Every year there are surprise announcements and developments in the world of television and film and more and more, those surprises pertain to comic book properties. Last year, saw the long languishing Ant-Man finally receive a release date, Justice League set for a 2015 release and the next X-Men film confirmed to be based on the popular Days of Future Past storyline. With 2013 just underway, I thought about a few long-delayed projects I'd love to similarly see moving forward.
10. The Graysons
Before Arrow, a series based on the pre-cape days of Dick Grayson was set to take the place of Smallville. The series was going to pilot before inexplicably receiving the axe from Warner Bros. president Jeff Robinov back in 2008. "The studio has opted not to go forward with the development of 'The Graysons' at this time as the concept doesn't fit the current strategy for the Batman franchise," the studio said in a statement. "Warner Bros. Television is currently working on several replacement options for the CW." With Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise now complete, maybe it's time for the studio to revisit this project?
9. SuperMax
The premise for this film is absolutely insane (in a good way). A superhero is stripped of his secret identity, framed for a crime and imprisoned in a maximum security facility with supervillians. The script was written with EITHER Captain America or Green Arrow in mind before Warner Bros. secured the rights and put Oliver Queen in the lead. After a similar project was put into development at Sony, the chances of 'Green Arrow-SuperMax' moving forward appear to be slim. However, news on this project continues to pop-up from time to time whenever someone remembers to ask David S. Goyer about it. With Arrow doing so well over on the CW, maybe Stephen Amell goes to prison?
8. Voltron
Relativity Media (Haywire,Immortals) secured the rights to Voltron in 2011 but there's been virtually no news on the project other than the fact that it's in development. The script is being penned by Thomas Dean Donnelly (Conan the Barbarian) and Joshua Oppenheimer (Sahara).
7. AKA Jessica Jones
This one seemed like a no-brainer to me at the time of it's announcement in 2011. However, I suspect that the massive success of The Avengers may have altered ABC's plans for the series. Still the series was reportedly set to feature Carol Danvers and Luke Cage in addition to Ms. Jones.[
Also, I'll pat myself on the back for predicting the S.H.I.E.L.D. show.]
6. The Dark Tower
This is a project that's bounced around from one studio to the next. The issue appears to be the incredibly ambitious decision to have the story play out across films AND television. Originally set to star Javier Bardem, once the project found a home at Warner Bros., Russell Crowe was set to star as the lead. However, after WB passed as well, it's any one's guess as to who will star if the project ever get's going. Currently Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are still shopping the project.
5. Booster Gold
Arrow Executive Producer and Fringe writer Andrew Kreisberg is developing a Booster Gold show for Syfy following the success of Arrow. Kreisberg started refining the script for a pilot at the end of 2012 so we very well could see some positive news sooner, rather than later.
4. The Boys
Initially at Columbia Pictures, the project is now at Paramount with Adam Mckay set to direct the adaptation of Garth Eniss' comic book. Many fans have clamored for Simon Pegg to play Hughie but the actor thinks he's now too old for the part. We had a near greenlight last year but Mckay quickly clarified that the project is simply in active development.
3. Akira
The movie was cast and all set to go into production before Warner Bros. pulled the plug. There was definitely talent assembled for the cast but there was a ton of controversy surrounding the studio's "white-washing" of the cast. The film was put on hold not cancelled but things aren't looking good. I may be one of few but it would make my day to see the project moving forward again.
2. Wonder Woman
I've already summarized all my thoughts on the troubles of Wonder Woman, you can read that by
CLICKING HERE. Maybe with Henry Cavill and Gina Carano now.....nah!
1. Black Panther
Before it was announced that Guardians of the Galaxy would be the other 2014 film from Marvel, many thought it would finally be the King of Wakanda's time to shine. Sadly we have yet to receive any definite news on T'Challa other than the fact that Mark Bailey was hired to write the script but that was 2 years ago. With Ant-Man kicking off the 3rd phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is that phase going to include more films from Captain America and Thor or will we finally get a Black Panther film? Hopefully 2013 is the year we'll receive news that the project is finally moving forward.
Honorable Mention: Powers, Locke & Key, Venom, Shadow of the Colossus, Afro Samurai, Deadman, The Flash, Raven, Hulk (ABC), Deadpool, Sandman, Golden Age, Cloak & Dagger, Doctor Strange, Namor
RELATED CONTENT: Mark Julian Ranks The 2012 CBM Film Slate Mark Julian's Top 5 Comic Book Panels Of 2012