Discussion on:

The 10 superheroes most in need of a movie reboot

Some bad ideas too. While never a fan of Wonder Woman, you've convinced me the movie could be worth the price of admission. Aqua Man on the other hand is one of the worst superhero ideas ever. Besides, I heard he recently came out of the water closet...

Fantastic Four was great as it was done. Rather than recreating it with a new cast, I'd like to see a sequel. My add to your list would include Silver Sable, easily one of the sexiest superheroes of all time.

Let's talk about the actors/actresses the one I see as Wonder Woman is Megan Fox. Nobody like Lynda Carter is there to do it again, but I think that Megan is the right one since it is not possible for Lynda to do it again.

Wonder Woman is an Amazon. She is a dominating physical presence. You need someone at least 5'10" (preferably 6'2") with a serious muscle tone. Most Hollywood waifs - Megan Fox being a prime example - are simply too frail to play Diana.

I'll go get Sigourney Weaver from 1982.
Ought to do nicely!

nt

Make them brunettes for an audition, all of them were in action movies.
Charlize Theron
Rebecca Romijn
Kristana Loken

Lucy Lawless is a bit too old... unless you may want a "WW Returns" :P
And Liv Tyler... don't know... but she's tall.

Hard to picture, somehow.

I'm too out of touch with today's actresses to recognize the names most of the other suggested women, much less venture one of my own. A female athlete would already have the muscle. Maybe one of this year's Olympians?

Can we reboot Lucy Lawless? If she was good enough for Xena...

Goes to Kate Beckinsale.

Megan being a stone wall Fox (play on words), I'd be happy seeing her in anything. But she would make an easy on the eyes Wonder Woman.

Aquaman gets a lot of short shrift by people who know him only from Superfriends or similar simplified accounts.
He has super strength and toughness (for swimming super fast and surviving under high water pressures deep underwater), along with super hearing. Those make him plenty versitile on land. Storywise, he can be a vigiliante marine environmentalist as well as a standard hero. Check out the rebooted Aquaman in the New 52 started 9 months or so ago. Quite enjoyable.

The swamp it goes over and the martian holiday villa as well.

Do you really think we another superhero movie?

Is one less rom-com we have to deal with. So yes, we do need more superhero movies.

As far as Jay's picks, Jay, you do know that the DC Animated Universe, "Batman: The Brave and the Bold," and "Young Justice" have been doing almost all of these and other characters proud for the past decade, right? T'Challa, the Black Panther, is also a main character in Disney/Marvel's "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes," where he not only displays outstanding skills across the board from technology to combat, but also mediates a constant debate between Tony Stark and Thor over technology.

Plus, Cyborg got a reboot (!) in the New 52 line of DC Comics.

The Fantastic Four are, however, foundering in the comic book medium as well as in film. I do think a potential film reboot might be behind the decision to off Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), as this keeps Chris Evans free to be Captain America.

That's sort of like choosing which testicle to smack with a two pound hammer....

Primarily because it easily lends itself to the "big explosions & lots of action" that are the hallmark of summer "blockbuster" movies.

Not to mention that, since my wife is not a fan of comic books, it's noteworthy that she really enjoyed most of the superhero movies of the past 10 years -- not just the new Marvel ones (Thor, Captain American, Iron Man 1 & 2, & Avengers), but also the 2 recent Batman movies. Although she thought the FF movies were only "OK", and hated the Superman one -- although I think that's because she & her family think Superman's kind of a "wimpy" superhero -- kind of hard to expect a superhero to lose when he has so many superpowers that it's hard to find a decent opponenent, after all.

Is they don't rely on great acting, directing, writing, and they are easy to to market to the mindless masses, not to mention the opportunities for product placement..

And that's exactly the problem I have with superheros. Coming from the planet krypton and being bulletroof I can live with, the good guy always winning, my suspension of disbelief fails at that point.

A fantasy where the good guy always wins, and oonly gpood guys can win and they all have a nice side parting does absolutely nothing for me.

Angus Thermopyle is a super hero.
Clark Kent is a small minded bigotted bully.

Was a knee-jerking luddite socialist, ready to smash speculator faces at the drop of a hat In that time he was more of a purely cathartic escape. Not a question of "good guy always wins" but of "lightning always finds a place to strike, and never mind the big picture".
A far cry from Super-milk-boy of the last four decades...

decade. Read the original Tarzan, had a way with the natives that boy.

To quote a famous american.
Are you ****ing serious?

I don't necessarily agree with you, but I disagree with those who vote negative but don't explain why.

Marvel characters are better because they have better villians, DC doesnt have any barring the Joker. A hero without a great villian is destined for failure. It is as important as crafting the character. I just dont see how DC is going to get into the hero movie race. They could use Wonder Woman, she will get the best demographic for the most success. I cant say what villian or how to incorporate her into a plausible storyline in today's world but this is their only hope. I love the idea of the Flash and actually liked the cheesy 80's show but again I cant see him carrying a movie chain. He would only be good in a Justice League but how do they introduce all the characters all at once?

The Black Panther is a silly character in my opinion. He is a great positive character as a black super hero, but it makes no sense to me. Hi I live in a backwards country that doesnt believe in any technology yet I have the most advanced tech in the world designed by me of course, we dont believe in outside influence, we are only rich because of vibranium but we dont want to sell it anyone so they can make weapons and it is only good to make weapons? Also I'm a prince that was educated in an outside country which my people dont like and I am a blantant copy of Batman with a genius IQ, Olympian body, a Surgeon 's hands, etc.... oh yeah an I'm filthy rich.

The fantastic 4 wasnt too bad but hey its the Fantastic 4. It never was a great comic but great for its time. They should only be there for helping Spidey or the Avengers but not in their own movie. As should many other characters when they make these movies to introduce them. Personally they should just do the team movies as introducing a character then split from the team to form the other teams and plug them in and out like X-Men, Avengers, X-Factor, etc... They should make this about mutant hatred to mirror racism that is the connection because you cannot choose to be a mutant anymore than you can choose to be whatever enthnicity. It is polarizing and people can relate. DC just doesnt have this connection with people having unrealistic people just choose to be a hero or so many freak accidents, or imbued GOD powers from some sort of God. I hope for more hero movies I think we need that type of inspiration and getting kids to read comics is a great thing.

Dude, in the '60s the FF was THE comic. They were fighting amongst each other, hopping dimensions, and saving the multiple planets at one time long before anyone else in the Marvel universe. The may not be what it once was, but it was a top tier Silver Age classic.

I was just thrilled to see someone else give some well-deserved recognition to Dr. Strange! Done right, that would be awesome.

As for "worst superhero ideas ever", I'm thinking more of Blue Beetle. Can't say I ever understood the whole concept, even though I read it as a child, but...the name alone...weird, just weird. I can't imagine someone saying, "Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot...I must become something to strike fear in their hearts...I must become... A BEETLE!" At least choose an earwig.

I don't think there's ever been a movie done in the first place, so maybe "reboot" doesn't apply, but my namesake would make pretty good movie fodder, too.

The old Japaneses super Heros-Johnny Robot or Ultra Man

Boy, there's one I haven't thought of in years. The independent TV station in Vegas used to show that in the mid-70s. We sat through it only because it came on before the Star Trek re-runs. Even in my mid-teens, I found it incredibly repetitive.

I don't know how well it would do. Didn't an Astro Boy movie crash and burn recently?

This guy had to do a Sieg Heil move pointed at a planet in the sky invisible to all but him... and then he transformed into some kind of power ranger look-alike in order to fight various japanese menaces (big lizards and all that).
No idea what it was called. I watched it in dutch during my parents' stint working for the European commission.

I'm thinking the former, since that sounds more like his M.O.

I used to watch them both after school on KTVU (Oakland, CA) with Commander Mark, who brought all the awesome stuff: Ultraman, Star Blazers (Space Battleship Yamato - also rebooting this year!!!), Godzilla (Gojira) movies, and such.

I just found Star Blazers about 2 weeks ago on Netflix, & have been slowly rewatching it.

Something kind of funky but interesting about rebuilding a sunken WW2 battleship to turn it into a starship that just appeals to me...

Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs... Ramrod Challenge Phase 1...

They'll just find some character, butcher the plot (the little bit there will be), and add tons of special effects. Everyone knows that special effects are what is needed in any science fiction or fantasy film. Not plot or character continuity.

So many good opportunities wasted.

This is a move that I would love to see, but I doubt that they may do a great movie plus it is a long story. That is why I came out with the idea that if it is made by pixar, maybe a serie for TV might be great. If any of the pixar's people are out there reading, I think that this is a great idea.

Someone started carrying a new T-cats series within the last year. I don't remember if it's CN, Nick, or one of the Disneys.

That's what I mean. I didn't know that there was a new version, but I just checked it out in youtube and I totally prefer the first version. Pixar has done great movies with those crazy characters, so why not to do great movies with great characters the Thundercats. I suggested a series because it would take a long time and lots of movies to cover the whole history, because I am afraid that they may come out with a movie that it is going to leave us wanted more like some out there and it might damage this great history.

Loving your idea for the Dr. Strange movie. I also think the whole agoraphobic twist Marvel gave to the sentry makes him very interesting for a movie. The whole "everyone forgets him and he's rotting away in The Raft" thing was very interesting in comics, and lets not forget his ridiculously epic battle in World War Hulk. The story has a pretty decent plot and tons of F/X potential.

I don't think either of the two movies did justice to the superhero. Third time's the charm?

...because The Punisher isn't a comic book concept that's due for a good movie adaptation, Frank Castle was a 1970/80s action movie antiheroes transformed into a comic book analog. Remove the skull chest emblem and Frank's just another disposable Charles Bronson vehicle from 1981. He doesn't need a movie because we're still making straight-up action movies, and adapting the comic version of an action movie into an *actual* action movie just means stripping away everything that made The Punisher different from what he was designed to imitate.

A Punisher Reboot should of course show the Punisher as the psychotic little wank he is, how he bends his reasoning to justify his homicidal desires.
Think SAW, but without all the "finesse" and with a stale, self-righteous atmosphere.

It's a much older one now. But it had an outstanding semi-second-string cast, that made a damned good team.

Night Thrasher: Leader. Kind of a ghetto-batman. Bit more realistic and perhaps easier to identify with than Black Panther. No super-abilities, just smart, strong and skilled.

Speedball: One of the most fun and quirkiest heroes ever IMO, before they truly ruined him in some morbid masochistic twit called Penance. (one of the dumbest moves ever IMO). Had kinetic 'balls' that surrounded him when hitting/being-hit by things. As he learned to finally control them (instead of just bouncing off everything like the toy the 'superball') the comic ended.

Firestar: Of Spiderman fame. Sexy fire-thrower, with more of a conscience than most. 'nuff said.

Kid/Man called Nova: Had a comic back in the 70's, was in New Warriors, and had a comeback with a new comic later from it. Alien-power boosted, but didn't let it go to his head. Kind of a young-superman type char

Namorita: Namor/Aquaman's cousin. Kind of a celebrity superheroine, like She-Hulk. HIGHLY visible. Strong, flies. Basic Amazon type female

Marvel Boy: Kind of convoluted history. He finds he's supposed to be an Avenger, or the like in the future. Telekinetic

There were a few other add-ins as it went. Darkhawk (I think), Turbo (techie turbo-fan boosted kid), and maybe one or two others.

Kind of an alternate X-Men, but not quite since only a couple couple could be considered mutants. Each had their own story and background than just 'we all came from one school', and being that it's not a long-standing 'tried and true' comic, it wouldn't have the downfall of comic-lovers always going 'but THAT never happened in any of the comics' like tends to happen with the X-men ones, Fantastic Four, etc...

Few will remember "Doc Savage" but I'll bet more would like to see an updated Savage. It could be a real hit for the big screen if done right. Unlike "John Carter", over 100 years old, "Doc" isn't that old, but just couldn't be as bad, skipping all the fantasy>

I would love to see a Dr Strange movie. Special effects could do justice to both spells and his other dimensional foes. Thor shows that otherworldy plots can do well.

In my opinion Birds of Prey is a bad idea. The whole of girls beating up guys and whatever else died back in the days of Xena. And I seriously doubt there's anyone in Hollywood who would be able to write decent female characters. Also one "slutty" character and it spoils the bunch - and everybody knows there can't be a movie without fan service.
Also Black Panther. This character hardly makes sense even in the comic books. I mean clearly we can see what Marvel was trying to create with this character. And even though he's a king I can't seem to see him as a lead. "Ironman meets Blood Diamond"... WTF!
They'd have to name a Shazam movie something besides Shazam. The name is crap and it stinks of disaster.

It was in one of the tabloid-sized B&Ws, with a title like 'Marvel Premiere' or 'Marvel Preview'; same size and format as Marvel's Conan of the time. Early '70s or so. It was the first teaming of John Byrne, Chris Claremont, and Terry Austin; you may know them mostly from the X-Men and Iron Fist of the mid-70s, among others too numerous to mention.

In any case, the title character had a self-aware ship, an 'elemental' sidearm (shoots water, fire, etc.), and a galactic empire to save. It has a sprawling stage and was chock-a-block with visual opportunities.

You many not agree with what Marvel's done with the character (their batting percentage with evolving characters is pretty low as it is), but he's still a player in the Marvel Universe. Most recent seen as team leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, although that run has ended, The team now shows up as sort of an intergalactic Avengers when things get messy in outer space.

Not sure if he'd get a movie, but the production rights might go cheap.

A team that's been rebooted almost as often as the Legion of Super Heroes.

nt

nt

Oh yeah, about 15 years ago.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0117331/

I recall it tanked.

nt

Assuming we're talking about the comic strip guy.

Billy Zane played the lead character, with Kristy Swanson as his girlfriend/love interest Diana Palmer. Treat Williams played the bad guy (evil businessman that was bringing together Mafia bosses, modern-day pirates & the Singh Brotherhood), with Catherine Zeta-Jones (leading a group of all-female pirates that fly floatplane fighters) as the "bad girl that falls for the hero".

Not the best of movies, but I can think of some that were much worse (i.e. the 1970's Doctor Strange). And while sometimes the storyline & characters seem a bit contrived, they tend to actually stay faithful to the mythos of the comic strip.

I keep coming up with superheroes I DON'T want to see in films.
In fact only the crappy ones seem to be worthwhile on Film, the "Too Big to Fail" ones, the ones which have had all the marrow already sucked from their bones in the various stages of their lifespan. Genre incompatibility.