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2004
The Punisher
Release Date: April 16th, 2004
Cast: Thomas Jane (Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher), John Travolta (Howard Saint), Laura Elena Harring (Livia Saint), Samantha Mathis (Amanda Castle), Will Patton (Leonard Glass), Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (Joan), Roy Scheider (Frank's Father), Russell Andrews (FBI Agent Jimmy Weeks), James Carpinello (John Saint), Mark Collie (Harry Heck), Ben Foster (Spacker Dave), Eddie Jamison (Nicky Duka), Marcus Johns (Will Castle), Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash, Tom Nowicki (Lincoln), John Pinette (Mr. Bumpo), Eduardo Yanez, Bubba the Love Sponge (cameo), Hulk Hogan (cameo)
Based Upon: The popular character published by Marvel Comics who first appeared in "The Amazing Spider-Man" #129 in 1974, and has appeared in several incarnations in the nearly 30 years since. This film is intended to be the first of a new franchise of 'Punisher' movies, if it is successful.
Sequel Note: (3/12/04) Unsurprisingly, Lions Gate and Marvel are already developing a sequel project, which may be released as soon as 2006.
Premise: Undercover FBI agent and former Marine Frank Castle (Jane) is devastated when his wife and children are killed when they accidentally witness a mafia hit, and with nothing left to lose, decides to dedicate himself fully to the eradication of crime (organized and otherwise) from America, as an army, assassin, judge and jury all rolled up into one man (and a whole lot of guns): The Punisher. Wearing a menacing black battle suit with a white skull emblazoned on his chest, the Punisher first sets his sights on the crime syndicate that was responsible for the murders of his family. Along the way, his vendetta quest leads to the son (Carpinella) of Howard Saint (Travolta), a former underworld boss who had gone straight, but the death of his son leads him to get back into crime, and guess who's he gunning for...? (Harring plays Travolta's wife; Romijn-Stamos plays Joan, a woman who assists the Punisher; Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash plays a Russian assassin.)
Abilities: A one-man vengeance-wreaking killing machine. An army, assassin, judge and jury all rolled up into one man (and a whole lot of guns)
Spider-Man 2 Release Date: June 30th, 2004
Cast: Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst (Mary "MJ" Jane Watson), James Franco (Harry Osborne), Alfred Molina (Dr. Otto Octavius, AKA Doctor Octopus), Brooke Adams (Felicia Hardy), Dylan Baker (Dr. Curt Connors), Elizabeth Banks (Betty Brant), Bruce Campbell (Snooty Usher), Vanessa Ferlito, Daniel Gillies (John Jameson), Stan Lee (cameo), Rosemary Harris (Aunt May Parker), Joel McHale (Mr. Jacks), Donna Murphy (Rosalie Octavius), Jason Ortiz (Henry), Ted Raimi (Hoffman), Bonnie Somerville
Based Upon: This is the sequel to the 2002 blockbuster hit, and #1 movie of the year, Spider-Man, which set the record for a three-day opening weekend at $114.844 million, and has taken in over $400 million, just in the U.S. alone. Both movies are, of course, based upon the character created by Steve Ditko (art) and Stan Lee (writing), as first published in "Amazing Fantasy #15" in 1962 by Marvel Comics. There will also be a Spider-Man 3.
Premise: Picking up several months later, the story of mild-mannered science student, part-time photojournalist and occasional web-crawling superhero Peter Parker continues as he is now attending college at New York City's (fictional) Empire State University, after having graduated from high school in the first movie... and his adventures throw him into conflict with egghead scientist Dr. Otto Octavius (Molina), who becomes grafted to a set of four mechanical arms which he can use to amazing effect... as a "mad scientist" villain some call "Doctor Octopus". Can our webbed hero avoid getting clobbered by two of Doc Ock's metallic arms while dodging the other two? Meanwhile, we're also introduced in this second movie to John Jameson (Gillies), the astronaut son of Peter's mean boss, J. Jonah Jameson (Simmons), who is also Mary Jane's new boyfriend, as she continues to pursue her career as a model, with her face on ads for "Emma Rose" perfume all over New York City. Central to the story are Peter's struggles with choosing between being a normal young man and a superhero, and Harry Osborne's growing interest in seeking vengeance against the man he thinks is responsible for the death of his father (the Green Goblin): Spider-Man.
Abilities: Anything a spider can do (climb walls, make webs, ect.).
Catwoman
Release Date: July 23rd, 2004
Cast: Halle Berry (Catwoman; AKA Patience Philips), Benjamin Bratt (Detective Tom Lone), Sharon Stone (Laurel Hedare), Alex Borstein (Sally), Michael Massee (Armando), Lambert Wilson (Georges); other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: The popular DC Comics anti-heroine (she's not exactly a "villain"), and often-romantic interest of Batman. Selina Kyle's first appearance was Batman #1 (Spring, 1940).
Premise: Set in Lake City (ie, not Gotham City), this is the story of Patience Philips (Berry), a graphic artist who is murdered when she finds out a dark secret about the cosmetics company she works for, Avenal Beauty, which is a front for criminal exploits of the husband (Wilson) and wife (Stone) team that run it. Price is brought back to life, however, by an Egyptian Mao cat who is indebted to Patience for saving its life. Reborn with a new attitude, Patience Price becomes the new Catwoman and sets out to see vengeance for her murder and to stop the evil doings of Avenal Beauty.
Abilities: I guess she acts like a cat (9 lives, always lands on her feet, likes milk?, makes me sick (I'm allergic to cats) ect.)
Blade: Trinity (Blade 3)
Release Date: August 13th, 2004
Cast: Wesley Snipes (Blade), Ryan Reynolds (Hannibal King), Kris Kristofferson (Whistler), Jessica Biel (Abigail Whistler), HHH, AKA Jean-Paul Levesque; other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: This is the third and final film in the 'Blade' series starring Wesley Snipes, which started with Blade in 1998 and continued in 2002 with Blade II. What most people don't know is that these movies are based upon the "Blade" vampire hunter character as published by Marvel Comics (which started in the 1970s as a supporting character in "Tomb of Dracula"). The box office of the franchise is on the rise, with Blade earning $70 million in the U.S., and Blade II earning $81.6 million.
Premise: Realizing they may never be able to defeat the vampire hunter known as Blade the Dayhunter, the vampires who control the infrastructures of human society set Blade up to appear like a psychopathic serial killer, with the FBI soon on his tail, thinking he is some sort of horrible monster. The plan is successful, as Blade's ability to hunt vampires is limited severely, even as they have awakened the granddaddy of them all, Dracula (AKA "Drake"), a pure vampire with amazing abilities others do not possess. To take on the threat of this most powerful vampire, Blade accepts the help of a team of human vampire hunters called the Nightstalkers...
Abilities: A vampire that does not get affected by the things that affect most vampires such as sunlight and silver bullets.
Man-Thing
Release Date: September 3rd, 2004
Cast: Jack Thompson, Rawiri Paratene, Imogen Bailey, Steve Bastoni, Matthew Le Nevez, Robert Mammone, Alex O'Lachlan, Rachel Taylor, William Zappa; other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: The monstrous character published (on and off) in various titles by Marvel Comics since May, 1971 (in "Savage Tales" #1). Specifically, this film's story is inspired by a story called "Cry of the Native", which appeared in "Fear" #16 in 1973.
Premise: The Man-Thing is a mindless monster living in the Florida Everglades made up mostly of a shambling mound of plant life, in which there is something that was formerly human. There is something else very strange about Man-Thing... its skin exudes a flammable acid that is activated by the emotion of fear, so that "whatever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch..." Left brainless except for the ability to sense emotion, Man-Thing acts like an emotional mirror, being calm and peaceful around those who are calm, and violent and dangerous around those who fear him (which is nearly everyone). Specifically, this movie focuses on a real estate tycoon named F.A. Schist (get it?) who wants to drain parts of the Everglades to build an airport, which is protested by the local Seminole Indians (who are being pushed out of their historic homelands). As the developer's crewmen delve deeper and deeper into the swamp, one of them shows up dead, leading Schist to blame the tribe. The Seminoles know, however, that there is "something" in the swamp, something that burns those who know fear...
Abilities: It can sence fear and when it does its skin exudes a flammable acid.
2005
Elektra
Release Date: February 18th, 2005
Cast: Jennifer Garner (Elektra Natchios); other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: (3/15/03) This movie will be based upon The popular Greek assassin character published in different forms by Marvel Comics who got her start in "Daredevil" #168 in 1980. It's not yet known which particular story arc from the comics this movie will be based upon (if any), but two popular possibilities are "Elektra: Assassin", a graphic novel by Frank Miller (which in the comic book chronology depicts events that occurred before the events that took place in the 3rd act of the first Daredevil movie) and the "Order of the Hand" storyline, which explains what happened to Elektra directly after previously mentioned "events" (I'm not going to expand on that to avoid spoiling the movie for folks). This film is also, of course, a de facto sequel/spin-off to Daredevil, which is currently still in its theatrical run and expected to pull in over $100 million (it's currently at $94 million). The "Order of the Hand" storyline that explained what happened to Elektra after that fateful encounter with Bullseye will indeed be the basis for this film. (2/18/04) "Variety" reports that the two most influential sources for this movie will indeed be the 'Elektra: Assassin' graphic novel and the 'Elektra Saga' from Frank Miller's run in 'Daredevil' (which is essentially #168-182). One has to think that some of the later stories involving Elektra's resurrection will provide some sort of inspiration as well.
Sequel Note: (5/17/03) Another Marvel character who just happens to be represented in the movies by 20th Century Fox *and* who has very close romantic ties to Elektra is Wolverine, of the X-Men. Fox is considering spinning Wolverine off into his own movie(s), so might Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Garner star someday in a Wolverine/Elektra movie? In one version of the future in the Marvel Universe, Elektra and Wolverine had a daughter together who becomes known as "Wild Thing." Their ties are close indeed!
Premise: Following the events of Daredevil, Elektra Natchios (Garner), sai enthusiast and assassin for hire, is revived by the Order of the Hand, a group of assassins who helped train her. Assigned by the Hand's current leader, Kirigi, to kill a man, Mark Miller, and his 13-year-old daughter, Abby, Elektra soon befriends them and decides to stand up to her ninja peers. Elektra is especially motivated to do so when she discovers that Miller is an ally of her former mentor, Stick, who is the blind martial arts teacher responsible for training a certain eyesight-challenged ex-boyfriend of hers... Together, the foursome must take on Kirigi's lethal quartet (which includes Tengu and Typhoid), before Elektra ultimately takes on Kirigi himself.
Abilities: Assassin for hire, no real super powers
Batman Begins
Release Date: July 17th, 2005
Cast: Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman), Ken Watanabe (Ra's Al Ghul), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Rutger Hauer, Katie Holmes (Rachel Dodson), Cillian Murphy (Dr. Jonathan Crane), Liam Neeson (Ducard), Gary Oldman (Sgt. Jim Gordon), Tom Wilkinson (Carmine Falcone)
Based Upon: The character of Batman, which has been published in a variety of comic books by DC Comics since 1939 ("Detective Comics" #27). And the other 4 Batman movies, which have all hat a different person play Batman.
Sequel Notes: (12/16/03) While talking to About.com this week, Michael Caine revealed that he has already signed on for two possible sequels (a career first for him!).
TV Show Note: (4/12/02) Apprently hoping to reach young fans who might grow up to keep loving 'Batman' and to also reach fans of all ages in the year of the movie's release, WB has announced plans for a new animated series on the Cartoon Network called 'The Batman' which will be set during Year Three of Bruce Wayne's relatively young crime-fighting career. You can find the preliminary cast list over at Cinescape.com.
Premise: When fate prevents him from avenging the deaths of his parents, young Bruce Wayne (Bale) flees to Asia where he seeks counsel from a dangerous ninja cult leader known as Ra's al Ghul (Watanabe). When he returns, Bruce finds that Gotham City has become overrun with crime and corruption, and that there are forces at work trying to remove him from his inherited place as the owner of Wayne Industries. Discovering a cave under Wayne Manor, Bruce assumes a new identity as a secret detective and guardian of the people of Gotham City against the criminals that plague them... (source: IGN FilmForce)
Abilities: I don't think Batman has any abilities he just has cool bat gadgets
Fantastic Four
Release Date: July 1st, 2005
Cast: Michael Chiklis (in talks) (Benjamin J. Grimm, AKA 'The Thing'); other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: This is the movie version of the long-running comic book, Fantastic Four, published by Marvel Comics since 1961. There was a previous film version by B-movie king Roger Corman in 1992 that was shelved before it could be released (you can find bootlegs at comics conventions).
Premise: When an experimental space voyage goes awry, four people are changed by cosmic rays. Reed Richards, inventor and leader of the group gains the ability to stretch his body, and takes the name, Mr. Fantastic. His girlfriend, Sue Storm, gains the ability to turn invisible and create force fields, becoming the Invisible Girl. Her little brother Johnny Storm gains the ability to control fire, including covering his own body with flame, like a Human Torch. Pilot Ben Grimm is turned into a super-strong rocky Thing. Together, they use their unique powers to explore the strange aspects of the world, and to foil the evil plans by the likes of Doctor Doom, which is who the villain of this film will be. Even as they deal with the various threats that arise to threaten Earth's peace, the Four must also deal with the pressures of fame as the world's most famous superheroes, and the realities of being a super-powered family.
Premise Notes: I've received word from an anonymous but reliable source that one of the slight changes that is being made for this movie to keep it at least slightly grounded within the realm of credibility and realism applies to Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. In the comics, Johnny is able to light his entire body on fire, which gives him heat-generated buoyancy and propulsion, allowing him to fly. In the movie, however, his power will be limited to just lighting his fingers on fire, making his arms a sort of "human torch" (just not his whole body). Johnny will also be able to control the flames that he generates. In a way, this change makes the Human Torch very similar to the character of Pyro from the X-Men movies (except Pyro needs a lighter to generate the flames he controls). In addition to making the character seem less unrealistically "fantastic," this will no doubt help keep the budget of the F/X budget down considerably
Abilities: Reed Richards AKA Mr. Fantastic: stretches his body
Sue Storm AKA Invisible Girl: turns invisible and creates force fields
Johnny Storm AKA Human Torch: controls fire.
Ben Grimm AKA Thing: super-strong rock.
The Green Hornet
Release Date: August, 2005
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal (Britt Reid); other cast not announced yet.
Director: Kevin Smith
Screenwriter: Kevin Smith
Based Upon: This movie will be based upon the character first popularized in a national radio series that ran from 1939-1952. That's how my Mom remembers him. There were also two movie serials in 1940, The Green Hornet, and The Green Hornet Strikes Again. Younger folk probably think of the short-lived 1966-1967 TV series starring Bruce Lee, and very younger folk might know the comic book series published by NOW Comics in the 1980's-1990's (there were a few earlier comic books that didn't last long). Dark Horse Comics now has rights to a new comic book series, but it appears they're waiting to time it with the release of this movie.
Premise: The exact story details of this version of 'The Green Hornet' aren't yet known, except that it will span several decades.
Abilities: Kato is a kung fu master, enough said. The Green Hornet is more of a "costumed crimefighter", complete with a "sting gun", knockout gas, etc. At least, he used these in past versions. This new film may drop some of the old Green Hornet concepts.
Mort the Dead Teenager
Release Date: Summer, 2005 (estimated)
Cast: Jessica Simpson; other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: (9/20/03) This movie is based upon the *extremely* obscure 4-issue comic book mini-series published by Marvel Comics in 1993-1994. In a somewhat manipulative twist, creator and writer Larry Hama actually came up with 'Mort the Dead Teenager' first as a great idea for a movie, which he then pitched and sold to Marvel, with the intention all along being to eventually have it become the basis for a movie. The process just probably took longer than Hama may have expected. The comic book was a complete flop at the time, quickly relegated to "quarter bins" and extremely few comic fans have ever heard of it, much less actually read it (though that will surely change once this movie hits theaters; Marvel will probably reprint the original story as a trade paperback). Larry Hama is most famous for being the writer of all 155 issues of the popular 1980s comics version of G.I. Joe.
Premise: When Mort (Wood), an unpopular and picked-upon teenager is decapitated and killed in a train accident, he descends to the Netherworld where he meets Teen Death (the son of the Grim Reaper). Convincing Teen Death to accompany him, Mort returns to the world of the living to try to win the heart (presumably while it's still beating) of the girl of his dreams (Simpson).
Abilities: He is a dead teenager.
Shazam!
Release Date: Summer, 2005
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: This movie is based upon the character of Captain Marvel, who first appeared in Whiz Comics, published by Fawcett Comics, in 1940. A lawsuit in the 1940s in which National Comics (AKA DC Comics) claimed that Captain Marvel was a trademark infringement (ie, a copycat) of Superman eventually led to Fawcett ceasing publication of the character in 1953. Twenty years later, in the 1970s, DC Comics bought the rights to all of the characters orginally published by Fawcett, and DC Comics has been publishing Shazam comics since. The reason for this movie, and the comics, being called "Shazam!" rather than Captain Marvel is to avoid another sort of lawsuit, with Marvel Comics, who also has a character called Captain Marvel (AKA "Captain Mar-Vell"). Past adaptations of Captain Marvel have included a popular (and technically astounding for the time) 1941 serial called The Adventures of Captain Marvel, a live-action CBS Saturday morning TV series called "Shazam!" and a short-lived 1981 animated TV series called 'Kid Superpower Hour with Shazam!'.
Supporting Characters Note: (6/3/03) Captain Marvel's popularity in the 1940s led to Fawcett Comics creating a fairly large stable of supporting "Marvel Family" characters, like Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., the Three Lieutenants Marvel, Uncle Marvel and Tawny the Talking Tiger. I'm especially fond of Mary Marvel and Tawny, but my hunch is that they will not appear in this film. Perhaps in "Shazam 2"?
Premise: Billy Batson, a shy preteen boy, discovers that he has a magical connection to an ancient Egyptian wizard named Shazam who lives in another dimension. By saying the wizard's name, Billy is transformed into a tall, powerful red-white-and-yellow-costumed superhero named Captain Marvel endowed with six amazing abilities.
Abilities: The wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury (which, abbreviated, spell "Shazam").
Iron Man
Release Date: November, 2005
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The long-running Marvel Comics series and character that first appeared in 1962 in Tales of Suspense #39.
Premise: When another military arms industrialist, Justin Hammer, seeks to steal his technologically amazing inventions for evil purposes, genius and alcoholic playboy Tony Stark ends up nearly dying, saved at the last moment by a suit of weaponry. Newly equipped to face Hammer on his own terms, Stark uses the armor as "Iron Man" to stop him from misusing his inventions. With new screenwriters signing on, it's quite possible that this Justin Hammer-centric storyline is being abandoned.
Abilities: Man made of iron.
Ghost Rider
Release Date: TBA 2005
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider), Jon Voight; other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: The character of the same name published by Marvel Comics which was first seen in Marvel Spotlight #5 in 1972. There have been two long-running Ghost Rider series. The first ran from 1973 to 1983, featuring the character of Johnny Blaze who will be seen in this movie. The second series, running from 1990-1998 featured a new host, Danny Ketch.
Premise: This is the story of motorcycle stunt performer, Johnny Blaze (Cage), who agrees to become the host of a "spirit of vengeance" in exchange for the safety of his true love, but the price he pays is to be cursed with the avenging spirit that takes its form at night as a demon with a flaming skull on a motorcycle of hellfire... According to Cinescape, this film will not be an "origin story" but will start with the Ghost Rider already in existence, though there will be some references/scenes about the origin (much like how Blade incorporated some origin details into the story, without actually being an "origin story").
Abilities: He is a motorcycle stunt performer I don't think he has any special abilities.
Watchmen
Release Date: TBA 2005 (tentative)
Cast: None announced yet. There are some amazing roles here; the casting rumors and speculation should be rampant.
Based Upon: The acclaimed 1986 12 issue comic book mini-series (and subsequent graphic novel) written by Alan Moore with (amazing) art by Dave Gibbons. Moore's first adaptation was 2001's From Hell, and he also has V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in development (at New Line and Fox respectively). The Watchmen heroes were (very) loosely based on Charlton characters like Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, and The Question.
Premise: In a world in which "super heroes" have been a fact of life for several decades, the murder of a federally-backed mercenary called "The Comedian" attracts the curiosity of insane vigilante Rorschach, the last "masked man" still operating without government support (they were outlawed years ago). Visiting other heroes, both retired (Night Owl, Ozymandias) and those working for the U.S. government (Dr. Manhattan, Silk Spectre). The mystery at hand is... who's killing the masks? Rorschach's investigation stirs old and emotions (Silk Spectre, for example, finds herself torn between two men) and secrets, like what sinister plan is at work, something that may have cracked even a tough "blood and guts" soldier like the Comedian....
Abilities: ???
Dr. Strange
Release Date: TBA 2005
Cast: Not announced yet.
Based Upon: The popular long-running sorcerer-adventurer character published by Marvel Comics in various forms since July, 1963 ("Strange Tales" #110). Although he has a strong "cult" fanbase (personally, I love the crazy art of the first 15 years; Steve Ditko's wildest stuff!), that first issue was a good indicator of the second-ringer status Marvel would usually give Strange: it was only a 5-page story and the good doctor wasn't even mentioned on the cover (which heralded a story about the Human Torch fighting Paste-Pot Pete... seriously). That first five-page story is really something actually, introducing not just Dr. Strange but the Ancient One and Nightmare too. Baron Mordon showed up in Strange's story (with the Human Torch again hogging the cover, as he fought... the Asbestos Man; seriously, I'm not clever enough to make up old Human Torch foes).
In addition to various appearances in animated TV series, the character has been adapted in live-action form once before, as a 1978 CBS made-for-TV movie starring Peter Hooten. Like CBS' 'Incredible Hulk' TV series, this movie (basically a pilot for a possible TV show) stripped away most of the more fanciful (ie, "cool") aspects of the comics. It's extremely likely that Dimension and Marvel are looking for this to be the first in a series of films, if it's a hit.
Premise: (3/17/03) The exact details of this film's premise aren't yet known (with a script not yet even decided upon yet), but the general premise will revolve around Dr. Stephen Strange, a surgeon so skilled that he's famous, whose hands are damaged in an accident, driving Strange to alcoholism and the brink of suicide. As a last ditch effort, Strange travels hundreds of miles by foot into the Himalayas to seek the healing touch of a a mysterious Asian guru known only as The Ancient One. What the Ancient One offers instead is to train Dr. Strange in all of the myriad dark arts of mysticism, magic and sorcerery (including the neat trick of being able to travel out of his body into the astral plane... and also into other dimensions!), with Strange becoming after the Ancient One's death the Earth's Sorcerer Supreme... the one man who stands between us and the hordes of evil forces both from this dimension and those beyond.
2006 & Beyond
X3: X-Men 3
Release Date: May 5th, 2006
Cast: Hugh Jackman (in talks) (Logan, AKA Wolverine), Patrick Stewart (in talks) (Professor Charles Xavier), Shawn Ashmore (Bobby Drake, AKA Iceman), Daniel Cudmore (Piotr Rasputin, AKA Colossus), Alan Cumming (Kurt Wagner, AKA Nightcrawler), Famke Janssen (Dr. Jean Grey), James Marsden (Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops), Sir Ian McKellen (in talks) (Erik Lensherr, AKA Magneto), Anna Paquin (Rogue), Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (Mystique); other cast not announced or confirmed as signed yet.
New Mutant Note: Beast and Gambit have the highest possiblility of getting into this movie. But it is not yet known if they will be.
Based Upon: This will, of course, be the third movie based on the popular 'X-Men' comics that have been published by Marvel Comics since the early 1960s. The previous films were 2000's X-Men, which grossed $157 million in the U.S. after opening to $54.5 million (on a budget of $75 million), and X2: X-Men United, which currently has grossed $199 million in the U.S. after opening to $85.6 million (on a $110 million budget).
Franchise Note: (3/12/04) Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox are reported to be considering filming both 'X3' and 'X4' back-to-back, with those movies potentially closing the book on the 'X-Men' movies as a team, but opening the door to myriad spin-off movies (with the first one confirmed to be 'Wolverine').
Premise: (6/1/03) There is much that is currently unknown about this movie's premise, but here's what is known. This movie will follow the continuing adventures of the superpowered group, the X-Men, led by Professor Xavier, and based at his school for gifted students, as they try to foster good will for mutants like themselves, in a world where some people are born with extraordinary powers, and many ordinary humans fear them for it. One likely subplot to be addressed in this movie is the status of Dr. Jean Grey, who experienced something strange in the second movie, something to do with something called Phoenix... (I know a lot more about Phoenix than that, but I'm trying not to spoil the second movie.) Another possible element that may be introduced in this third movie is the idea of the Sentinels, giant mutant-hunting robots constructed to capture and control the "mutant menace" forever.
Abilities: Mutants with many different abilities
Superman
Release Date: Summer 2006
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: This movie is based upon the popular superhero character that appears in comics published by DC Comics. He has been adapted to television and film several times in his 60-year history, most notably in a series of films that started with Superman, starring Christopher Reeve, in 1978. This is currently expected to be the first of a trilogy of films that drastically changes key elements of the characters as previously depicted in the comic books and elsewhere. Ratner hopes to direct all three.
Premise: (9/26/02) According to the script review over at AICN, the current premise of this movie revolves around political intrigue on the planet Krypton, which its status in the comics, hasn't exploded. Jor-El (Hopkins) sends his son, Kal-El, to the planet Earth, where he is taken in by Pa and Ma Kent, eventually growing up to become a hero called Superman, who soon finds himself fighting, kung-fu-in-the-sky style, other Kryptonians who share the superpowers he gets from being under our yellow sun, one of whom is his cousin. Kal-El dies in action, but then comes back. Kal-El's quest for the truth about what the other Kryptonians are doing on Earth eventually leads him to confront a CIA agent named... Lex Luthor. (12/17/02) WB President Alan Horn told "The Hollywood Reporter" in a recent interview that the script is being revised with at least one of the things fans complained about being removed (the decision to make Lex Luthor a Kryptonian like Clark).
Abilities: He's Superman what abilities doesn't he have
Hulk 2
Release Date: TBA 2006
Based Upon: The character published by Marvel Comics. There was also a 1970's TV show loosely based upon the character (lacking most of the elements of the comic book) that led to some TV movies in the 1980's and 1990's; all of which starred Bill Bixby as David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk. Hopefully, this movie will be more like the comics, and less like the TV show.
Note: Covering the new merger between NBC and Universal Pictures, "Variety" reported this weekend that Universal no longer has any plans for a 'Hulk 2.'
Note 2: Hulk 2 is in development for a 2006 release. Arad reported that 6.5 million DVDs shipped for Hulk 1's release, and 3.5 sold within seven days. Universal doesn't have plans for this movie but that doesn't mean some one else won't do it.
Abilities: When he is angry he turns into a giant green monster.
Iron Fist
Release Date: TBA 2006
Cast: Ray Park (Daniel Rand, aka Iron Fist); other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: The character published by Marvel Comics, introduced in May, 1974, in Marvel Premiere #15, and eventually joined Luke Cage (aka Power Man) in his comic as Power Man and Iron Fist. Artisan is hoping to kick off an Iron Fist franchise with this film.
Premise: Wendell Rand was a young explorer who stumbled upon the lost magical kingdom of K'un Lun deep in the Himalayas, after saving their leader from the golden dragon, Shou Lao the Undying. To make a long story short, Rand eventually went back to America (after being named heir to K'un Lun's throne). Years later, he returned with his new wife and young son, Daniel Rand (Park). Daniel's parents eventually died, leaving Daniel orphaned and in the line of succession. Daniel earned the name of Iron Fist when he faced and killed Shou Lao (so much for that "undying" part), tattooing his chest with a winged dragon. Plunging his hands into the dragon's heart, Rand gained an amazing power... the Iron Fist. With magical strength, and incredible martial arts prowess, Daniel left K'un Lun, seeking out Meacham, the man responsible for the death of his parents...
Deathlok
Release Date: TBA 2006/2007
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: This movie is loosely based upon the character "Deathlok" that has appeared in titles published by Marvel Comics since 1974 ("Astonishing Tales" #25). In addition to appearing in other characters' titles, "Deathlok" was featured in a 4-issue mini-series and a 34-issue ongoing series (1991-1994). Altogether, there have been four different "Deathlok" characters (it's a long, long story). The biggest difference between those four Deathlok characters and the one in this movie is that they all started out as soldiers (the first one, Luther Manning, was a colonel in the U.S. Army), whereas this film is taking a non-military approach.
Premise: A man unwittingly finds himself the subject of an experiment which slowly turns him into a cyborg, with computer and robotic parts replacing nearly his entire body...
Abilities: Robotic man
Spider-Man 3
Release Date: May 4th, 2007
Cast: Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson); other cast not announced yet, but it's likely that many of the supporting characters from the first two movies will return.
Based Upon: This is, of course, the third movie in the film franchise based upon the popular character of Spider-Man, as published in several different comic book series by Marvel Comics. Spider-Man was released in the U.S. in May, 2002 and grossed $403.7 million on a budget of $139 million, while Spider-Man 2 is scheduled for release in July, 2004.
Premise: No details are currently known about this project, mostly because no screenwriter has been hired to work on it, even. The only thing that is known, therefore, is that this movie will undoubtedly continue to follow the adventures of Peter Parker, the Amazing (and Spectacular and Sensational) Spider-Man, a mild-mannered teenager who was endowed by a very special spider bite with an assortment of amazing powers, including strength, agility, a spider sense and the ability to create webs which he uses to swing through New York City, fighting bad guys.
Abilities: Same as Spider-Man 2
Unknown
Daredevil 2
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when/if filming eventually gets started.
Cast: Joe Pantoliano (Ben Urich); other cast not announced yet.
Cast Notes: Talking to SciFi.com recently, Ben Affleck revealed that he is unsure he wants to star in another 'Daredevil' movie, which potentially opens the role up for another actor to swoop in and take on the role, similar to the way many different actors have played Batman in the movies (with Joe Pantoliano possibly being the only actor to appear in all of the movies?). It's worth noting that Ben does leave the possibility open of him reprising the character in Elektra (which is scheduled to be filmed before this movie anyway). Who will take up the red leather pants, jacket and mask of Matt Murdock next though?
Based Upon: This is the sequel to the 2003 hit movie, Daredevil, which topped out at $102 million in the U.S. Both movies are, of course, based upon the long-running (since 1964) character published by Marvel Comics. Two storylines from the comics that are reportedly among the top possibilities for being the basis of this movie are 'Born Again' and Kevin Smith's 'Guardian Devil' (which was sort of a sequel to 'Born Again', in as much that Daredevil is still recuperating from the events of that storyline). My guess is that 'Born Again' will be the one, with 'Guardian Angel' perhaps adapted as 'Daredevil 3.'
Premise: The exact details of this movie's premise aren't yet known, except that this movie will depict the continuing adventures of blind attorney Matt Murdock, who protects the New York City neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen from crime and evil men as the oxblood-leather wearing vigilante, Daredevil, who is aided by a sort of "radar sense" (actually more like sonar) which allows him to sense things others cannot.
Abilities: After being blinded he got superhuman sences
Green Lantern
Release Date: Unknown; depends upon when/if filming actually does get started.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The long-running character as published by DC Comics (on and off) since 1940, who has taken on several forms.
Premise: As of this writing, it is unclear which version of Green Lantern will be adapted, but it's likely to be one of the characters whose ring has its origins in the Green Lantern Corps, an interplanetary police force organized by a race of aliens from the planet Oa called the Guardians. Using his ring, Green Lantern can shape and produce green energy of fantastic power that can be used to create solid objects, shoot energy bolts, and give Green Lantern the power of flight (including intergalactic travel).
Abilities: A green ring that gives him powers. The original Green Lantern's ring was magical; the latter Green Lanterns rings all came from the Guardians from the planet Oa.
Tha Flash
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when production eventually gets started on this project.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: One of the superheroes called "The Flash" that have appeared in comic books published (off and on) by DC Comics since 1940. The character has previously been adapted as a 1990-1991 live-action CBS TV series starring John Wesley Shipp.
(10/5/03) Warner Bros. is also developing a new "Flash" TV series for the WB to premiere in the fall of 2004, according to IGN FilmForce. It appears the series will be a fairly complete departure from the comic books, with the character not wearing a costume, and the concept of the series mostly concentrating on time travel (making it sound a bit like it's following the tradition of shows like "Voyagers," "Quantum Leap," and "Early Edition"). One thing that at first glance *appears* to be a departure about this concept, but actually isn't, is that it will focus on Wally West as a young New Yorker. Although he is generally associated with Keystone City (a fictional Midwest city), in the comics, he *did* get his start as the Flash in New York City (where the Teen Titans were headquartered). The motto of the TV series will reportedly be "Live fast so others don't die young." Hopefully, there will be no formal connections between the TV show and this movie. I say hopefully because although I can understand the financial limitations that prevent TV shows from being faithful to comic books, I have higher expectations for feature films.
Premise: There is no script for this movie, so there's no way of knowing which of the three major Flash characters this movie would be adapting, or what the story might be like. What all three Flashes have in common is that they are crimefighters who are endowed with fantastic speed, allowing them to run at paces well past the speed of sound. The speeds the Flash can reach are so high that he is able to accomplish feats such as dodging bullets, running on water and creating whirlwinds that can stop cars in their tracks.
Abilities: Runs extremely fast
Wonder Woman
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when (if) filming actually does get started. It will probably be in the summer of whatever year it's ready for.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The long-running and popular superheroine, as published by DC Comics. This will be the first feature film about her, although there was a flurry of activity on TV in the 1970's. First, Cathy Lee Crosby starred in a 1974 telefilm. A year later, Lynda Carter starred in another telefilm that placed Princess Diana in World War II (where she got her start in the comics), which became a popular TV series that aired in 1976-1979. 1977 brought a move from ABC to CBS, and a modern setting. Oh, and Debra Winger's career pretty much started with her supporting role as Wonder Girl in three episodes in season one. NBC was considering a new TV series in 1998, but scrapped it.
Premise: Presuming this film sticks fairly close to the origin of the comic books, this will be the story of Princess Diana, heiress to the throne of Paradise Island, a mythical island of amazons. Embued with amazing strength, both of character and physically, she travels into the world of men as Paradise Island's ambassador. Details other than that aren't yet known. Hopefully, the origin will have more to do with the comic books that have been published for (most of) the last sixty years (since 1941), and not a TV show that ran for only four. Wonder Woman's "rogue gallery" is admittedly weak, so I would guess that Cheetah is probably the top contender to make the leap (haha) to this film. Or, keeping with the Amazon theme, maybe they'd use Artemis (more of an antagonist than a "villain").
Abilities: A golden lasso and flight, plus other stuff.
Batman vs. Superman
Release Date: Unknown; it will probably be a summer tentpole release of whatever year it's eventually slotted for.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: This project is, of course, based upon DC Comics' two most popular characters, which they've been publishing for over 60 years (Superman since 1938, Batman since 1939). There have been several movies made over the years featuring either of them, but this will be the first feature film to feature both. It's also not a "sequel" to any pre-existing movie.
Premise: Not much is known yet (7/17/02) about the exact details of this film's premise, except that it involves a situation where the differing philosophical approaches of the caped guardians of Gotham City and Metropolis, long-time allies Batman and Superman, pit them against each other (and that this film does not follow the continuity of either of the previous Batman or Superman movies). There are rumors that the main villains are the Joker and Lex Luthor, but that's not confirmed. Also, I notice that Wolfgang Petersen keeps mentioning September 11th a lot... and how something horrible happens that sends Batman over the edge. Is it possible that something horrible, a sort of "cataclysm" (hint, hint, comics fans) happens to Gotham City? (9/18/02) This New York Times article, reprinted at SuperHeroHype, describes the premise as being about the death of Batman's girlfriend, which he blames on Superman, leading to a conflict between the two heroes, which culminates with Superman somehow "[saving] Batman's soul."
Abilities: I think you know by now if you read about the other Superman and Batman movies.
Batman: Year One
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when/if filming eventually gets started
Cast: None yet announced.
Based Upon: This movie will be based upon the story, written by Frank Miller, that originally appeared in Batman #404-407, and has since been reprinted as the Batman: Year One trade paperback.
Sequel Note: It's probably a bit premature to be talking about a #2 for a film that hasn't even started production yet, but well, here goes. If this does become the kickoff of a new series, I'd recommend WB consider doing The Long Halloween which takes place over the course of Year Two (basically) of Batman's current timeline. It combines a Godfather-like mobster epic with a Two-Face origin story. There was indeed a Year Two (and a Year Three story that introduced Robin) in the comics, but LH is a favorite. The real reason, however, that I think Long Halloween would be a great sequel to this film is that it finishes the storyline of the Falconi family that's introduced in Year One. It's a great read.
Premise: This is the story of two young men, Bruce Wayne, and Lieutenant James Gordon, who operate on opposite sides of the law (or so Gordon thinks), but find over the course of a year that they have a lot in common. The emphasis is obviously on how a man becomes a hero, as Wayne tries various techniques at fighting crime, making mistakes along the way, before becoming the Batman we know and recognize. In addition to fighting crime, he also meets Selina Kyle, who will soon be known as Catwoman...
Abilities: This is the story of young Batman just learning his abilities
Spawn 2
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when production eventually starts up.
Cast: Michael Jai White (Spawn) will most likely return in the lead; other cast not announced yet... many of the characters from the first film may not be returning this time around.
Based Upon: This movie will be the sequel to the live-action 1997 film, Spawn, which was based on the comic book series published by Image Comics, and created by Todd McFarlane. There's also an animated series on HBO, and McFarlane is also working on an animated feature film which would probably be a direct-to-HBO project.
Premise: The central characters in this sequel will be the police detectives Sam and Twitch (played by different actors than the near-cameos in the first film) and their investigation of a serial killer. Spawn's presence will be more of a "boogeyman", a dark spirit living in the city's alleys... Mirroring what's happened in the comics, his appearance may be quite different as well; as the artwork shown above suggests. McFarlane says there will also be an "urban villain", whom he hopes will be played by a big name.
Abilities: He is like a devil from hell, but not really a bad guy.
Plastic Man
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when production eventually gets started.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: This movie is based upon the character of 'Plastic Man', created by Jack Cole and originally published by Quality Comics from August, 1941 ('Police Comics' #1) to 1956. Two years later in 1958, Jack Cole committed suicide. DC Comics picked up the character (and the rest of the Quality Comics slate) in the 1950s but didn't first publish 'Plastic Man' stories until 1966. In the thirty years afterwards, DC Comics occasionally tried to reignite his popularity as a series, but had difficulties achieving that until he was included by Grant Morrison in his late 1990s run on 'JLA.' Besides comic books, Plastic Man also starred in the ABC Saturday morning cartoon, 'The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show,' which aired from 1979 to 1981. 'Plastic Man' was the first "stretchy hero," far predating others like the Elongated Man, Elastic Lad (Jimmy Olsen) and Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four.
Premise: Recently released from prison for an act of environmental terrorism, Daniel 'Eel' O'Brien looks up his ex-girlfriend from college, Susan, whom he happens to know is now working for a company notorious for the threat it poses to the environment, in the form specifically, of Susan's work of "polymerizing" living creatures (most recently a mouse). What Eel doesn't know is that the polymerization is being attempted so that the company's nefarious owner, Icarus Argon, who wants to use the process to return his body to its former healthy status. Catching Eel in snooping around the labs, Argon has O'Brien used as a human guinea pig, which has the surprising result of turning him into a Plastic Man, capable of bending, oozing, molding and stretching in incredible ways. Hiding out at Susan's while he learns how to control his powers, Plastic Man soon discovers that the same process that transformed him might now lead to an ecological disaster on a massive scale... and only he can stop it.
Abilities: Stretchy
The Wonder Twins
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when/if production eventually gets started.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: This live-action movie is based upon two supporting characters, Zan and Jayna (AKA 'The Wonder Twins') from the second version of the ABC/Hanna-Barbera Saturdary morning cartoon show, 'SuperFriends,' entitled 'The All New SuperFriends Hour,' which debuted in 1977. They continued to be recurring characters in most of the future versions of the show up until the cancellation of the final series in 1986. Although the Wonder Twins were not based on DC Comics characters, they did eventually join the "DC Universe" when they made an appearance in a 'Justice League' spin-off series called "Extreme Justice", issue #9 (October, 1995).
Prequel Note: (6/9/03) If this movie is a hit, one might speculate as to whether Warner Bros. would next target the characters that predated the Wonder Twins on the 'SuperFriends' TV show: teen detectives Wendy and Marvin, who were aided by their caped dog, Wonder Dog. 'Wonder Dog: The Movie' for 2008, perhaps?
Premise: (6/9/03) The exact details of this movie aren't yet known, but the core concept of the characters as they appeared on the 'SuperFriends' TV shows was that the Wonder Twins were purple-clad twin alien siblings from the planet Exxor who each had the ability to tranform themselves into something when they joined hands and shouted "Wonder Twin Powers Activate in the form of..." (something). The female twin, Jayna, could transform into any sort of animal, while the male twin, Zan could transform into any form of water (he really got gypped in the deal). Together, with their blue space monkey named Gleek, they utilized a worldwide network called "Teen Trouble Alert" that alerted them when teens got into trouble (no, not that *sort* of trouble :). Since this movie is being done separate from the SuperFriends, and their nifty modes of transportation, it should be interesting to see how long it takes the Wonder Twins to travel around the world to react to all of those Alerts about Teens in Trouble. Abilities: Jayne transforms into animals and Zan transforms into any form of water.
Hard Boiled
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when filming actually takes place; given David Fincher's busy schedule, the earliest we would probably see it is 2004, 2005 or so.
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Carl Seltz, AKA Nixon, AKA Unit Four); other cast not announced yet.
Based Upon: The 1990 Eisner award-winning comic mini-series, Hard Boiled, written by Frank Miller with art by Geoff Darrow, published by Dark Horse Comics.
Premise: Carl Seltz (Cage), an insurance investigator living a happy life as a husband and father, discovers that he has a secret life, even to him, as Nixon, a homocidal tax collector responsible for the deaths of hundreds. Then, Seltz/Nixon discovers something even more amazing... he's also actually Unit Four, a cyborg killing machine, and the intended savior of the enslaved robots of the future...
Abilities: Cyborg killing machine.
Green Arrow
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when/if production eventually gets started.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The character of Green Arrow, which has been published by DC Comics (AKA National) since 1941 (Green Arrow and his sidekick Speedy first appeared in "More Fun Comics" #73, which was the very same issue that introduced Aquaman to the world).
Premise: Since there is no screenwriter at this point, and hence, no script, there's no way of telling what direction this movie's premise might actually take. I can, however, tell you what Green Arrow's general premise in the comics is. Green Arrow is a masked vigilante whose costume and modus operandi resembles Robin Hood, using his skill as an archer to fight crime. Beginning his crimefighting career as a millionaire playboy with a sidekick (a young archer named Speedy), an elaborate array of (expensive) trick arrows and even an "ArrowCar" and "ArrowCave" headquarters, Queen's life is turned upside-down in his 40s when he loses his fortune (and his sidekick, fancy arrows and car). Humbled by this experience, Queen's eyes are opened to the social injustices of the world, prompting Green Arrow to become the most outspoken, politically liberal crimefighter (of established, long-running characters, at least), more interested in taking down evil landlords and drug dealers than fighting brightly-costumed super villains and threats from outer space, as the "Boxing Glove Arrow" and "Handcuffs Arrow" are replaced by lethal arrows that shed real blood. Along the way, Oliver Queen also fell in love with another crimefighter, the Black Canary (who may not be included in this movie if DC feels she has a chance of having her own movie series?).
Abilities: Skilled archer
Supergirl
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when filming eventually gets started
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The character of 'Supergirl,' published by DC Comics, who has taken a few different forms over her 40+ year existence. Originally, Supergirl was Superman's cousin, Kara, also a survivor of Krypton. For the last ten years or so, however, the character called Supergirl has been a shape-shifting alien called Matrix who merged with, and took the identity of, a high school student named Linda Danvers. There's also a third Supergirl that was recently introduced, named Cir-El. It's unknown which version this movie will adapt.
Premise: There is no current word about what this movie might be about, including which version of Supergirl it will address. What the two Supergirls (Kara and Linda Danvers) have in common is blonde hair, the presence of Superman's "S" on their costumes, and many of his same abilities. It's quite possible that the Supergirl that will be featured in this movie may be a new concept that may take a little bit from each of the comic versions, and then add in new ideas, etc.
Abilities: Flight, super strength, invulnerability, heat vision, etc.
The Greatest American Hero
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when/if production eventually gets started on this project
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The 1981-1983 ABC TV show of the same title, starring William Katt (Carrie) as a hapless math teacher forced into becoming a superhero (who wasn't very good at it, either). Robert Culp played his FBI agent sidekick, and Connie Sellecca (pre-Hotel) played his girlfriend.
Premise: A high school math teacher is given a special suit by mysterious aliens that will allow him to perform amazing feats (flying, super-strength, X-ray vision, shrinking, invisibility, just about every super power). The problem is that he quickly loses the instruction book, so he has to learn how to use the suit, which, quite frankly, he's not very good at... He's soon joined by an FBI agent, who teams up with the "super hero", basically using him to fight crime, etc. (5/20/02) Variety reports that the film's premise also includes other alien suits "floating around the world"... my guess is that someone who's not so heroic gets one of them.
Astro Boy
Release Date: Unknown; that will depend upon when/if filming eventually gets started.
Cast: None announced yet.
Based Upon: The long-running and popular Japanese manga (comic book) and TV anime (animation) series created by Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989). The original Japanese title of the Manga ("Tetsuwan Atom") translates to English as "Mighty Atom." The manga comic book was first published by Tezuka in 1951, which he continued to write and draw for another 20+ years. There were two "AstroBoy" TV shows: a 168-episode black and white series in the early/mid 1960s and a color series in the early 1980s. (3/21/03) There is a new "Tetsuwan Atom" TV series which will make its Japanese premiere there on April 6th, 2003. (5/6/03) That new Japanese TV series will air on the WB in the 2003-2004 season.
Premise: When his son dies, a scientist creates a powerful robot boy, Astro Boy, to be his replacement. Intended to be his own personal secret, Astro Boy ends up using his extraordinary abilities (flight via jet-powered boots, strength, invulnerability, lasers that shoot out of his fingers, super-hearing, etc.) to become a world-famous superhero. And the hero arrives in the spotlight just in time, as an evil alien race soon starts to invade Earth, with Astro Boy our only protection...
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