EXCLUSIVE: Barry Sonnenfeld In Talks With Warner Bros. To Helm A Comic Book Movie

EXCLUSIVE: Barry Sonnenfeld In Talks With Warner Bros. To Helm A Comic Book Movie

Barry Sonnenfeld has helmed all three instalments of the Men in Black franchise (the third is released this Friday) and in a brief excerpt from from my interview with the director, he reveals that he's in talks with Warner Bros. to helm a comic book movie.

By JoshWilding - May 21, 2012 12:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Men in Black


Last week, I got the chance to put my questions to Men in Black 3 director Barry Sonnenfeld. While there has already been talk of a fourth instalment, it sounds as if he may have a very different project to tackle before that happens. When asked about what he thinks of the recent trend of successful superhero movies and whether there are any characters in particular he'd like to bring to the big screen, the filmmaker revealed the following.

"You know, I'm talking to Warner Bros. about doing a franchise based on a comic that hasn't been around since the 60s. But it's too early to talk about it. But possibly, yes."


So, nothing concrete just yet, but this is very interesting indeed. While it's seemingly not a a big name DC superhero, the adaptation is obviously a character that the studio holds the rights to, so whether or not it's some sort of obscure superhero remains unknown. Any ideas? Stay tuned to CBM this week for the rest of my interview with Barry Sonnenfeld in which he discusses Men in Black 3 in great detail and also comments on the chances of the rumoured fourth movie mentioned above. You can find my 4* review of the threequel by clicking HERE, and don't forget to check out Men in Black 3 when it's released this Friday.

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MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 5/21/2012, 12:33 PM
Great stuff dude, no idea who it could be though, any DC character from the '60s that I know has been seen in some incarnation or another since then.
BlindLemonShemp
BlindLemonShemp - 5/21/2012, 12:37 PM
maybe he means a character that always seems like he's in his 60's? could this be that jay garrick movie everybody's been talking about lately? i hope so....
jazzman
jazzman - 5/21/2012, 12:38 PM
maybe its Static Shock movie and he hire Jaden Smith as the lead LOL.
valmic
valmic - 5/21/2012, 12:40 PM
sonnenfeld is a lame director, who cares
IDKwhatToChoose
IDKwhatToChoose - 5/21/2012, 12:40 PM
and that @jazzman would be the deathblow rofl
DudeLove721
DudeLove721 - 5/21/2012, 12:45 PM
I think you guys are misinterpreting the wording of what he says. I took it as the movie is of a character who hasn't existed since the 60's... so that'd rule out Flash or any of the golden age superheroes. Is another director already confirmed for Lobo? I thought I saw something about the Journey 2 director but Lobo would be a perfect fit (well, from the executives point of view) for the guy who did all three Men In Black movies.
4000dvds2many
4000dvds2many - 5/21/2012, 12:45 PM
Notice he never says superhero...just comic book. Could be the rumored House of Secrets/House of Mystery movie. Rumors suggested it would be very tongue-in-cheek, so I can see him doing it.
And guys... It's NOT Lobo or Shazam or Flash or Aquaman. The article says the comic has NOT BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 60's.
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 5/21/2012, 12:46 PM
Too obvious.... Lobo with the Rock
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 5/21/2012, 12:46 PM
or Shazam
CaptainObvious
CaptainObvious - 5/21/2012, 12:48 PM
@CaptainDC- There is already a director attatched to Lobo.
Dedpool
Dedpool - 5/21/2012, 12:48 PM
@Firg- Sonnenfeld on SHazam?!?! That'd work!
DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 5/21/2012, 12:52 PM
If its some C or D list character then I give up on WB/DC. They need to rethink their movie making priorities. The general audience is MUCH more likely to see a film based off a character they know than some unknown character only fanboys know *like Jonah Hex*
WarnerBrother
WarnerBrother - 5/21/2012, 12:54 PM
I think it could be Metamorpho. The shape changing hero who can turn into different elements.That seems to fit Sonnenfeld's style.Wacky visuals and characters and maybe recreate the mod sixties vib.

I think I'm starting to see a pattern here.

WB/DC is putting together B-level character franchise films that will likely cost less to produce.Those films can be released in the spring or fall for a year around WB/DC presence in theaters when teamed with bigger characters the come out in the summer or fall.
ClemRusty914
ClemRusty914 - 5/21/2012, 12:57 PM
Shazam Has been in talks for a long time......Dwayne Johnson has been rumored to be attached for a long tme as well.....didnt he recently hint at an upcoming comic movie role?
Curmudgeon
Curmudgeon - 5/21/2012, 12:58 PM
Betting on it being that "Mandrake the Magician" movie Warner optioned and hired writers for several months ago.
Fogs
Fogs - 5/21/2012, 12:59 PM
hmmm.... DC (or Charlton) from the 60's? Let's see...

Capt Atom


Blue Beetle


The Hawk / The Dove


Metamorpho


The Question


Srg Rock


Though I don't think it's gonna be a DC superhero flick. Probably something more like this:

jazzman
jazzman - 5/21/2012, 12:59 PM
@IronLantern79

they already hire a director for the Lobo movie. plus he said a comic that has not been around since the 60s.
MarkJulian
MarkJulian - 5/21/2012, 1:03 PM
Sgt Rock or original Blue Bettle
DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 5/21/2012, 1:04 PM
@Soforizo

I bet its the same guy who wants to make a Lobo film. I dont get their logic. My guess is that they're too scared to make movies off of big name characters after GLs failure so they probably feel safer with lesser known characters. IDK.
bhorwith22
bhorwith22 - 5/21/2012, 1:10 PM
He has already helmed 3 MArvel CBMs, albeit with a comedic twist.
jazzman
jazzman - 5/21/2012, 1:10 PM
@soforizo & CatwomanTDKR

even tho no one never heard of Jonah Hex. it should of been a good movie look how True Grit was a good movie why couldnt WB make the movie like that.
marvel72
marvel72 - 5/21/2012, 1:13 PM
why can't warner just pick one of the following.

-the flash
-wonder woman
-captain marvel
-lobo
-justice league
-aquaman

if they go down the vertigo title road,i think american vampire would be shit hot.
csdot
csdot - 5/21/2012, 1:13 PM
can anyone read? its a character that hasnt been around since the 60s. why is everyone guessing big name characters that havent gone anywhere??
Luminus
Luminus - 5/21/2012, 1:13 PM
He didn't say it was DC comics. Here's my guess:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Savage
Luminus
Luminus - 5/21/2012, 1:17 PM
Wait, Doc Savage is with Sony, apparently. So, then this:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_spider
jazzman
jazzman - 5/21/2012, 1:18 PM
@Luminus

thats true he didnt say DC comics it could be any comic book to be honest.
Curmudgeon
Curmudgeon - 5/21/2012, 1:20 PM
Seriously guys. Mandrake.

Fits the criteria. Hasn't been in the comics since the 60's, isn't a DC character but whose film rights are held by Warners, who optioned him back in March: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=56346

And a "Sherlock Holmes"-style renovation of the character would be right up Sonnenfeld's quirky alley.
MarkJulian
MarkJulian - 5/21/2012, 1:22 PM
You guys can't or don' read....
WarnerBrother
WarnerBrother - 5/21/2012, 1:24 PM
A couple of other properties to look at.

The Creeper
The Doom Patrol
Challengers of the Unknown
Captain Comet
Adam Strange
Sea Devils

Unlike Marvel,DC has a rich history of comics that cover subjects other then superheroes.
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