For several years now, there have been talks to bring Lobo to the big screen, with Guy Ritchie even attached to direct at one time. For one reason or another, the project has never really gotten much traction and has basically become stagnant, with DC and Warner Bros. opting to focus on characters that could potentially lead to a Justice League film. But I think that many fans would agree that the DC/WB duo needs to look outside those main stream characters for an upcoming project and Lobo is the perfect candidate. Movie goers seem to be eating up the idea of violence in their films (to an extent) and with Marvel and Fox still working on a Deadpool film, this would be the opportune time to beat them to the punch and get their own version of a smart-mouthed ass-kicker to the screen first.
Lobo was created in the 1980's as an alien interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter and was a rarely utilized "noir" villain and for many years sat in limbo until he was revived as an anti-hero biker in the early 90's. the later version was designed to be an over-the-top knock-off of Marvel's hugely popular Wolverine character. Lobo himself has been parodied by Marvel (as Dirty Wolff in a Deadpool comic) and by Amalgam Comics as a combination of Lobo and Howard the Duck. For the record, should a Lobo movie be made, Lobo the Duck should be a requirement, even as a cameo. I'd say it would be a nod to the fans, but I think that may go against the "Bite me Fanboy" motto that Lobo seems to carry.
Lobo is the only remaining Czarnian in existence and that is due to Lobo himself. Originally, the Czarnian race was killed off by Psions, but after the
Crisis on Infinite Earths story, the story was retconned. In this version, Lobo killed off most of the race by unleashing a plague of scorpions. In
Superman: TAS, Lobo simply says "I'm the last Czarnian. I fragged the rest of the planet for my high school science project. Gave myself an A."
This is the epitome of Lobo's attitude towards life and himself. He is a self-serving egomaniac who very rarely puts the needs of others before himself. He is, however, a man of his word, but only his word, going further than necessary. His one joy in life is taking life; basking in violence and intoxication. Despite this attitude, he does have some friends, albeit very few: Dawg, a bulldog who will not claim should he get in trouble and has stomped on and killed; Jonas Glim, a fellow bounty hunter; Ramona, a bail bondswoman and hair dresser; and Guy Gardner whom Lobo visits at Gardner's bar "Warriors" for free drinks. Oddly enough, this hardened hunter has a soft spot for space dolphins, which he has defended and avenged withe fierce brutality.
Lobo has clashed with and fought alongside many DC heroes including Superman, Batman and of course Guy Gardner. In a rather odd altercation with Aquaman, Lobo accuses him of killing a space dolphin. Once he discovers that Aquaman communicates with the animals and was raised by them and that Japanese fisherman actually killed the dolphin, Lobo responds with Aw, frag. Now I gotta be
civil." Of course, he goes on to annihilate the fishermen. In the "Li'l Lobo" story line, Lobo is transformed into a teenager by a magical accident. He joins up with Young Justice and accompanies them to Apokolips where he is killed in combat. However, as a result of the magical accident, clones of Lobo are able to regenerate by a single drop of blood. Millions of miniature Lobo's rushed into battle and easily defeated the soldiers. After the battle, the mini-Lobo's turned on themselves until there was one survivor, which grows into adulthood, leaving his time with Young Justice in the distant memory.
In a
Brightest Day crossover, Lobo appeared on Earth to capture a bounty that had been placed on the head of Atrocitus. After fighting Hal Jordan, Carol Ferris and Sinestro, Lobo fled, leaving Hal quite confused. It was soon revealed that the entire fight was staged by Atrocitus and as payment for his involvement, Lobo was given a Red Lantern ring.
Some are a bit hesitant about bringing Lobo to the big screen, especially in his own film. With DC and Warner Brothers having to rethink their plans due to
Green Lantern's lack of financial success, one has to wonder if going with a character like Lobo would be a good idea, and I can't blame them to be honest. However, with today's movie-goers eating up violent and raunchy films, this may be the perfect time for a character like this. As we all know, there is only one way to translate a character like Lobo: violent. While Lobo could possibly work as a villain in say a Superman film, you'd have a hard time portraying the true essence of the character in a PG-13 movie. So I'd have to say that Lobo would need his own film. He is pretty much in the same boat as Deadpool. Look what happened to him in a PG-13 film.
Lobo has been the topic of many fan casts with quite a few actors chosen for the role including Kevin Durand, Danny Trejo, Clancy Brown and even Bruce Willis. With a film like this, you are going to need an actor that can both play the character well, as well as have a big enough name to draw a crowd. I've come up with two solutions, as I had a hard time choosing between the two. First up and my preferred choice is Ron Perlman. Yes, I know Perlman plays Hellboy and that is exactly why I like him for Lobo. His looks, his voice, his ability to exude cockiness is impeccable. Despite his age, Perlman has proven that he can still handle an action role and his work on FX's
Sons of Anarchy shows he's got some bad in the body. My second option is Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Like Perlman, Morgan has played a comic book character or two, namely the Comedian in
Watchmen and Clay in
The Losers. In both films, he was among the stand-out actors. He has proven in his diverse roles that he is capable of not only doing well with actions scenes, but that he can act!
If you have suggestions or want me to highlight a Baddie you'd like to see, be sure to send me an email! I will see what I can do! Be sure to check out the past installments of
"Baddies that Need Movie Love:"
Mr. Sinister
Ultron
Kingpin
Black Tom Cassidy
Omega Red
Brainiac
The Shade
Harley Quinn
Ventriliquist & Scarface
Darkseid
Lady Deathstrike
Morbius
Ares
The Sentinels
Apocalypse
Electro
Deathstroke
Carnage