Category: Comic

  • Comic-Con: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

    The panel for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was entertaining, with a lot of the reason being the director himself, Edgar Wright. He called each cast member out on stage while forcing them to describe their feelings in one word — and had an obsession to ask the audience in attendance if they love chocolate.

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    Courtesy of Hickey

    After all the cast members at hand were situated, Wright informed the attendees that there’s two very special guests that he wanted to introduce — he then announced Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They walked on stage with arms victoriously raised while the crowd erupted with uproarious cheers. Just before shaking hands with the director, Wright then informed the audience, “And they will not be in the movie . . . nor are they special guests.” Pegg and Frost acted disappointed and sad, pathetically walking backstage while the lights dimmed — with “Aww!” from the crowd in unison.

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    Courtesy of Hickey

    Edgar Wright then finally introduced the star of the film, Michael Cera — who came out in a crude Captain America costume; it was a way to tease cast member Chris Evans who couldn’t make it to the panel due to filming Captain America, and the fans ate it up.

    Asked of when he first heard of Scott Pilgrim, Edgar Wright answered that he first caught wind of the comic in 2004 when it came out and instantly fell in love with it. He got in talks with the creator Bryan Lee O’Malley (who participated in the panel) and began work to bring a film adaptation of the comic into fruition.

    Wright then went into detail about the fight scenes being approached as video game levels; and that the actors were trained by the likes of accomplished stuntmen — one namely being Brad Allen.

    Michael Cera talked about a kiss scene and how he was worried about it — since it was a kiss with another guy — so Edgar Wright did the sensible thing and took him aside and casually kissed him on the lips and said, “See? That isn’t so bad!” Wright then cut in, jokingly adding, “I bet Stallone didn’t kiss any of his cast members!”

    At the end of the panel Edgar Wright informed us that the film is shot in 2D and that tickets will be at regular price; the audience cheered; then he excitedly said, “So see it twice!” which garnered louder cheers. The panel came to a close when Wright announced that those in attendance who have a 1-Up button will get to see a screening with him and the cast.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Convention Whoa

    I was meaning to write new posts everyday during Comic-Con, but frankly, it just isn’t possible unless it’s quick tidbits. Then by the time I get home I’m too exhausted to write — but trust me, I’m putting together some posts for my few readers to check out that I’m working on with what ever free time I have. It’ll be worth it. Maybe.

  • Preview Night at Comic-Con

    Yesterday was preview night for Comic-Con, but it didn’t feel like it at all. Downtown was congested with traffic and parking lots were quickly filling up; there were droves of people walking to and from the convention center. It was already packed when I got inside with a friend. It became a physical feat for us to reach the meeting spot with another friend. It felt like a normal day at Comic-Con . . . and it was only preview night.

    We eventually got to the Marvel booth, which had a life-size version of Odin’s throne. There was a queue for posters, so being the comic nerds we are, we got in line. We reached the front and were handed the Thor posters of the art pieces I wrote about yesterday. Score. We asked if they’ll be giving away the Captain America posters as well — we were told that they’ll be handed out later; to check back later. Naturally we headed back to the booth and glanced over the table — they were handing out the Captain America posters. We booked it to the end of the line; one of my friends lightly shoved a kid out of the way. What can I say? It’s exclusive posters and we must have them. So yes, I now have both posters — mission accomplished. I’m ecstatic over it.

    What feels like forever ago, preview night at Comic-Con was more of a way to pick up our badges and take a quick look around the floor. There were hardly any booths set up and many were still in the process of getting ready. Yesterday, it felt like an actual Comic-Con day; all the booths were open for business. Today the real fun begins. God help us all.

  • Thor and Captain America Concept Art Pieces

    Recently Marvel released concept art pieces for Thor and Captain America. They’ll be available at Comic-Con as mini-one-sheets. Obviously this means I’ll be getting them. What? Don’t look at me like that — just look at them!

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  • Ghost Rider Sequel

    Despite the failure that the Ghost Rider film was, Nicolas Cage will be reprising the title role. Directing the new movie will be Crank directors Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine. The screenplay will be based on an old draft written by David Goyer.

    Film rights to Ghost Rider would have went back to Marvel if Sony didn’t put a movie into production by November 14th, so of course they pushed forward.

    As big of a fan Nicolas Cage professes to be, he simply isn’t right for the role. He doesn’t seem capable of portraying the character’s inner struggles, as evident in the prior film.

    The first Ghost Rider movie also suffered from the fight scenes. There were no emotional weight behind any of the fights. Nor was there any real sense of endangerment for Ghost Rider. It merely felt like scenes to segue into the next. The villains were ineffectual and didn’t impose a real threat.

    If there’s going to be any chance of success, they need to stick to the horror elements that they nearly ignored in the first film. They tried to make it a dark action movie, which ultimately hurt the flick. It should have been filmed in a similar vein to Blade, but with the horror ramped up. Shying away from the violence made the film feel cartoon-like — Ghost Rider is a violent, horror comic book; the feel of the comic should be used for the movies.

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    [UPDATE on Ghost Rider Sequel][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Comic-Con Being Protested

    The hateful Westboro Baptist Church will once again arm themselves with picket signs and this time head to California to protest Comic-Con.

    Their reasoning:

    “Are you kidding?! If these people would spend even some of the energy that they spend on these comic books, reading the Bible, well no high hopes here. They have turned comic book characters into idols, and worship them they do! Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: 9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. It is time to put away the silly vanities and turn to God like you mean it. The destruction of this nation is imminent – so start calling on Batman and Superman now, see if they can pull you from the mess that you have created with all your silly idolatry.”

    For years now Comic-Con has been deviating from comics and encompassing different mediums of entertainment. Westboro Baptist Church is a little behind the times there.

    As someone who has been attending Comic-Con for over ten years now, I can safely say that there’s no idolizing going on at the convention. I’ve never seen a fan kowtow before someone — if one had, I’d imagine that security would be swift to drag the person away while other fans ridicule him or her — unless we’re talking Twilight, but that won’t be at Comic-Con this year, so that point is moot.

    Comic-Con has always been a way to reach out to the fans and interact. Of course Westboro Baptist Church doesn’t know this — they’re too busy slinging hate left and right at any person who doesn’t identify with their fringe. But hate is paramount for them — they harness hate to further their own interests. It’s no coincidence that they’re constantly protesting and that most of them are lawyers; set one person off to physical confront you, then cry “freedom of speech” and sue the person for assault.

    Their protest will be at Comic-Con on Thursday, July 22nd, at 1:15 PM to 2 PM. They’ll have to pick a spot down a few streets if they want a secure spot; otherwise they’ll become lost in the sea of attendees from around the world.

    I really doubt that somebody who paid $100 to attend the convention would waste time to get into a scuffle with a fringe — there’s panels, events, and people to see. So let’s hurt them where it’ll hurt most: ignore them, and their “cause” will become inconsequential. Let’s have a great time at Comic-Con.

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  • Kevin Bacon Offered Role in X-Men Film

    The cast for director Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class has been taking form; James McAvoy as Professor Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Lucas Till as Havoc, Alice Eve as Emma Frost, and Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee.

    Recently the production is in negotiation with Kevin Bacon for an antagonist role in the film. At this time it’s unknown what exact character he’ll be portraying.

    I gotta admit that I didn’t expect Kevin Bacon being involved in an X-Men film. Thinking about it, he could possibly make a good Mister Sinister. It’s a character that hasn’t been used yet in the prior films and has the potential to help carry the film.

    Mister Sinister’s powers originally derive from genetic alterations by Apocalypse, but Apocalypse doesn’t have to be touched upon in the film. The fact that Mister Sinister is an ages old scientific genius, and uses genetics to procure more powers is enough to allude to. His obsession with Cyclops would also bring Cyclops to the forefront — something the trilogy failed to do.

    It’s speculation on my part, but Kevin Bacon would depict a creepy Mister Sinister on screen. And let’s face it: the films need a more threatening antagonist. This would be an excellent fit.

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  • Marvel Develops a TV Division

    Marvel created a TV division to adapt its comic book characters into live-action and cartoons. There’s a lot of promise that it’ll bring all the characters under one universe, but with their own respective shows; which would make a lot of comic book fans happy — myself included.

    The only odd thing about Marvel Television at this point is their decision to hire Jeph Loeb to run it. He’s contributed to both Smallville and Heroes, so he does know the medium — but he doesn’t exactly have a good track record. The disjointed mess that Heroes became can be partly blamed on Loeb; with the constant characterization changes, plot changes at the drop of a hat, and story-arcs that ultimately went nowhere.

    Marvel is taking a chance with Jeph Loeb, but who knows? Maybe he learned from the mistakes made on Heroes. He might take the fan criticism to heart; especially from the comic fans. Nonetheless, Marvel’s intent on bringing its characters onto both TV and movies, and with the obsession of putting them under one universe is an exciting endeavor. It added a lot to the comic books, and it would definitely add to the other mediums as well.

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