After watching Spider-Mans lukewarm return to the big screen, I began to wonder what other comic book films may be on their way back to the Hollywood Grind. To my surprise there are quite a few.
I like reboots in some ways. I mean for awhile there it seemed as though comic book films were going from the, “hey, this might make a good movie” stage to the “coming soon to a theater near you” stage, faster than humanly possible. Because of this rushed production schedule we were blessed with some real duds. Remember Electra?
So maybe it’s time to try again. Maybe a new director, a new direction, a little more money, and a little more time is all that is needed to take a beloved, but seemingly ruined, property and turn it back into a gem.
Hollywood is clearly hopeful, and I guess we’re hopeful to. Ed Norton took The Hulk and turned it into the incredible movie we had all wanted. It can be done. Let’s see which of these upcoming reboots will make the grade.
Superman
The Man of Steel
December 2012
Directed by Zack Snyder, the guy who brought us 300, is hard at work on this one. We are dumping the old Superman films in favor of a darker and more dramatic spin on the classic character. Christopher Nolan is on board as producer and he certainly has proven he knows how to reboot a film. Amy Adams will be playing Lois Lane… works for me.
All and all this could be the Superman film we’ve all been dreaming of. Zack Snyder did a stunning job with 300. The other side of the coin is, he did terrible job with Watchmen, and Sucker Punch. Don’t get me wrong, all three of those films were visually stunning, but let’s be honest, two of them sucked in every other way. All we know for sure is he can make movies that look cool. Let’s hope Nolan heavily influences the writing end or we may be in for the most beautiful looking Superman movie ever, and nothing more.
Fantastic Four
In Development
Yes it’s still in development, but from what I can see FOX is pretty hot about this film. The first two were Tim Story films and he did a wonderful job of screwing them up. I will admit to enjoying the second film much better than the first.
The word on the street is FOX wants an all-CGI Ben Grimm. DUH! It almost goes without saying. Ben is supposed to be huge, seriously huge, in the comics he fights the Hulk! What were they thinking in the first place? What is this, 1985?
Josh Trank, fresh off his first film Chronicle, is attached to direct and that’s about all I know for sure. This could be such a cool movie. I’m ready for the reboot.
Daredevil
2013
20th Century Fox is looking for a director. They say this is going to be a full on reboot of the Daredevil story. David James Kelly is writing the script. If you’ve never heard of him, you’re not alone. He wrote a short film called Staw Man, and that’s about it. Doesn’t bode well I’m afraid.
It appears that Ben Affleck’s gigantic maw is out of the cowl. No surprise there. Otherwise this film is like a wisp of smoke. I’m sure it is being produced; I just can’t find anything solid.
The Crow
In Development
This one is impossible to write about. It is in a constant state of flux. So many directors, so many actors, so many rewrites, it’s a mess.
Here is what I know for sure. This movie will get made, but I have a feeling it’s going to be awful.
Don’t hold your breath.
Dredd
September 2012
Directed by Pete Travis (Vantage Point) and staring Karl Urban playing the title character and Lena Heady as his nemesis. It looks like this time around the film will try a lot harder to stick to its source material, unlike the Stallone version of Dredd. Did I mention it’s being shot in 3D?
We don’t have to wait long on this one. I’m hopeful.
