Saturday, August 23, 2008

DC Comics just need to part ways with Warners


Warner Bros. continues to torture DC Comics and fans with their failed think tanks and sheer silliness. Since Superman didn't live up to the hype and Batman is mega big, they want to use that same formula with other DC characters.

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development.

Also they want to restart the Superman series again, which to them seems smart, but really, it's the worst move they can make.

Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million "Superman Returns," which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

So Warners I hate to share my 47 cents, but are you reading DC Comics? Because if you are, notice that Batman is a dark character, Flash is not. Wonder Woman isn't dark or brooding, but heavily mixed with feminism and mythology. And Superman is a good guy. Perhaps, if you tell a good story, maybe people will follow. But to make every DC story dark is ridiculous. Could anyone imagine Ambush Bug dark and conflicting?

But I think the storytelling needs to come from the people who KNOW the stories. DC Comics, get your own studio. Fans will stay with you. Superman didn't work because it was trying to rehash the past. Kal-El is a boring character, make him think, suffer, and dangerous. In Superman Returns, he was neither and I don't blame Brandon' s acting, I blame the material. Brandon did fine (he's so cute) but the story could have been told in the Adventures of Lois and Clark.

So to relauch this is a waste. DC Comics, start your own studio. Make a real movies, tell great stories. Finally, make a live action Wonder Woman movie, and just get it together...sheesh
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3 comments:

Allan S. said...

V you don't understand. I have been wanting for years, for the story of Wonder Woman to come to the big screen. And, for Linda Carter to play the role of Diana's mother, Hippolyte.

Back when I fantasized about casting the movie, I wanted the then new on the scene Julia Roberts to become Wonder Woman. She gives amazon. Now, I'm not sure who can fight for our rights in satin tights. Ahh, Wonder Woman all the world is waiting for you.

Wonder Man said...

I hope they wake up soon. She's one of the big 3, she deserves a quality movie

Joie Mayfield said...

I totally agree with you that DC should form their own Studio. It was the best move that Marvel made, in my opinion. I mean some of the Marvel movies are fantastic, but Iron Man and TIH was absolutely amazing.

Wonder Woman definitely needs her spotlight. It will be a great move to make this movie! She already has a HUGE fan base, and young girls would eat it up.

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Viktor is a small town southern boy living in Los Angeles. You can find him on Twitter, writing about pop culture, politics, and comics. He’s the creator of the graphic novel StrangeLore and currently getting back into screenwriting.