Marvel changes name, gets ready to pump out shit.

[Shockeye]

Marvel Has New Name, Slate

Marvel, the home of Spider-Man and X-Men, has a new name and 10 new movies in development, Variety reported. With its $525 million debt facility from Merrill Lynch closed, the company is changing its name from Marvel Enterprises to Marvel Entertainment, reflecting its new business producing and financing movies internally without a studio partner.

Along with the Merrill Lynch deal, Marvel struck a deal with Paramount to market and distribute its films for a fee, similar to Lucasfilm's arrangement with Fox, the trade paper reported.

Marvel has identified 10 new characters and groups it will develop as potential feature franchises to produce itself: Captain America, the Avengers, Nick Fury, Black Panther, Ant-Man, Cloak and Dagger, Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, Power Pack and Shang-Chi.

The deal with Merrill allows Marvel to produce films with budgets between $50 million and $165 million. If the first films are successful, Marvel will be able to replenish the facility to produce new movies in development or sequels to hits. Company is hoping to release its first movie by the summer of 2008.

Out of those 10, I see maybe 2 or 3 that's worth even bothering with.

[Sky]

Please don't screw up Dr. Strange. I always liked the old sorcerer supreme.

Most of those could be cool, seems they are targeting the early 80s, which makes sense. Never heard of Power Pack or Shang-Chi.

Luke Cage ftw imo!

[stray]

The Black Panther just may be the coolest looking comic character ever created. Not exactly the most interesting per se, but I'm sure something could be done, if the intentions are right.

[Merusk]

My god... it's the attack of the crappy comic book movies.

I'm sorry, but all the Marvel properties that were worth making into movies have been done.. and half of them sucked.

Dr. Strange, while a good comic book, I think might be percieved as trying to latch-on to the Harry Potter mysticysm that's going to dominate for a number of years yet. Cap'n America will either be nonsensical because it'll be 'oldschool' with cap vs. Fascists or will be seen as anti-American because it'll be 'new Cap' and his loss of place in the world. (At least that's how I've seen it explained.. I don't follow comics these days.) Hawkeye just wasn't ever an interesting enough character. He's no Spidey or Hulk.. maybe an Avengers movie, but that's just seen as trying to redo X-men with a different group.  Nick Fury suffers the same problem.

Most of the others I haven't even heard of.. and I'll wager most of the public hasn't either. No, I'm afraid you've used up your good licenses, Marvel. Sorry guys.

[AOFanboi]

Um, okay.

Dr. Strange, Nick Fury and Captain[url=http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0078937/]America] [url=http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0078937/]America have been attempted before. And the rest are less sellable I would think.

Ah, well. Comics are dead news at eleven.

[stray]

The Black Panther has the best chance and crossover appeal of the bunch, I think. There's something to work with there. He's cooler than Blade at least.

As for the rest, I agree.

Also, as I pointed out on the other site not too long ago, a Nick Fury movie has already been made (as has the Cap):



Yes folks, that's David fucking Hasselhoff playing Nick Fury.

[Strazos]

Power Pack?

POWER PACK?!



What da Fuck?

[Shockeye]

Also, as I pointed out on the other site not too long ago, a Nick Fury movie has already been made (as has the Cap):

Or as I pointed out on THIS SITE.

[stray]

Hmm, OK. It deserves a mention anywhere, I suppose. Multiple times. I mean, this is news, man. Old news, but news nonetheless. It can't be contained.

[stray]

I wouldn't have thought this a couple of years ago, but DC has a lot more comic-to-movie potential than Marvel ever had. Especially with Vertigo. That they're owned by a bunch of idiot WB studio execs may have hurt them in the past, but after seeing Batman (and Constantine to an extent), I think it's safe to say that they've learned their lesson.

Superman may still suck though.

[Yegolev]

The Black Panther just may be the coolest looking comic character ever created. Not exactly the most interesting per se, but I'm sure something could be done, if the intentions are right.

Bat-Spawn?  Pass.

On the other hand, I am totally about to jizz upon hearing about a Power Pack movie.

[stray]

Spawn?

The Black Panther has been around since the 60's.

[Yegolev]

Power Pack?

POWER PACK?!



What da Fuck?

They were cool before they switched powers.  And before contracting chibi-ism.

The Black Panther has been around since the 60's.

Agitator.

[shiznitz]

They should invest the whole $525 in Captain America. It is their only chance to not push out a total turd.

[Sky]

The Black Panther has been around since the 60's.

Yeah...but not that ripoff batspawn version you posted.


I'm old, that's the BP I call to mind...but this Kirby is kinda cool, even if Kirb had a serious metal fixation:

[stray]

Eh, those are cool are too. The only real difference is the cape and the claws.

I'm just saying that I like the look. Panthers are cool looking, and a panther derived superhero suit is cool looking.

Here's another modern take with the cape then:



Better?

[Mesozoic]

That many movies will either oversaturate the market (if released too soon) or miss the comic book-to-movie fad (if released on a more reasonable schedule).  Either way, its very Hollywood.  With filming costs so high, execs want a virtual guarantee of success, which to them seems to mean more of the same, always.

I would have thought that the dismal summer movie returns would have stopped them from announcing this kind of a plan.

[Yegolev]

Yes, better without the metal bracelets and other Spawny items.

Waiting for the Black Liger movie.  It'll be flippin' sweet.

[Strazos]

Flash please?

Please?

[Velorath]

Most of the others I haven't even heard of.. and I'll wager most of the public hasn't either. No, I'm afraid you've used up your good licenses, Marvel. Sorry guys.

Most of the public never heard of Blade before the movies came out either.

[Big Gulp]

I'd actually like to see a Cloak & Dagger movie were it done right, with the appropriate levels of vengeance represented.  Of course, I have my doubts as to how they'd do with it.  Marvel seems to only really be hitting their target with 2 franchises; X-Men and Spider-Man.  Everything else has blown, and blown hard.

[Arnold]

I wouldn't have thought this a couple of years ago, but DC has a lot more comic-to-movie potential than Marvel ever had. Especially with Vertigo. That they're owned by a bunch of idiot WB studio execs may have hurt them in the past, but after seeing Batman (and Constantine to an extent), I think it's safe to say that they've learned their lesson.

Superman may still suck though.

How about a fookin' Green Lantern movie?  I want to see some guy slicing space battlecruisers apart with beams from his ring!

[Velorath]

I wouldn't have thought this a couple of years ago, but DC has a lot more comic-to-movie potential than Marvel ever had. Especially with Vertigo. That they're owned by a bunch of idiot WB studio execs may have hurt them in the past, but after seeing Batman (and Constantine to an extent), I think it's safe to say that they've learned their lesson.

Superman may still suck though.

How soon we forget Catwoman...

[stray]

I...Err....kind of liked it.

[Velorath]

I...Err....kind of liked it.

Yeah I just saw your post in the review topic.  I'll just say that I'm disappointed in you and leave it at that. 

So very, very, disappointed...

[Morfiend]

I want Silver Surfer done right.

[stray]

I...Err....kind of liked it.

Yeah I just saw your post in the review topic.  I'll just say that I'm disappointed in you and leave it at that.

So very, very, disappointed...

Well, that made me LOL. Thanks  :-D

Seriously though, I know it's not Selina Kyle, but I just didn't see it as being in Uwe Boll territory. The basic storyline's OK. The action was pretty good, and Halle is hot. And that White Russian/Whip scene? Hot. I don't own the flick on DVD or anything, so don't think I like it that much....I just thought it was good enough to not turn off.

I want Silver Surfer done right.

Definitely.

edit: Bad block quotes.

[Velorath]

I want Silver Surfer done right.

I don't know if the general public could get past the name or the fact that he rides a surfboard through space.  Don't get me wrong, I love the character, but... surfboard.

[stray]

Surfboards are exactly what'll make it work.

Also,


1) It'd have to be animated (3d or otherwise) for sure. Live action would be ridiculous. I think something along the lines of the new Fist of the North Star series or Titan A.E. (that cel shaded/3d hybrid look) would be perfect.

2) Lots of tripped out space scenes, backed with a rockin' soundtrack ftw. People still love Fantasia and Gershwin. Why not this?

3) The story can't possibly be screwed up. It's a love story basically, but in addition to that, Norrin Radd is Jesus. People love Jesus.

[Shockeye]

Maybe if it wasn't a surfboard.. maybe if it was a rocketboard... or better yet.. a super rocket jetpack with a utility belt...

And maybe if instead of being silver all the time, he could change shape kinda like the newer terminators...

And maybe he could threaten to destroy the earth but at the last minute be swayed away by the tears of a small girl with pigtails.

Yes.. we have a winner.

[Velorath]

Maybe if it wasn't a surfboard.. maybe if it was a rocketboard... or better yet.. a super rocket jetpack with a utility belt...

And maybe if instead of being silver all the time, he could change shape kinda like the newer terminators...

And maybe he could threaten to destroy the earth but at the last minute be swayed away by the tears of a small girl with pigtails.

Yes.. we have a winner.

Make sure the small girl is played by Dakota Fanning.  I'm sure they must have her on some sort of pill to prevent aging since they seem unable to find any one else to play the role of "small girl" in movies.

[Merusk]

Most of the others I haven't even heard of.. and I'll wager most of the public hasn't either. No, I'm afraid you've used up your good licenses, Marvel. Sorry guys.

Most of the public never heard of Blade before the movies came out either.

After the last 2 movies, most of the public wants to remember the time they never heard of Blade.

Though you have a point, I think Blade was successful more because it was a Vampire movie with asskicking than because it was a comic movie.  Spidey and X-men were because they were recognizable characters, of which Marvel has few.  Stray has the right of it in that DC has more publicly recognizable characters because they were Baby Boomer icons even if half their movies are shit, too.   Hell, a microchosm of proof is right here, what with Strazos asking for a DC character movie in a Marvel discussion.

[DevilsAdvocate]

Ah, how soon we forget Daredevil, Elektra, Punisher, Fantastic Four and The Hulk. All Marvel properties. I wish I could forget Daredevil (Afflack ftl), but I really did like the Hulk. I didn't see Elektra, Punisher, or Fantastic Four.

The Avengers could be a good movie if they had a decent story for it. It's a tougher sell than X-Men because they aren't being persecuted and aren't kids. The individual members of the Avengers could be interesting though, depending on the roster you use.

Iron Man would be a decent movie, I think. Thor might be good too. I could imagine a Thor movie being basically the story of Ragnarok, the events that lead up to it and the final battle. Totally epic!

I would like to see them do a Deadpool movie. Or even a Cable movie with a Deadpool tie-in. Deadpool had to have been one of the funniest, most sarcastic characters I had ever read from Marvel. I got the first 4 of his Limited Series and loved them. Best thing about Deadpool is that you can tie him together with Wolverine if you need to get people interested who haven't heard of him.

A Wolverine movie should totally be in the works. Elektra didn't do well, but Wolvy is a whole 'nother thing, bub.

[Morfiend]

Most of the others I haven't even heard of.. and I'll wager most of the public hasn't either. No, I'm afraid you've used up your good licenses, Marvel. Sorry guys.

Most of the public never heard of Blade before the movies came out either.

After the last 2 movies, most of the public wants to remember the time they never heard of Blade.

Though you have a point, I think Blade was successful more because it was a Vampire movie with asskicking than because it was a comic movie.  Spidey and X-men were because they were recognizable characters, of which Marvel has few.  Stray has the right of it in that DC has more publicly recognizable characters because they were Baby Boomer icons even if half their movies are shit, too.   Hell, a microchosm of proof is right here, what with Strazos asking for a DC character movie in a Marvel discussion.

I think most people didnt know it was a comic, and still dont after watching all three. What was the name of the comic he was in? Nightstalkers or some thing like it.

[Sky]

Flash please?

Green Lantern

DC, folks.

I want Silver Surfer done right.

Yep. I even think live action could be cool with some advanced Terminator 2 liquidy metal effects. I mean....Galactus! World eating, you can't beat world eating for a disaster flick. Oh, and the best part...

Lots of tripped out space scenes, backed with a rockin' soundtrack ftw

Iron Man could make a kickass movie, if they use the troubled Stark struggling with the bottle, bring in the human story. That's why Spidey (and to an extent the X-Men) was so popular. And the whole humanistic origin of Iron Man, the heart problems.

I actually watched the Director's Cut of the DD movie, on Hammy's recommendation. It was actually much more cohesive and a better movie. Felt like a DD comic, really. More courtroom stuff and whatnot, and the story actually got fleshed out properly. I haven't seen the FF, Hulk or Elektra (or Catwoman for that matter, though she's DC). Got Punisher on the DVR in hd, haven't watched it yet...