EDITORIAL: Can a CBM about villains work?

EDITORIAL: Can a CBM about villains work?

Spider-Man, The Avengers, Superman, Batman. There are plenty of popular movies about the heroes, but will audiences see a movie about the "bad guys"?

Editorial Opinion
By Superzero - Dec 13, 2013 07:12 AM EST
Filed Under: Spider-Man

Yesterday's announcement of the upcoming Venom and Sinister Six movies is an interesting idea to say the least, as this will be the first time that a major comic book movie will focus on the villain, but will it draw in audiences? Sony certainly seems to think so, as they gave the go-ahead to not just one, but two movies focusing on the guys that audiences want to see lose.

"Venom" is a movie that has been in and out of development hell for fifteen plus years now and it is no surprise that Sony would finally make the big push to get it out and into the spotlight. Does this mean that we will see a Venom origin outside of the regular Spidey Cinematic Universe(SCU)? I find it hard to believe that any Venom movie will hit the big screen before 2016, the date ASM3 is supposed to release. More likely we will see Eddie Brock in some capacity in ASM3 and he will branch off into his own film. It could also be that Venom will be released along side ASM3 as a companion film, but for that to happen Sony would need to get things moving very quickly. Venom is a character that is already recognizable to a wider audience and getting them into the seats for his own movie shouldn't be too much of a worry for Sony. What the story would focus on would depend what happens BEFORE Venom gets his own movie. We know that hints are being dropped about "Venom" and Eddie Brock but until we get to see Amazing Spider-Man 2 we can only speculate. I assume that the set-up for Venom will occur in ASM3 and lead into his own film. Perhaps it will be the anti-hero Venom who was so popular in the late 90's. I would love to see a movie where Venom is still a bad guy but circumstance throws him into the role of hero and protector.

A tougher sell though is the planned "Sinister Six" film. Of the six we have only been introduced to the Lizard and Electro. Granted we are getting Rhino and some form of Goblin this Spring but we are still 2 short of our 6. Which leads us to that great shot in the current ASM2 trailer, the one in which we catch a quick glimpse of a flight harness and some rather nasty tentacles. "Sinister Six" could come out some time between ASM3 and ASM4, assuming that The Six are the antagonists of ASM4. Giving an entire film to the set-up of Spidey's greatest foes seems like a smart move. In doing this they could devote more on screen time to what the fans really want to see: Spidey throwing down big time with Lizard, Electro, Vulture, Doc Ock, Rhino, and The Green Goblin. Giving the big bads their own movie would give the audience a different take of the Superhero genre all together. Perhaps it will be a "Dirty Dozen" (half dozen?) styled film of Osborn building his army with the best of the worst his labs have to offer. As the film ends the Sinister Six is complete and ready to take down Spider-Man once and for all.

A Sinister Six movie is a bigger gamble than a Venom movie for sure, but it could be far more interesting. Think of it as the "Anti-Avengers", we always cheer for the good guys, wouldn't you love a chance to cheer for the bad guys? I certainly would!

Let me know what you think! What other Villains deserve their own movie?

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Superzero
Superzero - 12/13/2013, 8:10 AM
Taskmaster anyone?
MatchesMalone
MatchesMalone - 12/13/2013, 8:23 AM
Seems like a pretty big gamble to me. I mean, is anyone really clamoring to see villains as the lead in a movie? Good editorial anyway, Superzero.
Superzero
Superzero - 12/13/2013, 8:43 AM
@Matches

Venom is well known and well liked enough by the avg public to turn a decent profit and possibly start a second franchise. A Sinister 6 would almost need to be a ASM 3 1/2 or a prelude to ASM4. Meaning Spidey would need to be in it in some capacity (only a few scenes) and it would be a "one shot" type movie bridging the sequels but giving proper introductions to Vulture and doc Ock (my favt) without cramming them in the way they did with Venom in SM3.

@Yossarian

I'm thinking it would be somewhat of an "Origin" type film for the group as a whole and the newest rogues most likely Ock and Vulture. Good point about the Good Vs. Evil but I give them the thumbs up for doing something new.

@Gliderman

Patience. It could happen. There will be a bigger chance if any of these make $$$
Interestein
Interestein - 12/13/2013, 8:52 AM
Drew Goddard helming the Avengers equivalent to one of the most profound superheroes ever created? Why is anyone complaining about this?

I really can't wait for it, but I seriously think the Lizard will not be apart of the Six, but instead Venom or Mysterio (rather Venom helping Spidey out)
BatsFan
BatsFan - 12/13/2013, 9:08 AM
I think it will be like a hist or mob movie but with superpower.
DEVLIN712
DEVLIN712 - 12/13/2013, 9:08 AM
I don't know if this can work, the beat villains are the ones the audience hates, making them the lead role is going to be hard
GinjaNinja
GinjaNinja - 12/13/2013, 10:07 AM
The reason sinister six get a film but not loki is because Marvel has like 50 more heroes they can do! WE DON'T NEED A LOKI FILM!!! I would rather see Thanos, or Glaactus solo films then Loki.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 12/13/2013, 10:29 AM
Oh joy of joys, I knew an article like this would pop up. I love it.


The potato head is Strax, and he's a clone of a clone of a clone... from Doctor Who. This was, in fact, what we got from the Day of the Doctor theatrical screening.


Is he a villain? No. He's just a blood-thirsty nutjob. And it's fantastic.

Different perspectives.

Anyone watch Snatch? There is no innocent party, and it's more of a comedy than anything else. How about Pulp Fiction? Reservoir Dogs? Ok so you can guess that they're all heist movies of a sort, and the "villains" aren't TRULY bad people, just colorful characters who make bad decisions.

The Sinister Six could be awesome. The villain would be Spider-man.
Superzero
Superzero - 12/13/2013, 11:33 AM
@Tainted87

Thanks! Unless you were being sarcastic. lol

I agree that if a movie was made about a "Blood thirsty nut job" and that movie was called "Venom" we would be in for a treat. Sadly I assume we will get more of a "Lethal Protector" 90's style Venom. Sinister 6 as a "Inglorious Basterds"/"Dirty Dozen" style heist movie also has serious potential if only because nothing like that has come out yet.
Superzero
Superzero - 12/13/2013, 11:36 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YDYL6oECjU

I would watch an entire film like this over and over and over
MrCameron
MrCameron - 12/13/2013, 11:48 AM
I'm personally very intrigued with a film focused on the Sinister Six.

It would be something we've never seen before in a superhero film; a heist movie focusing on the villains.

It has a lot of potential to be really good and I give major props to Sony for having the balls to try and pull this off.
TwistedKingdom
TwistedKingdom - 12/13/2013, 12:05 PM
This feels like a stretch. Expanding the Spider-Man universe for expansion sake. "Do as Marvel Studios does".

That said, I'm not against the idea of expanding. But instead of the Sinister Six, how about with characters like Black Cat or Spider-Woman?
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 12/13/2013, 1:41 PM
I think a Venom movie could work but I am not sure about the Sinister Six movie. Venom has been an anti-hero before when the Sinister Six is just a group of crazy super villains.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 12/13/2013, 1:56 PM
AnnoDomini,
Totally missing the point, man. He's not in any way the villain, just a force of nature.
cipher
cipher - 12/13/2013, 2:19 PM
Honestly, I'm not too sure about the Sinister Six thing.. but, it would be interesting to see how they present Spidey from that POV.
cipher
cipher - 12/13/2013, 2:21 PM
Plus, Drew Goddard's involved, so..

We'll see.
cipher
cipher - 12/13/2013, 3:51 PM
Facade
Facade - 12/13/2013, 4:47 PM
I thought The Dark Knight was about The Joker.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 12/13/2013, 7:21 PM
Force of nature, like the police.
As in everything's taking off without a hitch, but they're still sweating. Why? Because the forecast calls for Spider-man.

As in, they've come up with a plan to keep Spider-man from interfering entirely, and while escaping, kidnap hostages Random Persons #1, #2, #3, and Peter Parker, not knowing they're one in the same.

As in, they decide NY isn't *safe* and plan a robbery in Toronto the same day Peter's doing whatever there.

As in, they dont want to split up because they have a better chance of getting taken down on their own.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 12/13/2013, 7:37 PM
If it helps, watch this clip...

....then imagine that Ed and Shaun are two of the Sinister Six, and Spider-man is... well, the zombies.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 12/13/2013, 10:19 PM
I have my doubts but i think Sinister Six can work. I mean i love Megamind and thats a kids film about a super villain.

Reservoir Dogs is an adult film about thieves robbing a jewelry store and understanding each character in that film.

Also, Oceans Eleven. I mean all there character's are good and they have a sense of morality but the group is still ripping off three casinos.
ds9epicfan
ds9epicfan - 12/13/2013, 10:23 PM
The general public won't go see a comic book villain movie only comic book readers who are fans of that particular villain!Need evidence....Catwoman!!
CapitanAmerika2
CapitanAmerika2 - 12/13/2013, 10:45 PM
I demand a Red Skull solo film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NateGrey
NateGrey - 12/13/2013, 11:00 PM






Looking like this...



Taskmaster would be awesome. Getting a criminal under world started, committing high profile crimes, stealing information, setting up his school to train the criminals in the marvel cinematic universe...
beane2099
beane2099 - 12/13/2013, 11:33 PM
My initial reaction to this news was "are you kidding?". But I will say The Superior Foes of Spiderman is actually a good book. And for that matter Spider-Man himself has been a villain for the past year. I think this idea will get scrapped eventually though. That's just my opinion.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 12/14/2013, 12:50 AM
I agree a Taskmaster movie would be amazing.
HulkOnion
HulkOnion - 12/14/2013, 3:35 AM
Spidey Cinematic Universe? Is that what we are calling it?
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 12/14/2013, 4:06 AM
@AnnoDomini
saintixe56
saintixe56 - 12/14/2013, 7:12 AM
Happy to stand up & be counted.

I have signed the petitionm handed leaflets about a solo Loki movie. Before you groan, grant me space to explain why.

The sagas, which feed the Marvel Universe, give Loki as Loki plenty of fun stories (and wholesome for the Disney kids friendly franchise).

A solo Loki movie can bring about the interval needed for a Thor3 - cliffhanger leading to an Avengers 3 movie.
Thor 3: Twilight of the Gods
Avengers 3 : Ragnarok.

Solo Loki movie set in Asgard only, with the Warriors 3, Lady Sif, introducing the new actor who is to replace Anthony Hopkins. Solves the where is Odin, what happened to Odin and why does Asgard and Heimdall miss this is not Odin sitting on the throne? Give plenty of time to allow the development of Thor on Earth bonding with Jane and the Avengers. Unlike the two Thors which were in essence dark: Thor 1 being about a cocky selfish guy and his jealous sibling Thor 2 about losing one's parent and trying to resolve siblings issues better. Result : from Thor POV he is minus a brother, a mother and self-exiled, not a great success, right? The solo Loki will be lighter in tone, set in fantasy swashbuckling action and why not, give Loki some dalliance time (ready for Loki's army to stab my back) with ... the Enchantress and Skurge or Lorelei (TH has mentioned Lady Loki and MCU has already have Sif being made to play Lady Loki); it can be a totally fun movie ending up with a Thor cameo and a Thanos cameo breaking to shreds all this fun within the last 2-3 minutes of the movie and opening to Thor3...
It is doable, can integrate the Avengers and Thor and GOTG arcs.

Because at the end, any baddie or hero movie must be part of the Marvel Universe like a piece of a puzzle. Stand alones cannot work if they do not become part of the MCU/MMU!
jTiso
jTiso - 12/14/2013, 7:27 AM
Don't know if this has been addressed yet, but Nick Spencer's Superior Foes of Spiderman would be PERFECT for a movie or television adaption. And for it to get success, they have to play it exactly the same way they do in the comic. The book is criminally underrated.
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