The past few years have been kind to the comic book movie genre (and it is almost certainly possible to call it a genre now) with massive hits for both DC and Marvel, and film-makers increasingly turning to the panels of the world’s favourite comic books for inspiration for their next projects. But in among the mega hits, there have been some stinkers, and success is far from guaranteed when you decide to adapt a comic book property for the big screen. Just ask Howard The Duck.
Some might say that the genre has now peaked, and that the phenomenal critical and commercial successes of The Avengers and Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy are unlikely to be achieved again, even with Marvel going big with their Phase 2 campaign of sequels that will ultimately culminate in the second Avengers movie. But there is still a lot to be excited about with the next wave of comic book movies, and hopefully the studios can deliver.
Sadly though, there are some upcoming comic book properties that simply look doomed to fail from the outset – not necessarily in commercial terms, but definitely in terms of meeting fan expectations or thrilling the critics in the same way that the recently successful films have managed. So in this article, I’ll be looking ahead to ten upcoming comic book adaptations that I think have an almighty struggle for that sort of success…
1. The New Batman (????)
Unfortunately for whichever director takes on the considerable burden of either continuing or rebooting Nolan’s strand of the Batman universe (my heart says the former, my head the latter), the spectre of the departed director will loom large over anything and everything they create. Because regardless of how many things The Dark Knight Rises got wrong (and there weren’t just a few), Nolan’s treatment of the property was a phenomenal success, and it will take an awful lot for fans to forget and move on to lavishing the new projects with as much love.
The new Batman film will be immediately shackled by those massive and unreasonable expectations, and that can only spell disaster for its director, because the natural antidote to inflated expectation is making everything bigger and bolder than before. Nolan was lucky, because he was picking up a broken franchise, dusting it off and rebooting it with a damn sight more subtlety and finesse than the over-bloated mess that was Batman & Robin. In truth, he could have made something of the quality of Batman Forever, and he would still have been deemed a success, because it’s all a matter of relativity, which is exactly why the next Batman director is going to struggle to meet the expectations that will come with the gig.
Batman needs a huge event to push Nolan out of fans’ minds, and unfortunately the likelihood of a reboot simply doesn’t fill me with confidence that it will be possible.
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32 Comments
Most pesimist list ever…
What exactly do we mean by failure? My fave batman movie has always been returns but it made much less than the original. Most folk thot tdkr was a lesser film than tdk but it made more money. If they reboot batman what would it have to do to be considered a financial AND critical success?? And with regards to avengers 2, i think Ur barking up the wrong tree there mate. I have faith that Joss whedon can do everything he wants to creatively, and still deliver finantially. He has unlimited good will from the first film and all the input he needs to perfect his craft with a 2nd attempt. What reason does anyone really have to doubt him?????
What do you mean failure fans and peope have bean whating for movies like this Ironman made $585,174,222 Caption America made $368,608,363 Thor made $449,326,618 Avengers made $ 1,746,695,384 thoes arnt small nembers hell theos movei distroyed titanic it was number 1 i box office sales with 658,672,302 avengers almost did 2 billion dallers in sale get your facks right before you open your mouth.
What do ou mean when you say if Whedon directs Avengers 2? That’s already set in stone. But here’s the thing about Whedon: his second go(his season two’s) are ALWAYS better than his first go. Look at Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse S2′s. He always gets better. That won’t change.
Apparently you have never seen #dirtylaundery ( http://youtu.be/bWpK0wsnitc ) This shows the punisher can be great on film, if they let the filmakers are alowed to go “Dredd” and “The Raid” ultra violent with it.
Also you really did not do any research into this post, did you? Some of these just won’t ever be made, and the rest have not had any (or very little) information about each film.
I wasn’t compiling a database of information on the films…
This list…..apart from 2 movies on it, is the list that will make me never read an article by you ever again.
It’s all a matter of relative successes. They will struggle to meet expectations – and thus will be deemed a failure. That is simply what I mean, but you’re free to think as you please.
I agree with most of the list, but Avengers 2? How the hell would that fail? Whedon is coming back and no matter what happens Avengers 2 will make a ton of money and most likly be a hit like the first!!
superman is my favorite comic book hero but i gotta say ‘man of steel,’ they’ve released next to nothing about this movie in a long time which has me worried that it’s not going so well. the costume looks awkward without the red/yellow in the middle and it’s bringing back a villain we’ve already seen before. i just don’t think audiences will rally behind and make it the type of juggernaut movie like ‘the dark knight’ or ‘avengers’ were. ‘justice league’ has to be on this list as well, warner bros. will put out something rushed and contrived hoping to capitalize on the marvel universe success when they should be focused on building up their own universe gradually for a deserved big payoff.
they’ve released next to nothing, because it worked for Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, which by the way also brought back villains but re-imagined them successfully. not to mention Nolan is acting as a consultant or equally crap title for this film. it’s not rushed when they’ve been making it for three years. and you’re complaining about a new suit? get a grip, would you prefer they keep the christopher reeve suit and pretend it’s still the 70s?
You’re an idiot. Michael Bay has absolutely nothing to do with the Ninja Turtles movie. His company is just producing like they did all those horror movies which he also had nothing to do with.
Producer > Director > Writer
Bay’s got final say.
No you couldn’t be more wrong. His involvment is like Tarantino or Spielberg produce a movie . They’re just there to make sure it gets made. He’s not even close to final say.
…no, that’s the hierarchy of film. He okays all the decisions.
So why exactly is he giving interviews about creative decisions then? Why was there such outrage when he said they were going to be aliens? Why is he making himself appear accountable if he is just the man behind the scenes?
A reboot of Batman will need to take another road entirely. How about a reboot of the 60s TV series? A mixture of word play, over-the-top portrayals and retro chic. Honestly, I think it could work as a fun alternate-Batman franchise.
They have already done that it is called ‘Batman & Robin’.
Gallagher you dont know spit. A new Batman film will be widely accepted because the character is widely accepted. Christian Bale was not the best Batman, and some of the story lines had gaping holes in them. A new director with a new direction, especially a tie into the Justice League, will give the franchise new life.
You all know that comics are meant for like, 12 year olds, right?
Dude..i did not know about the kick ass 2 director changing. I did not do any prior research. sorry. But damn man… I was already afraid how the sequel would turn up because i read the comics of Balls of steel and it is much much more gruesome, brutal and well… i don want to spoil anything or get any hate..but suffice to say it is nasty!!! But a good plot though.. and it needs Vauggn to make it good!!
@ simon i cannot help but wonder what your knowledge/experience is with filmmaking? are you simply a fan who writes thoughts and opinions (like so many on the web) or do you have any experience or schooling at all? for many reasons, i can’t imagine it would be the latter, but let’s start with TMNT:
- first your comments on transformers are the same as most complaints – which begs the question, just what exactly were you expecting from a film based off of a line of robot toy aliens? and for the umpteenth time, MICHEAL BAY DOES NOT WRITE THESE SCRIPTS. if you are unaware of the difference between the director & the screenwriter, then i completely understand the bashing and frustration, but otherwise the guy completely delivers on his end as director. very few execute action at the level he does. a 3 minute short is difficult enough, but at the level he is working there is really no basis to say he doesn’t earn his paycheck. but i digress, back to TMNT…
we have yet to see weather or not he will have relatable characters & proper development, but if sam witwicky doesn’t play out as an exciteable and goofy 17 year old, then i’m not really sure what your definition is of someone that age? lebouff for all his personal faults captured that character pretty damn flawlessly. and just like a movie about ROBOT TOY ALIENS, a film about MUTANT NINJA TURTLES shouldn’t have the expectations of a great gatsby or godfather plot, characters, etc. its a different platform all together, to expect anything else is to set yourself up to be able to complain.
- with the hulk, i didn’t really read any argument to suggest doom other than bruce banner (a tortured genius) isn’t charismatic enough & “there is no doubt it will be a mistake…” really? that’s what you’re offering your readers as your core angle?
- you bring up a couple decent worries about kick-ass 2, but vaughn wasn’t replaced – he chose to exit. what truly made the comic work – along with its deconstruction of the genre) was the heart of it all. one really gripping aspect was the relationship between dave & his dad. the sequel can expand this rather than amp up the action. hit girl could offer way much more than a bad ass youngster. this one will likely miss the mark, so i agree with your worry.
- now on to sin city. the fact that you call it a gimmick that doesn’t stand the test of time pretty much eliminates any credibility you have as a journalist/blogger. taking into account that everyone has their own tastes, even the most objective reviewer cannot sanely deny what this film accomplished and where it took the genre. a little more than just a gimmick. and the poor performances you refer to were carefully crafted to place the setting/essence/all that is noir gumshoe violence laden world that is basin city, while paying respect to the novels that inspired miller. and speaking of his faults as an artist, are you not aware that robert rodriguez is the guy who helmed this film, and miller’s ‘director’ title was more so as a consultant and insisted upon out of respect? RR actually lost his DGA card because of this. tarantino directed a brief scene, and ahh well, you missed so much on this one i just need to move forward.
- GOTG…what ‘smart money’ are you betting that this will be a failure? and can you please name the MARVEL STUDIOS film failure that supports your basis that they will drop the ball here. not only was howard the duck over 20 years ago, but marvel studios didn’t exist at the time, and if you had done your research, you would find that rocket racoon is the most anticipated character from this film. audiences want solid story telling and exciting new characters above all else. marvel gives that and more.
- i don’t have the time to finish analyzing you punisher/flash/red 2 comments. and when i read that you predict avengers 2 as doomed, honestly i threw in the towel. i’m not sure if this article is supposed to be a devils advocate kinda thing or if we just have very different ideas on film in general. if what culture grows to its potential in readership, i have a feeling they’d be flooded right now with some pretty cruel comments aimed your way after this article. i guess keep up the good fight. we’re all entitled to our own opinions, however misinformed they might be.
Exactly Jason – opinions. You can’t counterbalance an opinion with another person’s opinion. That’s just folly.
I can’t say that anyone’s dislike of a film, or a particular element of a film is wrong because I thought differently. That argument doesn’t wouldn’t stand up – just as making unqualified, but well-intentioned statements like yours about Rocket Raccoon doesn’t.
You are entitled to your opinion, as am I – even if you seem to think I have eliminated all of my own credibility in the process of relating mine.
No mention of Fantastic Four Reboot or Daredevil?
“Nic Cage’s exceptional showing as Big Daddy” – that’s where you lost me.
Cage’s characterization and severely altered storyline in Kick Ass are the weakest points in a very, very weak adaptation. Read the original comics and you’ll see what I mean.
It’s odd that you mentioned The Flash having a lame super-power. Because, incredibly, Barry Allen is considered one of the most powerful beings in all of DC universe. His connection to the Speed Force allows him the ability of Time-Travel, Inter-dimensional travelling, moving through solid objects and the ability to absorb and transfer kinetic energy to and from objects.
He can do lots more than simply running fast.
300: Rise of an Empire, little has been said about the film and few appear to be following its progress.
I know I am late to the convo, but have you seen the unofficial (2005 version) Punisher short/webisode called dirty laundry? It stars Thomas Jane and Ron Pearlman.
If done like this with better FX, it would be a good film. Maybe not great, but better than what has been put on screen thus far.
I agree that they may mess up in some future movies, but the Hulk? 2003 Hulk was weird with a few redeeming qualities, but 2008 Hulk kicked ass! Plus, it set up his next villain, the Leader, and a sequel (I was thinking “Incredible Hulk Returns”, named kind of like a 1930′s monster movie) could add the Sensational She-Hulk, also.
I love how journalist wrote about stuff they don’t know. Honestly, there should only be two movies in here that could be deemed failures critically. That is Batman, because frankly Christopher Nolan’s trilogy is considered one of the best trilogies ever made and whoever continues on with any sort of Batman movie will have big shoes to fill. And finally Deadpool mostly because of the studio. Everybody knows that if they are to make a GOOD Deadpool movies than it would have to be rated R and with Disney behind the helm of all Marvel based movies that’s that might be deemed hard to accomplished……and I know I’m not the only one who wants another Wolverine Origins Deadpool abomination.
Really? So you are saying The Flash movie is doomed because all he can do is run fast and heal quickly and that wouldn’t for an interesting movie character? Try reading comics for once. Let me ask a question. Who would win, Spider-man or The Flash?
I think you’re being far too harsh. Whedon’s vision of Avengers 2 being more personal sounds like a great idea to me. I like my comic book characters tortured and going through hell. I do agree with what you said about Frank Miller and Sin City, but you’re way off with the Punisher. There is nothing about the Punisher that screams “fail.” It is just the take that these directors and writers have taken that has made the films crappy. Forget the ’89 one, the Jane Punisher was glitzy, diabolic, and schemy, and not at all an accurate depiction of the “real” punisher, who would go into a room with guns blazing and kill everyone. War Zone got the mood and concept right, but threw a Joker, ahem, a monkey in the wrench by including a goofy Jigsaw segment that had really bad humor.
The Hulk could be a great movie. There is a chance to show man’s humanity AND inhumanity in the same tortured soul. I see no reason to think it can’t be done well IF they have a talented enough creative team.
Kick-Ass 2 doesn’t give me much inspiration. KA1 was amazing. It’s hard to follow such a great first act. Replacing the great director with Wadlow is reminescent of the creative change-up of X-Men 3. I still have nightmares.
Guardians of the Galaxy is a big question mark. Can they make a squirrel toting a ray gun look real? I’m not sure, but I suspect they could with the right talent. I didn’t think 7 foot tall blue people riding flying dinosaurs would work, but it did. We’re a long ways from Howard the Duck…
Goyer leaving The Flash is bad news, although I doubt it needs “tonal inspiration” from Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. The real hope of this character making it in movies should be based on originality. I want to see Barry, or Bart, or whoever they choose being themselves. Not being Toby McGuire racing down the street.