When are we going to stop kidding ourselves that these movies are EVER going to happen?

When are we going to stop kidding ourselves that these movies are EVER going to happen?

The movies that they keep on say will be made, but haven't had any progress in years.

Feature Opinion
By slimybug - Jan 07, 2009 12:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Other

All right, so a lot of people are pissed off about Warner Bros. cancelling the Captain Marvel movie. And while their reasons are the most ridiculous I've ever heard (We have to make ALL comic book movies dark, or not at all!) who honestly thought the film was ever going to happen in the first place.

Oh, was it you? Well you, my friend, deserve a big slap in the face. Honestly, how long was this movie being talked about? And talked about, and talked about, and talked about? Peter Segal was "attached to direct" for a long time. You know what generally starts happening soon after you announce you're director? YOU START PRE-PRODUCTION! Set-building, shoot scheduling, and, oh yeah, casting. But instead of that, it was just "Segal's still attached to direct," over and over again, with nothing new.

The ONLY piece of semi-news we ever got was that The Rock would be playing Black Adam, and that wasn't even official. Why? Because to make it official, you have to have a schedule on WHEN YOU WILL BE MAKING YOUR DAMN FILM! And as much as they talked about it, the film was never put into production. Many of the fans were clamoring for actor Brandon Molale to get the part of Cap, and he even knew Segal, but Segal still failed to even tentatively state that Molale had the part.

So why were we surprised when, after about two years of nothing, they announced the film's not happening?

But Captain Marvel is not alone in this trend. Look at the Ant-Man movie. "What Ant-Man movie?" you say? EXACTLY! We all know it's not happening. Edgar Wright has been "Signed on to write and direct" for years now, without a single iota of news, whether it be casting, or even just getting the green-light. And yet to this day, Marvel still insists that the movie is happening.

I mean, Wolverine is just about ready to come out, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America, are all in active production, and they're getting ready for Avengers, with release dates for all, but there is still NOTHING on Ant-Man, but they STILL INSIST it's happening.

Also, they're going ahead on trying to make an Avengers movie, apparently WITH Ant-Man and Wasp, but not trying to give him his own solo film first like the others. That could mean the film is scrapped, or they might just try to use the success of Avengers to make a later solo film for the character.

I mean, the truth is, no one gives a crap about Ant-Man. I don't really care if he ever get's a movie, and he certainly doesn't need one to be a part of the Avengers, as he's not one of the main three characters. It's just the fact that they still insist it's happening, when it clearly isn't, that's pissing me off.

And while we're on the subject, who honestly thinks Spider-Man 4 and 5 are gonna happen? I mean, I guess they might, but I'm very skeptical at this point. If Raimi wants to make them, and so does Maguire, what's holding them back? Where'st he greenlgiht? The release date? why isn't the ball rolling already?

And how about those DC films? I mean, really, what's wrong with those guys? Joel Silver's been trying to get Wonder Woman made for years. What's going on there? Nothing. They claim to be making a Green Lantern movie. Who wants to bet nothing comes of that? The Flash? There's another one that never happened. They finally cancelled that ridiculous JLA movie in favor of making individual films for these heroes, so where are they?

What do you think? Are we being optimistinc, or are we just kidding ourselves?

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MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 1/7/2009, 5:32 PM
Well, its a good point but sometimes ther can be surprises..i mean i never thought id see Watchmen get made, that movie was in pre production about 5 different times and there was talk of a movie for years.
Schooperman87
Schooperman87 - 1/8/2009, 11:05 AM
Even though it'll probably never happened I would really like to see another Spawn movie or at least a remake...
adamant877
adamant877 - 1/8/2009, 11:21 AM
I understand the frustration and the desire to see some kind of resolution when it comes to seeing our most beloved characters portrayed on film, but honestly, I think someone got a little too worked up over a little bad news.
Sure we all know that a lot of these unknown properties are garnering interest, and it seems like the real cash cows are being neglected (HELLO DC!!), but the real truth of it is that most of Hollywood is probably sick-and-tired of making super hero movies!
It's pretty much a staple now that on any given weekend you can walk into a theatre and see one, two, sometimes even more comic book films!
Raimi is an excellent director, and has a unique, comical style, but he's now tagged as "that guy who makes Spider-Man movies".
And from an actors standpoint, the moment you make a film that has any box office success, guess what kind of films you can pretty much guarantee you're going to be making for the rest of career?
I'm living in a wonderful time, where I'm getting to see my adolescent dreams of a world filled with comic book movies come to life!! But lets be honest, even I don't want to see half of the crap-tacular film adaptations that are being made!?
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 1/8/2009, 12:04 PM
Agreed Adamant877. I have never wanted to see nor ever will see an Ant-man, Namor or any other second rate character film. The studioes will not alot enough cash to do the characters right in the first place because they will not be profitiable enough to justify that, and second I just dont give a rats ass about Antman. Period. I wish the studios would just focus on better, more engaging characters instead of choosing these minor ones people know of but usually dont care about.
don1
don1 - 1/8/2009, 12:42 PM
i remember when comic books had the fan letters in the back of them ,and i remember reading about an X-man movie with glen danzig playing wolverine.that was when i was about 16 yrs old(or 18 yrs ago).the point being that it took them a long time to put it together.so dont give up hope.
JohnnyKrypton
JohnnyKrypton - 1/8/2009, 1:24 PM
"I mean, the truth is, no one gives a crap about Ant-Man. I don't really care if he ever get's a movie, and he certainly doesn't need one to be a part of the Avengers, as he's not one of the main three characters."

Oooh. Not nice and not true. Speak for yourself!
Catastic
Catastic - 1/8/2009, 3:13 PM
I hate ant man so much
Spock
Spock - 1/8/2009, 3:38 PM
Look out the release of the ThunderCats live action movie, hahah not. Sometimes we get ahead of our selves. I think DC should do like Marvel. They aren't owned by any major Studio. And they are doing just fine. I willing to bet Marvel has way less capitol then DC, and has still survive over the past 40+ years, with exception to there saleing X-Men back in the 90's. We just have to be patient.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 1/8/2009, 3:41 PM
HONESTLY, YOU DONT HAVE TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL MOVIES FOR THE NON MAIN AVENGERS, YOU CAN ALWAYS CAMEO THEM IN THE MAIN HEROES BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES LIKE IRON MAN 2 OR HULK3 OR CAPTAIN AMERICA..AS LONG AS YOU GIVE THE PUBLIC A TASTE OF THEM IT WOULD BE ENOUGH THEN DELVE MORE INTO THEM IN THE AVENGERS MOVIE.AS FAR AS DC GOES, THEYRE THINKING WAY TOO MUCH...DARKNIGHT WAS AWSOME..AS FAR AS ANY OTHER PROJECTS ITS ALL SLOW AND GO.MARVEL HAS THEM BEAT, EVEN WITH DARKNIGHT..THEY NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT BEFORE THEY GET LEFT IN THE DUST BEHIND A SOLID LINEUP OF COOL MARVEL MOVIES..
igloodude11
igloodude11 - 1/8/2009, 3:54 PM
THANK GOODNESS SOMEBODY SAID IT!
Silver Surfer, Ant Man, Magneto, Black Panther, Spider-Man 4-5, and practically EVERY DC Comics film aside from Batman and Superman they keep saying over and over again! Hollywood needs to stop lying to us and just admit that they aren't coming or get to work and actually put the films together. Sure you don't have to do the smaller titles but THE FLASH for goodness sake! Aside from Superman Returns, Hellboy 2, Incredible Hulk, X-men Origins: Wolverine and a handful of others, every film we have waited for in the last five years STILL has not been made.
Submarijuaner
Submarijuaner - 1/8/2009, 4:22 PM
I care about Ant-man. AND I care about Edgar Wright. And the premise was AWESOME...dumbasses.

Do ppl even read comics anymore, or do they just talk about whether Batman could beat up Superman?
GunRyder
GunRyder - 1/8/2009, 4:31 PM
I hope they at least make another batman movie, the rest of D.C.'s heroes are overpowered and most are corny, Batman is my favorite one and he has no powers. Imagine That! I also hope they make more Spiderman and X men, forgetting that the 3rd ones never happened. That would be sweet!
adamant877
adamant877 - 1/8/2009, 11:31 PM
Don't misunderstand me Shadowelfz: I'm in no way stating that I personally did not want to see any of these properties made into films, I do! I would love to see every character that I've ever read about in film! Flood the damn film market with them , for all I care! Just make for damn sure to stay in the lines of actual conituity (Give the artists and writers some God d@%$ credit!), pick talented actors and directors, and make them entertaining! I don't want to hear about a direct to DVD version of Man-Thing... Not interested, and neither is anyone else with a pulse!
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 1/9/2009, 1:38 AM
I agree. The industry can make movies about every hero in comicbook dom for all I care, even ones like Antman in which I would have no intention to see, because every hero will have a fanbase that will consider it their dream come true to see a live action film made about them. Ill support every comic book movie being made, I just find it absurd that they would make a movie about someone like Ant-man (to the point where they have a script, a director, a studio ect) before, say, one about a more popular character like the Flash or Green Lantern who have a larger built in fanbase and thus better potential for profit.

In retrospect, though, the Flash and Green Lantern are DC characters, and Warner Bros. are very prudant about the films they make, while Marvel okays just about every project that hits their desk. Hell, they already made films about Xmen, Spiderman, Fantatic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Blade, Punisher, Ghost Rider, Daredevil, Elektra, ect. With Captain America and Thor in the works, they are sort of running out of main characters to make movies about, so its only logical that they would move onto others like Dr. Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, Antman and so on next. Though not as popular, they still are comic book characters, and will bring in more interest than your vanilla action/adventure film.
don1
don1 - 1/9/2009, 11:52 AM
he said "man-thing"...lol.boy do i remember that.thanks for making me feel old.i would like to see a man-thing vs.swampthing movie,that would be cool
SirJediFrank
SirJediFrank - 1/9/2009, 1:58 PM
Shadowelfz_ i agree it would be absurd to skip major characters and give green light to "minor" ones...
oh wait...

it already happened! it was called Steel!!! hahaha. ok the Shak is cool, but they ACTUALLY made a movie for that character, yes it was for TV but even my dog has seen it in the repetitions in tv hehehehe..

Are there decent TV-COMICBOOKMOVIES out there? don´t remember..
slimybug
slimybug - 1/9/2009, 2:47 PM
SirJediFrank, the Steel movie wasn't for TV. It was 100% theatrical.
SirJediFrank
SirJediFrank - 1/9/2009, 4:31 PM
oh. didn´t see it ever in the theaters round here. maybe i missed it and then knew about it when it was already on TV...
Well if it INDEED was for the big screen makes Shadowelfz´s comments much more stronger.

though at the end of that movie a kid says to Shak: "hey can i be your sidekick? ..like Batman and Robin! ".. then Shack smiled like saying: you read too much comic books kid.

i mean I KNOW the kid´s line wasn´t supposed to mean there were batman and robin out there in Gotham in the same universe than the Shack´s Steel character, BECAUSE it was kind of Nolan´s movie: set in the Real World.. it was said exclusively for fan-joy......i think ;-]
carlosdev
carlosdev - 1/10/2009, 10:58 AM
While I tend to agree that I'm not interested in awful Direct-to-Video versions of comic book characters, or worse yet awful comic book theatrical releases (helllllo Punisher: War Zone), I don't have a problem with well-written, interesting movies about second tier characters like Antman, Green Arrow or even third tier characters like Moon Knight and Animal Man.

That said, keep in mind that it took over a decade for Spider-Man to get made, and more than 20 years for the Watchmen to hit the multiplex (assuming Fox and WB settle their differences). A lot of movies take years to navigate through development hell and not just the comic book variety. James Cameron's Titanic also took about a decade to go from pitch to greenlight. Whenever you have a script that requires major budget special effects as most superhero movies do, studios are reluctant to commit to something that risky unless they're nearly guaranteed a return on their investment. This is one of the reasons Marvel formed their own production arm, because so many of their properties languished in studio development without ever getting made. Now, Marvel can see to it that their properties get the kind of attention they deserve - or at least, can afford. Hopefully DC will do something similar and get off of their ridiculous "it's dark or nothing" kick that is going to come back and bite them in the keister. After all, Iron Man can scarcely be called dark and I understand it had a little bit of box office success.
iNsaneMilesy
iNsaneMilesy - 1/12/2009, 9:27 PM
Take Ant-Man for example, how the hell would that be a good movie? - He barely functions as an interesting character in the avengers.
loganoneil
loganoneil - 1/14/2009, 5:32 PM
What about viable comic book characters that have been pushed back because of other reasons? Captain Marvel in the golden era was out-selling Superman by 'leaps and bounds', but DC had to instigate their series of infringement lawsuits against Fawcett Comics, stating he was a rip-off of Superman. Those lawsuits were one of the reasons that Fawcett went out of business (they were sort of a 'one-trick-pony' with Captain Marvel). And when Marvel pulled a fast one on DC by creating their own 'Captain Marvel' after DC snatched up Cap's copyright from the failing Fawcett, and a whole new series of lawsuits was started, the Big Red Cheese was pushed into character oblivion (Why do you think the DC titles refer to Big Red as 'Shazam' instead of 'Captain Marvel'?). Who knows, if things were different, we might have been watching 'Captain Marvel' movies instead of that crappy 'Superman Returns' POS!

The point is, I WANT to see a 'Captain Marvel' movie - a PROPER one (and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one)! No talking tigers, no worms with glasses, no dorky no-power wannabe uncles, just a movie about a boy who suddely is endowed with the power of the gods, his struggles to come to terms with that power and find his place in the world. It doesn't have to be 'Dark Knight' dark, but I would like it to be somewhat REALISTIC. Is that too much to ask?
slimybug
slimybug - 1/14/2009, 10:38 PM
That's funny, Loganoneil. For a moment there, I almost thought you were serious.
loganoneil
loganoneil - 1/15/2009, 8:37 AM
Uh, bug - I WAS serious!
slimybug
slimybug - 1/19/2009, 3:37 PM
Again, good joke. I really thought for a second there you meant that you wanted a "realistic Captain Marvel movie," and even one without Dr. Sivana. Good one, man!
JACKNAPIER
JACKNAPIER - 3/28/2009, 10:05 AM
Forget about Captain Marvel how about Mz Marvel and Dr Strange with a side of the sinister 6
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