The Amazing World of Casting
Following the casting for comic movies is almost as much, and sometimes more, fun than the movies themselves. And yesterday's news that Diane Lane would play Ma Kent in the upcoming reboot of the Superman franchise is no different. I guess the precedent was set when Bo Duke was cast to play Pa Kent on television's "Smallville".
Full disclosure. I love politics and history. My secret, unattainable wish would be to sing and play guitar at a local coffee shop. I am a comic nerd. Actually, I am largely a reformed comic nerd since individual issues are going for $3.99. But that doesn't mean I still don't love the mythology and melodrama inherent in the soap operas about superheroes and mutants.
Its a great time to be a fan, even a reformed fan, as lifelong dreams of seeing our heroes and their rogues galleries hit the silver screen. Marvel, now a Disney property and content provider, is embarking on a revolutionery approach to telling its stories through movies. Its Avengers film will be preceded by movies of its "holy trinity", Iron Man (already out), Thor and Captain America (each of which come out this summer). Independent stories with a shared continuity and overlapping plot lines. Just like the comics. It could be huge. Or it could be a huge failure. I will take the liberty of sharing my thoughts on the films and maybe bring you some interesting items, such as this one.
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Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Anything Christopher Nolan is involved with (he's producing the new Superman film) I will watch. I have been a fan of Nolan's since 'Memento'. The choices he made to put Batman into the real world was amazing. I am curious what sources he is reviewing for the new big screen Superman. I know that Frank Miller's "Batman-Year One" and "The Dark Knight Returns", as well as "The Long Halloween" by Jeff Loeb and Tim Sale were the inspiration for 'Batman Begins.' What will he be researching for Superman? Superman-For All Seasons by Loeb and Sale would be a good start. Watchmen was a great film, but didn't go all that well with the general public. Iron Man is the only Marvel character film that I found interesting.
Our friend Jonah Goldberg is a graphic novel fan. And Rachel Maddow wrote an introduction to Greg Rucka's "Batwoman-Elegy."
Edited on Mar 3, 2011 at 11:17amMay '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
I've never read a comic book / graphic novel in my life, but I'm a fan of the films with some semblance of reality. Good superhero stories, like good fantasy or science fiction, use extraordinary elements to tell stories of humanity. When such stories don't focus on superpowers or technology at the expense of drama, they can be awesome.
Agreed, though I'm more interested in another Batman film than a Superman reboot. Both would be great.
Which comics do y'all wish Nolan would bring to the big screen?
Nov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
I didn't know that about Mr. Goldberg, though I do appreciate his opinion on things pop.I am still awaiting his follow up comments on how the Sons of Anarchy season finished up.
The interesting thing about Iron Man is that its the first to be launched by Marvel as as a studio. Total and complete control of the character and plot. Everything else to date had been licensed off. Which leads to the tragedy that is the XMen film franchise.
In retrospect, XMen probably launched too soon. However, It hit a home run with XMen 2, and with its conclusion, left itself in prime position to play up its greatest story arc "The Dark Phoenix Saga", potentially over two more films. Alas,they jumped the shark in XMen 3, playing every card in the deck. Interesting vibes about the XMen First Class project though.
Spiderman 2 completely captured the eternal frustration that is Peter Parker's life, and Iron Man, literally reinvented the character.
Regarding Superman, I recommend "All-Star Superman." both Graphic Novel and the just released animated film. Both pay proper homage.
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Lance
Regarding Superman, I recommend "All-Star Superman." both Graphic Novel and the just released animated film. Both pay proper homage. · Mar 3 at 11:53am
Good call--All Star Superman has great heart. I loved All Star Batman by Frank Miller, but some people didn't like how harsh Mr. Wayne was with Robin. I found it emotionally realistic.
So no love for the 'Green Lantern' film coming out this summer? Are we having a DC vs. Marvel smackdown here on Ricochet?
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
I've heard that the comic book "Hack / Slash" movie is in the works. Imagine Scream and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Check this out:
Also, American Vampire (includes stories by Stephen King) would make a great film. Not "Twilight" teen agnst vampires. Also check out FVZA.org--the Federal Vampire Zombie Agency--you guess what that's about.
As you can guess, I am bored with "capes." The writting for detective and horror stuff in graphic novels is just as strong. Brubaker's "Criminal" and "Incognito" comic books are better than Ocean's Eleven, and more gritty.
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Aaron--Most libraries carry "The Dark Knight Returns" by Frank Miller. You should check it out. In the future, an aging Bruce Wayne gets mad, beats up Superman, and saves Gotham City on horseback. He's got True Grit.
Nov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
The aforementioned "Watchmen" and Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" and "300" are standard examples of works worth reading unto themselves, regardless of their adaptation or inspiration for cinematic interpretations. From more contemporary perspective, I jumped back into the genre, to a limited extent, with Jonathon Hickman's "Pax Romana."
But I guess, in the end, it doesn't really matter whether one buys into them or not, DC and Marvel produce comics as loss leaders. Time Warner and Disney own the publishers to license out their properties. The comic making process then largely becomes an idea factory and content generator to sustain the interest and sexiness of said properties.
If anyone is interested in discussing this aspect more, let me know.
And if there are any Ricochet members out there who grew up playing GI Joe (the 3 1/2" action figures, not the Prom-Date-For-Barbie variety, the third act of a modern espionage classic just concluded called "GI Joe/ Cobra". It is so good. And so brutal. And not cheesy whatsoever. It is GI Joe's "Casino Royale". Refreshing. Exciting. Gratifying. Reinvigorating.
Nov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Not at all, Ken. I am not a DC basher, but I am a Marvel fan. I had forgotten about the Green Lantern film. That character has been getting much love from DC in the last number of years, with its "Sinestro Corp", "Darkest Night" and "Brightest Day" storylines. I have never read a GL story and my formative years reading comics saw Hal Jordan originally going insane and committing genocide on a galactic scale before, I guess, being reformed while serving God as Spectre. So how, why, and what Hal has been up to since returning is too much for this Marvel Zombie to follow.
But the trailer looks good, and I have always enjoyed the dude wearing the tights since his days in "Two Guys, A Girl and A Pizza Shop". It is a crime what they did to the Deadpool character while he was carrying the swords in Wolverine.
Regarding a battle royale, I'll take the bait:
Marvel's advantage is depth of character.
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Lance
But I guess, in the end, it doesn't really matter whether one buys into them or not, DC and Marvel produce comics as loss leaders. Time Warner and Disney own the publishers to license out their properties. The comic making process then largely becomes an idea factory and content generator to sustain the interest and sexiness of said properties.
If anyone is interested in discussing this aspect more, let me know.
I agree that the film and licensing agreements are why DC and Marvel were purchased by larger entities. What about the economics of the smaller publishers? It seems they can make money on statues and other collectibles, along with occassional TV and movie deals. Radical Publishing, Image/Top Cow and Dynamite Entertainment seem to be performing OK. I am not an expert on the industry so any more insight would be helpful.
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Lance
Regarding a battle royale, I'll take the bait:
Marvel's advantage is depth of character. · Mar 3 at 12:54pm
If you define depth of character as "whining like a school girl at the unfairness of life" (heehee). Actually I was just kidding. Marvel vs DC is like Coke vs Pepsi in my book. To be fair, I liked the X-men growing up. And I haven't read Joe Straczynki's Thor or Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men run. The only "capes" stuff I read now are great Batman stories. Check out "Locke & Key" and "Morning Glories" for the best comic writing today.
Nov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
I am going to speak on Image/Top Cow most specifically here. Image/Top Cow support creator owned ventures. The properties themselves are owned by their creators. So then, at its most basic, Todd McFarlane makes his millions selling and licensing his Spawn concept. As a partner in Image, Todd also has a stake in the publishing of the comic. Its a model to that allows artists to control their own destinies on creator owned work. Sometimes its just so they can find an outlet for these ideas, often far from commercial. Perfect example is Brian Bendis, the most prolific writer at Marvel, the man who has penned every issue of Ultimate Spiderman, and who launches his own books like "Scarlett" through Image. He considers his Marvel work, "work for hire".
Two other aspects of the industry that are interesting, only one distribution route into the direct retailers, and the giant question mark as to how digital will impact everything. Apparently, the iPad is the perfect platform to read a comic book digitally.
Nov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Ken SweeneyTo be fair, I liked the X-men growing up. And I haven't read Joe Straczynki's Thor or Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men run. The only "capes" stuff I read now are great Batman stories. Check out "Locke & Key" and "Morning Glories" for the best comic writing today.
· Mar 3 at 1:40pm
JS's run on Thor was supposed to be great, though they cut it off at the knees to support the Siege storyline. So he jumped ship and went to DC where he has been involved in changing Wonderwoman's costume to one that reflects Marvel back in the days when everyone wore a leather jacket. I followed him on Rising Stars but lost him when he lost interest. Thereby demonstrating what is often the problem with creator owned works, lack of consistency and timeliness. Joe Madeira's Battle Chasers is my favorite example. Joe Whedon's work has been good, especially how he set in motion the trend for Scott Summers to step into the mutual Xavier/Magneto role. I follow comics much more than I read them these days. I will have to check into the others you mentioned.
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Great point. Digital does seem to be the future. I don't own an iPad, but the iPad 2 does look interesting. The screen size and portability do look perfect for the comic industry. I still believe that the writing is key. Great stories attract more readers.
Oct '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
To go back towards the original post--Diane Lane was in the horrific Judge Dredd film (british comic book). I've never been to a Comicon convention in San Diego--but I would go to see her! I even watched 'Under the Tuscan Sun.' Secretariat is in my netflix cue, too. She will be great as Ma Kent.
Lois and Clark remains one of my favorite TV shows. They took a great leap away from the Superman movie and made Clark Kent the character, not Superman (just a costume). Smallville successfully stayed on that track, too. The big mistake of 'Superman Returns' is that they went back to the Christopher Reeve 1978 version, and took all of the humanity back out of the character. Clark Kent thinks of himself as a farm boy with super powers, trying to fit in here on Earth. I admire the Richard Donner film greatly, but today audiences like to relate to their heroes.
May '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
As I said in a previous post, I expect Nolan to continue borrowing storylines and themes from Loeb so hopefully Selena Kyle shows up in Rome for the 3rd film. Considering the actress though, Nolan may just skip Rome for Hong Kong. Expect more Blade Runner and James Bond-ish elements.
As for the world of comic books, I checked out years ago. Even then I only followed Fables, Straczynski & Frank Miller. 100 Bullets was disappointing, I never had faith in anything Whedon (Serenity was a black swan) and Powers fizzled out real quick. Its all about high concept and a quick movie option anyway. Quesada's more interested in a Colbert Report cameo than figuring out how to sell product.
But then, I'm not a fan of the Iron Man films either so take my opinion with a galactus sized fist of salt.
Edited on Mar 3, 2011 at 5:16pmNov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Anang: ...hopefully Selena Kyle shows up in Rome for the 3rd film. Considering the actress though, Nolan may just skip Rome for Hong Kong....so take my opinion with a galactus sized fist of salt. · Mar 3 at 5:15pm
Edited on Mar 03 at 05:16 pm
I only wish more people in the Ricochet community were going to get that marvelous reference to Galactus, Devourer of Worlds.
As for Catwoman, apparently Ms. Hathaway dropped the characters name in a recently interview, giving further credence to her being cast as the lovely Selena Kyle.
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Anang: "100 Bullets" turned into a crude sloshy mess, but it started out high and kept it up for a year or so. That was the last book I followed, except for ACME Novelty Library - comes out once a year, and is just an astonishing thing, and could never be filmed. It's too visual to be reduced to a movie, if that makes sense.
As a Marvel guy from the early 70s: Romita Sr. on Spiderman, reprints of Ditko Spidey, Kirby FF. Glory years! Superman never appealed: too perfect. Predictable. "What if?" storylines. ("The Dark Knight" Batman book was the only time I found the character interesting.) But I'll see "Lantern" and Superman re-re--bootage, because I love to channel my inner 14-yr-old. I didn't even mind "Ghost Rider." I mean, c'mon. Guy from hell on a motorcycle with his head on fire, driving up a skyscraper. I should sit down with some Godiva chocolates and herbal tea and watch Eat Pray Love instead?
Stan Lee is on twitter, BTW. Every tweet sounds like a Soapbox item. Excelsior!
Nov '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
How many of you get asked this question on a regular basis: "Dad, if ______ got in a fight with ______, who would win?" I do. I always answer the same: "Spiderman! Spiderman always wins, no matter what!"
Jul '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
May '10
Re: The Amazing World of Casting
Permit me to indulge in one of my crackpot theories about politics and culture. The Hellboy movies are a perfect example of what went wrong with comic books. The first movie was made in 2003, released in 04. It depicts a demon who loves Americana & protects humans from the supernatural. Its a visually attractive positively american story (with christian & lovecraftian overtones) in line with the director's previous work on Blade 2: a comic book hero who hunts the supernatural.
By the time of Hellboy 2, its 2008. Guillermo Del Toro states in the director's commentary that he decided to make the villain more noble than the hero because of the iraq war and his desire to make an environmentalist statement. He's rent seeking in a comic book film. So glad this dude is off the Hobbit.
All of this excitement over comic book movies is based on 50+ year old franchises because today's writers & editors are too busy getting "critical acclaim" for Spiderman-India. They love to trot out Stan the man for a cameo, but the choice of Rachel Maddow shows where their hearts truly lie: not selling comic books.