94. The Death Of Spider-Man
After first hearing about this comic book run my mind quickly raced to how it would work on film. If this moment were handled by an accomplished director it could become one of the great tragic film moments of all time as Spider-Man dies protecting his dear Aunt May, finally gaining his redemption for the death of Uncle Ben all those years before. In this story Spider-Man, who is weakened by a gunshot wound to the side, unmasks himself and fights the Sinister 6 on his front doorstep until he succumbs to his wounds fighting the green goblin.
How Close Is It To Being Made?: There has never been a suggestion that the death of Spider-Man will ever be adapted into a film and I imagine that Sony will want to keep their current iteration of the webslinger going for as long as possible. Killing off Peter Parker would be one sure-fire way to prove to lawyers that they have done everything they can with the Spider-Man character and see the rights to the comic revert back to Marvel. The story would also have to be adapted to not include Captain America and Jonny Storm who both have a large part to play and whose rights are not owned by Sony. This could be an option for the next reboot however (come on, we all know its going to happen) as the plot could also incorporate the origin story of the second Spider-Man, Miles Morales.
Casting: Although I think this story holds more emotional weight with a younger Spider-Man, I am sure that Andrew Garfield could pull it off. As for Miles Morales? Well I think that Jaden Smith would be perfect in the role, they just need to make it happen while he is still young enough. Maybe this could be a good plot for The Amazing Spider-Man 4.
Suggested by Sam Whittingham
93. Daytripper
Created by Fàbio Moon and Gabriel Bà, Daytripper is a wonderfully evocative Eisner award-winning ten issue run, which boldy kills its main character at the end of every issue - the key point bein that the dead man is the same character at different parts of his life. The series is very much a multiverse sort of narrative, playing out multiple strands of his life at key points which all ultimately result in his death. The comic comes very highly recommended, though it would probably be a difficult film to make, considering the multiverse premise, but if Cloud Atlas is proved a success, Daytripper might not seem so much of a fantasy for a brave and bold film-maker. It would perhaps work best as an animation, exploring the nuances of the story rather than requiring spectacle to drive its appeal home, because Daytripper is a project very definitely more about the journey than the resolution. The comic is about engaging the audience to think, to consider grand themes that are beyond the actions within the story-lines, and the added artistic scope of animation would allow for more exploration of that side of the story.
How Close Is It To Being Made?: Not very at all, unfortunately. But that doesn't make it any more of an essential adaptation.
Casting: One actor could conceivably play protagonist Bras de Oliva Domingos for all of his adult chapters, with the aid of the ageing technology that made Benjamin Button so convincing, with a particularly spirited child brought in to tackle the adolescent sections. Personally, I would like someone with the quiet poise of Tom Hanks to take on the role, though he is probably a little on the old side, so perhaps in conjunction with a younger man like his own son Colin might be the solution. Hanks certainly has the everyman appeal, which is a key point for the older stages of Bras' life, but it's whether they could convincingly match him up with a young co-star for the other stages. That would of course require a suspension of Bras' nationality, but stranger things have happened in Hollywood. For a Brazilian actor, Wagner Moura would be a nice choice, though the Elite Squad actor cuts a fierce figure on screen, and a Latin actor like Javier Bardem would be equally welcome.
Suggested by Simon Gallagher
92. The Tick
The Tick is the Big Blue Bug of Justice! A light hearted, parody of superhero comics from the twisted mind of Ben Edlund. Along with his moth sidekick he appoints himself protector of The City, running around in his blue spandex outfit looking for crime. Created over 25 years ago by an 18 year old The Tick has enjoyed great success as both a comic and an animated series and although he has no regular releases anymore is still a must own title when he is periodically released upon the general public.
How Close Is It To Being Made?: Sadly there are no talks to make a movie about the big blue saviour, despite the success of the live action TV show starring Patrick Warburton. Sure, it only ran for one season but it was really, really, r-e-a-l-l-y good. A Tick movie could be the very antithesis of the superhero movies coming out at the minute, and would offer a light hearted alternative for those who are turned off by Nolan's dark Batman trilogy. He has a catchphrase, he has a sidekick ... he has an actor perfectly cast in the role that could still pull off a feature film and who can forget the rogues gallery of villains he could go up against?
Casting choices: Why tamper with perfection? Patrick Warburton as The Tick, David Burke as Arthur and Nestor Carbonell as Batmanuel.
Suggested by Matt Aspin
91. Lost At Sea
A coming of age story about a girl named Raleigh who is going home to Vancouver after visiting California. After a chance encounter with some kids from her school Raleigh ends up on a road trip instead of returning by train. A timeless story about the anxiety of growing up and the angst of getting ones heart broken for the first time, Lost at Sea would be the perfect fuel for a low budget indie film with lingering camera shots, quiet moments of introspection and a mellow soundtrack.
How Close Is It To Getting Made: There's currently nothing on the horizon indicating interest in turning the material into a movie at the moment, which is unfortunate because it would make for a decent "learning to find yourself" type of movie. The only movie that's been made out of a comic by author Bryan Lee O'Malley was Scott Pilgrim, which some considered an under performer at the box office, so movie studios might be leery of adapting something else by the author, which is a shame because Lost at Sea is a different kind of story that would be aimed a different kind of audience.
Casting Choices: For the small scale kind of project a movie like this would ideally be, it might be preferable to go with unknown actors, but one of the Scott Pilgrim bast members does come to mind for the lead. Alison Pill, who played Sex Bob-omb drummer Kim Pine had the right kind of look and style to play the painfully shy Raleigh.
Suggested by Greggory Basore
90. Sweet Tooth
Written and illustrated by Canadian cartoonist Jeff Lemire, Sweet Tooth is set in the aftermath of a mysterious plague that has wiped out most of the population, with only the newly emerging hybrids mutant children born with animal features seeming to be immune. Like a cross between The Road and Stand By Me, the series follows Gus, a little mutant boy born with antlers on his head. After Gus father dies, leaving him all alone, he ventures from the safety of his woodland home and into the wider world for the first time, meeting Jepperd, an enigmatic hunter who may or may not have the boys best interests at heart. Mixing high-intrigue mystery with intimate, character driven-drama, Sweet Tooth is one of the few comic books that invokes tears on a regular basis - no book has a right to be this genuinely moving on such a consistent basis. A film adaptation should balance scenes of action alongside smaller, quieter moments much like James Camerons Avatar and, like that film, I see no reason why it shouldnt go down a storm with audiences.
How Close Is It To Being Made?: It isnt in development, but considering that one of Lemires other books The Essex County Trilogy is currenly in pre-production I would be very surprised if there hasnt been, at the very least, discussions with Important Men In Suits. The series is about to reach its conclusion and, if the previous four years of stories are anything to go by, its bound to be both thrilling and devastating in equal measure, and I cant imagine any genre filmmaker who wouldnt want to capture that sort of emotional impact on celluloid. Oh, and did I mention that Lemire is friends with a certain Damen Lindelof? That must help, surely
Casting Choices: Ralph Fiennes would be a perfect fit for Jepperd, the rugged, worn down hunter that befriends our hero, but if hes not available (or unable to do an American accent) then Bruce Willis would be an interesting if left field - choice. As for our child hero, the eponymous Sweet Tooth, it would be best to cast an unknown, due to both the age of the character, as well as the fact that the character really does need to be a blank slate the audience shouldnt go in with any expectations of who Gus is, which will make his rites of passage journey even more involving. Whoever does it, it would no doubt be a star-making role.
Suggested by Dean Threadgold