The Week In Geek: New York Comic Con News Galore, Zombieland On TV, Akira & BSG Reboots, & LOTS More
Welcome to the New York Comic Con edition of the Week In Geek. Lots of comics news coming out of New York this past weekend, almost all mostly from Marvel, but with a smidge of DC news thrown in there for ya. And maybe even a bit of news about Marvel Studios’ post Avengers plans too. But first, the biggest announcements from the actual comics side of Marvel….
Dexter Comes To Comics
One of the more surprising announcements Marvel made at NY Comic Con was the acquisition of the Dexter license, to be launched as a new series in 2012. But before you get too excited over this bit of news, this will be a series set in the universe of the Dexter novels, not the popular Showtime television series about America’s most lovable serial killer. In fact, the author of the original novels, Jeff Lindsay will be writing the comics himself.
While the book source of HBO’s True Blood, Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries, has almost as big a following as the show, it is my understanding that the Dexter novels just plain suck in comparison to the television series, and after the first season the show pretty much went in their own direction leaving the novel’s continuity aside. It will be interesting to see if fans respond to a Dexter Morgan who bears no resemblance to actor Michael C. Hall. As a huge fan of the television series, I’d be interested in a comic series set in the show’s continuity, but am not too sure about reading this one. The real question is will most fans see this as anything but discount aisle Dexter?
The Phoenix Returns in 2012
Marvel has been teasing that “It’s Coming” for a good week or two since before New York Comic Con, and now we know what “It” is- – In 2012, the Phoenix force returns in a series brought to you from what seems to be at least half the stable of Marvel A List creators; upcoming Wolverine and the X-Men writer Jason Aaron, as well as writers Brian Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman, along with superstar artists Olivier Coipel, Adam Kubert, and John Romita Jr. *phew* Whether this is just the return of Phoenix entity, or the return of Jean Grey herself (who has been dead since 2004) remains to be seen. In fact, no other information was given outside of creative personnel attached to the project. All we know is there is a project…whether it is a mini, ongoing or one shot is a mystery still. Personally, I hope the rumors of Cyclops having an affair with Storm turn out to be true, and a returned Jean walks in on her ex husband boning her married best friend. ‘Cause that would be HAWT. Look, you all can read comics for the battles and powers and shit, but this is what I want in my comics. Don’t judge me.
Avengers, Avengers, & More Avengers
Didn’t think Avengers, New Avengers, Avengers Academy and Secret Avengers were enough Avenger titles coming from Marvel? Well, you’re in for a treat then, because in an effort to tie in with the upcoming movie version of the Marvel team, Brian Bendis will soon be adding yet another ongoing Avengers comics to his plate with Avengers Assemble, reuniting him once more with his former Ultimate Spider-Man partner Mark Bagley. The team will consist almost entirely of the movie line-up: Cap, Iron Man, The Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, sporting a costume that looks a Hell of a lot like his movie gear. But strangely…no sign of Thor in the promotional image released by Marvel at Comic Con. However, he WAS originally there, as seen in the sketch below. Avengers Assemble is set to debut in March of next year.
Marvel Studios Avengers Movie Panel… And Avengers Phase 2?
While we are on the subject of the movie Avengers, the big panel of NY Comic Con was of course The Avengers movie panel, which featured Chris Evans, Cobie Smulders, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, and Clark Gregg as well as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. (Joss Whedon, RDJ, Chris Hemsworth, and Scarlet Johansson sat this one out) A clip was shown of Black Widow recruiting Banner into the Avengers fold, as well as one of a conversation between Tony Stark and Loki.
But I suppose the real news coming out of Comic Con is that 2013’s Iron Man 3 is stage one of what will eventually lead into an eventual Avengers 2. This what Feige had to say in terms of phase two of Marvel’s Avengers initiative:
“We’ve already announced Iron Man 3 and Thor 2; both of those will be spread out within 2013,” explained Feige. “We haven’t announced yet the 2014 movies, but we are working on a draft of Captain America 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, and some of these other ones we’ve been talking about for a while. Ant-Man I’m hoping we can get off the ground sometime soon. If these first group of films – “phase one” of this Avengers saga starting with Iron Man and ending with Avengers – has an overarching theme, which it does. As people sort of watch all the movies together and then watch The Avengers movie, they’ll see this big picture we’ve been building towards… we have started working on the bones and structure and threading for a phase two. It does start with Iron Man 3 and if it all works – which we hope it does – culminates in another Avengers film.”
In short…the Marvel Cinematic universe ain’t going anywhere anytime soon.
There wasn’t a lot of DC Comics news at NY Comic Con oddly enough (A Geoff Johns scripted/Gary Frank illustrated Shazam! series is coming as a back up in Justice League next year, but that’s pretty much it as far as major surprises) but therewas a hint dropped by DC animated movies producer Bruce Timm as to an upcoming possible animated film….it seems Blackest Night could be coming sometime soon….
Ok, that’s a wrap on NY Comic Con…on to Hollywood news for the week….
Matt Reeves To Direct The Twilight Zone For Warner Brothers
Though various names had been bandied about in recent weeks, including Christopher Nolan (yeah right) Michael Bay (huh?? Really?) and Alfonso Cuaron, it looks like the directing gig for Warner Brother’s upcoming Twilight Zone movie is Cloverfield director Matt Reeves. Not much is known about the movie, except that it will not be an adaptation of any episodes, or be an anthology movie like the 1983 movie was. In other words, it will be an all new story aping the name Twilight Zone, and have nothing to do with Rod Serling’s classic television series. While I’m all for big budget original material on the big screen, why even call this The Twilight Zone then? *Sigh* In any case, Matt Reeves’ remake of Let the Right One In was shockingly good, but no one saw it, so I imagine he must come cheap right now for Warner Brothers. At least he’s cheap and talented.
Hey, Remember Micronauts? No?? Well, They’re Getting A Movie Anyway.
Before Transformers were everyone’s little robot toys of choice, there were The Micronauts. These robots weren’t from outer space like the the Autobots though, they were from inner space. Which is actually kinda gross when you think about it. Anyway, much like Transformers in the 80’s, both toy lines originated in Japan, then were brought to North America and re-branded to greater success by an American toy company. Both lines had long running Marvel Comics series as well. But Micronauts only lasted as a toy line from 1976-1980, when the Mego Toy Company cancelled the still popular line. It should be noted that prior to the early 80’s, the American government had a strict ban on kid’s programming being nothing but glorified commercials for toys. This ban that was lifted during the Reagan years, allowing for my childhood to be filled with 30 minute toy ads pretending to be stories, a trend which continues today. Had Micronauts had the advantage of a cartoon, it might have had the longevity of Transformers. Or at least Go-Bots.
In any case, with the popularity of the Transformers movies, current Micronauts rights holder Hasbro and Paramount are looking to launch this property to the big screen as well. And in my humble opinion, they are putting them in better hands than Transformers ever was with Michael Bay; it looks like Micronauts are getting not only JJ Abrams as their producer, but now have Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, the writers behind Zombieland, working on the script. These two also wrote a much loved script for Deadpool, one that if Fox has any brains they will actually make one day. And unlike Transformers, this property doesn’t have nearly the same fervent following, meaning Wernick and Rheese can pretty much do whatever they want with it, and maybe only piss off a couple of angry guys in their 40’s who run a Micronauts fan site. On the negative flip side of that, almost no one under forty even remembers this property, so this one will rely on the name brand of JJ Abrams more than the name brand of the toys.
Bryan Singer’s Battlestar Gets Some Traction
It appears that director Bryan Singer’s long gestating big screen version of Battlestar Galactica may be finally coming closer to fruition. It was announced on Deadline.com that Singer has hired screenwriter John Orloff to write the script for a Battlestar reboot for Universal. I like Singer’s work a lot, but this really seems like a stupid ass idea. BSG was JUST rebooted not even a decade ago, and only ended last year. In fact, a new prequel series called Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome is set to debut next year on the SyFy Channel. So what… Universal is going to have two competing Battlestar continuities at the same time?? *ugh* I have a migraine now. Look, say what you will about the last few seasons of Battlestar (yes, I’m looking at you Jonathan London…and I’m not saying I don’t agree btw) but the first couple seasons of BSG are as good as it gets…why re-do the whole destruction of Caprica/exodus of the 12 colonies story again so soon? Jesus, wait at least a decade or so. Next thing ya know, they’ll be introducing a concept and rebooting it at the same time.
Akira Finally Gets The Greenlight
After more stops and starts than thought humanly possible, it looks like Warner Brothers decided to shit and not get off the pot (to use vulgar slang) and finally commit to producing the live action adaptation of manga/anime classic Akira for producer Leonardo Dicaprio. The studio finally made it all official with a greenlight for a $90 million dollar budget and a spring 2012 start date this week. Jaume Collett-Serra (Unknown) is directing, and Warner’s press release even has a synopsis for the Steve Kloves (Harry Potter) written script:
“Set in New Manhattan, the cyberpunk sci-fi epic follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his friend, discovered with potentially destructive psychokintetic abilities from government medical experiments.”
Ok, so aside from “New Manhattan” replacing “Neo Tokyo,” this sounds about right, doesn’t it? Well, ok besides that there is also the sad fact that with this being set in America now and not Japan this means this will be another ethnic white-wash like the live action version of The Last Airbender was (at least in the leads…I imagine the title character of Akira will still be Asian, ’cause I don’t know a lot of white folk with that name) Now for the really bad news: One of the two lead roles, either Tetsuo or Kaneda, is being offered to Garrett Hedlund, star of TRON: Legacy. God only knows why. Look, I liked TRON…it was pretty and had an awesome score. And as far as I’m concerned, Hedlund is sex on a stick; when I die and go to Heaven I hope I get ten identical copies of him to do with as I please. But the guy can’t act his way out of a grocery bag. Are there really NO actors in Hollywood who are sexy and appealing and can also act?? Is Hollywood really this desperate for good leading men? Color me worried for this one.
Zombieland Might Be Coming To TV
Looks like plans for a Zombieland sequel are currently cancelled in favor of a television series instead. The script for Zombieland was originally conceived of a pilot for television after all, so this transition doesn’t seem so ill fitting. And with the success of The Walking Dead, we all knew another zombie show was coming sooner or later. This version is being produced by Fox, but I have a hunch that this is being targeted more towards FX than the actual Fox Network. I can’t image in the broadcast television censors would allow for that much gore, even in this day and age.
One thing is sure: If this show goes through, they NEED Woody Harrelson as Twinkie loving zombie killer Tallahassee. Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg have their movie stardom on the ascend right now, so there is no chance they will reprise their roles, but Zombieland was Harrelson’s comeback after a string of flops, and I could see him doing a series again for television, especially if its on cable. You can re-cast the others, but Harrelson owns Tallahassee. I imagine we will be hearing more about this project sooner rather than later, maybe even in time for the 2012-13 season.
