19. The Maxx
Let's be honest - The Maxx is weird. It's like nothing you've read before and there's been nothing quite like it since. So how do you explain a plot as complex as this one? Well, Maxx is a vagrant living in a box in an alley. He has a caseworker, Julie, who lives in a grotty apartment building in the City. In this reality Julie is responsible for looking after the titular hero. However, there is also an alternate reality in which they both exist known as The Outback. In that reality Maxx is a big, purple superhero and Julie his precious Jungle Queen. Throughout the various graphic novels Maxx protects Julie from the bizarre serial killer Mr Gone who is telepathically linked to her by some forgotten shared past.
How Close is it to being made?: Sadly beyond a short lived MTV animated series there's not been any interest in turning this comic into a live action motion picture. Sure it's bizarre, but so is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and that worked brilliantly. A Maxx movie could be both live action and animation (not CGI), and could be every bit as complex as Inception while still being as fun as Avengers. It's that good. If only Hollywood was willing to take a punt on such a project.
Casting choices: Ron Pearlman immediately springs to mind to play the half hero half hobo character of Maxx. He's got the credentials and he's lacking the ego that would require him to have that famous face of his splashed all over each frame. Let's face it either Maxx is wearing a mask or he's wearing a big coat and flat cap with much of his face concealed so the last thing we need is a Stallone/Dredd moment here. The role of Jungle Queen could easily be Kat Dennings, she's the right build and has the right attitude all she needs is a bottle of bleach. As for Mr Gone, how about Ben Kingsley? And if that's a stretch then why not Jackie Earle Haley minus the hair?
Suggested by Matt Aspin
18. Before The Watchmen
Before The Watchmen there was ... erm ... Before The Watchmen. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' genre defining graphic novel sits atop the pile as possibly the greatest comic of all time. Despite being offered literally boat loads of money Moore refused to have anything to do with this prequel series exploring the main characters before the events we know and love. The series traces the histories of Silk Spectre, Comedian, Nite Owl, Ozymandias, Dr Manhattan and the unforgettable Rorschach.
How close is it to being made?: The comics are still coming out so the run hasn't even finished yet but there's been talk of a Watchmen prequel ever since the original movie and this is likely to bring on those rumours all over again. Despite Alan Moore's rants about the lack of creativity in the comics industry and how his masterpiece is being watered down by taking something unique and stripping it of what makes it special, there are enough people out there buying the new comics and who would love to see their favourites back on screen once again. Sorry Alan.
Casting choices: The cast are already in place thanks to the previous flick, so it's just a case of getting them all back together in one place at the same time. Personally we cannot wait for this one. Suggested by Matt Aspin
17. Runaways
In Marvel's Runways, Brian K. Vaughan puts a whole new spin on the superhero origin story. Nico, Molly, Karolina, Chase, Gert, and Alex are six seemingly regular kids whose parents meet each year for a charity event. One year the children listen in on one of their parents meetings and discover their parents charity is a mask for a criminal organization of mob bosses, time travellers, sorcerers, mutants, and aliens. They also discover that they've inherited powers from their parents, they use this information to form a superhero team in order to put an end to their parents evil dealings. Despite the fact that the comic has been passed around to many different writers including Joss Whedon, Christopher Yost, and most recently Kathryn Immonen; the complex character development and overall style of the series has remained unchanged.
How Close is it to Being Made: In May 2010 Marvel announced that British screenwriter Drew Pearce was writing the script for the film and casting began August 2010; the film was scheduled to begin shooting mid 2011, but production was halted in order to focus on Marvel's other projects -most notably The Avengers. Now that production for The Avengers has been long finished we can expect to see a Runaways film in as soon as 4 years.
Casting Choices: Mae Whitman would be an excellent choice for the role of Gertrude Yorkes; not only does she bear a resemblance to the character, but she would also bring Gert's cynicism to the film. The part of Alex Wilder could be played by Malcolm David Kelly, who fits Alex in terms of physical appearance. Chase Stein could be played by Dave Franco, who has experience playing younger characters and could easily emulate Chase's overconfidence. Smallville actress Laura Vandervoort would make a great Karolina Dean in terms of lokms and she has experience with playing a comic book character. The role of Molly Hayes should go to Elle Fanning and Nico Minoru could be played by Ellen Wong of Scott Pilgrim fame.
Suggested by Dipo
16. The Umbrella Academy
A hugely interesting project this one, and one that has been linked with production for some time The Umbrella Academy is so much more than just the side-project of a rock star, featuring the ultimate odd superhero family - it's the Avengers meets the Addams Family focusing on a family of superheroes collected together by an alien father-figure who assembles the team to fight an unknown foe. On his death, the disbanded team get back together to fight crime once more. As with every ensemble, part of the property's success comes from its cast of characters, and Umbrella Academy scores major points for Way's creations and Ba's character designs, featuring a Gorilla-man, an insolent brat, a narcissistic, reality-altering liar, a telekinetic Goth, a walking inter0dimensional portal and a destructive musician. And that's not to explore any of the intricacies of the characters or their dynamics.
How Close Is It To Being Made? - Who the devil knows? Already supposedly in production, although again news seems to have cooled on the project significantly recently, which isn't all that surprising, considering how difficult it would be to translate Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba's fucking bonkers comic to the screen (though with Alfonso Cuaron linked it would at least be an intriguing attempt). It would probably take an inordinate amount of CGI, and some very strong general VFX work to make the characters believable and their relationships with their environments seamless (which is always my chief concern with such approaches), but done properly, it will be a great prospect.
Casting Choices - Though the vast cast of characters would allow for a collection of series Hollywood talent, the lack of individual backstories and the possibility of a clash of egos would make the option of bringing in new talents for the Academy members the best approach.
Suggested by Simon Gallagher
15. Rust
Rust by Royden Lepp is a graphic novel that I am currently in love with. Beginning with a war, where machines have been made to help men out, we jump forward 48 years to Taylor family farm and the introduction of the mysterious Jet Jones, a small guy with a jet pack who is being chased by a giant mechanical monster. The story never feels like science fiction, theres something very real about the depiction of machines and it carries a nostalgic feeling akin to Brad Birds The Iron Giant, which I also adore. Not only is the artwork incredibly cinematic and frankly beautiful but the way the story is told is subtle. The science is never shoved down our throats and the human, real world elements are always well handled. Currently only the first volume is available (in a very well presented hardback graphic novel) and the second volume is on the way in October, however one volume in and Im hooked.
How Close Is It To Being Made?: In a news story that slipped under most radars, San Diego Comic Con saw the announcement that 20th Century Fox were getting Joe Cornish to direct Rust. Given his work on Attack the Block, his real world approach to the project could be a perfect choice. For those that have read Rust, youll know that the artwork feels very much a step by step account when it comes to the astonishing action sequences. Cornish doesnt really have to do much but use the book as a storyboard, if he does that hes got a masterpiece on his hands.
Casting Choices: So far, were really only had a lot of time with Roman Taylor and Jet Jones in the one volume released and really Jet Jones hasnt revealed much about himself. One volume in and with a very distinct art style, its hard to get a real gasp on who should play these characters. Roman Taylor strikes me as mid to late twenties eldest son of a farming family and I could see someone like Jesse Eisenberg doing the character justice. Joseph Gordon Levitt wouldnt be a bad choice either. I think we need to see more of a growth for Rust in the upcoming volume 2 to really get a handle on these characters but Ill be paying close attention to this movie adaptation for sure.
Suggested by Marcus Doidge