Category: Comic

  • Emma Stone in New Spider-Man Film

    In earlier reports actress Emma Stone was in the running for the part of Mary Jane Watson in the new Spider-Man film starring Andrew Garfield. Much to everybody’s surprise, Stone has secured the role of Peter Parker’s first girlfriend Gwen Stacy. Some were pessimistic about the choice, saying that another redhead has landed a role for a blonde — but then came another surprise: Emma Stone is a natural blonde.

    “The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice.  At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl.  Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own.”

    -Marc Webb

    It’s certainly a twist of events no one was expecting. I’m still in awe that Emma Stone wasn’t cast as Mary Jane. She has the sultry voice that would suit Mary Jane very well. Nevertheless, I’m entirely looking forward to the new Spider-Man film.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][LA Times’ Hero Complex][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance News

    Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance continues moving forward with negotiations with actors Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth. Elba will play the role of a monk who must find Ghost Rider. On the other side of the coin will be Whitworth’s character who is a criminal the devil recruits to find the son of Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider).

    The plot for the new Ghost Rider film deals with Johnny Blaze staying low in Eastern Europe while grappling with his curse. Things don’t go smoothly as a sect recruits Blaze to battle the devil.

    In July I expressed disappointment in the fight scenes and the feel of the first movie. The film lacked any real impact. It was merely going through the motions. The villains didn’t feel like a threat. In fact, none of the antagonists felt imposing.

    Like I said in July, if there’s going to be any chance of success, they’ll need to focus more on the horror elements of Ghost Rider. It’s more horror than action. Use its strengths instead of ignoring them. Don’t try to fit Ghost Rider into a certain superhero mold. He’s a horrific antihero. Use that.

    I’m still pessimistic over Nicolas Cage reprising his role as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, but who knows? Directors Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine just might get a performance out of Cage that will be more in tune with Ghost Rider.

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  • Zack Snyder to Direct Christopher Nolan’s Superman Film

    Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are bringing in a new Superman film that will be produced by critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan. And Nolan’s screenwriter for Batman Begins David Goyer is busy penning the script for the Superman movie. What else? Recent negotiations has locked in Zack Snyder in the director’s seat.

    The screenplay supposedly has a Richard Donner connection — which might only be in its villain: General Zod — which I hope is the case. I enjoyed Richard Donner’s Superman films, but the influences should be more heavy towards the comic books.

    Zack Snyder is a surprising but welcomed choice. He always has loyalty towards source material and wanting to do it justice. His past visual style with Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen had a sense of wonder, which would match well with Superman. And it’s Snyder. We can expect real fight scenes — something that was sorely missing from Superman Returns.

    The collaboration between Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder is really exciting. They have different styles, but together there’s a lot of potential. And they both know it.

    “In the initial meetings, he’s been super amazingly smart and also amazingly kind, filmmaker-to-filmmaker. I have great respect for him. The process has been amazing so far, and it looks like nothing but pluses.”

    -Zack Snyder about Nolan.

    Warner Bros. intends to reboot the Superman franchise to lead the DC Comics adaptations much like Marvel’s own movie universe. So far on paper they’re off to a good start.

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  • Mark Ruffalo Playing the Hulk in The Avengers

    In the TV show and the movies the actors who played Bruce Banner never actually got the chance to also play the Hulk. Mark Ruffalo, who has been cast as Bruce Banner in The Avengers recently stated that he won’t just be playing the role of Bruce Banner, but also the Hulk.

    “They’re going to do the Avatar stop-action, stop-motion capture. So I’ll actually play the Hulk. That’ll be fun.”

    -Mark Ruffalo

    It means that instead of the usual all CG Hulk, Ruffalo will be fitted for motion capturing and play the role of the Hulk on set. It’ll be the first time that it’ll be done like that for the character, and it will be sure to make a world of a difference for the interactions with other actors.

    On the part of Bruce Banner, Ruffalo intends to draw from Bill Bixby’s version of Banner. He wants Banner to be sympathetic, while the Hulk rages and destroys all in his path.

    I was hesitant about Mark Ruffalo being cast in The Avengers, but his attitude towards the role has been winning me over. So far Marvel has been having brilliant casting. He was great in Shutter Island, and he’ll be sure to bring that drive to the role of the Hulk as well.

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  • Iron Man 2: The Hangover Edition

    An alternate opening for Iron Man 2 has made rounds. The difference? It begins with sounds of Tony Stark vomiting followed by showing him on his knees in the Iron Man suit clutching a toilet. He’s clearly hungover while Pepper is scolding him and keeping him on task. A moment later his egotism wins over and he makes the drop to the Stark Expo.

    This really should have been the opening for the film. It sets the tone. Tony Stark is an arrogant mess. Pepper is all business. It’s their dynamic. And let’s face it: Every Iron Man film should open and close with a hungover Tony Stark. It’s evident that Tony’s superpower is overcoming hangovers.

  • Halo Adapted into a Comic

    Written by Brian Reed with art done by Felix Ruiz will be the comic adaptation for the novels of Halo entitled Halo: Fall of Reach – Boot Camp #1. Marvel and 343 Industries have teamed up for the project.

    The story will focus on the protagonist named John; starting with his childhood and his eventual kidnapping to be conscripted in the SPARTAN II program. Throughout rigorous training on the planet Reach, John later becomes the legendary Master Chief.

    Halo: Fall of Reach – Boot Camp #1 will be out this fall. And yes, it is part one of four issues.

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  • Update on Deadpool Film

    Escaping from the train wreck known as X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool will have his own film starring Ryan Reynolds. As I mentioned before, the screenwriters of Zombieland Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese have penned the screenplay. These three alone posses a lot of potential for the Deadpool adaptation, and it’s rather exciting.

    Then there’s 20th Century Fox still in talks with Robert Rodriguez; wanting him in the director seat. And who could blame them? He would be an excellent fit for the movie.

    Ryan Reynolds recently discussed the Deadpool character and the direction of the film:

    “It goes in such a different direction than a superhero movie usually goes. It’s a nasty piece of work. It’s just based in so much emotional filth, completely. It’s like Barfly if it were a superhero movie. It sort of treads into the world of an emotionally damaged person.  I always say that Deadpool is a guy in a highly militarized shame spiral…. It’s so different than the superhero movies to date, it departs so far from that.”

    -Ryan Reynolds

    He went on to say that the events that took place in Wolverine won’t affect the Deadpool film in any way, and confirmed that Wade Wilson (Deadpool) will break the fourth wall and talk to the audience. He’s described as a deranged Ferris Bueller armed with katana swords.

    Reynolds addressed the inconsistency in the writing for the comics of Deadpool, but that the core of the character remains intact. Wade Wilson’s moral flexibility is an important aspect that will remain; as will his witticisms. After all, he’s “the merc with a mouth”.

    Ryan Reynolds’ devotion to both Green Lantern and Deadpool — and wanting to get them right — is certainly earning him cred with comic book fans. He’s a perfect fit for Deadpool, and the fact that he understands the character only makes it more enthralling.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][LA Times’ Hero Complex][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • A Different Take on a Watchmen Adaptation

    Before Zack Snyder was directing the adaptation of Watchmen, there was director Paul Greengrass of The Bourne Supremacy. With 20th Century Fox, Greengrass planned for the film to be a modern take on the graphic novel. Production designer Dominic Watkins designed much of the pre-production art, and didn’t hesitate to show his personal collection while discussing his and Greengrass’ could-have-been take on Watchmen.

    “It would’ve been done a little bit documentary-style, with a little news reporting mixed in. I feel like that would’ve been really interesting to see it as real-feeling as possible. Obviously, Doctor Manhattan was always going to be the biggest challenge to that. When there’s a 50-foot blue man, it’s hard to cinematically make it feel real. I felt they actually did a good job with that in Snyder’s.”

    -Dominic Watkins

    The documentary approach with some of the film would have been a nice touch, and is something I would’ve really liked. Despite that it would deviate a bit from the graphic novel, it still would have kept the essential feel of the story.

    Watkins discussed the differences between Snyder’s glass palace and his version of Doctor Manhattan’s Mars construct:

    “These photographs I found were of magnified tiny particles and the photographs of the cosmos and the similarities between them. When he’s creating it, the notion was that he’d start with these atoms and neutrons and combine them. They’d look very much like living atoms, but they’d combine into this vast cosmos that he’s creating and pulling in his hand. That was something where I felt we had something quite original and unique.”

    -Dominic Watkins

    It’s an effect that would have put audience members in complete awe to see Doctor Manhattan manipulate matter in such a way. And it would’ve added more to the science part of Doctor Manhattan. It was a perfect fit.

    Overall, I’m still glad we got Zack Snyder’s take on an adaptation of Watchmen. He stayed very close to the source material with only a few changes that are disagreeable. Although, implementing some of the ideas like above from Watkins would have propelled the film higher.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Comic Book Resources’ exclusive photos can be viewed HERE][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]