Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Lights, Camera...

Okay, so I'm back. Let's talk about movies!

There can be no doubt that despite some awesome films (well, Batman Begins) Marvel has done a helluva lot better than DC in turning its properties into movies. Nearly every Marvel character -- from Spider-Man to freakin' Elektra -- has gotten a film.

And I think that that has a lot to do with their success. Sure, movies like Elektra were flops. But basically Marvel is just throwing everything they can out there. They're diving into the third and fourth tier of characters for movies (Man-Thing, anyone?).

DC needs to consider doing this. DC has a lot of very cool minor characters that could potentially star in their own films. I'm sure I could name a dozen if I took the time. But instead, I'll just name one: Doctor Mid-Nite.

Doctor Mid-Nite would make an awesome movie. A killer costume, a unique concept, and powers that wouldn't require a lot of special effects (the movie could probably be shot with a relatively small budget).

Plus, they don't really even need to look hard for a good treatment of the character. Matt Wagner's done all the work already. If you haven't read the Wagner/Snyder Doctor Mid-Nite miniseries go read it now. It's conveniently been collected in trade paperback. Go on. I'll wait.

Are you back? Now tell me that wouldn't make a great movie. It's an origin story with an intriguing protagonist, good villains, and even one of those love interests that Hollywood loves so much. The Doctor Mid-Nite mini is the best comic movie adaptation ever made. Even if the movie doesn't actually exist.

With the right director and cast, Doctor Mid-Nite would be a huge hit. I can see it bringing in far more than the meager amount I'd imagine they'd have to spend on it.

There are lots of characters in the DC Universe just like Doctor Mid-Nite that would make great films (even if they aren't ready-made like Doctor Mid-Nite). But unfortunately, DC is locked down by Warner Bros. They can't open their doors and toss the characters out to roam free. The result is one DC movie every few years. And when they're coming so sporadically, the misses are easier to note than the hits...

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6 Comments:

At 11:40 AM, Blogger SallyP said...

Hmmm...ya know, it WOULD make a good movie! I am still breathlessly awaiting the JLA movie, the Wonder Woman movie, the Green Lantern movie...I see what you mean.

 
At 3:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd like to see a Jonah Hex movie done in the tone of the classic Spaghetti Westerns.

I heard somewhere they're planning on making a Vertigo-style supernatural movie with it. That sounds stupid and unnecessary. A straight Hex movie practically writes itself.

 
At 6:04 PM, Blogger Captain Infinity said...

You are correct, sir. DC has a plethora of minor comic properties (not just super-heroes) that would make great movies. If only WB cared to make money.

I would totally see a Dr. Mid-Nite movie.

 
At 1:43 AM, Blogger Will said...

If Marvel can make three (count 'em) Blade movies and two Punisher movies, DC can certainly give us at least one staring *drum roll* WILD DOG.

But seriously, how 'bout Hawkworld : the Movie?

 
At 5:56 AM, Blogger Diamondrock said...

Oh man, I'd pay to see a Wild Dog movie. I mean... Wait... I'd... Yeah, I'd pay.

And as long as that movie had Hawkman wrecking shit up with a mace... I'm there.

 
At 4:50 PM, Blogger Derek said...

They made a Constantine movie.

Of course, they strayed so far from the concept it was nigh-unrecognizable as a Constantine movie.

That's something I'd be worried about if they made, say, a Liberty Files movie. It's already set up as a perfect concept (Indiana Jones movie except with Batman, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Hourman) that I'm afraid they'd dumb it down until everything that makes the story or characters great is laying on the cutting room floor.

 

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