Previous Pitches
Plastic Man
Roy Harper, Snowbird
Enigma
Is it just me, or have we been getting a lot more pitches in the Editorials section recently? Tom Servo: blazer of trails or bander of wagons? While it's most certainly the latter, I figured I'd keep at these anyway because, well, they're fun. That's all there is to it. I actually have some exciting news when it comes to these things, too. I've laid out plans for the rest of DCEU Rebirth Phase One, as well as the entirety of DCEU Rebirth Phase Two. So we have a lot more of my nonsense to come! I'm sure you're looking forward to it. And frankly, I don't blame you. It's exciting stuff. Maybe. I don't know. I'm not good at this ego thing.
Anyway, this far into the new DCEU, we've seen men stretch, arrows fly, and bats die (figuratively). A world of oddities, not unlike WonderWorks in Orlando, Florida, which frankly, might be the most overbudgeted tourist trap in all the world. Is it neat? Yeah, it's neat. But Disney World is right there! And they've got mice who talk, mouths moving and all! And a purple dragon who could like, invade your mind. He's got Inception powers. What say you, WonderWorks? Make a case for those prices! Anyway, we've seen a lot happen in this DCEU, on both a small and large scale. But you wanna know what we haven't done yet?
A team-up.
Now, contrary to what might make sense, this team-up flick won't be using characters from any of the three films we've gone over in my previous pitches. Instead, like literally everything before it, it'll be telling a story that has no basis in any of the preceding installments, and will instead focus on a self-contained story with almost no indicators of connection other than me telling you they're connected. The best part of this though?
The team-up isn't even 50% superheroes.
T H E B R A V E A N D T H E B O L D
"Shrink Your Expectations."
Directed by Edgar Wright
Written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
Based on characters by DC Comics
***
This is probably a weird title to choose for the fourth entry in a cinematic universe, but I promise, I'm not gonna Batman v Superman this thing. I don't mean that in the sense that I won't drop the ball with it, because that's never a guarantee, and also, I'm not an idiot, but in the sense that my story and thematic depth, absent or present, won't be muddied by forced universe building. Because that isn't fun for anyone. Especially not the audience. They just wanna watch a movie, mates. They don't care that Bruce Wayne's watch matches the one he wore in Detective Comics #572, with art done by Jim Whydoyoucareaboutthis and Bob Whatsactuallywrongwithyou.
The goal with my idea for a live-action The Brave and the Bold is actually pretty simple, which is probably a surprise for a project of that magnitude. All in all, I'm not really a fan of high concept, end-of-the-world-type scenarios. Even when tackling a title as sci-fi as this, it's always a goal to keep the stakes small, the story intimate, and the characters grounded. Again, not grounded in a dour, dark, "where's my Zoloft?" way à la Batman v Superman. No. By grounded, I mean relatable to us by means of their authentic characterizations and humanity, whether swinging on the black or white side of it.
So for the story? Well, I decided that an interesting route to take this was a team-up of minds and some fists instead of a team-up of all fists and no minds. What do I mean?
Revered Army veteran Eddie Walker (Paddy Considine, The Girl with All the Gifts) has a bit of a problem. Exposure to radiation during his time serving his country granted him powers that turn him into a bit of a loose cannon at night. In his monstrous form, he goes into uncontrollable rampages, leaving his small community devastated. Rhonda Pineda (Auli'i Cravalho, Moana) is a social outcast who takes pity upon Walker. The two bond, as she tries to help Walker contain the beast, while also learning to tame him once he lets loose. General Mateo Pineda (F. Murray Abraham, The Grand Budapest Hotel), looking to cover up their hand in his creation and also being the father of Rhonda, hires a team of scientists lead by hotshot inventor Ray Palmer (Simon Pegg, Star Trek Beyond) to find a way to kill him. However, disgruntled scientist T.O. Morrow (Jemaine Clement, Flight of the Conchords), looking to expose the military's role in Walker's condition, enacts a conspiracy that drags in the likes of local hero the Midnighter (Daniel Radcliffe, Swiss Army Man), young pilot Nathaniel Adam (Trevante Rhodes, Moonlight) and more, all while the team begins to realize murdering him might not be the best course of action if they wish to better the world going forward.
So, did anybody here figure out the very, very easy-to-spot social critique here? Yep yep yep, today, we're talking about PTSD! In a superhero movie! Fun, right? Well, guess what?
Gojira, a kaiju flick that many of you love and a major influence on this pitch in terms of genre elements, like a giant radiation monster and rooms of scientists talking, was made as a response to the effects the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings had on the country, and why playing with nuclear weapons is a bad idea! See that? Intelligence hidden behind genre fun. I know. Who would've thought?
Director
Edgar Wright
This man. This beautiful, beautiful man. Oh, how you deserve your comic book movie retribution. And what better way to give Marvel the bird than to jump ship and adapt the DC equivalent of the character you were supposed to bring to the big screen? It's just beautifully evil, isn't it?
Anyway, you all know his name, you all know his game, so I'm not gonna spend too much time on it. Also, because it's currently 12:45 AM as I'm sitting here writing this, I spent the day at Epcot, and I need to sleep. Moving things along, Edgar Wright is an acclaimed director and one of the most notable in both the current comedy and nerd cultures. He rose to prominence for creating the cult TV series
Spaced, and followed that up with his revered Cornetto trilogy of films.
Shaun of the Dead,
Hot Fuzz, and
The World's End were released to critical and audience success, cementing themselves as some of the greatest modern comedy films we've seen. Wright also gave us indie darling
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and this year's surprise blockbuster smash hit
Baby Driver, which I had the pleasure of seeing early.
Why would Wright be the perfect candidate? Isn't it obvious? The man clearly has a knack for genre experimentation, and finds a way to blend it with his distinct sense of humor in a way that doesn't feel derivative or stale. Not only that, but he more than has a handle at directing ensemble casts and giving each their due. That's a talent not many outside Wes Anderson or Steven Soderbergh have.
Screenwriter(s)
Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
If you're even a little bit surprised by this... for the love of God, watch more movies. Please. Do yourself that favor.
A recurring pattern throughout this series of pitches of mine is directors coming back on to write their own films. That's not a me thing, but it's fairly typical in Hollywood, and even amongst the specific directors I've casted. No exceptions here, either. Edgar Wright typically writes his own films, and the screenplays are pretty much fantastic across the board. They're funny, satirical, well-paced, and have heart. That is, of course, except for Baby Driver. Now, I enjoyed Baby Driver quite a bit. But in comparison to the rest of Wright's stellar filmography, it just isn't up to par. I can forgive it because the film was admittedly made to boast his impressive directing chops and style, but I can't help but feel invested the way I did his other movies. It's a fine film, a solid 7.5/10, but Wright's worst for sure.
The problem? Simon Pegg wasn't helping.
What the Cornetto trilogy, which Wright did share writing duties with Pegg for, has over Baby Driver isn't its comedy, or pacing, or wittiness. It's its heart. The movie is well-shot and well-acted for sure, but the material everybody is working off doesn't do much to stand out. It's a fairly standard crime thriller, albeit with a comedic slant, that is only elevated by Wright's directing. Having helped written his films in the past, Pegg reuniting with Wright behind the typewriter would only benefit The Brave and the Bold.
Misc.
Ugh... well, here goes.
Produced by Charles Rove, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, and Nira Park
Music by David Wingo (Brigsby Bear)
Cinematography by Bill Pope (The World's End)
Edited by Paul Machliss (Baby Driver)
Production companies
DC Entertainment
Working Title Films
Big Talk Productions
Atlas Entertainment
Cruel and Unusual Films
Distrubuted by Warner Bros. Pictures
We're done.
The Cast
Ideally, The Brave and the Bold is a film that utilizes an ensemble of characters from a multitude of different backgrounds, that play drastically different roles in the world they inhabit. To bring to life such a colorful cast, we need actors with a wide range of performance abilities with experience in genres of film outside Wright's genre comedies. I kept that in mind when casting these characters, and I hope it shows.
-Simon Pegg as Ray Palmer/Atom-
A hotshot inventor and entrepreneur by day, shrinking vigilante by night. Grabs the attention of General Mateo Pineda for his genius intellect and superheroic actions, and signs onto the project. While at first determined to finish the mission by any means necessary, he learns of the truth behind Eddie Walker's condition and works with the other scientists to find a cure. To enact their plan, he must put on the suit and hit the field.
Notable Works: Star Trek Beyond & Hot Fuzz
-Jemaine Clement as T.O. Morrow-
Disgruntled scientist working for the United States military. Signed on young when he was eager to help, but became jaded by violence and opened his eyes to the establishment's self-interest. Plans to use Loose Cannon as a tool to expose military selfishness to the public, but later plans to assassinate him by using a secret weapon when he's threatened with exposure himself.
Notable Works: Flight of the Conchords & Legion
-Paddy Considine as Eddie Walker/Loose Cannon-
Military veteran celebrated by his peers for his selfless actions during the Iraq War. However, he has been secretly suffering with signs of a serious condition ever since being discharged, and it finally manifests itself as a Hulk-like monster that comes out at night. His actions start a chain reaction that attract individuals both looking to help him and out to get him.
Notable Works: The Girl with All the Gifts & The World's End
-F. Murray Abraham as General Mateo Pineda-
The well-respected leader of a famed military battlion tasked with covering up Eddie Walker's mutant rampage. Uses his mission as a way to mask fear that his cushy position may not be revered the way it once was, and that the monster he's hunting may bring his daughter Rhonda into the crossover. Ruthless in his tactics.
Notable Works: The Grand Budapest Hotel & Amadeus
-Auli'i Cravahlo as Rhonda Pineda-
A young woman living in the neighborhood Eddie Walker's monstrous alter ego has left in terror, and daughter of General Mateo Pineda. Socially awkward and a bit of a nihilist. Delinquent as a youth just trying to make ends meet. Forms a bond with Walker over their wishes to bury their demons.
Notable Works: Moana & Wreck-It Ralph 2 (upcoming)
-Daniel Radcliffe as Lucas Trent/Midnighter-
Low-level vigilante operating in the city of Eddie Walker and the Pineda family. Curious to investigate the case on his own, but is dragged into the larger governmental plot after T.O. Morrow approaches him with a bribe to help in his scheme, which he denies. Buddies up with Ray Palmer, an old friend, to suit up and take the mission head-on.
Notable Works: Swiss Army Man & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows – Part II
-Trevante Rhodes as Nathaniel Adam/Captain Atom-
Young, impressionable pilot for the United States willing to do anything to protect his country. Manipulated by T.O. Morrow into believing the motives of Ray Palmer and his team go against American ideals. Willingly transformed into Captain Atom, who Morrow uses as a weapon against Eddie Walker, Atom, and Midnighter.
Notable Works: Moonlight & Burning Sands
-Joel Hodgson as Martin Stein-
A seasoned scientist picked up for the mission by General Mateo Pineda. Experienced in the construction of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear science. Introverted and soft-spoken, but hiding a dry, cynical wit beneath his quietness.
Notable Works: Mystery Science Theater 3000 & Freaks and Geeks
-Donald Glover as Michael Holt-
Former child prodigy made a celebrity for his unmatched intelligence in a multitude of fields, including theoretical physics, political science, and chemistry. Pure of heart and always looking to do the right thing, no matter who he opposes.
Notable Works: Atlanta & Community
-Jessica Hynes as Lena Luthor-
Popular CEO of LexCorp who took over after her younger brother was detained. Uses her bubbly, comedic public image as a front to hide her cold, Machiavellian cunning behind. Volunteers to help when contacted, but does so with allegiances nobody has figured out.
Notable Works: Spaced & Shaun of the Dead
-Nick Frost as Adam Cray-
Street-level crook struggling after a dishonorable discharge from the Navy. Hired by T.O. Morrow to steal tech from Ray Palmer in a raid of Palmer Industries, which succeeds. Killed off by T.O. Morrow to cover his tracks after Ray Palmer confronts him.
Notable Works: Shaun of the Dead & Hot Fuzz
-Sally Phillips as Jean Loring-
Wife of Ray Palmer. Encourages him to join the mission to get him away from his vigilante work, which risked draining the company's funds.
Notable Works: Bridget Jones's Diary & Smack the Pony
Additionally, Aidan Gillen has a cameo in a mid-credits scene as Lex Luthor Sr., who meets with his daughter at LexCorp to discuss Lex Jr.'s detainment and the beginning of their next plan: cloning the Man of Steel, Superman. Michael J. Nelson has a cameo in a post-credits scene as Dabney Donovan, who attempts to sneak into the blocked-off scene of the final battle to retrieve some of Eddie Walker's blood, but is quickly spotted and arrested.
So, what are we thinking here? On par with the rest, or a little weaker than usual? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section down below, and be sure to share the article and suggest your own ideas, whether to me or to ComicBookMovie.com as a whole!
You've been a great reader, but I got movie sign! Cheers!