Hoping to build on the success of Marvel's The Avengers which has eclipsed $600 million domestic (nearly $1.5 billion worldwide), movie production of properties based on Marvel characters are moving full steam ahead. Along with Marvel Studio's own post-Avengers Phase 2 plan, there are more movies in development for the X-Men franchise, Spider-Man, and a couple of other new kids on the block. With fresh Comic Con scoop, lets take a look at the current slate of Marvel movie's currently being churned out of the machine.
The Man Without Fear made his print debut in Daredevil #1 in 1964 donning a vibrant yellow costume. He has since made the switch to a more devilish red which has been seen in most of his onscreen appearances.
In my book, or at least on my blog, 1989 was one of the most important years for superhero shows. Looking over the year's entries, it also seemed that green monsters were quite popular that year. After all, who doesn't love green monsters?
The Toxic Avenger Part II
A few years after the cult hit Toxic Avenger, Toxie returned and traveled to Japan (karate kid style). The movie did horribly and even the trailer is so bad / offensive that I won't embed it here, but if you must see it: here ya go.
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
After Hulk and Thor's successful team up the year before in the Incredible Hulk Returns, Daredevil was ready to do some legal representin'.
The Return of Swamp Thing
"He's got a grudge cuz they turned him to sludge." But "He is turning over a new leaf."
Yeah, pretty much nobody wanted to see this, and so no one did.
Batman
Obviously, Batman was the year's standout. Not only was the movie one of the most successful superhero movies ever made reinvigorating the genre and spawning a slew of Batfilms. Batman also spawned Batman: The Animated Series, itself a highly influential series, as well as other dark takes on heroes such as the short lived Flash series.
Punisher
Marvel's big summer attempt at The Punisher starring Dolph Lundgren fell flat never even making it to theaters.
This fine tradition of Marvel disasters would continue with Captain America and The Fantastic Four before the company finally went on a winning streak some 10 years later with Blade.
The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie
As if Toxic Avenger II wasn't enough, 1989 actually delivered two Toxie sequels. Unsurprisingly, this one didn't do to well. Trailer.
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men
X-Men fans would have to wait a few more years for the acclaimed animated series, but in 1989 they nearly got a series. Pryde of the X-Men was created as a pilot for an animated series which never got picked up. The team consisted of some interesting choices including Kitty Pryde AKA Shadowcat, Cyclops, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Dazzler, Storm, and of course Wolverine.
Planet Hulk, Marvel's latest animated feature hits stores today. In honor of the Jade Giant, I thought it appropriate to take a look at his prolific onscreen history in the monstrous spotlight.
The Hulk first appeared in 39 seven minute segments of the Marvel Super Heroes animated television series in 1966. His theme song could have used a little work:
To this day, Hulk may be best known for his live-action TV series The Incredible Hulk beginning with a made for TV movie in 1977 and running for 82 episodes until being canceled in 1982.
The cancelled series was followed up with three made for TV movies in the subsequent years. In 1988's The Incredible Hulk Returns Hulk teamed up with Thor.
The next year, in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, it was Daredevil's turn for a Hulk partnership.
Finally, 1990's The Death of the Incredible Hulk ended the series / movies run despite plans to bring Hulk back for a pairing with She-Hulk.
After the live action series ended in 1982, 13 episodes of an animated Hulk series were commissioned.
The animated series was a bit truer to the comic books than was the live action series. Over the course of the season, a number of comic foes and allies, including She-Hulk, dropped by.
Hulk was given a crossover to the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends in the episode Spidey Goes Hollywood in which he had to fight a robot Hulk.
Following his series cancellation, the Animated Hulk took a decade hiatus, next appearing as a guest star in the X-Men animated series episode The Juggernaut Returns. To be fair, this was actually just a danger room Hulk robot and not the Hulk himself.
In the mid-90's Hulk guest starred on the Fantastic Four animated series as well as Iron Man.
Hulk's look, however, was a tad inconsistent between the two shows.
In 1996, the Green Goliath was finally given his own show once again. The series had no shortage of Hulks. There was Green Hulk, Grey Hulk, She Hulk, and Dark Hulk.
Unfortunately, when the series was retitled in season two from The Incredible Hulk to The Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk, the show also experience a drop in quality and was canceled.
Though there was a blink and you'll miss it cameo of Hulk (in a portrait) in the abysmal Avengers: United They Stand series, Hulk next returned in grand form in 2003's Hulk movie. Unfortunately the movie was not the huge success all were hoping for.
In 2006, Hulk starred in two animated features, Ultimate Avengers, and Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther. He was much more of the threat himself in these films than a traditional hero.
Also in 2006, Hulk and the Thing faced off in the Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes episode Hard Knocks.
In 2008, an older (wiser?) Hulk appeared in the animated movie Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow.
2008 would also mark the return of Hulk to cinemas in the more heroic The Incredible Hulk, the film was just successful enough to make a sequel possible, though we will most likely see this Hulk next in 2012 Avengers live action film.
In 2009 (a "Banner" year for Hulk) , Hulk was the star of the very successful animated movie Hulk Vs. In the first segment Hulk and Wolverine engaged in a no holds barred smack down.
The second half of the feature saw Thor trying to stop a mindless raging Hulk shell.
Wolverine an Hulk were given a rematch in the Wolverine and the X-Men episode Wolverine Vs. The Hulk, an informal sequel to the Hulk Vs. battle.
In 2009, there was no shortage of heroes getting a chance to take on the Hulk as he also made an appearance on the Iron Man: Armored Adventures series episode Uncontrollable.
Lastly in 2009, a nice Hulk joined the line-up of the Super Hero Squad.
Planet Hulk tells the story of space Gladiator Hulk, banished from Earth. Depending on this movies performance, I expect we will be seeing more Hulk animated movies in the future. Hulk Vs 2 perhaps?
Finally, Hulk will be a member of the line-up in the animated Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes set to debut in 2011.
And that my friends was hopefully enough SMASH to get you through the rest of the day.
As long as the profits keep rollin' in, no movie studio exec is ever going to say, "We have enough of those movies, lets try something new." And so it goes with superhero films, you will always expect to hear rumors of a sequel, regardless of the previous pictures performance. Here are the likely sequels, prequels, and reboots that we will see in the next 5 years.
Iron Man 3
Likelihood: Extreme
Why its likely: When it comes to superhero box office coinage, iron is the new gold standard. Iron Man 1 was huge, Iron Man 2 is hugely anticipated, and movie studios love trilogies. There is already talk of what is being saved for the 3rd Iron Man movie, so barring the apocalypse, its coming.
Spider-Man 5
Likelihood: High
Why its likely: Tobey Mcguire signed a two-movie extension on his contract making him available for a Spidey 5. Spidey 3 was a low point for the franchise, but if #4 manages a bounce back 5 will be in the bag. Actually, as long as #4 is even moderately successful, There will be a Spider-Man 5. Let's hope that there are still some decent villains around. I would prefer that they not scrape the bottom of the barrel to give us Spidey vs the Kangaroo.
X-Men Origins: Magneto
Likelihood: Below average
Why its not so likely: The best thing a Magneto movie would have going for it is Ian Mckellen who most likely would not be in this prequel. Besides, there are plenty of mutants out there, and the X-Men will probably always bring in an audience, but I think people would rather see more new mutants on screen than an origin of a villain set as a period piece, especially a holocaust drama. Sure, there is a script for it, so Fox has been mulling it over, but if they were certain about this movie, it would be further along in production. If X-Men Origins" Wolverine makes a billion dollars, that could help this one get a greenlight, then again, it would probably just assure a more bankable Wolverine Origins 2: The In Between Years.
X-Men: First Class
Likelihood: Better than average
Why its likely: This is seeming more and more like the direction Fox wants to take the X-Men franchise. It allows them to reuse popular mutants (sans the now solo Wolverine) without rebooting. They also seem keen on upping the teen factor (why not just call it 9-0-2-1-X) which would be easier to do with an X-Team origin than a Magneto one. ScreenRant.com just ran an interesting column speculating that this team would include Beast, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Jean Grey, and Storm though not Gambit. Also not likely to appear in the movie would be Ice-Man, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Shadowcat, or Nightcrawler due to their roles in the previous X-Films. So who else might appear? Let me suggest Havok, Psylocke, Forge, or perhaps Polaris.
Why its looking likely: Wolverine is going to make money and Fox never says "no" to more of an even marginally profitable series (see Elektra). The fact is, taking Wolverine to the Land of the Rising Sun just might inject some freshness into the franchise. As for Deadpool, I think people paid to see him in Wolverine-even if he wasnt really in it-and will probably pay to see him again considering he would probably actually be in a movie of his own. Hopefully they can come up with better titles than I did.
Hancock 2
Likelihood: High
Why its likely: Hancock made a lot of money and people love Will Smith. If he signs for an MiiiB (Men in Black 3) I can't see what would stop him from making a sequel to this.
Daredevil Reboot
Likelihood: So-So
Why its not so likely: There has been chatter lately of a new stab at Daredevil, and even though I probably enjoyed the first more than most, I don't sense a high demand for more. Sure, replacing Ben Affleck would be a start, but what else could get people excited for take 2? If it gets made, it will mainly be to renew Fox's license on the character so it doesn't revert back to Marvel Studios. What a noble cause. Maybe they will opt instead for Daredevil Origins: Bullseye.
Superman Reboot
Likelihood: Who knows
Why it should be likely: Its freaking Superman. Everyone knows who he is and loves the guy, if done right. And that's the problem. The folks at WB have no idea how to package him in a way that will be popular. Then again, his profit potential is too big to pass up and I am sure another Superman will get made eventually. Whatever happens, I expect the next Superman movie will have a lot more punching and a lot less moping.
Silver Surfer
Likelihood: Mild
Why it is not likely: If Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer had been a hit, this would be a no brainer, but I doubt the studio folk believe a spin-off of a mildly received, mildly profitable film would do too well. Furthermore, the most maligned aspect of Fan 4: 2 was the whole Galactus storm cloud SNAFU. An entire movie focused on a storm cloud probably belongs on the weather channel more than in theaters (or in Star Trek), and sadly, the Silver Surfer (the best aspect of Fan 4: 2) may have to wait a while before returning to the big screen.
Fantastic Four Reboot
Likelihood: Not for a while
Why it may be a while: I don't think many would argue that the Fantastic Four movies could have been better. Then again the characters have a big following and The Incredibles demonstrates the successful execution of a similar concept. Superman Returns takes a lot of flack for its lack of action, but Fan 4: 2s biggest action moment featured the Four versus a giant Ferris wheel. Fan 4: 1 had a major action sequence of the Four versus a fire truck. In both Dr. Doom was castrated. This series deserves a second chance, but we are going to have to wait for the bad taste to go away first.
Ghost Rider 2
Likelihood: Possible
Why it just may happen: Nicolas Cage will do anything (Next, Knowing, The Wicker Man, Ghost Rider 1) and he seems excited to return to Ghost Rider. The movie was panned and still performed OK, and there is just something about the visual of a flaming motorcycle ridden by a flaming skull. Ghost Rider also set records for a February opening weekend so there may be a financial justification for a sequel. I actually think that this could be a good avenue for some of the Marvel monsters like Morbius, and I would be curious about another installment if they kept the Cage to a minimum.
Spawn Reboot Likelihood: Likely
Why it might happen: Creator Todd MacFarlane loves pimping his stuff and Spawn is pretty well known and the first film was a Hellboy sized success (and hey Hellboy got a sequel). It sounds like, depending on who he licenses the character to, he may get to direct. Not that its the best idea, but like Frank Miller (see the Spirit), these comic book artists can't resist the chance to direct a movie. The previous Spawn movie was not so great, but with that as the bar, makers of the reboot have to feel good about a better second attempt.
Well that's all folks, I think we are all caught up on what is and may be coming soon to a theater near you.
