10 Controversial Changes Movies Made To The Comic Book Source (That Actually Improved It)

It’s hard to recall a time when comic book movies didn’t dominate the cinematic landscape. Outside of the odd success – like Richard Donner’s Superman or Tim Burton’s Batman – they use to be embarrassing failures, like Dolph Lundgren’s Punisher, Spawn or that Fantastic Four film they didn’t even bother releasing.

Times have obviously changed, and it would be considered abnormal not to have a comic book movie on the release schedules. The studio process being what it is often means these comics have their harsher edges trimmed off, including bloody violence or sex, before they ever reach the screen. There’s a reason we’ll never see a boozy version of Tony Stark or The Joker slicing off his own face.

Sometimes the studios make profound changes to the source material that upsets the fanbase, but sometimes – just sometimes – these changes are actually for the better. They can add a deeper meaning to the story, or replace a silly plot element with something better.

Let’s examine a few controversial changes that actually worked out for the best.

The Mask doesn’t seem to get mentioned much anymore, but it was one of Jim Carrey’s breakout roles. The film is essentially a live-action cartoon, where Carrey’s nerd gets turned into a hyperactive superhero by wearing a mysterious mask.

This plot follows the rough structure of the comic, but tones thing way the hell down. When the main character dons the mask in the comic he doesn’t become a loveable goofball, he turns into a power-hungry sadist who kills anybody who crosses him. The comic is gory and disturbing in parts, with Carrey's character eventually being killed so other characters can don the mask.

Naturally, the film discarded the insane level of violence and turned it into a superhero movie that relied heavily on Carrey’s natural charisma.