Hello and welcome back to this week’s edition of…
Before we get started, I just wanna mention once more that in two weeks I’ll be a part of COMEDY PARTY USA’s spring contest at The Pinch Bar & Grill – 237 Sullivan Street, in the West Village just off 3rd Street (just two blocks east of the 4th Street subway stop for the A, B, C, D, E, F or V trains). This preliminary round is set for Tuesday, March 24 at 9pm, and the winner returns for the Finals on the 31st. There’s no cover charge, and there is no drink minimum. Come check it out if you can!
Also – I found some great interviews in the past week that I wanted to pass along – PulseWrestling has got the goods on an interview ESPN conducted with Bret “Hitman” Hart in conjuction with the upcoming release of WWE’s LEGENDS of WRESTLEMANIA video game. The CGI in those screenshots is horrible, IMO – but the interview more than makes up for that, as it offers a little more of the kind of frankness you can expect from the former WWF great – especially if you’ve read his book. If you haven’t…what’s the holdup?
Meanwhile over at Newsarama, there is an amazing interview conducted with Peter David, as he discussed ’90s cult favorite SPIDER-MAN 2099. It’s broken up into three parts – click here for PART ONE, here for PART TWO and here for PART THREE. Seems like you could stop traffic sometimes with the announcement of a Grant Morrison interview, or an Alan Moore, but let’s not forget some of the sheer genius available on this side of the pond…deal?
IGN.com has been getting their scoop on this week, as not only do they get into the return of NEW MUTANTS…
Is that Cipher under Magik's right armpit? Man, doesn't ANYBODY stay dead anymore?
…but they also got their hands on some teaser artwork for Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s upcoming BATMAN and ROBIN.
I didn’t get the sense that the article itself really said anything, and unless my eyes deceive me, I could swear Quitely’s recycling his Blackbird design from their time spent on NEW X-MEN - and is it just me, or have the Batmobiles been getting consistently dumber looking ever since Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee’s HUSH?
Why does the Batmobile look like a Super Mario Bros. baddie in that last panel?
In any case, I gotta say I am digging Robin’s new costume! I will grant (pardon the pun) that I don’t consider it perfect – I prefer a more “classic” domino mask, and that head/neck ratio, quite frankly (again, pardon the pun…a LITTLE bit!) makes him look like a candied apple - one comment refers to it as “the Batman/Cassandra Nova as Robin crossover I’ve always dreamed of” …scuse me a moment…
…*snicker*…
…okay – but I have been waiting for DC to get rid of that God-awful Bat-centric revamp that Tim Drake had been sporting since ONE YEAR LATER, and this is a vast improvement; probably the nicest looking costume re-design since Tim Drake first showed up! IGN.com is promising a more in-depth look at DC’s plans for Batman after “Battle for the Cowl” on Friday, so be sure to check back over there. I know I will.
Another bit of news from a few weeks back, it looks like Marvel won’t be taking anymore unsolicited submissions. In fact, as I understand it they were the last major publishing house that had an open submission policy, so I guess that’s gone the way of Woolworth’s. I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise; with the sheer volume of fanfic sites available online for Bendis & Co. can look to for “inspiration” for their next big summer ”epic,” who needs people sending in stuff via snail mail anymore?
And then there’s this “exclusive” from IESB.net, that FANTASTIC FOUR could be the next film property in line for a reboot.
Quoting the article: With DAREDEVIL already getting the once over and PLANET of the APES also in the running for a new start with a prequel in the works, FANTASTIC FOUR is joining the reboot gang.
The two films previously released never really caught on with the fans and the studio is reportedly looking to completely retool, recast and recrew the franchise. This means no Tim Story, no Iaon, no Julian (thank the maker, he never sat well with me as Dr. Doom), no Chris, no Chiklis and no Jessica…
…The franchise is looking to be “less bubble gum” this time round following the IRON MAN template, which was a complete success in reviews and box office take but a bit darker when it came to its superhero. IRON MAN was in no way as dark as THE DARK KNIGHT but was funny, action-y as well as a bit on the serious side.
I’m actually conflicted about this one. In general I’m getting annoyed with all the rebooting that’s happening with this movie franchise or that, but there’s cases like THE INCREDIBLE HULK where it apparently helped, and DAREDEVIL where I actually agree that a reboot would be a good idea - so long as they really take their time and get it right. But then there’s cases like this one where I feel like a really fine touch should be used.
The first two FANTASTIC FOUR movies, while nowhere in the league of say, SPIDER-MAN/SPIDER-MAN 2, X-MEN/X-MEN 2, BATMAN BEGINS/THE DARK KNIGHT or IRON MAN, they weren’t the worst that we’ve seen, like THE SPIRIT, CATWOMAN, X-MEN 3 and – depending on who you ask – SUPERMAN RETURNS, DAREDEVIL,or HULK. It wouldn’t need much to make a better story – something similar in tone and/or approach to IRON MAN would be a smart move. Well that, and perhaps keeping the Mr. Fantastic/Doctor Doom relationship a little closer to the comics as opposed to that grotesque, almost Ultimate-styled revision.
The article closes by asking the audience who should play who, and in actuality some of these roles are already rather well cast, and it would be a shame to lose them. I for one did not like Jessica Alba as the Invisible Woman, and as far as I was concerned that was probably the only misstep as it came to casting the actual team. But we have a perfectly good Thing in Michael Chiklis…
…and both he and Chris Evans as the Human Torch were perfect. They looked their parts, and they played them exceptionally well. So really, in those places where they actually got things right, what’s the point in looking elsewhere?
Same with Mister Fantastic…
Ioan Grufford looked the part just fine - it was the characterization that he was given in those first two movies that handicapped him. The Reed Richards he was playing didn’t have any sense of command, and most times came off like an overwhelmed wimp. I’m not so sure if that this was a deficiency of Ioan’s as much as it was the material he was given. The man knows how to play a charismatic leader – after all, in some circles he is to Horatio Hornblower what Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone were to Sherlock Holmes.
So if 20th Century Fox is serious about trying again with Marvel’s First Family, I think they should try something similar to what happened with James Bond; use a scalpel instead of a machete, keep those things that work, and junk the rest. At the very least, find someone else to play the Invisible Woman – Charlize Theron, maybe? - give us a screenplay that goes light on the camp and heavy on the adventure, and it’ll all work out. But I’ll guess we’ll see what happens there.
AND NOW, JUST CUZ I FEEL LIKE IT…
Haven’t seen it yet, not sure when or if I’ll get the chance. Thoughts from those who have, greatly welcomed! Til next week!
Last 5 posts by Greg Manuel
- I'm Just Sayin'...#78 - February 19th, 2010
- I'm Just Sayin'...#77 - January 12th, 2010
- HAPPY HOLIDAYS, NEXUS HEADS! - December 24th, 2009
- I'm Just Sayin'...#76 - December 11th, 2009
- I'm Just Sayin'...#75 - November 16th, 2009
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oh wow, those costumes actually look sweet for the New Mutants and the cover got me a tad excited about the project, although that could just be cos of Adam Kubert…
as for Batman & Robin, i think it’s purty clear from that cover that we’re looking at Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian as Robin, right?
I’d be much more excited if these reboots (FF, Daredevil, ETC) were being done by Marvel Studios… but they’re being done by Fox.
Let me reiterate: FOX.
One more time now: FOX.
The studio that screwed up what should’ve been an awesome movie, Aliens versus Predator. TWICE!
That screwed up X3 because they wanted to get back at Bryan Singer for leaving to do Superman… and Tom Rothman, the head of Fox was quoted as saying “It doesn’t have to be good, we’ve already got the geek’s money”.
The studio renowned for coming into films and screwing around with them (like what happened to Babylon AD, Alien 3, X3 and now supposedly Wolverine: Origins) to better fit what they think the market demographic is.
I’ll be frank, as much as I loved Ang Lee’s Hulk and still consider it to be in my top 3 favorite Super-Hero films ever made… I’m not upset that it was rebooted as the Incredible Hulk under Marvel Studios. As while I don’t consider IH as good as Hulk, it’s decent and at least brings the character back to be in the ’shared universe’.
I’d kill to see all the characters (Spider-Man, DD, FF and the X-Men) revert back to Marvel so we could have a full slate of cross-over films.
Instead, we’re going to get a half-assed attempt by FOX to cash in on the new rash of Super-hero films that were treated with respect and care… which they should’ve done in the first place. And with this studio, I don’t believe the second time (DD) or third time (FF) to be the charm.
Great to hear Morrison and Quitely together again for Batman and Robin. Hoping its Dick and Tim for those roles. Screw Damien, the kids too much of a messed up froot loop to be Robin. He chopped off a lame villains head. That does not send a good message to the kiddies. ^^; The new Robin costume for me is rather “meh”. I prefer the one Tim Drake had once he officially became Robin. The new Batmobile looks lousy as well. Can we find someone that can give us a kick ass Batmobile? Even if you gotta commission a car designer to do it.
As for the F4 and Daredevil reboots, I could see it “IF” Marvel Studios got the rights back and only had Fox distributed it or another studio. DD especially, that character so needs it. But F4 is kinda iffy for me. I liked Michael Chiklis as the Thing and Chris Evans as Human Torch. They played off each other so well and nailed the characters perfectly. Ioan Grufford did a good job too but I agree with him needing a more commanding part on the team. Jessica Alba I won’t miss really. Cute and all but we can do better. Charlize Theron… you got my attention. Love her in the Italian Job remake. One last thing, please… PLEASE, give us a more evil and imposing Doctor Doom. btw, F4: Rise of the Silver Surfer was ok but we got screwed on Galactus. Seriously.
Thanks for posting the Ctrl Alt Del comic. It’s one of my favorite web comics. Wonder how Ethan’s GF would look as Silk Spectre? =p
Mr. Q
“Instead, we’re going to get a half-assed attempt by FOX to cash in on the new rash of Super-hero films that were treated with respect and care… which they should’ve done in the first place.:
Exactly right, Ryan – that’s exactly what should’ve happened the first time Daredevil and the Fantastic Four hit the big screen. I think we were lulled into a false sense of security when it came to X-MEN and X-MEN 2, as far as 20th Century FOX goes. I just think that recasting every single role, if they make another FF movie, would be like throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
FOX doesn’t need to recast The Thing, and they don’t need to recast The Human Torch. They don’t need to recast Mr. Fantastic, either – he just needs to be written better. Heck, you don’t even need to recast Doctor Doom. Julian McMahon was as much a victim of the wrong screenplay and possibly even the wrong director as was Ioan Grufford. Victor Von Doom’s film counterpart had no dimension to him whatsoever; if he were written the same way as the noble, hyper-jealous, narcissistic gypsy sociopath that Stan Lee gave us, Julian McMahon would be up there with Heath Ledger’s Joker or Jeff Bridge’s Obediah Stane right now.
Mr. Q – I think the way that Robin is drawn, that’s likely going to be Damien Al-Ghul. Tim’s too old to be drawn like a big-headed kid, even if it is Frank Quitely we’re talking about here. I will say the original Tim Drake redesign beats this costume easily, but I’m still digging this one. But yeah, I’m thinking it’s going to be Dick Grayson and Damien Al-Ghul behind those masks.
Manolis – I’m actually digging those New Mutants uniforms too, but you know what I miss from Marvel characters, nowadays? Buccaneer boots. Used to be almost every Marvel hero aside from Spider-Man and the FF was rocking those bad boys. Now it’s just Captain America and maybe Hawkeye. What’s that about, I asks ya?!