I was on board (pun intended) with the casting of Jason Mamoa as Aquaman. He's the exact opposite of what you think of when you hear the name "Aquaman." And what I mean by that is he's intimidating. Not the joke of a hero who talks to fish.
Especially with the DC universe shaping up to be as, I guess, "dark" as it is shaping up to be. After all, we've had one movie, and in it Superman ruined a truck drivers life, let his dad die in a tornado because his dog was probably going to die in a tornado, and I'm pretty sure he calls Zod a "motherfucker" while beating him in the face. Also, massive IHOP destruction. Then they made Ben Affleck into an alcoholic looking Batman. Then a woman from (perpetual warzone) Israel was cast as Wonder Woman. All things considered, Aquaman was not going to fit.
So when Khal Drogo was cast, I thought it was a pretty good call.
Break from tradition and the casual-fan perception of Aquaman as a joke by bringing someone to the table who probably stole your lunch money. It stands to reason that if you're going to go in that direction, you break completely from the character, bring in an actor and make both the actor and the character unrecognizable to common perception.
Then they released a picture of him.
It is literally Khal Drogo as Aquaman. Same hair, same weird eyebrows, same eye shadow, same tattoos, same facial hair.
This is the equivalent of Disney going to Robert Downey Jr. and saying, "Hey, we're going to make a middle-aged Obi Wan movie, and we want you for it. But keep the Iron Man facial hair goatee thingey."
What's Dothraki for "half-baked?"
Friday, February 20, 2015
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Amy Pascal Sacked
Amy Pascal is out at Sony.
If the Sony leaks were real (and no one made any real effort to play that part down) then Pascal was one of the main road blocks for Marvel sub-leasing Spider-Man into the MCU.
What does her departure mean? Well, hopefully, talks will resume with Marvel to get the webslinger into their Cinematic Universe.
It really would be a win-win proposition after the MISERABLE last outing for the character. Reports indicated that there was an 80/20 deal on the table for Marvel to produce/write/inform the new direction for the character in at least one movie and several MCU appearances. Reportedly it would have also meant a recasting of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
(Post: 2015 Looks Massive for Nerds)
For Marvel it would be a win, simply because of another major face being on the landscape in their Cinematic Universe. Plus Sony sold the merchandising rights to Spider-Man a couple years ago and guess who bought them. Yup, Disney.
For Sony, it would be a win to give credibility back to a franchise that has been painful two of the last three times the character has been on the bigscreen. To steal a quote from Kevin Feige about the Hulk and how Joss Whedon would use him in The Avengers, "I want him to be cool again."
While Spider-Man's profitability is still not in question, the last three Spider-Man movies have all crossed the $700 billion mark and the franchise still averages $790+ worldwide, the cool factor is definitely wearing out. Who hasn't made an Emo Parker dance joke?
There's only one thing left to do....twitter mob. Let's all promise #Sony that we'll see 5 Sony films at the theater this year so long as they go take Marvel up on the offer.
If the Sony leaks were real (and no one made any real effort to play that part down) then Pascal was one of the main road blocks for Marvel sub-leasing Spider-Man into the MCU.
What does her departure mean? Well, hopefully, talks will resume with Marvel to get the webslinger into their Cinematic Universe.
It really would be a win-win proposition after the MISERABLE last outing for the character. Reports indicated that there was an 80/20 deal on the table for Marvel to produce/write/inform the new direction for the character in at least one movie and several MCU appearances. Reportedly it would have also meant a recasting of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
(Post: 2015 Looks Massive for Nerds)
For Marvel it would be a win, simply because of another major face being on the landscape in their Cinematic Universe. Plus Sony sold the merchandising rights to Spider-Man a couple years ago and guess who bought them. Yup, Disney.
For Sony, it would be a win to give credibility back to a franchise that has been painful two of the last three times the character has been on the bigscreen. To steal a quote from Kevin Feige about the Hulk and how Joss Whedon would use him in The Avengers, "I want him to be cool again."
While Spider-Man's profitability is still not in question, the last three Spider-Man movies have all crossed the $700 billion mark and the franchise still averages $790+ worldwide, the cool factor is definitely wearing out. Who hasn't made an Emo Parker dance joke?
There's only one thing left to do....twitter mob. Let's all promise #Sony that we'll see 5 Sony films at the theater this year so long as they go take Marvel up on the offer.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Daredevil: Take That DC
Well...there's blood...
It looks like Marvel is doing the exact opposite of DC on the smallscreen too. Well, as long as you discount Agents of Shield and the Peggy Carter deal, anyway, which are every bit as corny as the Arrow show. And though there is minimal corny in this trailer, there is still some cheese. How overwrought is the idea of a hero being so dedicated to his city?
This looks to be how Marvel is countering the "soft and fluffy" accusations coming from baseball-cap-wearing, five-o'clock-shadow-keeping, 140-pound-affliction-shirt-wearing Zack Snyder fans and Christopher Nolan apologists.
It's dark. Real dark. So dark it's like they are purposely trying to get you to forget red-leather clad Ben Affleck by making you think of all-black clad Batfleck. And if you're trying to reboot a superhero, why not try to invoke thoughts of one of the most popular heroes of all time?
More than that though, this seems to be it's own brand when compared to the rest of the Marvel stuff. And that makes me wonder if maybe they're setting up something bigger. The same way they did with Iron Man. Could this be the start of the street-level heroes?
Reports are that Marvel is the proud new owner of the Ghost Rider (another superhero in desperate need of rebranding...) and the Punisher (who has some cult success with his movies.) Could this be the beginning of The Marvel Knights? Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist have already been announced for their Netflix run.
(Post: Spider-Man to Marvel Rumors Again...
(Post: Spider-Man to Marvel Rumors Again...
I've been clamoring for Moon Knight to be added to the MCU for the better part of five years now, but if Marvel brings him to Netflix, well, I just may have to sign up for an account.
Daredevil and Ghost Rider have already seen big screen adaptations come and fail. Is Netflix a better home for the properties? Many fans had hoped that Luke Cage, Iron Fist and (pleasepleaseplease) Moon Knight would see the silver screen. We know that the ABC shows share full crossover with the MCU, but where do the Netflix series stand? And could we see any of these characters in the Avengers: Infinity War movies?
This post is brought to you by Ben Affleck's Kristen Stewart face. Hopefully he closes his damn mouth once in a while while playing Batman, huh?
ADRIAN FORT is a writer, blogger, and essayist from Kansas City, Missouri. Follow him on twitter @adriananyway. His work has appeared in Existere, decomP magazinE, The Bluest Aye, Bareback Magazine, Gadfly Online, Chrome Baby, The Eunoia Review, Linguistic Erosion, and Smashed Cat Magazine. His Master's Degree is from Lindenwood University.
ADRIAN FORT is a writer, blogger, and essayist from Kansas City, Missouri. Follow him on twitter @adriananyway. His work has appeared in Existere, decomP magazinE, The Bluest Aye, Bareback Magazine, Gadfly Online, Chrome Baby, The Eunoia Review, Linguistic Erosion, and Smashed Cat Magazine. His Master's Degree is from Lindenwood University.
Monday, February 2, 2015
2015 CBM Preview: A Very Marvel Happening
May 1st: AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON
The Players: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow, The Vision, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Ultron, The Klaw? Probably cameos as well.
What to look for: Awesomeness. Just sit back, relax, and soak it in, baby. There really isn't any reason to question Whedon at this point, and after basking in the greatness that was The Avengers, the only question I have is whether I can rent a loft in the theater. The tone does look to be different in this film than the first one. Perhaps a touch of Tony Stark attempting redemption and failing? This would lead nicely into the Civil War story line, and set him up as a sympathetic villain instead of trying to make Marvel's most profitable character take a straight heel turn. Plus, sympathetic villains are better.
The Buzz: Massive.
Should you see it? Only if you value having me in your life.
Trailer Review: Here
The Players: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow, The Vision, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Ultron, The Klaw? Probably cameos as well.
What to look for: Awesomeness. Just sit back, relax, and soak it in, baby. There really isn't any reason to question Whedon at this point, and after basking in the greatness that was The Avengers, the only question I have is whether I can rent a loft in the theater. The tone does look to be different in this film than the first one. Perhaps a touch of Tony Stark attempting redemption and failing? This would lead nicely into the Civil War story line, and set him up as a sympathetic villain instead of trying to make Marvel's most profitable character take a straight heel turn. Plus, sympathetic villains are better.
The Buzz: Massive.
Should you see it? Only if you value having me in your life.
Trailer Review: Here
July 17th: ANTMAN
The Players: Antman, Yellow Jacket, Peggy Carter, The Wasp?
What to look for: Marvel is touting this as the last movie in Phase Two. Why isn't this the first movie in Phase 3? Can Paul Rudd (abs) pull off the superhero deal? It appears that Marvel is trying to bring characters back into the center of these movies instead of the OHMYGODTHEWORLDISENDING calamity. So, kudos. But Antman following the biggest ever superhero movie ever in the history of ever? We'll see.
The Buzz: This movie is Edgar Wrightless. I don't know if you heard. So there was all that drama. But was the movie salvaged?
Should you see it? Benefit of doubt. Yes, it's Marvel.
Trailer Review: Here
The Players: Antman, Yellow Jacket, Peggy Carter, The Wasp?
What to look for: Marvel is touting this as the last movie in Phase Two. Why isn't this the first movie in Phase 3? Can Paul Rudd (abs) pull off the superhero deal? It appears that Marvel is trying to bring characters back into the center of these movies instead of the OHMYGODTHEWORLDISENDING calamity. So, kudos. But Antman following the biggest ever superhero movie ever in the history of ever? We'll see.
The Buzz: This movie is Edgar Wrightless. I don't know if you heard. So there was all that drama. But was the movie salvaged?
Should you see it? Benefit of doubt. Yes, it's Marvel.
Trailer Review: Here
Aug 7th: FANTASTIC FOUR
The Players: Mr. Fantastic, The Human Torch, The Thing, Invisible Woman, Doom
What to look for: Potential. The first franchise was miserable. This time around, they are taking a much different approach with the property. I think it's safe to say that there will not be an Invisible Woman stripping on the bridge scene in this franchise. In fact, the tone of the trailer makes Nolan's Batman franchise look like a RomCom. They've rolled the dice here. Either this thing hits, or it's hard to imagine Marvel does not get the rights back to the Fantastic 4.
The Buzz: Yikes. Doom is a blogger and the director is always drunk. That's the word on the street anyway.
Should you see it? Wait to see what people are saying on this one.
Trailer Review: Here
The Players: Mr. Fantastic, The Human Torch, The Thing, Invisible Woman, Doom
What to look for: Potential. The first franchise was miserable. This time around, they are taking a much different approach with the property. I think it's safe to say that there will not be an Invisible Woman stripping on the bridge scene in this franchise. In fact, the tone of the trailer makes Nolan's Batman franchise look like a RomCom. They've rolled the dice here. Either this thing hits, or it's hard to imagine Marvel does not get the rights back to the Fantastic 4.
The Buzz: Yikes. Doom is a blogger and the director is always drunk. That's the word on the street anyway.
Should you see it? Wait to see what people are saying on this one.
Trailer Review: Here
December 18th: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
The Players: Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Leia, Weird new people
What to look for: Disney bought Marvel for $4bil and Fantasia'd that into, well, something to Marvel at. The MCU has already had twom movies crack the billion dollar mark, and there's no reason to think that they won't have a third this summer. Can they work the same magic with a Star Wars property that's not as shiny as it once was?
The Buzz: Shhh.... There is an M Night Shyamalan type of secrecy surrounding this project. Also, I heard Luke is really dead the whole time. And water killed him. And it takes place on earth. And pollution.
Should you see it? For a movie that is promising to be the Iron Man 1 of a new Star Wars continuum? Sure.
SUMMARY: I may or may not be a Disney shareholder. This summer may or may not make me happy on several levels.
ADRIAN FORT is a writer, blogger, and essayist from Kansas City, Missouri. Follow him on twitter @adriananyway. His work has appeared in Existere, decomP magazinE, The Bluest Aye, Bareback Magazine, Gadfly Online, Chrome Baby, The Eunoia Review, Linguistic Erosion, and Smashed Cat Magazine. His Master's Degree is from Lindenwood University.
The Players: Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Leia, Weird new people
What to look for: Disney bought Marvel for $4bil and Fantasia'd that into, well, something to Marvel at. The MCU has already had twom movies crack the billion dollar mark, and there's no reason to think that they won't have a third this summer. Can they work the same magic with a Star Wars property that's not as shiny as it once was?
The Buzz: Shhh.... There is an M Night Shyamalan type of secrecy surrounding this project. Also, I heard Luke is really dead the whole time. And water killed him. And it takes place on earth. And pollution.
Should you see it? For a movie that is promising to be the Iron Man 1 of a new Star Wars continuum? Sure.
SUMMARY: I may or may not be a Disney shareholder. This summer may or may not make me happy on several levels.
ADRIAN FORT is a writer, blogger, and essayist from Kansas City, Missouri. Follow him on twitter @adriananyway. His work has appeared in Existere, decomP magazinE, The Bluest Aye, Bareback Magazine, Gadfly Online, Chrome Baby, The Eunoia Review, Linguistic Erosion, and Smashed Cat Magazine. His Master's Degree is from Lindenwood University.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Avengers Age of Ultron TV spot
The biggest thing to take from this is probably what it doesn't show. Namely, anything new. Every spot we've seen since the first trailer was leaked by Hydra has been some rehashing of footage from that trailer.
What does that mean?
I think it's because they know they threw out the first pitch awfully early, and Marvel is saving some big guns for the final trailer, that way they get all us neckbeards worked into a froth just in time to hand our money over. And again. And again. And again...
But let's take stock of just what we haven't seen:
1. The evolution of Ultron. We've seen the Mach1 and what is most likely his final form. I'm willing to bet there are plenty of in between stages.
2. (Spoiler) Loki and Heimdall. Idris Elba let it slip (lacking foresight...see what I did there?) that he and Hiddleston had been on set. Just how big a role they will have is questionable.
3. The Vision. A big time character who will have his origin in the movie, and we've seen nothing of him.
4. Avengers Assemble. Just how do all these guys get back together? Tony Stark is "no longer Iron Man." Thor is making kissy faces somewhere in the universe. Captain American is coughing up lungs full of water and looking for his childhood bestie. Fury got tired of his eyepatch and traded it in for some sunglasses from the 80's. Banner is getting his psych degree.
5. The Twins. Sure, we've seen bits of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, but we still have no idea where they come from or what they're doing.
6. The Avengers. With so many cut shots and so little actual footage, all we've seen is a little bit of Hulk vs Hulkbuster, Thor yelling and chooke-slamming Stark, Captain America jumping over a car, and Black Widow playing patty-cake with the green guy.
(Marvel Owns You)
(Marvel Owns You)
What is Marvel saving? Will Avengers: Age of Ultron have the same consequences and devastation for the MCU that Captain America: Winter Soldier did? If so, the movie promises a lot of surprises that have yet to be revealed.
ADRIAN FORT is a writer, blogger, and essayist from Kansas City, Missouri. Follow him on twitter @adriananyway. His work has appeared in Existere, decomP magazinE, The Bluest Aye, Bareback Magazine, Gadfly Online, Chrome Baby, The Eunoia Review, Linguistic Erosion, and Smashed Cat Magazine. His Master's Degree is from Lindenwood University.
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