For some reason, Neal was under the impression that this Top 9 list would be about Texas. He was wrong! This is a WAKE UP CALL for Warner Bros. and some REEL TALK (get it? "reel"???) for the film producers behind any future DC Comics properties.
9. Green Arrow. Supermax, eh? What a fucking stupid idea. Why would you introduce Green Arrow to the film audience through a prison breakout movie? Play this one close to the vest and tell the tale of a spoiled rich kid that turns into a modern Robin Hood. It's that easy. Get some imaginative director to envision fun archery antics (including a slo-mo Matrix style arrow shot, of course) and you've got another superhero blockbuster on your hands, Warner Bros.
8. Metropolis. This is an unusual suggestion that could work out unusually well - take the highly successful Smallville TV series and spin it off into a blockbuster film where everything we know about the TV show changes. Let Clark Kent grow up and make the transition that we knew he was always going to make. Bring back familiar cast members - Lex, Lana, and more - while solidifying Clark's status in the big city. Show Kal-El taking hold of the Superman mantle and growing into his infamous role.
7. Arkham Asylum. A horror movie where the spotlight is on the Batman's rogues gallery. People already know the cast of characters well... so now give them a freaky thriller where every villain gets the same sort of hyper-serious treatment that Heath Ledger and company gave to the Joker. The story could focus on one frightening night when the prisoners of Arkham get loose inside the building and attempt to escape from the asylum. Tell the story from the viewpoint of a psychiatrist working there. People would love this.
6. Green Lantern. Supposedly, this movie is going to get made soon. But Warner Bros., you're like the "the film studio that cried wolf" when it comes to superhero movies. I'll believe that you're actually making this when I see some production stills or photos from the set. And it's probably best to go with the John Stewart version of the character - that's who the public is mostly familiar nowadays. Plus, the DCU film universe could use a bit of diversity.
5. The Daily Planet. A film about the most famous fictional newspaper in the world. Redefine Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White for the masses. Show what it's like to cover news in a world where the unbelievable happens on a regular basis. On the whole, this should be largely devoid of Superman (maybe just a little foreshadowing). However, this movie must be developed with the notion that relaunching the Superman franchise as a sequel is a given. As a tease, have the final scene feature a young Clark Kent being introduced to Lois Lane for the very first time.
4. Flash. The character is truly iconic. That's what he has in spades over most other superheroes. His name alone gives you everything you need to know: it's all about speed. Plus, the Flash logo makes for incredible merchandising. The marketing potential for this property is tremendous. To top it off, this legacy character has more than one classic iteration. Therefore, you can kill off Barry in the second film (for unparalleled dramatic superhero tension) and have Wally rise to the challenge.
3. Aquaman. As a huge Aquaman fan, I may be a bit biased. But this character is known across the world and beloved by many who grew up on Super Friends. Those two things alone make it the perfect time for an Aquaman movie, which would be a lavish underwater epic. Still need more proof that this should get made? Entourage has already done the viral promotion for the film! Warner Bros., if you wait too damn long then you'll never be able to capitalize on that free publicity!!!
2. Superman Begins. Yeah, we already have five modern Superman movies, not to mention countless hours of animated film and TV shows, and then there's Smallville... and a WHOLE LOT MORE. But the Superman film franchise is in the crapper right now. Warner Bros., just admit that Superman Returns didn't turn out like you expected and relaunch the whole franchise from the beginning. Keep it simple and go with the "Begins" motif that worked wonders for your Batman franchise.
1. Wonder Woman. Seriously, why is there no Wonder Woman movie yet? I know the story blah blah blah Whedon blah blah blah wrote a script blah blah. WHO CARES!?! Just make the damn movie already!!! This is one of the most famous superheroes in the world and all she has right now is a dated (albeit awesome) 70s TV series and a (LAME!) direct-to-DVD animated film. Stop making excuses, Warner Bros., and make a goddamn Wonder Woman movie!
More: The Top 9 WORST Actors in Live-Action Superhero Films.
Why the Top 9? Because 10 is too many and 9 is better. 3 X 3 = Awesome. Now that’s what I call math.
Good post Nick. Wonder Woman would be cool - and def Aquaman - but Green Arrow smacks too much of Iron Man. I know it isn't really the same thing, but the public has it's playboy superhero and his secret identity is Robert Downey Jr. Perhaps a JLA movie would solve all of this?
I really like the Daily Planet and Arkham ideas - but you know the unwashed masses would be all 'WTF?'. Maybe Arkham could work - but really, how interesting is The Planet w/out Clark? I can see these as promotional shorts - but not freestanding movies.
I think you omitted a goldmine though: The Teen Titans. What could be more timely (especially in this Twilight era) than a teeny bopper movie about angsty superheroes just learning the ropes and what their powers are capable of? Cartoon Network has already softened our youth to the idea with the animated series. They could use the original Terra story and that would work pretty well for 90 minutes. Plus - we would get so see Slade in live action - Casting? I'm thinking Mickey Rourke. He's obviously grizzled enough.
JLA was planned for production a few years back and then it stalled out. i, frankly, think it's too soon to even consider a JLA movie when the public still needs to see each individual hero (save for martian manhunter) in their own solo films first.
and the same goes for teen titans. i thought about it for my list initially, but i think that's a bass ackwards way to make money off of the property. first, we need to see robin established in the batman universe. then we need at least one other character set up in another hero's franchise (maybe impulse established in a Flash franchise since that character is all about legacy).
THEN i would say go for teen titans and JLA. but i think it's too soon too even consider an ensemble films like those when almost every single character would be introduced from scratch.
uhm.. HELLOOO - Watchmen? It is definitely possible to spin up and portray an entire teen titans story in 90 minutes - it would have to be a PG movie at best, but it's totally possible.
AudioShocker Shoutouts!
Neal,
I gotta say the Lucha Libre mask kicks ass.
The Teen Titans movie would be a bust. It would bog down in the burdensome dialog that teen angst requires. Combine that with the standard wooden acting that comes from the child actor/actress in their post-Disney phase and the movie would royally suck. Remember when child actors would do something outrageous to break out of their childhood roles steroeotype? I do! It was half of a 90 minute movie with Nicole Eggert running around butt-nekkid!
Which brings me to...
I'd much rather see something gritty and hardcore, something like the Amanda Connors & Jimmy Palmiotti character, The Pro. You want to talk unmined territitory...Now that would be a movie. They could even release an R rated version for the kids!
yeah, Neal I know Watchmen... but two things: 1. that movie underperformed, and 2. there was no marketing potential for those characters in the film beyond the Watchmen story itself. with the Teen Titans, those characters each come a section of the DCU that could be exploited in its own film / TV series / cartoon etc. if Warner Bros. does it right, they'll let those character enter on their own, and then combine them for a bigger bang. plus, Tom has a good point - do we really want to watch a bunch of stiff teen actors for the whole movie? they would have to go with just Titans and make them young adults (college age) instead to grab the best actors.
perhaps... Tom and I also came up with another possibility for Slade - Hugh Laurie. He could totally do it if he put on a little muscle.
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haha. this article got reposted on some forums and the indoor kids just tore into it (and agree with me on Teen Titans)!
imdb, more imdb, and superherohype
The Teen Titans movie has already been put into production, but instead of using Robin they're going with his later evolved version Nightwing. It's not as much young teens as college age kids, like the 1980's comic book. It's due to come out in '11