron guy, might be ideally suited to the whole underwater adventure thing ;).

When I saw GI Joe with my brother, and a couple of friends about a week or so ago (we all enjoyed it, on a basic check your brain at the door level), what we all loved most and chatted most about afterward was the underwater scene(s). That was actually what inspired me to write this article. We just kept going on and on about how cool those underwater scenes were. Let's imagine again. What could a creative person do witht the idea of Atlantis? It could be a magnificent sprawling palace hidden from the human eye and technology by ancient sorcery, or it could be a palace made of coral designed to be wholly uninteresting to any outsider who happens to pass by unintentionally or otherwise. Those are just two ideas the came to my mind.  I'm certain there are a plethora of other options. The possibilites nearly endless.

I've come to think of Aquaman as sort of a Holy Grail of comic movies. He's known, but not so known that you can't tinker with his origins without legions of fanboys complaining. Can you imagine if Krypton didn't explode or the Wayne's lived? The fanboy bitchfest would reach epic levels, and damn near break the net! Well shut down a few sites anyway.

Iron Man, Marvel's hottest franchise at the moment, was basically a completely unknown entity until Favreau's kick ass film. I love it, watched my DVD I'd say about 30x, and am eagerly anticipating the sequel. Yet, Iron Man was one of those comics I could just never get into. As a movie, though, it knocked my socks off.  Aquaman can be to others what Iron Man was to me. A character you're not particularly fond of, at least until a quality movie comes out. Aquaman just may be more suited to the silver screen than the printed page. I showed a few (non-comic fan) friends the Aquaman appearances on Smallville, and hile the Aquadude personality was unversally hated, when he wa sin the water using his powers and swimming at incredible speeds the reactio "Damn that's cool!" and everyone wanted to see more of that.

In my circle everyone was and is thrilled with the underwater locations , bases, and seeing a version of Aquaman do his thing.

All it would take is one solid movie for Aquaman to go from lame joke in the general audience eyes , toa franchise people would beg to see more of. Aquaman battling a villain head on, while commanding some megalodons to tear apart the villains ship or face off an army the villain may have. Who wouldn't want to see that?

Even if DiCaprio's involvement is in name only, I'm hoping that's enough to get this franchise started. I think season two of Enterouge had it right. Aquaman CAN be the hugest grossing comic book movie given the respect it deserves, and not be turned into some lame comedy that weaker unoriginal writers might try. There's a uniqueness here that has yet to be seen on screen.

A plea to the comic film gods, please do yourselves, the character, and the general audience a favor and treat the property with respect and give us the amazing film that I, and many other fans of the character know it can be.

Geoff Johns to write Shazam! Movie

I woke just half an hour ago, and one of the first things I do normally is check te main page of SuperheroHype to se eif there's any news I find particularly interesting. So what do i find this morning? One of my all time favorite comic writers, the insanely talented Geoff Johns will be penning the script for the Worlds Mightiest Mortal, Captain Marvel, along with Bill Birch Peter Segal who was previously attached to direct remains on board. Here's what Variety had to say:

Warner Bros. has tapped scribe Bill Birch to reboot "Shazam!," the DC Comics' adaptation of the Captain Marvel story that's being developed as a potential franchise.

"Get Smart" director Peter Segal remains onboard to direct; he'll also produce with his Callahan Filmworks partner Michael Ewing. Geoff Johns will co-write and consult on the project.

Segal and Ewing began working on the film three years ago at New Line before it moved over to Warners. Pic centers on teenaged Billy Batson, who transforms into the superhero when he says the word "Shazam!" The studio is now looking to go back to the original DC Comics source material for inspiration.

Previous drafts have been penned by John August, William Goldman, Bryan Goluboff and the team of Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow.

Birch is currently writing "One Finger Salute" for Warner Bros. with Andrew Lazar producing and Segal attached to direct. He's repped by ICM and Anonymous Content.

I'm insanely excited.  Done right, I really feel that Captain Marvel can be that franchise to appeal to the "Harry Potter" crowd once Potter is finished after Deathly Hallows II.  I mean a kid, who can say a word and transform into a superhero?  What young kid wouldn't love that?  God willing, the film actually gets made this time.

Say the name, feel the power...Shazam!

The Losers Set Photo

Superherohype.com has received the first on set pics of The Losers. The Losers, direcetd by Sylvain White focuses on a covert team whose handler betrays them and leaves them for dead. Hype has the official synopsis of the film as follows:

The film centers upon the members of an elite U.S. Special Forces unit sent into the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission. The team—Clay (Morgan), Jensen (Chris Evans), Roque (Elba), Pooch (Columbus Short) and Cougar (Oscar Jaenada)—find themselves the target of a lethal betrayal instigated from inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max (Jason Patric). Presumed dead, the group makes plans to even the score when they’re joined by the mysterious Aisha (Zoe Saldana), a beautiful operative with her own agenda. Working together, they must remain deep undercover while tracking the heavily-guarded Max, a ruthless man bent on embroiling the world in a new high-tech global war.

Below are Clay (Morgan), and Roque (Elba)

Head to Superherohype for a few more on set pics from "The Losers"

The film is due out April 16th, 2010

Priest

Earlier today, fellow TMT writer Dan Scaglione posted the redband trailer of Legion, starring Paul Bettany and directed by Scott Stewart.  The above teaser is from the duos next project together, Priest.

Priest is an adaptation of a manga comic where man and vampire have been at war for centuries.  Paul's character is a warrior priest who turns against the church to track down a murderous band of vampires who have kidnapped his niece.

Joining Paul in the cast is Cam Gigandet as a young wasteland sheriff who is part vampire, and Maggie Q as a priestess vampire hunter just as badass as the Priests.

Personally I always dig stories like this, and I'm liking the cast so far.  Is it me, or is there  atrend starting here with Legion, Magdalena, and Priest all heading to theater's?

Priest is expected to open August 13th 2010

Jason Patric the reluctant villain

Jason Patric who plays the villain in next years The Losers took the part reluctantly according to an interview he did with Variety

Here's a small quote:

"Let's face it, the geeks have inherited the world, and if you want to be a player in this system, you have to be willing to do some of this," Patric acknowledged. "But I wouldn't do 'The Losers' if it wasn't interesting to me as an actor."

It seems to be that he's more or less thumbing his nose at the idea of being in a comic book movie.  Which, let's not forget in the past decade or so have had some of the most critical and commercial successes in Hollywood.  It was just 2008, when Iron Man and The Dark Knight seemingly raised the stakes for all to folow.

I wonder, was Speed 2: Cruise Control really all that interesting as an actor?  Hopefully his seeming nonchalance toward the property doesn't affect hs performance.