Marvel Movies AHOY!

For the past several days, in seems the entire pop cultural spectrum has been buzzing about the "invincible" box office mojo of Iron-Man, the first official film of the fledgling Marvel Studios. Adding to the giddy excitement of the mammoth $100 million weekend was yesterday's perfectly-timed Q1 financial report from Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Normally I don't get too excited about financial reports, but this one included Marvel's slate of future movie projects...complete with release dates! Now, I realize this is probably premature...and release dates can change on a whim...but I thought I'd take a look at the list and jot down a few thoughts on each movie, if anything to look back and see how prophetic (or pathetic) my musings were.

First of all, it looks like nothing from Marvel is on tap for 2009...which I can hardly complain about since the Iron-Man and Hulk movies are a mere six weeks apart here in 2008. I have to say, though...as great as it is to have two big Marvel movies coming out the same summer, I think it'll become more obvious as blockbuster season rolls on that summer of 2009 might've been a better time to release the Hulk.

However, as you'll soon see, the "double-release summer" appears to be something Marvel is sticking with for their upcoming films...so I guess we'll have to see how that strategy pans out before I get too skeptical. I suspect the Hulk movie's performance will have a strong influence on many of these tentative release dates...but for now, let's go with the schedule Marvel's provided. Leading off the list, of course, is...

Iron-Man 2 (April 30th, 2010): Although hardly a surprise, it's great to see the Iron-Man sequel on a fast-track trajectory. Two years in "movie time" is incredibly tight, so hopefully the principals can get back together soon to begin production (if they haven't already). I've heard rumors that the Mandarin may be the villain (after they wisely cut him from the first movie), but whoever it is, Iron-Monger's inclusion in the first movie pretty much rules out another armored foe (as much as I'd love to see the Crimson Dynamo or Titanium Man).

I've also heard that director Jon Favreau was interested in exploring Tony Stark's alcohol problem which, while questionable by the giddy standards of summer blockbusters, shows an admirable desire to take some dramatic risks. Obviously, Downey has deep wells of experience to draw from with a storyline like that...so we can be assured of a powerful, very non-traditional superhero movie experience if that's the direction they choose to go.

Bottom Line: Whatever they decide to do, I've got total confidence in Favreau and his crew.

Thor (June 4th, 2010): Was it just me, or did I hear the distant rumble of thunder when I read this listing? Seriously, being the Thor fanatic I am, I was elated to finally see a firm date connected to a Thor movie...though I have to admit having some concern over the tight production timeline. If it's done right, Thor would probably be by far the most challenging and expensive to produce of all the Marvel films. My hope is that Marvel goes all out and contracts a top-notch special effects house like Weta Workshop (of Lord of the Rings and Narnia fame) to do the costuming, props, sets, and digital effects. Heck, with Iron-Man's success, they'll have some money to spend...so why not hire the very best? If Weta is out of reach, I suppose they could go the blue screen live action/digital sets route like the recent Star Wars movies or 300. However it's done, production will hopefully begin soon, because they'll need every minute they can get to achieve that "epic with a capital E" level of quality that Thor deserves.

As for the story, I can see them trying a couple of approaches. One approach would be to set the story completely within a mythic/fantasy framework. A more likely (and somewhat less expensive) approach would be to devote only a portion of the movie to the mythic/fantasy setting, then turning the rest of it over to Thor's entry into the modern world. As it turns out, the origin of the comic book Thor nicely corresponds to that general progression. As in the comics, a headstrong Thor could be banished by Odin to live on Earth as a frail, handicapped doctor named Don Blake (with no memory of having been Thor). After learning true humility, Blake eventually finds a magical wooden cane that, upon striking it, transforms him into Thor. This is an essential scene for any Thor origin movie, and with Marvel calling the shots, there's an excellent chance it'll be there.

As for villains, come one...it's gotta be Loki, Thor's evil half-brother. If that's not enough, you've got Frost Giants, trolls, dragons, teeming warrior hordes, fire demons, and just about anything else the CGI wizards can invent and throw onto a movie screen.

Bottom line: This can and SHOULD be huge. Let's hope Marvel has the money, vision, and tenacity to pull it off.

The First Avenger– Captain America (May 6th, 2011): Although I understand it's only a working title with a marketing eye toward an Avengers movie (set for later that summer), the "First Avenger" bit isn't working for me...and may even be an impediment to the general public's comprehension of the title. However, beyond that bit of weirdness, I can't begin to describe how excited I am about a high profile Captain America movie. With visions of those awful TV specials and the 1990 movie still haunting me, I'm ready for a definitive Cap movie to exorcise them for good. Obviously, the movie will be set during World War II, but less obvious will be how they decide to portray the WWII cap. I'm hoping they stick to the standard comic book costume and resist the urge to make him a "more realistic" gear-saddled Cap from the flashbacks in Marvel's Ultimates title. Sure, I'll meet them half way and agree to drop the "head wings" if they agree not to stick an army helmet over his masked face. I mean, come on.

It's a slam-dunk the villain will be the Red Skull, although this time around, how about making him a German Nazi and not the inexplicable Italian Fascist of the 1990 movie? However, considering the frightening appearance of the Skull and the inevitable battle scenes, I'm thinking it would be better to position this film as a PG-13 experience (perhaps even a hard PG-13 rating) and avoid trying to water it down for a PG audience. It's likely the film will end with Cap's plunge into the icy depths of the North Atlantic, into suspended animation, and perfectly setting him up for his "thawing out" in The Avengers.

Bottom Line: As long as I get Cap mopping the floor with Nazis and a soundtrack packed with trumpets and snare drums, I'll be a grinning fool. That, and I want to see all of those "International audiences hate America and won't want to see it" nitwits eat their words when this thing is the huge international hit I know it will be.

The Avengers (July 2011): Unlike DC's illogical plan to roll out a Justice League movie before most of the team is "introduced" to the general public, Marvel does it right by banding their characters together AFTER their respective solo flights. Assuming all of the principal actors can be "assembled" for the capstone of Marvel's movie plans, this has the potential to be bigger than anything. A vague guess is that the individual heroes will come together to search for and/or recover Captain America, then stay together as The Avengers to fight...whatever else there is to fight (as if it really matters). The real thrill will be seeing the interaction of Iron-Man, Captain America, Thor, possibly the Hulk (technically a founding member of the Avengers in the comics) and, if they're smart, cameos by Spider-Man and Wolverine (just to goose the box office a little more).

Bottom Line: Living for the moment I hear Cap yell "Avengers...Assemble!"

How about you? What are you looking for in the upcoming Marvel movies?

Comments

[Rich]

Note that X-Men Origins: Wolverine is due in May 2009. Not from Marvel studios, but it's still on the release schedule.

There's a 'Planet Hulk' animated release coming too, which could be really cool.

[Mark Engblom]

Ah...that's right, Wolverine for 2009! Thanks for the reminder, Rich!

Man, is Marvel eating Warner Bros./DC's lunch, or what?

[Rich]

Not much doubt about it. DC/WB really, really need to get on the ball. They've given us a great Batman series, a so-so Superman, and not much else lately. I guess 'Watchmen' and 'V for Vendetta' might count.

I don't mind that "The First Avenger" bit if the goal is to build brand recognition. The Avengers aren't as well known among civilians as the Justice League/Superfriends, after all.

I'll note that whoever is cast as Cap will be filming as that character for a long time to do two movies, so I hope they like carrying around a shield. Also... with the star power in Avengers (Downey, Jr., Norton, Jackson, and the remaining cast), let alone the effects and such, that flick is going to be *very* expensive.

[MMFK]

WWII Cap (maybe tied with Captain Mahr Vehl) is the best design to come out of the Ultimate books. It's the perfect blending of 'super' and 'soldier,' and it'd be great for a Cap movie set in WWII. That being said, in an Avengers movie, I'd like to see him make to switch to the classic Captain America costume, complete with head wings.

I love Thor, but I'm going to try not to get my hopes up about the movie at least until I see a trailer or something. Considering the popularity of all the fantasy movies coming out lately, I could see why they'd want to go in that direction, but the visuals in Marvel's Thor wasn't really all that tied to the original mythological source material when he was introduced. Maybe the "Mardi Gras" headgear is too much to ask for, but I wouldn't want to see the Asgardians wearing more authentic-looking viking garb either.

Who am I kidding...I'm gonna see 'em all anyway. Can't wait!

[Mark Engblom]

"That being said, in an Avengers movie, I'd like to see him make to switch to the classic Captain America costume, complete with head wings."

Maybe the helmet look reminds me too much of the 1970's TV movie, which featured cap wearing a blue, wing-painted motorcycle helmet instead of a mask. Sure, going into battle with an unprotected head wouldn't happen...but so what. Yeah, throw a utility belt on him or other bits of standard-issue stuff...but keep the head free of a helmet.

[Brian]

Wait, did I hear that Adam Sandler had been cast as Captain America, and that they were definitely going with Dakota Fanning as the Wasp in the Avengers film? Also can't wait to see Ashton Kutcher's brilliant performance as Thor...

Sorry Mark, couldn't resist a bit of nightmarish humor. (: I think these movies all sound great, but I'm wary of getting my hopes up until shooting on them actually begins. Still, I like all your ideas, and think they should hire you as a Creative Consultant.

[Texcap]

I've been waiting for a Captain America movie worthy of the name for what seems like a lifetime, and the news that it's finally happening fills me with that same kid-like excitement I had for movies like Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones and the like. At least, so long as Marvel takes it seriously.

Like most of you, I'd love to see the WWII setting with fantastic battle scenes in which Captain America is allowed to decimate Nazi's as America's first and only "Super-Soldier," building of course to a climax in which he faces off against some Red Skull-inspired plot. What American audience wouldn't love seeing Cap on the WWII battlefield given how well those resonate with everyone?

And as for the uniform, the classic suit is the only way to go, in my eyes. Now, I wouldn't mind if they made the blues or the reds darker for the film, etc. but the "head wings" and the "A" are a must in my eyes and I just wouldn't get why they'd mess with a classic given what studios are now capable of visually (e.g. Spider-Man, Iron Man, etc). I'm definitely with Alex Ross on this one:

"For me, the biggest one of them is the wings on the sides of the head. I don’t want to see them go. I had designs utilizing the wings involved in the headpiece in slightly different ways, but basically, that was the one thing I felt had to stay. I did not want to provide a single drawing or sign off on my participation on it, without those wings.

It’s just that, to me, that’s the iconic graphic image: the “A” and the wings on the sides of the head – and I believe you can make them look good – they don’t have to look ridiculous."

Anyhow, can't wait for more info!

[Mark Engblom]

"Wait, did I hear that Adam Sandler had been cast as Captain America, and that they were definitely going with Dakota Fanning as the Wasp in the Avengers film? Also can't wait to see Ashton Kutcher's brilliant performance as Thor..."

LOL! You know, you almost had me going back to the original article to see if the Sandler bit was in there somewhere. WHEW!...although, I've lived through plenty of nightmare casting calls (Nic Cage as Superman anyone?) to know that the Hollywood crowd is capable of just about anything. Happily, the fact that Marvel Studios will be doing the films gives me a little more reassurance that horribly miscast characters won't be the norm. True, Downey as Iron Man was a bit of a "huh?" moment at first, but proved to be a brilliant choice.

[Pj Perez]

Look at Alex Ross' renderings of Cap and his costume ... maintained like that, with a touch of Ultimates flavor (it would make sense Cap would have a "utility" type belt, soldier without weapons and all). Actually, the only realistic way I can see all of this getting pulled into a film is to do it "Ultimates" style, with Fury assembling the team to combat the alien threat. Would be good to have the Cap film lead into that, establish the Nazi/Alien thing...

[Mark Engblom]

"At least, so long as Marvel takes it seriously."

Well, if any studio will, it'll be Marvel. Of course they'll take certain liberties with the material, but they'll also be trying to portray their property in the best possible light...and not as camp or some ironic political harangue.

"Like most of you, I'd love to see the WWII setting with fantastic battle scenes in which Captain America is allowed to decimate Nazi's as America's first and only "Super-Soldier,"

Absolutely....and black and white Newsreel footage of Cap in action wouldn't hurt, either!

"What American audience wouldn't love seeing Cap on the WWII battlefield given how well those resonate with everyone?"

I continue to believe that many non-American audiences will enjoy the Cap movie as well. World War II still looms large over the generations that followed (to varying degrees), yet in many ways it's beginning to move into a sort of "mythic" realm that may be kinder to a costumed guy running around in the middle of it...something that may not have been as accepted twenty or even ten years ago.

"And as for the uniform, the classic suit is the only way to go, in my eyes. Now, I wouldn't mind if they made the blues or the reds darker for the film, etc. but the "head wings" and the "A" are a must in my eyes..."

That's the way I'm leaning, as well. After all, Cap was meant to be the total "propaganda package", and not just a fighting machine. The flag motif was meant to be seen by our enemies, not obscured with a helmet and layers of gear. Like Old Glory itself, let Cap proudly display those colors as he leads the troops and gashes Nazi skulls.

"I'm definitely with Alex Ross on this one"

Me too. In fact, I just read that various Marvel writers revealed a "secret" that they had been brought in as consultants on the Iron-Man script early in the game (Mark Millar urged them to drop the Mandarin from the first movie...and they did!)...so, similarly, I would hope they could bring in a few of the premiere artists/costume designers to provide input on costuming. Ross is one of the very best since he has such a great eye for translating costumes into functional "real world" versions.

"It’s just that, to me, that’s the iconic graphic image: the “A” and the wings on the sides of the head – and I believe you can make them look good – they don’t have to look ridiculous."

I completely agree! It can be done...and I hope Marvel will do their best to stick to the "real" Cap costume, and don't give in to the geared-up "Soldier Cap".

[Guido]

If they manage to make the Avengers movie with the original actors from their respective movies, that film will be a real breakthrough in comic book films! Really, what excites me the most about all these films is the notion that they will all take part in a shared universe! Isn't it weird that we are just starting to see this happen with Marvel films, when it should have been much more obvious and feasible for DC, which has all of its characters under the Warner umbrella?

By the way Mark, cool as it sounds, a Spidey or Wolverine cameo in the Avengers film would be highly unlikely, given that the film rights for those characters are at Sony and Fox respectively.

[Mark Engblom]

"By the way Mark, cool as it sounds, a Spidey or Wolverine cameo in the Avengers film would be highly unlikely, given that the film rights for those characters are at Sony and Fox respectively."

Good point, Guido. I guess in my enthusiasm I got a little carried away.

The biggest road block for an Avengers film, outside of the gigantic effects budget, would be the salaries (and the inevitable brinkmanship) of the primary actors who would have remarkable leverage on the process (unless the Avengers movie is worked into their original contract language).

[Pat Curley]

Having lived through the horrific adaptations of the 1970s and early 1980s (with a few exceptions), I have to admit that I'm always skeptical when it comes to superhero movies. Even since then it's been hit and miss--Daredevil or Batman and Robin, anybody?

As far as Cap goes if they can do an Indiana Jones-type thriller I'd be very happy with the WWII setting. Otherwise my vote is for an adaptation of the Sleeper Series; gives us both yesterday and today.

[John Nowak]

I liked the "Iron Man" film quite a bit, and I really hope that Marvel can keep up the quality. Of course, if you hit it out of the park the first time at bat, it's going to be hard to top it... still, it seems that Marvel, unlike DC, seems to understand that a superhero film works best if it plays it straight.

It's very ambitious, and good luck to them.

[Luke]

Captain America-Jensen Ackles for Captain America. Why? Well he's tough from being on Supernatural, he has humor, he has the American acsent, he's about the right age of Steve Rogers, and he has the face of a hero. He would make a great Cap't. Viggo Mortenson for Red Skull. Why? He's a great actor, he's tough from his past roles, and he would make a great villain and a great Red Skull.

Thor-I don't know who should play Thor, but Loki should be played by Mathew Marsden. Why? He as that personality and would make a great villain.

Iron Man 2-Get all the main actors and actresses from the last film that didn't die to return. Villain should be Mandarin, or at least Mandarin should be mentioned. Chow Yun Fat should play the Mandarin. Why? He's a good actor, he is tough, and who be a great villain. Since Chow Yun was in the last Pirates movie I always thought he could be a good villain for a major comic book movie.

Avengers-Well like I said Jensen Ackles for Captain America, Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man, Ed Norton for Hulk, Sam Jackson for Nick Fury, and Terrence Howard for Jim Rhodes; who maybe should become War Machine.
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So my cast for all the movies:

Steve Rogers/Captain America- Jensen Ackles
Red Skull- Viggo Mortenson

Loki- Mathew Marsden

Tony Stark/Iron Man- Robert Downey Jr.
Jim Rhodes/War Machine- Terence Howard
Pepper Potts-Gwenith Paltrow
Mandarin- Chow Yun Fat

Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk- Ed Norton
Nick Fury- Sameul L. Jackson