The Micronauts Find Their Writers

The Micronauts Find Their Writers

According to Deadline, Zombieland, G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation and forthcoming Deadpool screenwriters Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese are writing the screenplay for the J.J. Abrams produced movie version of Hasbro's Micronauts.

By EdGross - Oct 18, 2011 02:10 AM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi
Source: Deadline

Micronauts as well as a fourth Transformers film were listed as priorities during a Hasbro earnings conference call.

For a bit of background on Micronauts (which also became the subject of an anime series), here's what Wikipedia has to say about the franchise: "Micronauts is the North American name for the Microman toy line created by Japanese toy company Takara (later absorbed by TOMY). First released in Japan in 1974, Microman toys were imported to the United States by the Mego Corporation in 1976, under the "Micronauts" name. The line consisted of 3.75-inch-tall (9.5 cm) action figures, vehicles, robots, play sets, and accessories which used a universal, 5-millimetre (0.20 in) inter-connective design. Although the line was commercially successful, Mego cancelled it in 1980." Hasbro eventually gained the rights to the property.

There has also been a number of comics on the subject. Again, turning to Wikipedia: "The Micronauts began life as comic book characters thanks to a Christmas 1977 fortuitous accident. Marvel Comics writer Bill Mantlo's son Adam opened a new present, a line of the Mego Corporation's Micronauts action figures. Seeing the toys, Bill Mantlo was instantly struck by inspiration to write their adventures. Convincing then-editor-in-chief Jim Shooter to get the comics license for these toys, Mantlo was hired to script their series.
The first series of the Micronauts ran from January 1979 to August 1984 and included 59 issues and two Annuals. The series was written by Bill Mantlo and featured art by Michael Golden, Howard Chaykin, Pat Broderick, Gil Kane, Butch Guice and others. As of #38, the series was no longer available from newsstands and was sold via direct distribution only.

"In the United Kingdom, The Micronauts was first included as a supporting strip in Marvel UK's Star Wars Weekly comic in January 1979 for several months and then in the first nine issues of Star Heroes Pocketbook (alongside Battlestar Galactica) before joining new Future Tense reprint anthology. Unlike the U.S. version, these strips were printed in black and white. From 1983 to 1984, a Special Edition series was published (#1-#5) that reprinted issues #1-#12 and a back-up feature from #25. In 1984, a four part miniseries featuring the Micronauts and the X-Men was published, co-written by Mantlo and Chris Claremont and drawn by Butch Guice.



"The second volume of Micronauts, subtitled The New Voyages, was published from October 1984 to May 1986 and was numbered from #1 - 20. The series was written by Peter Gillis and featured early-career artwork by Kelley Jones. After this series the Marvel-owned license lapsed. From the late 1990s the characters Marionette, Arcturus Rann and Bug (all Marvel properties) have appeared in various Marvel titles (without referencing the Micronauts label). Bug has appeared in a solo one-shot and together with cosmic hero Star-Lord, is part of a new incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy.



"In 2002, a new series by Image Comics was published that ran for eleven issues before its cancellation in 2003. The same year saw a four-issue limited series featuring Baron Karza's origin and his relationship with the Time Traveler entity.

"In 2004, a new series was launched by Devil's Due Publishing, mixing new characters with those based on the toy line. The series ran for three issues and featured art by former Micronauts artist Pat Broderick. More issues were solicited, but never appeared on shelves despite some cover art being released.



"Kinetic Underground, Inc along with its affiliated company Kinetic Komicz started development on a new Micronauts comic series which was stalled by Takara Tomy Co., Ltd . The new Micronauts comic series was going to establish the new worlds, stories and characters that would eventually lead up to Emmett/Furla Films and Gale Anne Hurd’s version of the Micronauts. In 2006 Micronauts and Capcoms Killer 7 were going to be the launch titles for Kinetic Komicz digital comic platform ComicCasting.com and ComicCasts.com."
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admiralhowdy
admiralhowdy - 10/18/2011, 3:18 AM
I wonder if I still have those comics in the closet. I never read them but they did look interesting. Michael Golden art could make me buy anything back then.
VictorHugo
VictorHugo - 10/18/2011, 3:46 AM
Princess Mari, as drawn by Michael Golden, was my first comic book crush.
Ceejay
Ceejay - 10/18/2011, 4:07 AM
The entire Micronouats line of toys was canned and remaining projects used to initiate the majority of the first Generation 1 Transformers toys. Big omission from this article!
spidermanfan2099
spidermanfan2099 - 10/18/2011, 4:14 AM
I just finished working on the Hasbro comic of this... no idea it was gonna be a movie though!!! Should be a fun relaunch allowing a ton of crossovers.
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/18/2011, 4:18 AM
i remember the mirconauts,i've got one issue of the mirconauts comic it was a secret wars 2 crossover.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 10/18/2011, 5:17 AM
I have a few of the Marvel comics, they are actually ok.
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/18/2011, 5:49 AM
didn't the grasshopper like alien that was featured in annihilation conquest & guardians of the galaxy come from the micronauts universe.
dnno1
dnno1 - 10/18/2011, 6:15 AM
I liked reading the Marvel's Micronauts series. It featured some my favorite artists like Howard Chaykin, Pat Broderick, and Gil Kane, Some my favorite characters were Acroyer, Baron Karza, and Time Traveler. This would make a great live action (or CGI) film featuring Commander Arcturus Rann, Princess Mari, Acroyer, and Bug.
C0nan
C0nan - 10/18/2011, 6:32 AM
Great article. Lots of good information here. I didn't know anything about this even though I had both the Marvel comic and some of the toys.
plasticman
plasticman - 10/18/2011, 6:40 AM
Micronaut...schmicronauts...What the world needs now is a Starcom movie. What was better than space men with magnets for feet!
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 10/18/2011, 7:45 AM
C.O.P.S. would make awesome movie!

I mean that was a cartoon!:)


Then there is others like...
Sky Commanders, Dinosaucers, Centurions, Thundercats, Dino Riders, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (i mean come on we need a bloody He-Man and Turtles movie already), Swat Kats (That would [frick]ing rock), The Pirates of Dark Water, Jonny Quest, Gargoyles, Captain Planet and many others... Which definitely needs a movie version.
Shaman
Shaman - 10/18/2011, 7:49 AM
I hate small people.
Shaman
Shaman - 10/18/2011, 7:50 AM
AlexDeLarge87- C.O.P.S. would ROCK the roof off!!!
AlcoholicA
AlcoholicA - 10/18/2011, 8:16 AM
@Marvel

Are you talking about the main bad guy Annihilus? Nah, he came from Fantastic Four.
VictorHugo
VictorHugo - 10/18/2011, 8:19 AM
"ROM, the SpaceKnight" could be Marvel´s Star Trek, since Silver Surfer is going nowhere.
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/18/2011, 9:10 AM
@ alcoholica

not annihilus,the main villain in annihilation conquest was ultron.

there was this green bug like creature that starlord recruits for his team & i believe he becomes a member of the guardians of the galaxy.

i'm pretty sure he came from the mirconauts/mircoverse.
AlcoholicA
AlcoholicA - 10/18/2011, 9:28 AM
@ marvel72

Ach! My bad, can't remember the key players between all the cosmic annihilation stories and preludes. BUT, without looking back at those comics, I will try and comment anyway, ;p

The only person I can think of that you're describing is the female fighter Mantis. She originated from Avengers story lines, and i think was an Avengers herself for a while.
AlcoholicA
AlcoholicA - 10/18/2011, 9:29 AM
@ Marvel72

And if THATS not who your talking about, then yeah sure, he came from the micronauts. X)
GeekMobRoanoke
GeekMobRoanoke - 10/18/2011, 9:41 AM
Helloooo.. Haven't you realized yet that eventually ALL comics will be made into movies..So of course My Beloved Childhood Pals, The Micronauts, will be made intoa movie.... My pics for the next comic movies would be 1. Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew 2. Dial H For Hero 3.M.A.S.K. (Yeah..They did a comic..shut up!) 4. Muppet Babies ( Yeah..I said it!...It would be awesome) 5. Your Mom! (That's for all the haters)
Chewtoy
Chewtoy - 10/18/2011, 9:51 AM
Marvel72 is talking about Bug, who indeed was created for the Micronauts comic but is wholly owned by Marvel and still kicking around the Marvel Universe.

AlcoholicA
AlcoholicA - 10/18/2011, 9:55 AM
@ Chewtoy

Oh yeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhh...........forgot all about him until I saw his picture a second ago. How embarrassing, just flapping my gums like I've been. Oh wait, this is a forum, I now fit in with most of the people on here...lol.
Chewtoy
Chewtoy - 10/18/2011, 9:57 AM
Gargoyles probably tops my wish list for cartoons that should be made into films. Unfortunately, Disney is kicking around a Gargoyles film project that has nothing whatsoever to do with the awesome cartoon, and that sucks.

With the exception of that baffling "Battleship" film that they're releasing next year, Hasbro seems to have their act together when it comes to getting into the entertainment business. Not that I've enjoyed either GI Joe or any of the Transformers films, but let's face it... they've done a better job of launching franchises from their properties than Warners and DC have.

Now we just have to wait until they announce the epic Peter Jackson directed My Little Pony film.
AlcoholicA
AlcoholicA - 10/18/2011, 10:02 AM
Ha, my little sister and I were pretty close growing up, so I actually saw one of the (I don't know how many they're are) My LIttle Pony cartoon movies, and...uh....enjoyed it (come on, I was like 7 or 8!).
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/18/2011, 10:03 AM
@ alcoholica

no problem mate

@ chewtoy

you're the man,well done.
warlock
warlock - 10/18/2011, 10:07 AM
ISNT THIS MARVELS, I SEE MEEK FROM THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY..
jonedc
jonedc - 10/18/2011, 10:12 AM
Thought the toy was awesome as a kid I had baron Karza and force commander. also thought comic was good especially the artwork... I still have this comic...

http://www.comicrelated.com/gallery/micronauts/micronauts12.jpg
Chewtoy
Chewtoy - 10/18/2011, 10:18 AM
@AlcoholicA: I babysit for my little niece quite often, so I've seen a lot of the current My Little Pony show. It's pretty damn good... but then it was obviously influenced by the Powerpuff Girls. If it's a choice between a Barbie Princess video and My Little Pony, go with the ponies every time. At least there your odds are much higher of seeing them snap a bear's neck, special-forces style.

Hasbro actually co-owns the channel it airs on, so it's full of their programming, including a new Transformers and GI Joe show. They seem pretty serious about becoming a major entertainment entity.
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