Fanboys are getting a bad name, and for the most part it’s justified.
I have been a CBM reader for a long time but I’ve never been a contributor. I’ve never participated in the relentless arguments taking place in the comment sections of almost any article on this site. Reason being: I refuse to be badgered, ridiculed, and harassed by the usual suspects who berate anyone with an opinion that differs from their own.
Why write this now? To be honest, I’ve had enough. I come to this site to read exclusive (and YES ‘spoiler’) content about the future of a world that fuses two forms of media that I hold dear to my heart: film and comics. I usually read the comment sections as well because it’s quite possible that the theories and insight of other readers like me can be fun. But it isn’t fun anymore. More often than not, I end up reading some stubborn blowhard going back and forth with another ignorant ‘crusader’ about how the film-makers are ‘raping’ source material, or how the character costumes are awful and therefore the film will be terrible. Then you have intelligent, well-read comic aficionados whose knowledge of the comic world is so in-depth, that they’re obsession has blinded them to the simple truth that: comic book movies are NOT comics. Translating any work from page to screen is ALWAYS a compromise. Period. It also needs to be said that these films are made for EVERYONE and not just people who read comics. Just like movies where the source material is a best seller isn’t made for only those who have read the books. These movies are made for broad audiences. What filmmaker sets out to alienate people who don’t revere the source material?
So why is it that the self-proclaimed ‘fanboy’ and online communities who so obviously love and respect the stories and origins, and the style of these wonderful fantasy worlds set out on these missions to doom and limit the possibilities of future crossovers and a the broadening of exposure? It may not be your intention to hinder progress, but I assure you – that’s exactly what you’re doing.
Take Green Lantern: From day 1 there were those out there who had a chip on their shoulder in regards to Ryan Reynolds; an actor of sufficient caliber and talent whose films and performances have had big box office draw for the last few years. I’m going to let you in on a secret: for actors, every film is a chance to reinvent themselves; a chance to grow as an artist; and also a chance to ruin their career. Certain stubborn individuals on this very site were hell-bent on Reynolds failing before they had even shot one frame of film – and they were going to be ‘right’ no matter how well he performed. They were flat out campaigning to destroy a film over their own tastes and opinions. And they did. Then there was the costume. Jesus. White gloves or no white gloves; cheesy PRE-VISUAL CGI or not – this film was to be crucified before it even had a chance. I just want to point out one thing to those who were up in arms over the costume: X-MEN 1, 2, and 3. Had this ‘fanboy’ community been as big and strong (essentially the bully that it is today) then, we would’ve never seen the evolution of that franchise. No Wolverine. No First Class. Give them a break people. This is where I reassert my previous statement: Translating any work from page to screen is ALWAYS a compromise.
Some people are impossible to please. The problem here is that when certain ‘crusaders’ aren’t pleased they go on a warpath. It’s vile; it’s disgusting, and its just plain disrespectful to anyone in the industry who strives to make good work. The studios are scared of us – and they should be. Green Lantern is a prime example of what can happen when the studios are pulled in every which direction throughout their process by online posts and the campaigning of belligerent blowhards.
So how do we fix this? For one, why don’t we let studios make their films and us (as movie watchers) watch the films. No more toting online ‘this film is going to be garbage’ campaigns when we haven’t even seen the first trailer. Our money, reverence of the source material, and devotion to these fantastic characters led to the wealth of films out there that aim to please the comic book nerd in all of us – don’t let those same things be the ruin.
Secondly, I urge every studio out there that is making a comic book movie to IGNORE US. Make your films with integrity, passion, and class and you’ll do right by most of us. Not every movie will be The Dark Knight or Superman II. In which case, you (the studio) will get back up, dust yourself off, and do what you do best: make movies. If that means ‘re-boots’ ‘re-imaginings’ ‘re-tooling’ ‘re’ whatever the hell you want to call it next time – then so be it. I’ll be glad to see my heroes get another chance to thrill and inspire as many people as they can.