I’m blown away by the $207 million U.S. box office gross for The Avengers last weekend. Sadly, I wasn’t able to be a part of the opening weekend but I’ll definitely check it out next week.
Some non-comic book fans may lament the number of comic themed films that will be coming out in the next few years (Avengers 2 without a doubt, Captain America 2, Thor 2, Wolverine 2, Man of Steel, etc.) but I can’t get enough of them. My prime comic book reading years were the late 70’s to the mid 80’s, and with the exception of the Superman films it was slim pickin’s for comic book heroes on the big screen during that time. I remember back around 1981 my brother mentioned an X-Men movie was in the works. I have no proof of the accuracy of that statement, but it got my 9 year old mind racing to the possibilities of who would play Professor X, Cyclops, Phoenix, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Angel and Sprite. And for years I waited…and waited…until 2000 when X-Men was released in theaters. My brother drove down from Boston and we watched it in our hometown theater just like we did Superman: The Movie over 20 years earlier.
With The Avengers performing way above expectations, my mind is racing again to the possibility of even more comic book films.
Upcoming comic related films I’m looking forward to:
The Dark Knight Rises – Very high hopes for this one. And I’ll have a surprise post the week of its release.
The Amazing Spider-Man – I was puzzled when they originally announced this reboot. I didn’t think I would want to see another origin story, but the new trailer reminded me of what I didn’t like in the first Spider-Man movie, particularly Mary Jane’s role as Peter’s love interest instead of Gwen Stacy.
Man of Steel – I’m not sure what to expect with this. Superman Returns was a disappointment, mostly because it needlessly re-hashed plot points from Richard Donner’s Superman. One of the main criticisms I’ve heard from fellow fans is that it’s time for Superman to fight a super villain like Doomsday. I agree.
Dredd – After the 1995 debacle, I didn’t think Judge Dredd would ever get another shot at a feature film. Dredd will be released in the U.S. this September with Karl Urban (Star Trek, The Bourne Supremacy) in the title role.
Here’s my wish list of comic book films.
In development:
Fantastic Four #242
Copyright Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four – I wasn’t impressed by the first two Fantastic Four films. The super team that ushered in the Marvel Age of comics didn’t get the respect it deserved. There’s a reboot in development (Fantastic Four Reborn) at Fox. Fingers crossed.
Daredevil #230
Copyright Marvel Comics
Daredevil – I’m looking forward to this reboot based on the Born Again arc by Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli. But the storyline I always hoped to see on film would be from the Frank Miller/Klaus Janson run. Unfortunately the first movie took away the possibility of a Bullseye/Elektra story.
Holding out hope:
Doctor Strange #56
Copyright Marvel Comics
Doctor Strange – I remember watching the made for TV version of Doctor Strange in the late 70s. I don’t remember too much of it, except the terrible plot, acting, costumes, and special effects.
Justice League of America #165
Copyright DC Comics
Justice League – George Miller (Mad Max, Happy Feet) was attached to direct this several years back. Hopefully Warner Brothers will give their super team the big screen treatment.
Wonder Woman #253
Copyright DC Comics
Wonder Woman – One of the Golden Age characters that I would like to see set in the 1940’s. Superheroes fighting in World War II is kind of a recurring theme on my wish list…
Black Panther
Copyright Marvel Comics
Black Panther – I’d love to see a Black Panther feature film set in both Africa and New York City. He’s a very underrated character in the Marvel Universe. At the very least he should make an appearance in an Avengers or Fantastic Four movie.
Luke Cage, Hero For Hire #1
Copyright Marvel Comics
Luke Cage – Nothing like Luke Cage, Hero For Hire, opening up a can of whoop ass. If this film ever gets made, please set it in the 70s.
Giant Size Invaders #1
Copyright Marvel Comics
The Invaders – Captain America, The Sub-Mariner and The Human Torch fighting the Nazis in World War II. Need I say more?
Awhile back I had asked a comic artist what he thought of the large number of comic book related movies that had been released over the last five years. His response: “We rule the world now!”
I couldn’t agree more!
Fante's Inferno 