Its only been seven years since the world nearly came to an end, thanks to (of all things) a computer glitch, and in that time we’ve seen a trend developing in the tired taverns of tinseltown - more and more studios are hitting the local comic shops looking for the next big thing.
Comic-book movies have been around for awhile though; we’ve had the good (Superman the Movie), the bad (Spawn) and the downright awful (Batman and Robin) - but that hasn’t stopped the never-ending battle for decent adaptations and that elusive box-office buck; and so with one hand on our crystal balls (careful) we shall delve into the wispy wasteland that is ‘the future’ and hope for the best.
The first foray is the second Frank Miller movie, which is called 300 - a kind of cross between Gladiator and Sin City, it recounts the ancient Battle of Thermopylae that takes place in the midst of the Persian-Greco War. Directed by Zac Snyder (who is also currently linked to another comic movie opus - Watchmen), he has also opted for that same nour-ish visual tone seen in the Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller collaboration Sin City; but with more colour and a more adult sensibility, the movie will no doubt be something as unique and different.
It may be early to comment on, but production begins in 2007 on The Dark Knight, the inevitable sequel to the comic-book reboot Batman Begins. Christopher Nolan is back and so is Christian Bale, with the second outing that focuses on the clown prince himself: The Joker. The success of the ‘first’ film was due to the handling of the source material by director Christopher Nolan, so fans can rest a little easier knowing that there’ll be something dark and sinister to Batman’s arch-foe, being portrayed by Heath Ledger.
Although successful in the cinema, Fantastic Four received a lukewarm response from the fan community, who felt that Marvel’s First Family were short-changed. The sequel, Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer promises to be something bigger and better, with intergalactic herald the Silver Surfer coming to Earth to prepare its destruction by giant space menace Galactus. We shall wait and see how it fairs.
Ghost Rider is Mark Steven Johnson’s second go at a Marvel movie, the first being Daredevil. Starring Nicholas Cage, the story is about ‘young’ motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who sells his soul to Mephistopheles and becomes the fiery Ghost Rider, a supernatural agent of vengeance. With thematic similarities to the unsuccessful Spawn, this is at least slightly more promising for the fans.
Marvel Studios takes matters into their own hands with the independently-produced sequel to Hulk, namely, Hulk 2. The first film was certainly a different approach to the material but with mixed results; meaning that the second film will be back-to-basics “high octane” action. I miss Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby.
Michael Bay takes the helm for the live-action version of Transformers, which was a cartoon television show about two groups of alien robots at war: the Autobots and the Decepticons. The film will involve these two mighty factions crash-landing on Earth to continue their colossal fight. Expect all-out action.
The second of Marvel’s own movies is Iron Man, being directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr - and tells the story of billionaire industrialist and weapons inventor Tony Stark, who designs a high-tech suit of armor and uses it to ‘protect the world’. Such perfect casting is a good sign and if this is a portent for things to come, Iron Man will do big business.
The biggest Marvel movie of the year will obviously be Spiderman 3, with all the usual suspects returning - there is little doubt as to the success of this film and Sam Raimi has proven himself already, the only issue that could come into play is the fact that there will be three villains for the wallcrawler to deal with: Venom, Sandman and the (son of) the Green Goblin. Signs possibly of trying to include as much as possible into the third (and final?) film might not be a good omen, or may mean all-out money and kudos.
TMNT, otherwise known as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a cg-animated movie, with its tone closer to the original comic-book series of New York’s crime-fighting turtles. The animation is being handled thanks to ‘Imagi’ in Hong Kong, and promises a more grittier and dynamic look to these pizza-devouring half-shell dudes.
Mo Ali was born in a haunted hospital and has exceeded all expectations and kept breathing.
A digital artist, poet and writer, he needs to find some paid work before the inevitable apocalypse. To make matters worse he lives in Berkshire.