Category: Comic

  • 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.

    [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”][The Playlist]

    [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.

    [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”][Blastr][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • 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.

    [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”][Deadline][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • 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.

    [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”][AV Club][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Deadpool News

    Reportedly 20th Century Fox is attempting to get Robert Rodriguez as director for the film adaption of comic book character Deadpool. It’s assumed that Ryan Reynolds will reprise the role of Wade Wilson.

    As with many comic book fans, I was irked by how Wade Wilson was handled in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. What made it worse was the part was perfectly casted, but then they robbed Deadpool of his personality by sewing his mouth shut. It made no sense — Ryan Reynolds fits the part as well as Robert Downey Jr. fits Iron Man.

    I’m skeptical that Fox will release a good Deadpool movie, but so far it looks to be a good start on paper: Ryan Reynolds was very vocal about wanting to reprise the role. And the screenwriters of Zombieland; Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are set to write the script for Deadpool. I’m cautiously optimistic.

    [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”][IGN][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • “The Phantom” Returns on SyFy

    If there’s one reboot I wouldn’t hesitate to advocate, it would be the Phantom. The premise itself justifies rebooting it every so often.

    The Phantom first started as a comic strip created by Lee Falk in 1936 and still continues today. The character also found its way on the mediums of comic books, cartoons, and movies. It’s also the character that started the superhero trend of skintight costumes and masks that do not show the pupils.

    In the story; in 1536, pirates attacked a ship that left Christopher Walker as the only survivor who washed ashore on a Bengallan beach. On the skull of his father’s murderer in the attack, Christopher swore an oath to destroy injustice, and that his sons and their sons will follow.

    After his death, his son assumed the role of the Phantom. With the mantle being passed down from generation to generation, the Phantom gave the impression of being immortal, which earned him the nickname “The Ghost Who Walks”. Each incarnation of the Phantom has no powers, but instead relies on intellect; strength, and on the legend of being immortal, which places an underlining fear in his adversaries.

    SyFy will be bringing the Phantom on TV with a miniseries starring Ryan Carnes; it will premiere on June 20, 2010.

    You can view the Phantom trailer here: (SciFi Wire)

  • Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye in “The Avengers”

    Jeremy Renner from the Hurt Locker is the latest actor in talks with Marvel Studios to join the cast of the Avengers. He would be casted as the hero Hawkeye.

    Hawkeye is the alias of Clint Barton, who was an orphan who ran away and joined circus. He was trained how to use the bow and arrow under the tutelage of the Swordsman and Trickshot until finding out that they’re criminals; leading to a violent falling out. Later, Clint is inspired by Iron Man to become a hero and became Hawkeye. Unfortunately he’s quickly mistaken of being a thief.

    On the run he meets and falls in love with the Soviet spy Black Widow. She tricks him into helping her try to procure Stark technology, which leads to several battles with Iron Man. Hawkeye is then convinced to go straight by breaking into the Avengers’ mansion to “apply” as a member. He becomes an Avenger and receives extensive training from Captain America.

    There will definitely be changes to his background for the movie since a big part of his past involves Black Widow, whose character was changed to be an agent of SHIELD in Iron Man 2. I’m glad that Marvel Studios will be bringing in other Avengers, and not just the big four who have their own films.

    Source: (Heat Vision Blog)

  • Scott Pilgrim on the Big Screen

    I’m not usually a fan of Michael Cera, but the latest film he’s starring in, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World looks to be a very fun movie. Also in the film are Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Chris Evans. It’d directed by Edgar Wright.

    Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an adaption of the comic book series by Bryan Lee O’Malley. The premise deals with the twenty-something-year-old slacker named Scott Pilgrim and his obsession with Ramona Flowers, which leads to confrontations with her exes. Along the way Scott’s own exes reemerge to cause problems.

    The plot is simple enough, but there are sci-fi elements involved that adds to the comedy and story; portals, video game style fights, mystical powers, level-ups, and earning extra lives. Stylistically there’s a heavy video game influence. It adds to the charm of the story. The movie adaption looks like it’ll be a blast.

    You can view the trailers here.