UGHH! What is wrong with the studios???...

[DR.MID-NITE]

I just read the news that McG is going to helm the new Superman movie. I hope this dies quicker than the Nick Cage version. What the heck is wrong with these studio execs?? Dick Grayson hit the nail on the head. Didn't these guys see Batman & Robin? Or better yet didn't they see the box office take? If you look at the Superman & Batman franchise. The movies that were non campy and more serious in tone did much better. Compare Batman (1989) to Batman & Robin or Superman (1978) to Superman IV:The Quest for Peace. Both show how the campyness rose and the script was written by someone who probably never even seen a comic book.
I know being a comic fan. I expect the movies to be true to the comic style. But, even if you want to think as a studio exec. Just look at the money the campier movies made (or didn't). For once I would like to see a fan of Superman/Batman make a Superman/Batman movie.

[James Harvey]

While it is only a rumor, it sure it's a ludicrious one. WB seems to think that connecting a "hot talent" with a big character will instantly bring up a great movie. I don't know about you, but I don't wanna see Lois Lane doing all these ninja moves on Lex. Sure, Charlie's Angels was a nice spoof on the original show, but it had no plot, direction - anything! Superman needs to have a serious tone and a threat to respond to. Having his all hipped up and listening to Blink 182 does not a good character, or movie, make.

[Cosmocat]

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
While it is only a rumor, it sure it's a ludicrious one. WB seems to think that connecting a "hot talent" with a big character will instantly bring up a great movie. I don't know about you, but I don't wanna see Lois Lane doing all these ninja moves on Lex. Sure, Charlie's Angels was a nice spoof on the original show, but it had no plot, direction - anything! Superman needs to have a serious tone and a threat to respond to. Having his all hipped up and listening to Blink 182 does not a good character, or movie, make.

Just because McG's only done music videos and Charlie's Angels thus far doesn't mean he wouldn't do a good job. McG's got chops -- I could see him doing a good job on Superman, IF he understands the character. But if you tie directors to their previous work, there's no room for them to expand or surprise, is there? I remember how people were balking when David Fincher was signed as director for Alien 3. Sure, Alien 3 turned out to be disappointing, but look at the director he's become. And he started out as a director for "hot" music videos.

[Trent Lane]

Okay, I could see McG doing this movie, without the "light" crap. A little witty banter from Lois would be alright, but that's about it. But this is rumor number what of the possibility of a Superman movie? I'm not going to take it too seriously...

[freakboy86]

Yeah, Hollywood's pretty much got their heads stuck...well, you know where!
When are they going to realize that you don't NEED a big name star or director to make a good comic book movie. There are plenty of small- and even no-name actors/actresses/directors out there that are very good and could make the film work.
What they need to realize is that the audience is out there! We WANT a good movie, we WANT the characters to look and act like they would in the comics. It's so sad that money overides their senses, even though they WILL make money if it's done RIGHT!
Of course if they (Hollywood) had any sense at all, we would already have 'Aliens vs. Predator', a Green Lantern movie (man, could you imagine the kickin' CGI effects they could use for GL's ring? Sweeeeet!) and they wouldn't even THINK about sticking people like Sandra Bullock in as Wonder Woman, Nicholas Cage as Superman or (easy stomach, don't turn on me now....) Arnold Schwarzaeaaneeager as Mr. Freeze.
It's a sad world the movie moguls live in...makes me happy that we have 'toons and comics to fill the gap.

[Cosmocat]

Originally posted by freakboy86
Yeah, Hollywood's pretty much got their heads stuck...well, you know where!
When are they going to realize that you don't NEED a big name star or director to make a good comic book movie. There are plenty of small- and even no-name actors/actresses/directors out there that are very good and could make the film work.
What they need to realize is that the audience is out there! We WANT a good movie, we WANT the characters to look and act like they would in the comics. It's so sad that money overides their senses, even though they WILL make money if it's done GOOD!
Of course if they (Hollywood) had any sense at all, we would already have 'Aliens vs. Predator', a Green Lantern movie (man, could you imagine the kickin' CGI effects they could use for GL's ring? Sweeeeet!) and they wouldn't even THINK about sticking people like Sandra Bullock in as Wonder Woman, Nicholas Cage as Superman or (easy stomach, don't turn on me now....) Arnold Schwarzaeaaneeager as Mr. Freeze.
It's a sad world the movie moguls live in...makes me happy that we have 'toons and comics to fill the gap.

It's all an insurance policy. Stick big stars in projects that could be "either/or" and it guarantees them SOME amount of money in returns. Plus, they also think it's a way of reaching out beyond the comic fan base to include a well-respected or popular star in a comic role. "They'll see it because of him or her, if nothing else", they say. To be honest, most of the time, a big star has the ability to eclipse iconic roles like Superman and such. I mean, if Nic Cage did play Superman, how many people would actually see JUST Superman? Batman's a little easier because he wears a cowl. This is why the choice of Chris Reeve for Superman back in the 70's was a terrific move by Richard Donner.

I mean, think about it -- movies cost lots of money nowadays. Especially superhero movies. If the studios are going to shell out a ton of money to make the film, they want some insurance that they'll make a good bit (if not all) of it back.

[freakboy86]

Good point Cosmo, but they'd make MORE money if they didn't have to pay some hack actor 20 million to slop his way through the role. When you look at films like 'Black Mask' and 'The Heroic Trio', both Chinese films about superheroes, it makes you wonder why Hollywood can't look at those EXCELLENT action films and realize that you CAN make a movie without slapping a big-budget name on it.
Oh well, maybe some independent filmmaker will be able to pull together the funds and support to make a kickin' version of a superhero movie.

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by DR.MID-NITE
I just read the news that McG is going to helm the new Superman movie

Who's McG?

[Cosmocat]

Originally posted by freakboy86
Good point Cosmo, but they'd make MORE money if they didn't have to pay some hack actor 20 million to slop his way through the role. When you look at films like 'Black Mask' and 'The Heroic Trio', both Chinese films about superheroes, it makes you wonder why Hollywood can't look at those EXCELLENT action films and realize that you CAN make a movie without slapping a big-budget name on it.
Oh well, maybe some independent filmmaker will be able to pull together the funds and support to make a kickin' version of a superhero movie.

I don't know about you, but I thought Unbreakable was a pretty kickin' superhero movie. Some people probably don't count that one, though, seeing as how it wasn't based on any established character.

As for the Chinese movies, you also have to look at how those movies do when they come stateside. Sure, Hollywood could make a movie like Black Mask (which I personally didn't care for, but I digress) with no big stars, but it'd probably do just as well as the actual Black Mask did when it came stateside, which is very poorly. And, when you look at it, lesser-known superheroes like Blade and such are made with a good amount of freedom and care (Blade was rated R!) and usually make a good amount of money back. But when you're dealing with ICONIC superheroes like Superman, Batman, et al, you're gonna get less and less freedom because there are so many eyes watching.

[Cosmocat]

Originally posted by DarkAngel


Who's McG?

Here you go:

MCG

Birth name
Joseph McGinty Mitchell

Director - filmography
(2000s) (1990s)

Charlie's Angels (2000) (as McG)
... aka 3 Engel für Charlie (2000) (Germany)


Korn-Who Then Now? (1997) (V)

Directed the music video "Pretty fly (for a white guy)" by Offspring

Directed the music video "Every morning" by Sugar Ray

Directed the music video "One week" by Barenaked Ladies (1998)

Directed the Fastball music video "The Way"

Directed TV commercial "Gap" Ho-Down...

Directed Smash Mouth videos "Walking On The Sun", "All Star" & "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

Directed Video for The Offspring "Why Don't You Get A Job" (1999)

Directed videos for the band KoRn "Blind", "Shoots & Ladders" and "Clowns"

Directed KoRn's "Got the life" video (1998)

Directed Sugar Ray's video for "When It's Over."

Directed the music video for "Sugar Cane" by the Space Monkeys.

[freakboy86]

Yeah, Unbreakable was definitly the exception to the rule. Loved the way they handled the whole thing.
Oh well, I'll still dream of the day when they make the perfect superhero flick...maybe if HBO goes ahead with 'Watchmen'....

[The Mad Hatter]

Must.... attempt.... to take.... director named.... McG (snicker).... seriously...

[doctorcrime]

a watchmen miniseries for HBO? this would be a brilliant move for HBO and the warners. it would bring new subscriptions to HBO, make the warners some money in video sales(the animated spawn series).it would spark interest in serious superhero movies paving the way for the gajillion properties they own under the DC seal. the box office problem with unbreakable was the lack of hype. this also added to the suprise of the movie. a watchmen series could be hyped up to no end. make america care about characters they don't even know yet. make them beg for it before the show begins. a sunday night timeslot after the sopranos, BAM! money in the drawer. billboards all over new york and in every magazine. all black with white letters saying, "who watches the watchmen?" with the blood dripped smiley face button laying on the bottom of the ad. this could be cool. the greatest comic story ever made deserves it.

[doctorcrime]

is the watchmen idea for HBO just a dream or did yu read of it somewhere? the cool thing about watchmen is that (save dr. manhattan) all the superheroes are pas their physical prime, so real actors can play the roles. good actors. oh, man i can't explain how excited this idea has made me. if any of you do not know of what i am refering to go to a comic shop and pick up the watchmen trade paperback. i think its like 20 bucks. you dont have to read comic books to be amazed. the characters aren't established and it is the onlt thing they ever appear in. just tust me, do it. for those of you have read it, read it again.

[Cosmocat]

Originally posted by doctorcrime
a watchmen miniseries for HBO? this would be a brilliant move for HBO and the warners. it would bring new subscriptions to HBO, make the warners some money in video sales(the animated spawn series).it would spark interest in serious superhero movies paving the way for the gajillion properties they own under the DC seal. the box office problem with unbreakable was the lack of hype. this also added to the suprise of the movie. a watchmen series could be hyped up to no end. make america care about characters they don't even know yet. make them beg for it before the show begins. a sunday night timeslot after the sopranos, BAM! money in the drawer. billboards all over new york and in every magazine. all black with white letters saying, "who watches the watchmen?" with the blood dripped smiley face button laying on the bottom of the ad. this could be cool. the greatest comic story ever made deserves it.

I didn't know Watchmen was going to be an HBO mini-series, either. Last I heard, screenwriter David Hayter was condensing it into a two-hour feature script and it was going to be a movie directed by a first-timer (forgot his name).

The problem with Unbreakable's box office wasn't necessarily the lack of hype, but if you notice all of the trailers and commercials released before and during the film theatrical run, they make no mention of the film's real story (about a man discovering he's a real superhero). They all completely fail to mention this, and most people who went to see the movie were taken aback by the subject matter. Some were surprised and liked it, but most felt it was ludicrous and silly. Why? I don't know, but I remember reading some amateur review of the movie and the person was saying how the movie's profound examination of comics and their relationship to reality was nonsense because "comics aren't profound". Whatever.