Hollywood is going through a phase of filming just about any comic book story/character they can get their hands on at the moment, some of which are good (Dark Knight, Iron Man) and some of which are awful (The Spirit).

2009 doesn't look like there being any let-up in production line what with films being released or greenlit including Akira, Wolverine, Watchmen, Dragonball Evolution and a new Judge Dredd movie.

Are there any films you're looking forward to? Any comic books you think should be made into movies? Or do you wish Hollywood would spend its money on producing more original stories?

Personally I don't mind them producing a few films based on comic book stories but I think they are going overboard at the moment. Many of the 'blockbuster' films coming out in 2009 seem to be based on comics. Whilst this isn't necessarily bad I do find that these films tend to be more predictable, particularly if they're following a well known storyline. There don't seem to be as many original stories as there used to be.

Having said that, if anyone wants to make films based on 2000AD's Rogue Trooper, Bad Company or Glimmer Rats I'll be happy... as long as Rob Schneider isn't in it.

Johnny the Homicidal Maniac please. Animated.

I'd settle for "Roger Mellie - The Musical" so long as it stars Burt Reynolds in the lead role.

It's only because now they have the ability to produce the right special effects and CGI.

I'd settle for "Roger Mellie - The Musical" so long as it stars Burt Reynolds in the lead role.

You've sold me on that one ;)

It's only because now they have the ability to produce the right special effects and CGI.

That's part of it but I think it's got more to do with not having to put the effort into coming up with something original. It's much easier to steal existing plotlines and characters from the comics, even entirely scripts in certain cases. Plus you get a ready-made audience.

I can see why they do it but I think they are taking it to an extreme.

I hate comic book films! I know most people love them, but I can't bare them! The only recent one I've really enjoyed was Wanted!

As a self confessed geek, I can't help but have a fanboy moment everytime a major comic-book film is greenlit. Most anticipated this year for me is Watchmen, which just looks better and better each trailer I see. Second on the list of must see comic book movies is Kick Ass, which is adaptated from a recent Mark Miller series about a young lad who is obsessed with comics who decides to dress up as a real hero in the real world and fight crime. Brutal and brilliant is how I would describe the comic, and the film looks to be just as brutal and realistic (no sudden experience of crafting intricate spandex costumes here - it is all normal clothes and ski masks).

Some comic book movies work well, others fall flat - Ghost Rider was an abysmal disaster, for example - and I honestly cannot care less about the greenlit X-Men: First Class (which will focus on the younger members of the franchsie last seen making X-Men 3 even worse than it would have been), yet look forward to Wolverine (mainly due to Deadpool making an appearance).

So long as they remain profitable, the studios will continue to make them, and the bubble doesn't look like bursting anytime soon. With decades of already written stories to draw from, it is a simple task to find a new one to knock out, be it the kiddie friendly type (Spider-Man, Fantastic Four), or the darker toned adult ones (Sin City, Road To Perdition).

I'd personally love to see some of the 2000AD characters given the big screen makeover. We have a new (and hopefully much better) Judge Dredd to look forward to, but let's see Slaine, Rogue Trooper, Halo Jones, ABC Warriors, Nemesis, etc given a shot at glory!

There's a few comic/cartoon to movie crossovers I'm looking forward to this year, although I'm worried the forthcoming Thundercats CGI movie will ruin the classic that was the original 80s cartoon franchise, I gather there's a GI Joe movie coming as well, and Transformers 2 as well as the obvious sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight which is rumoured to star Phillip Pullman (who?) as The Penguin and Johnny Depp as The Riddler, then again anyone would be better as Riddler than Jim Carrey's annoyingly camp performance in Batman Forever IMO.

Hollywood is going through a phase of filming just about any comic book story/character they can get their hands on at the moment, some of which are good (Dark Knight, Iron Man) and some of which are awful (The Spirit).

2009 doesn't look like there being any let-up in production line what with films being released or greenlit including Akira, Wolverine, Watchmen, Dragonball Evolution and a new Judge Dredd movie.

Are there any films you're looking forward to? Any comic books you think should be made into movies? Or do you wish Hollywood would spend its money on producing more original stories?

Personally I don't mind them producing a few films based on comic book stories but I think they are going overboard at the moment. Many of the 'blockbuster' films coming out in 2009 seem to be based on comics. Whilst this isn't necessarily bad I do find that these films tend to be more predictable, particularly if they're following a well known storyline. There don't seem to be as many original stories as there used to be.

Having said that, if anyone wants to make films based on 2000AD's Rogue Trooper, Bad Company or Glimmer Rats I'll be happy... as long as Rob Schneider isn't in it.
:hihi: Reminds me, I saw a 'gangsta' in a marvel comics hoodie the other day. It tickled me.

Akira? The late 80s called, they want their best Japanese Manga, no Matrix trilogy without it movie back.

Or is it a new version? Not just some pants remake?

There's a few comic/cartoon to movie crossovers I'm looking forward to this year, although I'm worried the forthcoming Thundercats CGI movie will ruin the classic that was the original 80s cartoon franchise, I gather there's a GI Joe movie coming as well, and Transformers 2 as well as the obvious sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight which is rumoured to star Phillip Pullman (who?) as The Penguin and Johnny Depp as The Riddler, then again anyone would be better as Riddler than Jim Carrey's annoyingly camp performance in Batman Forever IMO.

EH?????? :huh:

Philip Pullman is an author in his 60s, not an actor! He wrote His Dark Materials (you've probably seen the film version of the Golden Compass if you've not read the books).

If he's in a Batman film I will eat a copy of Lord of the Rings, with no salt.

I'm terrified of what's going to appear on screen when Watchmen comes out. It's so, so, so good...I will be very upset if it's ruined. Though it does look promising...the guy playing Rorschach looks fantastic in the costume.

I'd like to see someone attempt The Sandman. I don't think they'd do any good with it, but I'd still like them to try as it's my favourite. And Stardust proved that it is possible to film Neil Gaiman material and do a good job of it.

Akira? The late 80s called, they want their best Japanese Manga, no Matrix trilogy without it movie back.

Or is it a new version? Not just some pants remake?

Rich, you really need to stop with the "the 80s called..." line. After all you are still harping on about Star Wars (the 70s called), and Thundercats (80s) from time to time - or perhaps Batman (the 60s called!). Who cares if a franchise is old, why not go back to it again?

As for Akira - it is a new adaptation of the original manga (not the anime).

I'm terrified of what's going to appear on screen when Watchmen comes out. It's so, so, so good...I will be very upset if it's ruined. Though it does look promising...the guy playing Rorschach looks fantastic in the costume.

I'd like to see someone attempt The Sandman. I don't think they'd do any good with it, but I'd still like them to try as it's my favourite. And Stardust proved that it is possible to film Neil Gaiman material and do a good job of it.Is Allan Moore allowing his name to be used onscreen in the movie? I honestly don't see how you can slash Watchmen down to make a 2 hour movie and it be Watchmen. So much of it is going to have to disappear to make it come in on time.

How would you ever film Sandman?! Its far too dark and complex.

Personally the comic i'd like to see filmed is the Arkham Asylum Batman spinoff

Akira? The late 80s called, they want their best Japanese Manga, no Matrix trilogy without it movie back.The irony, oh the irony

Is Allan Moore allowing his name to be used onscreen in the movie? I honestly don't see how you can slash Watchmen down to make a 2 hour movie and it be Watchmen. So much of it is going to have to disappear to make it come in on time.




Alan Moore has refused to have his name associated with any adaptations of his work since the LXG fiasco, and refused to even acknowledge Watchemn (or ideed any adaptation) at all. He has point blank refused to even see how the work is being adapted, having already made his mind up that everything Hollywood makes is garbage. That's his choice, after all, he did point out that however any film turns out it will never take away from the original comics. Now Gibbons has been involved with Watchmen and is apparantly very impressed with how Snyder has made it, and how it looks and feels, and remains faithful to the comic.

The film is (apparantly according to last word) down to around 2hrs 40mins, and that is the lowest Snyder wants to trim it for cinema release - the full length cut was estimated at around the 4 hour mark (or more). Snyder has promised a full version on DVD for the fans.

Is Allan Moore allowing his name to be used onscreen in the movie? I honestly don't see how you can slash Watchmen down to make a 2 hour movie and it be Watchmen. So much of it is going to have to disappear to make it come in on time.

How would you ever film Sandman?! Its far too dark and complex.

Personally the comic i'd like to see filmed is the Arkham Asylum Batman spinoff

No, it's Alan Moore, he just wouldn't, would he? ;) I just hope they do not wuss out with the ending.

I know, I think Sandman is unfilmable - certainly for the big screen, however, I'd still be fascinated by what someone could do with it. The drawback is they'd probably just go for the core story and not deal with some of the fascinating and beautiful stories which shoot off from it, like the one which tells the truth about cats and their power ;)

Do you think The Lost Girls would be filmable? ;)

Another one I'd like to see attempted would be The Fables - and it would work as they are self-contained stories.





What's the title of that Batman one? It sounds good.

Alan Moore has refused to have his name associated with any adaptations of his work since the LXG fiasco, and refused to even acknowledge any adaptation at all.

The film is (apparantly according to last word) down to around 2hrs 40mins, and that is the lowest Snyder wants to trim it for cinema release - the full length cut was estimated at around the 4 hour mark (or more). Snyder has promised a full version on DVD for the fans.I'll be willing to bet it won't be a 2hr 40min release in the cinema.

Personally I think the best Allan Moore adaptation has been V for Vendetta

No, it's Alan Moore, he just wouldn't, would he? ;) I just hope they do not wuss out with the ending.

I know, I think Sandman is unfilmable - certainly for the big screen, however, I'd still be fascinated by what someone could do with it. The drawback is they'd probably just go for the core story and not deal with some of the fascinating and beautiful stories which shoot off from it, like the one which tells the truth about cats and their power ;)

Do you think The Lost Girls would be filmable? ;)

Another one I'd like to see attempted would be The Fables - and it would work as they are self-contained stories.





What's the title of that Batman one? It sounds good.If you want Sandman the best thing to do would be animation.

The Batman spinoff is called Arkham Asylum:Living Hell (http://www.amazon.com/Arkham-Asylum-Living-Dan-Slott/dp/1401201938) and its a belter

I'll be willing to bet it won't be a 2hr 40min release in the cinema.

Personally I think the best Allan Moore adaptation has been V for Vendetta

I'd be quite surprised if it does come in lower than 2hrs 40mins. The studio (Warners) are really behind Snyder on it, and seem to be showing a lot of faith in him and Watchmen. Let's not forget they are the same studio that allowed a similar lengthed Dark Knight movie, which made them a ton of cash. Quite a lot of films now run to over 2 hours (Bejamin Button is around the 2 hrs 45 mark), so it isn't that much of a shock anymore.


I agree with Vendetta. Whilst not perfect, it simply felt right! The tone and pace was right, and the scenes of Evey's imprisonment were perfectly directed.

If you want Sandman the best thing to do would be animation.

The Batman spinoff is called Arkham Asylum:Living Hell (http://www.amazon.com/Arkham-Asylum-Living-Dan-Slott/dp/1401201938) and its a belter

Cheers, I'm going to look that one up! I read the Frank Miller Dark Knight last year and I was blown away by it. :cool:

Hmmm, yes, I wonder how they'd approach things like the Cereal Convention in live action - they just couldn't. Or Lucien's library with all the stories that were never written down....

Even the first one would be incredibly difficult to do

Akira? The late 80s called, they want their best Japanese Manga, no Matrix trilogy without it movie back.

Or is it a new version? Not just some pants remake?

Worse than that. It's live action...

And wasn't the Matrix inspired by Ghost In The Shell rather than Akira?

The film is (apparantly according to last word) down to around 2hrs 40mins, and that is the lowest Snyder wants to trim it for cinema release - the full length cut was estimated at around the 4 hour mark (or more). Snyder has promised a full version on DVD for the fans.

It also got an R-rating in the US so it's not been toned down for the kiddies.

It also got an R-rating in the US so it's not been toned down for the kiddies.

Aye - I'm kinda looking forward to explaining to the inevitable parent who kicks off that their 10 year old son can't watch a comic-book superhero film...

"Well, I'm not sure how you view it, but extreme violence of a sadistic nature, rape, and murder of a by one of the so-called heroes isn't exactly kids comic-book!" :)

I'll be willing to bet it won't be a 2hr 40min release in the cinema.


Wish I'd taken that bet now. Watchmen was classified this week by the BBFC and has come in at 2 hrs 41 mins, with an 18 rating! Now whilst the professional side of me shows a bit of concern at the limitations of cash through the box office by only being viewable by those 18 and over, the fan in me lets out a huge sigh of relief that it got the rating that the material requires!

I really cannot wait to see the film now! Only a short two weeks to go now......