Superhero Movies

[RottingCorpse]

This is what they aired during Agents of SHIELD the other night after the Avengers 2 trailer leaked. Most of this is reduxed from that trailer, but the first minute is pretty fun.

[nacho]

They updated the overall timeline with this info:

http://comicsalliance.com/your-supermovie-timeline-updated-with-marvel-studios-phase-three-releases-infographic/

The problem I see, from my layman's perspective, is that they're going to have to introduce unfamiliar superheros. For me, I am totally in the dark about Ant-Man, Black Panther, Suicide Squad, Dr. Strange, Sinister Six, Cyborg, and Gambit. Stuff like Aqua Man I only know from the Superfriends cartoon.

So whereas some things unfamiliar to the lay perspective -- such as Guardians of the Galaxy -- have another hook (sci-fi actioneer), the more solipsistic personal journey superhero story (like Ant-Man) is going to fall flat outside of the target audience, yes? And how big can that target audience be?

But no matter what, we round back to my rebuttal of your presumed piece: We've never not had a superhero movie in cinemas or on TV for four decades now. This current glut may blow up in their face on one level... But the gamble now is the same gamble it's always been -- it only takes one hit to make the return investment. Guardians of the Galaxy, and anticipation of the sequel regardless of the fate of the genre, will keep them afloat well into the 2020s. It's the same gamble the publishing industry relies on -- Harry Potter's success makes it possible to publish 100 other books that either flop or run the middle ground. 

Coupled with income from TV -- a far more reliable and far greater return on investment than movies -- and you're home free. Even at the "cult favorite" level, a TV show will rake in the cash. Season one box set sales of Agents of SHIELD alone will pay for any potential losses in, say, Ant Man.   

When you study the timeline, you see the tent poles strategically placed. 2016 will be supported by the X-Men/Captain America summer blockbuster double-shot. The others can flop and die all they want. 2017 will be supported by GotG/Thor doubleshot. The season opens with a little cash bump from the Hugh Jackman Fan Club to make up for losses at the end of 2016, 2017's bets have been hedged by the always reliable Lego family income. 2018 -- summer doubleshot again with Avengers/X-Men. Inhumans (Groot) at the end of the year again cashes in on the kiddie cash.

The pattern each year is the same -- sacrificial lambs that may or may not become hugely popular are supported by the movies that are and always will be popular.

And will the audience burn out? No. Because it was known in the 1970s that the audience craves superheroes. Feast or famine, the craving is always there (which rounds back to the other thing I talked about a few posts back -- the genre has spread into all the genres. You could call Unforgiven a superhero movie).

[RottingCorpse]

NOW is the time for me to write the piece, because I can explain all day long how this could (but not necessarily will) blow up in their face.

[nacho]

I was responding to that post!

[RottingCorpse]

I didn't mean to repost the whole thing. Apple is trying to sabotage my life.

Your layman's perspective is a big part of the problem. Up to this point, these minor characters have had supporting roles in more well known character's films.

On the flip side, you also note that basically only one r two our of four movies need to hit big to recoup. This is actually how most indie film financing works. You make five movies with $1.5 million and hope one of them does well enough to recoup your money.

They're also planning for the inevitable loss of Chris Eeans and Downey Jr. (And on the Fox/X-Men side, Jackman.) Avengers 2 will be the peak. Then while it will survive, the golden age will be over.

[RottingCorpse]

This guy beat me to it.

http://www.blastr.com/2014-10-29/my-break-letter-super-hero-movies

My break-up letter to super hero movies

Super hero movies, we need to talk.  Frankly, I just don’t know that I’m as ready for all this as I once thought. Things just feel like they are moving way too fast.

Look, like everyone else on Twitter yesterday, I was watching as Marvel rolled out release date after release date through 2019.  Black Panther! Captain Marvel! Inhumans! Doctor Strange (with maybe Benedict Cumberbatch)! More Cap, Thor, Guardians and Avengers (in two installments)! The announcements were flashy and exciting. There seemed to be interesting decisions to push further into the ranks of lesser known characters (serious kudos on Inhumans, Marvel) and deliver more on diversity.

So, why am I feeling so hollow about the whole Phase Three? Or about all of this? The excitement seems short-lived.

Though an obvious choice, I was somewhat intrigued by the likelihood Benedict Cumberbatch would be Doctor Strange. But even as Tumblr remained orgiastic over the not-yet-news of SherlocKhan as Sorcerer Supreme, I became numb, worried the spell your genre has cast on me is breaking.

Which is why I wanted to talk to you, super hero movies.

I wonder if you’re taking me for granted. As a lifelong nerd who has managed to carve a career out of said nerdery, I’m experiencing this creeping dread that I may be worn out on you.

This is an especially scary thought -- though appropriate for Halloween week – because shared cinematic universes based on comics has been this fanboy’s dream for years. You know that, super hero genre.

Now, you’re offering me, minimum, six more years of it and I am not thrilled. Maybe we should take it down a notch?

Before you suggest it, we don’t need to see someone about this. It isn’t the super movie fatigue that Robert Downey Jr. touched on earlier this month (before it was then revealed he’d be back anyhow for a Civil War story in Captain America 3). Super Hero Movie Fatigue (SHMF) is an entirely separate condition which everyone should consult their doctor about – assuming that doctor is not Doom, Mindbender, Claw, Evil or No.

This also isn’t just commitment phobia. Or maybe it is. Maybe it’s not you, but me. But I think it’s you. Seriously, you’re starting to seem needy and just too much in my space – and I worry that I might begin to resent you.

Wait, I take that back. That was cruel; I apologize. I’m simply reluctant to continue this based on some warning signals in our relationship.

My commitment to you started out slow. Remember, back in 2008 with Iron Man? It was a really great movie date and our fun continued with The Dark Knight and The Incredible Hulk. A little time passed; we saw a few more (Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger) and things were proceeding at a nice clip.

This relationship hit a high note in 2012 with The Avengers. We were drunk and in love then. It was one of those experiences where everything felt right. Sure, there were eventually missteps, both big (Green Lantern) and small (Iron Man 2, Thor 2, The Dark Knight Rises, Man of Steel).

As relationships go, a few years in, there was experimentation between us (Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy), but those yielded some of the best highlights of this journey – even if the risk, the raw danger of seeing The Joker make a pencil “disappear,” was missing.

Then, a couple weeks ago, you dropped that bombshell:

I was supposed to make plans with you through 2020 for at least 10 Warner Brothers/DC Comics projects. We only knew about six Marvel Studio films at the time when DC announced -- in far less rockstar fashion -- a lineup including Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League parts one and two...I'll stop listing things because it seems petty, but this is in addition to 20th Century Fox’s expanding X-Men universe and Fantastic Four reboot, and Sony’s Spider-verse franchise. Not to mention, there is the ever-growing league of TV heroes fighting crime on smaller (streaming) screens.

I will be spending so much time with you, I may as well clear out space in my closet for capes and spandex (well, more space).

Granted, the Marvel Cinematic Universe side of you has been courting me for six years, but DC is asking to move in with me before we’ve even spent a sequel together. And that’s after I wasn’t all that wooed by Man of Steel. You’re right, first dates can be really awkward and I’m willing to give it another shot.

No, no, I don’t hate Ben Affleck; I’ll wait and see what he can do.

Still, you don’t just throw a Cyborg movie out there with a 2020 release date and no warning.

Aquaman I can handle, but a six-year advance on a standalone movie for a character that has, at best, been an enjoyable supporting Justice League member? At least that’s six years with which to make Vic Stone a far more interesting figure.

You know who is interesting? Martian Manhunter. Just saying.

Plus, enough time has not passed to make me forget the last Green Lantern. And two Flashes, one for movies and another for television? You have to build a ‘verse before you can build a multiverse.

As for Marvel, The Avengers 2: Age of Ultron trailer definitely caught my attention. But instead of letting me soak that up for a bit, I already know who is sticking around long enough for Cap 3. And if Andy Serkis is indeed Ulysses Klaw and we’ll see Wakanda play a part in the movie – why let that panther out of the bag so early?

Where is the romance? The flirtation?

Part of the giddy joy with you during Iron Man (and Incredible Hulk, to some degree) was that the tissue connecting movies were surprises, not just teaser trailers for the next one.

Now, it’s like you don’t even want to bother earning a place on my calendar. Our time together feels less based on quality and more like a series of release dates.

For that matter, where is the soul? You dress up better than you did in the ’90s, and the colorful characters are certainly colorful – but increasingly the “character” is on the thin side.

And some of the things I’ve been telling you that are important to me, like stories that aren't from the Big Two, like a third Hellboy or even a Goon? Did you forget those late night talks about self-contained stories not connected to an existing franchise -- and about smaller, intimate films that feel more personal? Well, it is as if you don’t even listen.

Oh, I am not totally over you. I don’t know that I ever will be. But my tastes are changing, maybe even becoming more sophisticated.

I saw that Birdman everyone is buzzing about, and it taught me what you could be: Smart, self-aware, relevant, dark...even artistic. And I know Big Hero 6 is younger, but I’ve got my eye on it. It isn’t demanding a lot of me other than to show up and be open for something new.

We used to have that, before you became obsessed with crossovers. I know, I know – I did used to love the crossovers, but there can be too much of a good thing. Routine is not necessarily bad, and I think you're trying in your own way, but things feel...stale.

Maybe I'm just tired. Aren't you? Isn't the pressure to be a nonstop big event getting to you?

If we continue on this path, of announcing one movie tied to another and another, and there is no break, no room to breathe, might I begin to resent you and pull away? I think you’re still sincerely excited to deliver citywide explosions every time we meet (which is a lot, to be fair). But that’s the thing about explosions; things of substance do not normally fare well within them. Look at what you did to X-Men a few years back, and Fantastic Four, and Green Lantern.

And Spider-Man – after caring so long about him, I cannot imagine wanting to return for another installment with him no matter how perfect the casting is again. I loved him, and I think you did too at first, but now he feels used up. Now the talk is about how long it will be before Sony leaves him and he's passed off like damaged goods. You hear what they say, right? I even wonder if the "Serpent Society" subtitle was an inside joke about "Sinister Six" -- like, "yeah, that's a great idea."

I know I probably sound nuts. 

I guess I’m saying it takes a long time to re-build what is left in the wake of careless and wanton destruction.

This is not me telling you I hate you. Please don’t take that away from this. But sometimes I’d trade an explosion for some genuine sparks; a single flower goes a lot further than a whole bouquet.

I think I just need time to think, or maybe see movies that aren’t your genre. Could I have some space where I don’t have to constantly hear about casting rumors or release dates?

Aw hell, who am I kidding? I can’t let you go. Let’s just go for it; I’ll watch everything you have and keep this relationship going – until there’s a serious commercial flop and we have a really ugly break-up.

[nacho]

You've posted a "this guy beat me to it" post multiple times in this thread! When you write it, I suggest you avoid trying to string random sentence-long thoughts together.

[nacho]

Here's what I want to see as a sub-theme of the article: If all these superheroes share a universe (or two opposing corporate universes, I guess), then I'm not able to suspend my disbelief enough when they get solo movies. If they all band together to fight the apocalypse on cue, then were are these fuckers when there's an apocalypse in a stand-alone movie? Even in the comics, right? Does Superman just stand around and let the most outlandish evil play out unchecked in Gotham? Does nobody react when Hydra nearly successfully takes over the planet? Where's SHIELD when Tony Stark has an apocalyptic finale battle?

[RottingCorpse]

Preach it, brother!!

[RottingCorpse]

I really don't have any idea exactly what Suicide Squad is. However, the film adaptation is banking on star power to get people to care.

http://www.blastr.com/2014-12-2/official-will-smith-tom-hardy-and-margot-robbie-suicide-squad-and-jared-letos-joker

So, we already knew that there was a Suicide Squad movie coming out in 2016. That was exciting. This latest, however? WAY MORE EXCITING.

Suicide Squad has been cast. Here's the lineup, and it is a doozy!

Will Smith as Deadshot
Tom Hardy as Rick Flag
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn
Jai Courtney as Boomerang
Cara Delevingne as Enchantress
Jared Leto as the Joker
Holy mind-blowing casting, Batman! There as some serious heavy hitters in there. And some lesser-known names, too.

So, to sum up. Aug. 6, 2016, David Ayer directs Suicide Squad, aka the movie about the bad guys doing good-guy stuff, but still evil. Because all those dudes are pretty evil.

And, to reiterate, Jared Leto is the Joker. That actually turned out to be true! And Harley Quinn will actually be in a live-action movie. FINALLY. Played by Margot Robbie, which ... shazam. Yes. Sounds good.

Also, Will Smith. But whatevs. Just one of the biggest Hollywood stars of all time. No big.

[Sirharles]

Next weekend I'm starting a long term project where a model is dressing up as all the Batman villains and then I'll composite them as one long line up.

[Reginald McGraw]

Next weekend I'm starting a long term project where a model is dressing up as all the Batman villains and then I'll composite them as one long line up.

Nice!

[RottingCorpse]

I'm very much looking forward to seeing the result of that.

[RottingCorpse]

In other non-news...

https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/al-pacino-confirms-marvel-meeting-050038313.html

Al Pacino Confirms Marvel Meeting

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Al Pacino’s complimenting Marvel Studios for Guardians of the Galaxy this summer was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Appearing on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor said that he had had meetings with Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige for a potential future collaboration. “I’ve met with the Marvel guy,” he said. “It’s a marvel how things happen.”

Asked if the “Marvel guy” was, indeed, Feige, Pacino said, “Yeah, I would imagine that either there’s something he feels is right for me, and if I feel —" before being interrupted by a ringing phone, which he jokes is Feige calling to prevent him from continuing.

Earlier this year, Pacino had raised eyebrows when he singled out James Gunn’s Marvel movie for praise during an interview with Deadline Hollywood, saying, “I recognized the ingenious stuff they were doing; the invention, the attractiveness of the way they were performing it. It has Shakespearean feeling to it at times.”

Responding at the time to a question about the possibility of his appearing in a Marvel production, he said, “Anything’s possible,” adding “I did Dick Tracy and I got an Oscar nomination, so come on. I mean, what can I say?”

If Pacino does sign up for Marvel duty, he’ll join Robert Redford, Ben Kingsley and Glenn Close as actors making surprising appearances among the superhero set.

[nacho]

Actors sign on to movies that pay them untold millions and Yahoo News is surprised! Film at 11!