Year Zero...

Crazy like a fox, or just trying to pull the wool over our heads...

Fox's hired geek guru has been giving updates about the adaptations the studio are doing...

Mark Millar, 20th Century Fox's adviser on how not to screw up superheros has been letting the fan base know what is going on with the upcoming slate of films.  He had some interesting things to say about the recent and soon to be released films:

"Looking forward to: In 2013? Kick-Ass 2. There can be only one. Also buzzed about Superman and - the big surprise, I think - The Wolverine. The script is amazing and Mangold is such a brilliant director. Seen the first 10 mins and it looks like David Lean doing a superhero movie."

I certainly hope so.  A lot of the time it appears that suits don't really know how to handle these characters properly, and with the exception of Marvel Studios, they still don't.  Warner Bros. has had success dealing with only the Last Son of Krypton and the Guardian of Gotham.  All the other characters in their stable have eluded them.  Mainly, I believe, because they simply don't have an understanding of the characters, or how to translate them.

I certainly hope that Warner doesn't screw up Batman and try to reboot the project through a Bruce Wayne-less character.  It would show they've learned nothing in their quest to move these nuggets of gold forward into the hole filled by Harry Potter.

While I have some sympathy for the Fox Suits, I kind of wish that the rights to all the characters would just expire and revert back to Marvel and the Mouse.  They've shown that they know how to handle them properly; plus it allows for crossovers that don't get caught up in legalistic quicksand that prevents them from being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Seeing as how that isn't going to happen anytime soon, Millar offers a glimmer of hope that the next decade at Fox could be an exciting one:

"This the one that's going to surprise people. This and First Class were Year Zero for the Fox Marvel movies as far as I'm concerned."

Year Zero?  That's a bold statement to make.  Hopefully he's right, and not just towing the company line.  Being as it's Millar, I think he'll stay true to himself and not say things for the check, especially since he doesn't need the Benjamins.

I get what he's trying to say, with "X-Men: First Class" being a great reboot of the original trilogy of films (especially with the weak third film).  It was a film that showed great care with the property, while still moving it forward in the cinematic realm.  If "The Wolverine" turns out to be that good it could be a great thing for Marvel/Disney and even Fox.

Now, if they can get the "Fantastic Four" reboot working on the same level.  Here's a hint, Mark.  Have them go back to the original script by Michael France and Chris Columbus.  It was very well written, faithful adaptation to the comic that didn't come off like a bad family drama.  Use that as your inspiration, but don't redo the origin, unless you want to have it told in flashback using the opening credits.  There is no need to keep telling us the beginning again.

The future is far more exciting...

The Studio Without Fear...

Born again in the MCU...




It appears another Marvel character may be coming home...

While earlier today there was talk of Marvel Studios in talks with 20th Century Fox about a character swap in exchange for an extension of the rights of another. In other words, a little longer to get filming on "Daredevil" for the rights to Galactus and the Silver Surfer (What, no Skrulls?).

But that appears to be premature. It seems that Fox is willing to let go of the Character and focus on their current reboot of the Fantastic Four. Their only interest seems to be a co-production of either a Daredevil film and/or a F4 film. And I can't image this being a deal that Marvel/Disney would be willing to do.

So if 20th Century Fox isn't filming by October 10, then the rights revert back to the Mouse, via Marvel. The Fantastic Four reboot has somewhere between a year and eighteen months before it runs out. So they appear confident that the Josh Trank's direction start over will be up by then. I wonder if Iger/Feige are crossing their fingers that this one falls apart as well? So this along with Ghost Rider will likely now be welcomed back into the Disney family. Ghost Rider hasn't officially been turned over yet, but with the box office returns of the sequel, it appear that Columbia won't be too eager to get another one going before the rights expire. And don't forget, all of Daredevil's villains revert back as well (Kingpin and Bullseye, etc.).

It'll be a while before "X-Men," Wolverine," and "Spider-Man" come home, but you can expect that Disney's lawyers will be counting down every second and making sure every word of the agreement is taken word for word. Any wiggle room to wedge these character from these contracts will be used to the limits the law provides.

But the clock is counting, and the dominoes keep falling...

Dealing With The Past...

Hugh Jackman and Michael Fassbender together...




There are more, and better reasons for using the story "Days of Future Past" than just it being a great story...

Structural story/character problems that deal with the original three films can be addressed. This would make it so that altering the future would create changes in the story that could justify taking a different path, freeing screenwriters from dealing the original stories. The same way that "Star Trek" used time travel to deal with the ability to go off in other directions and violate canon will be used here.

And now we have confirmation.

Brian Singer did an interview with IGN and revealed that the story is titled: "X-Men: Days of Future Past," and it will be loosely based on the 2-part comic story set in the "Uncanny X-Men" that was part of the legendary run of Chris Claremont and John Byrne. But the great news he mentions is that there may be other characters returning from the Singer-verse. So we may see Cyclops, Jean Grey and hopefully, just hopefully, Wolverine. Can you imagine seeing Hugh Jackman going after a Sentinel under Matthew Vaughn's direction?

Simon Kinberg is currently tasked with taking this story and making it work within the 60's framework of the new X-Men films. Of course it won't be an exact story as the original tale is told from Kitty Pryde's point of view, and they'll have to adjust the narrative.

Oh, the opportunities that could exist...

Heading Toward Paradise...

Paradise is what you find when you never leave the inside of your mind...






It looks like there may be another prequel to the Alien films...

The franchise has gone from great, amazing, lame, disappointing to simply digging up corpses, will continue. While Decadent Dave delivered the official Blue Sky Disney review of "Prometheus" here; I had a different opinion of the film and offered up some fascinating conversations regarding it.

Word now comes from The Hollywood Reporter about Fox's intentions to continue forward with a sequel to the Prequel. Ridley Scott wants to do it, Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender are attached to star, but another screenwriter is being sought for the project.

While the project has been a success, it wasn't the blockbuster that Fox Suits had hoped. Nevertheless, they are moving forward with the plan for a 2014/2015 release date. I'd say with Scott's very packed schedule that the 2015 date is more logistically possible. Now all they have to do is get there.

Kind of like the characters from the film, and their destination...

Alienated...

From Space Child to Space Jockey...







One of my most anticipated films of this summer was "Prometheus" from Ridley Scott...

And if you've read this blog, then you might have seen Decadent Dave's review of the film. Well, let's just say that he and I are of differing opinions on the film. There's a lot of discussion going on around the web and elsewhere over this Alien prequel. Some of it is very deep and much of the conversation is very intellectual... profound even at times. Whether you like it or not, the film brings up many questions. The main problem I've seen from the majority of those that dislike it is that it doesn't answer all of those questions. I actually like that. It makes me have to think about things. It's very cerebral. I believe that it will become this generation's "2001: A Space Odyssey." It resonated with me that much, and in that way.

But if you like that type of conversation and want to see some interesting analysis and interpretation then check out this article by Cavalorn, entitled: "Prometheus Unbound," which focuses on the religious parallels in the film. A great read. And then there is this post by m15m, entitled "Prometheus in Fifteen Minutes," who offers another revealing look at the subtext of the film. Remember, this is for people that have seen the film. There are huge SPOILERS and if you don't want the film ruined for you, please don't read these conversations.

But for those that have seen it and wish to marinate in the tale of what happened to the spaceship Prometheus?

Enjoy...

Hat Tip to Ain't It Cool News for the Cavalorn article.

I Am Empire...

Sell it, George...

"He's more machine now than man, twisted and evil." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

It must be tragically ironic to be a genius trapped in a nightmare of your own creation...

Despite what Decadent Dave says, I don't publish that many posts on the Bearded One. But lately, I've gotten several e-mails about "Star Wars" coverage here at Blue Sky Disney. So I guess it's time for some clarity because I've always felt that clarity was a good thing. It always helps to know where someone stands so as to know where they are going. We can always have disagreements, but at least we can respect the views of one another without coming to the same conclusions.

George Lucas is a man who lives in his own world... literally.

The business of Lucasfilm is his world, and particularly Star Wars is that world. Sure he's talked about doing little independent, art-house films that don't appeal to the public. But it's talk. He keeps pushing that day and those projects off. Trapped in the quicksand of his own success, he seems incapable of escaping it. He was once asked what was Star Wars and what did it mean. His answer, to paraphrase, was that "technology can't save us." The irony in that is he talks about the limitations of the original trilogy and how the FX of the time limited his abilities to tell a story. I'd argue that it's the opposite, those limitations helped focus on story and in so doing, made it much better. Just look at the Special Editions that are closer to what he says he wanted. Look at how he talks about the ability for these new computers to free film makers and look at what he does. Star Wars animated series, Star Wars comedy animated series, Star Wars live-action series (maybe), Star Wars fan documentaries, Star Tours update, ect.

George Lucas made news the other day when he mentioned his plan to step away from the day to day planning of his empire, Lucasfilm. It's been his said intention to go back and make small, personal films that no one will care to see. This is something he's talked about for over a decade, but he now says that he is ready to actually do that.

"I’m moving away from the company, I’m moving away from all my businesses, I’m finishing all my obligations and I’m going to retire to my garage with my saw and hammer and build hobby movies. I’ve always wanted to make movies that were more experimental in nature, and not have to worry about them showing in movie theatres." -George Lucas

And today he took the first step towards that apparently. It was announced that Kathleen Kennedy, who has long been a partner with Steven Spielberg, would take over the operation and running of Lucasfilm. Here's the press release:

SAN FRANCISCO-Lucasfilm Ltd. today announced that Kathleen Kennedy will become Co-Chair of Lucasfilm. In an effort to move forward with his retirement plans, George Lucas will work with Kathleen Kennedy to transition into her new role. Lucas will become Co-Chairman of the Board of Lucasfilm and continue as CEO. Micheline Chau will remain as President and COO of Lucasfilm, and continue to focus on the day-to-day operations of the business.

“I’ve spent my life building Lucasfilm and as I shift my focus into other directions I wanted to make sure it was in the hands of someone equipped to carry my vision into the future,” said George Lucas. “It was important that my successor not only be someone with great creative passion and proven leadership abilities, but also someone who loves movies. I care deeply about my employees—it is their creativity and hard work that has made this company what it is today. As the company grows and expands I wanted to be sure the employees of Lucasfilm have a strong captain for the ship. I also care deeply about our fans and it was important to have someone who would carry on the passion and care that I’ve given the films over the years. So for me Kathy was the obvious choice, she is a trusted friend and one of the most respected producers and executives in the industry.”

Director Steven Spielberg said, “George’s prescience is once again proven by his choice of my long time producing partner, Kathy Kennedy to co-chair Lucasfilm. Kathy has been a member of both of our families going into a fourth decade so it does not feel like she is going to another galaxy far far away. She will get just as much support from me with Lucasfilm as George has given both of us all these years.”

“George is a true visionary,” said Kathleen Kennedy. “I’ve seen him build Lucasfilm from a small rebel unit in Northern California to an international fully integrated entertainment company. I’m excited to have the chance to work with such an extraordinary group of talented people. George and I have talked about the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for the company, and as George moves towards retirement I am honored that he trusts me with taking care of the beloved film franchises. I feel fortunate to have George working with me for the next year or two as I take on this role—it is nice to have Yoda by your side.”

Seven-time Academy Award nominated Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most successful and esteemed producers and executives in the film industry. As a producer she has an impeccable record with a robust filmography working with such filmmakers as Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Martin Scorsese, Robert Zemeckis, Barry Levinson, Clint Eastwood, David Fincher and Gary Ross. As a testament to her standing in the film community, she previously held the position of governor and officer of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and currently serves as a member of the board of trustees. She is also a former President of the Producers Guild of America.

Kathleen will step down from her role at The Kennedy/Marshall Company, shifting her responsibilities to partner Frank Marshall. The Kennedy/Marshall Company is currently in post production on LINCOLN, directed by long time collaborator Steven Spielberg whom Kennedy also produced for on the INDIANA JONES and JURASSIC PARK franchises, and THE BOURNE LEGACY, written and directed by Tony Gilroy and produced by Marshall. Under the Kennedy/Marshall banner, the pair has produced such Academy Award nominated Best Picture films as WAR HORSE (six nominations), THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (thirteen nominations) THE SIXTH SENSE, (six nominations) and SEABISCUIT (seven nominations), as well as blockbusters including the BOURNE series and THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN. Marshall will oversee the company’s current slate of projects and continue to expand it via their development deals with DreamWorks and CBS TV Studios.

So we really might see Lucas try to distance himself from his creations. But will he step back in if she makes a decision he doesn't agree with? Could this be a further step toward taking the company public, which Lucasfilm Suits have said was a viable future option? Perhaps even a merger or as I have dreamed; selling the entertainment company to the Mouse? As time passes, we'll see how much control he actually relinquishes. I've always known that he would someday step back, but it's refreshing that it is finally happening. This could be a whole new world of opportunities for George and his fan base.

And after decades trapped inside his creation, it might be that the only way to set himself free is to set IT free...

First Class Trailer...

X-Men unite...







The teaser trailer for Fox's "X-Men: First Class" film is out...

Looks pretty good for a taste of the flavor you'll get watching the beginning of the mutant saga. I can't wait to see an actual trailer with more footage and more fleshing out of the story. I know that many of the special effects for this aren't done, so you haven't seen the best of what it has to offer. But it's a fine start.

A first class teaser...

Avatar Take Two, Too...

Well now, the new/second trailer for James Cameron's "Avatar" has finally been freed from theaters and unleashed across the Internet...

In HD no less, but not yet on Apple's trailer website, dang it. I know a lot of people have/had problems with the first trailer. So did I. This new one will not quell all the naysayers, but it does give us more elaboration and a deeper view into the world that is Pandora. I like it. I'm cautiously optimistic to see the world that Cameron has created. And Fox is banking on him as the main selling point as you watch the crawl: "From the director of..."





Take a look for yourself and form your own opinion of the trailer. But wait until you actually see the film before you judge it. I mean, this film cost between 250 to 300 million dollars and even the new trailer only showed about ten to fifteen million of it. That leaves a lot of screen time to look at and a lot more money to still show.




Come December we'll get to be the judge to if it was worth the cost in dollars and hype...

Avatar/John Carter/Pandora/Mars Comparisons...

With the announcement that a new "Avatar" trailer coming this weekend I figured it was time to address a few things that are going to be happening over the next few years...

First of all, 3D is here. Duh. Yeah, I know, but by the end of this year it'll have kicked into high gear with the release of Cameron's new film. Presuming that the film is not a total bust and sucks all the money it cost to make down a black hole, you can expect to see many more films like this over the next few years.

One of those film will be "John Carter of Mars" in 2012. Remember that one of the reasons James Cameron did Avatar was that he wanted to film his own John Carter of Mars type of story. He apparently didn't want to literally adapt the Edgar Rice Burroughs version; choosing instead to go his own route with a story that is merely inspired by those kinds of novels. But think about what's going to happen this Christmas season. We're going to watch a big budget Hollywood film about a man from Earth transported to another planet that interacts with the indigenous species and goes on to fight a war on their side. In 2012 we're going to watch a big budget Hollywood film about a man from Earth transported to another planet that interacts with the indigenous species and goes on to fight a war on their side. Sound familiar? Hopefully Andrew Stanton and his crew are working to make a film that is as ambitious as the King of the World's film, but uniquely different so as to not look like it's trying to rip off Avatar. I know it's based on a series of novels from eighty years ago, but the general public doesn't. And remember, perception counts. It always has/does.

But there are similarities to the characters and settings. But the main difference I think is Carmeron's film is more science fiction and Stanton's film is more science fantasy. The narrative he's going to be going with is more romantic than Avatar despite the love story in that film. It'll be easier for audiences to relate to Carter being human and his Mars Princess being almost human (she'll be orangish/coppery). Both films will have large budgets, although I don't think Carter will come in as much as Avatar, though I could be wrong.

But by the time this movie comes out two years from now it should be commonplace, almost an afterthought that it's 3D. The movie going public will not take much note since practically every blockbuster will be released in this format. So it's going to be even more critical that the Walt Disney Picture stands out from the rest. Being in third dimension won't be as much of a selling point as it is today. It'll have to rely on something that Pixar has earned its bread and butter doing: story. This film is going to have to rise above the markers set by today's films. It's going to have to set it's own. I'm curious to see what will happen. I've had friends tell me that if they get hold of the script that they'll send me a copy. I don't know if I'd read it because I've already read the novels and I want to be surprised by the film. I want to enjoy the virginity of seeing it and don't want to spoil the film by knowing every scene that is coming up. I experienced that with "Batman Begins" and chose not to do the same with "The Dark Knight." Now this isn't the case with that "Doc Savage" film coming out. I've been trying to get my hands on David Leslie Johnson's script for a few years. If I could get hold of that script I'd read it in a heartbeat. I've read a few reviews/descriptions of it and would love to turn every page of that one (hint to anyone that wants to send me a copy).

So while I realize there are challenges ahead for this film, just like Cameron's film had problems to overcome, I await seeing the stills, posters and trailers that will follow over the next year or two. Even though I'll be swept away to an alien world this holiday season, I'm excited to know I'll get to experience something similarly wonderful just around the bend in 2012.

There goes that year again...

Oh come on. You really didn't think I'd pass up that opportunity, did you?

Fantastic More...

I'm sure you saw the other news that was announced yesterday...

20th Century Fox has announced a reboot of "Fantastic Four" because they were unhappy with how badly they screwed up the last two. See, if these executives would only listen to me they wouldn't be in this position. If they would have filmed the script that was written by Michael France and Chris Columbus. Then maybe hired Columbus to direct it, or a good director whose last name wasn't Story. There would be no need to reboot. They'd have a great FF film. It was pure action-adventure wrapped in sci-fi. It was the comic. It wasn't a family comedy; a mediocre comedy to be exact.

Here's hoping that this new version gets the Akiva Goldsman that gave us "A Beautiful Mind" and not the one that gave us "Batman and Robin." To be fair to Goldsman, a good deal of the problems with that film were the director. Not all, but most. As for people that I've seen complaining about Michael Green, who'll write the script, I don't think you should fear too much. He co-wrote the script to the new "Green Lantern" film and it's a really good script that's faithful to the material. The funny thing is I had a discussion with a friend a couple weeks ago where I compared GL to FF. Essentially, I said that Lantern was DC's Fantastic Four, in the sense that he's more a sci-fi creation than a Super-Hero. Which is how I would describe the Fantastic Four. If Green gets it on Lantern, he'll get it on Four. Now, if only Goldsman knows this and lets him work through a treasure trove of forty years worth of material. And we don't need no origin again, that's been done. We get it. We know how they got their powers. If you want to rehash that then have a reporter in the film do a quick two-minute bio on the Quatro before he's going to interview one of them and that'll get everyone up to speed without wasting thirty minutes.

Now as for casting... My suggestion for Mister Fantastic? Jon Hamm would make a great lead. Whoever you get for the Thing, PLEASE make him CG this time. That suit was horrendous last time... it looked like something out of a bad slasher film. And this time, when you get someone to play Invisible Girl, please make sure you get a talented actress, because when you get Jessica Alba, you don't want to make her invisible, especially when she's naked. If she wasn't already taken by the Marvel Universe, I'd say cast Scarlett Johansson. The only people from the original that worked were Michael Chiklis and Chris Evans. That said, I'd still recast the parts and start over, it is a reboot after all.

That's my two cents worth, Fox. But remember, you better play well with those properties because the Mouse is watching you. It's got their lawyers watching you and anything you do to screw up will have them itching to take that franchise away from you. Because unlike the Fox Suits that have been mismanaging the Marvel properties lately, the Mouse Suits realize how valuable they are. But I have a feeling you now know this, because that announcement made yesterday wasn't planned for yesterday. It was made in a scrambling attempt to mark your territory. To show that you still controlled the property. And it's bought you time.

For now...

Cameron's Empire...

For those that are interested in James Cameron's "Avatar" film...

This coming week, Empire Magazine has a new issue out that has an article with a lot of photos that haven't been seen yet of 20th Century Fox's Christmas/Holiday release. I know there's been a lot of criticism of the teaser trailer that premiered last week. But the majority of those that went to the Avatar Day screenings left impressed. Myself included. It may not be a revelation/game changer, but it will be an event film with images and scenes like you've never seen before. Many bet against Cameron when he made "Titanic" over a decade ago. No one felt it would make the 200 million dollar budget back. They were all wrong. Badly wrong. Could they be again?

In December we'll find out what 300 million can buy...

Pandora's Box Office...

I've now seen the trailer and the sixteen minutes of footage in 3D...

I didn't say anything about the trailer of "Avatar" that was released the other day. I've heard a lot of talk about the teaser and it seems that most people are split between loving it or downright hating it. I didn't want to say anything until after I had seen it with 3D glasses in the environment that James Cameron wanted you to experience it.

Well, now I've seen it. First off, about the trailer. When I saw it at first I was somewhat unimpressed. First impressions of it were that it appeared to be a very big budget remake of "Aliens" combined with "Dances with Wolves" set in space. I bought all the human scenes of Sam Worthington, but when those big blue aliens came on I had some difficulty believing in them. It still seemed a bit like video game footage. I didn't hate it and I was in no way going to condemn it as some seem to be doing. I've bet against James Cameron before when he did a little film called "Titanic." I can still hear my roommates and I saying that he'll never recoup that 200 million dollars he spend on it. Fox will never let him do another film for them, we crowed. By the time it was over, I was the one eating crow. So, I never will place my money against the King of the World. He risked a lot making that film and he earned the right to make this film. 20th Century Fox owes him that much.

Having now seen the trailer I can tell my first impressions of the trailer were right... and were not so write. Confused? Well, I was right about it being Aliens/Dances in Space. But it also feels to have a bit of Michael Mann's "Last of the Mohicans" as well. And although I saw some scenes from the trailer, they play out far better on a giant IMAX screen than a 32 inch computer screen. Does it look totally real? No, not really, but I bought into it after a little bit and you became lost in the story and this uniquely beautiful and strange world. And the world of Pandora is unlike any world I've seen on screen before. I mean, there are shades of Felucia, that glowing world seen briefly in "Revenge of the Sith," but Pandora appears much more organic and believable. Star Wars seemed like Lucas gave the artist a one or two sentence line about a world and let them create it. All he had to do was sign off on the designs. This place feels like something that Cameron designed from the bottom up. I felt that if I was to ask him how this world evolved or how the ecology worked that he could go through a very detailed explanation that he's worked out. It felt very big, epic and intriguing and I can see many people going to see this just because of the event movie it is going to turn out to be. And it's probably going to make a who lot of money at the box office for the Suits at the Fox Studio.

CG is just a tool. It can't tell a story, it can only present that story. In the right hands it can expand their opportunities, but in the wrong hands it can be an excuse to not have a fully developed script or even idea. That's the difference between James Cameron and Michael Bay. I have a feeling that Cameron has an endgame for this story. If Bay had done a film like this I can only imagine the plot holes that we would be seeing these characters falling into. So after this first viewing I'm looking forward to it. It's got me interested enough to give it a chance.

And Cameron at the very least deserves that from me...

A Slim, Glimmer Of Hope...

Now, this is a positive sign from Fox...

Finally, a bit of news that provides the possibility that 20th Century Fox might just "get" it about Wolverine and all the other characters they've got options on. Well, at least Wolverine.

The Hollywood Report announced that Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects, Valkyrie) has been hired to write the sequel to the Studios' "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Does this mean that Fox, and more particularly, Tom Rothman understand that they've been badly handling some very valuable characters? Doubtful, these are the Fox Suits that took David Benioff's very good script and beat it down into mediocrity. But hey, there's always hope. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Let's hope this is one of those times...

Predatorial Direction...

Harry over at Ain't It Cool News has scooped who's directing the "Predator" sequel...

I've never heard of Nimrod Antal (Who names their kid Nimrod? Do they know what that means in English?), but I've been hearing good things about "Armored," his latest feature. Robert Rodriguez, who is working from his original script and producing is guiding the project and personally picked the director. I've been a huge fan of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger film and have been really disappointed with the sequel (Predator 2, lame!) and spin offs(AvsP, yuck!). The idea of approaching the film as what "Alien" was to "Aliens" is a great concept and I hope it turns out as great a comparison.

Developing...

20th Century Fox/21st Century Fool...

Between genius and failure lies mediocrity...

That's how I pretty much sum up Fox's "Wolverine" spin off. It's not so much that it's a bad film, it's that it's a shining example of the phrase: "Too many cooks spoiled the soup." Very little remains of David Benioff's taught, lean script that was brimming with emotion and putting on display why fans love Wolverine. I don't know much about Skip Woods, but with gems like "Hitman" and "Swordfish" to his credit I can see how everything has been dumbed down and all the interesting characters have been replaced by cardboard cutouts of what these Suits think comic book fans want. I had heard that the executives kept wanting to add more and more mutants to the storyline, essentially turning this into "X-Men 4: The Prequel." Can you imagine if someone had done the same to "Dark Knight" what the result would have been? Some Warner's Suit would of said something like: "Nolan we love your script! Batman is awesome. But you know what would make the story even better? Let's put Wonder Woman in the background! And then well have a scene where Bats is interrogating a thug inside a building and he sees Supes fly by! While we're at it lets somehow throw the Flash and Green Lantern into the plot as well! Won't that make the story even better?"

You see the problem here? These idiotic Suits have wasted a golden opportunity to start a new franchise by simply throwing everything, regardless of if it works or not into the story. I can clearly tell the Executives at Fox, starting with Tom Rothman, have no idea what they have and don't know how to properly exploit it. This film also confirms to me that Lauren Shuler Donner wasn't smart and right when she produced "X-Men," she was lucky... that luck has finally ran out. Someone needs to gut the talentless pool of Suits over at Fox and find some people who actually have brains to go with all those pretty degrees they hold. This is a film mired in committee and this combined with "Spider-Man 3" shows how bad these executives are at having their thumb on the pulse of what is a great filmed comic adaption is.

I won't even dignify this film with a review other than to tell you that seeing it is a waste of two hours. Instead, just rent Dark Knight or Spider-Man 2 or better yet, pick up a book and avoid anything to do with men wearing their underwear on the outside of their clothes. If you want to go see Wolverine this weekend, lower your expectations. After the brilliance that was Chris Nolan's film, Fox Suits and some inept producers have shown us what they really think of comic book geeks. We'll take almost anything they serve up. Quality doesn't count, just throw a bunch of mindless dreak on the screen and these fanboys will eat it up and send us all the cash in their wallets. They've learned nothing from films like Iron Man. Spider-Man 2, Dark Knight or even the original Superman. It's as if their brains were turned off. That assumes they have brains of course. I'm also torn, because I'd love to see Hugh Jackman in another Wolverine movie, but not another bad one. One where he goes to Japan(hinted at after the credits) and kicks some major assage. But for that to happen this one will have to be successful and recoup back all that money that somehow didn't show up on the screen. I really want this movie to fail. I want Rothman and all his ilk to get thrown out in some great purge over at the Fox lot, but that could also doom the chances of a sequel. But then again, maybe that's what needs to happen. Maybe stopping any more of these films will result in their rights expiring and Marvel getting them back. Maybe they know how to treat their characters better than the nimbwhitted Suits of Fox. I know that Hugh Jackman would be much older then, but he is Wolverine after all and he doesn't age that badly. Does he?

When it's all said and done, the real villains in this film aren't Stryker, Sabertooth or even Deadpool... the real villains are Tom Rothman, Lauren Shuler Donner and the assortment of badguys around them. Now those are the people I'd like to see Logan take those Adamantium claws to. But those villains always excape to fight another day, screw up another feature.

Cruses, foiled again!

I can't wait for next week's "Star Trek" film to come along and wash the bad taste that has been put in my mouth by these fools. Let the weekend box office do its wonder. Or its wraith.

Time will tell...

A Fox Takes The Lion From The Mouse...

It appears that the Mouse's decision to no longer make Narnia films is the Fox's gain...

Twentieth Century Fox that is. Fox will now co-produce with Walden Media on future Narnia movies now that Walt Disney Pictures has chosen to not renue their relationship.

So now “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” will be coming with the Fox logo instead of that lovely castle.

Developing...

A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far In The Future...

You know, as we get closer to the release of the new Indiana Jones film, I'm reminded of a talk George Lucas had where he was asked about the possibility of more Star Wars films. He stated then and many times afterwards that there would be no more films in the universe of the Jedi... instead he said, the future of Star Wars was on television. We're about to bear the first fruit of this statement these fall with the Clone Wars television series. The live-action series will air a year later on a network to be chosen once Lucas has something to show executives. This way he can ask for the best deal possible for the series and his company.

So there you have it. No more Star Wars. No more movies. Right from the Master Jedi himself...

Well, let me wave my hand and tell you something that is hidden from the mind of Master Jedi Lucas. There will be more Star Wars films.

Guaranteed.

I don't care what George says, there will be more films in that universe a long, time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

It will happen. George Lucas may not be directing them. He may not be producing them, but someone will make them. Do I have some kind of ability to see into the future? A time machine, perhaps? No, but knowing human nature I can tell you something that is obvious and neglected.

George Lucas is...

Old.

Not only that, but I have news for Sci-Fi geeks everywhere. He's not immortal and he won't live forever. We know all too well that he's human("Episode I: The Phantom Menace" anyone?). Someday, maybe ten years from now, maybe twenty years from now, he's either going to do one of two things... or both. He's going to pass from this world and become a part of that "Force" that binds us or he's going to relinquish control of Lucasfilm to others. Perhaps he's sell it or hand it over to his children. More than likely they will license their characters or films. If they sell Lucasfilm there are many companies that would love to have the films and characters he owns. The two most prominent would probably be News Corp, owner of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation and the Walt Disney Company, owner of well, if you don't know that then you're reading the wrong blog.

In all likelihood one of those two will wind up with ownership or the rights/license to use such characters. And not just Star Wars characters either. Remember that Lucas owns the rights to Indiana Jones as well. Not to mention characters from several other films that didn't do as well("Willow" comes to mind). With a stable of existing properties like these and "THX-1388", "American Graffiti",ect. this company will look quite attractive to someone, everyone...



So do you think if one of these companies had control of this property that they would just leave it alone? Just keep releasing the movies and television shows in new formats like Blu-Ray? Not a chance. If Bob Iger ever had the opportunity to actually own these characters that the Mouse leases for its parks do you believe he wouldn't take the chance? And I don't think there would even be a question about continuing with more films. More Adventures. More profits. When Iger bought Pixar he had every intention of moving forward with new projects and cultivating the talent there. If Disney or Fox purchases Lucasfilm it would do the same as it has done with Pixar, only more so...

As well as that, there is the Star Wars fan community to deal with.



It wouldn't be an understatement to say that the fan base is dissatisfied with the Prequels. Specifically the first one which is one of the worst films I've seen. The second one was half good and half really bad Harlequin romance novel. The third one was the only one of the three to be worthy of the original. Even though I detest many parts of "Return of the Jedi"(Ewoks... sigh), it is vastly better than EP I and II. Many of the problems fans like myself and others have with EP III is as with the first two, the dialogue and the transition to the Dark Side happening so quickly. Not that there aren't other problems, but those are the most prevalent to my friends and me.

As a close friend once said to me in a conversation:

"Lucas screwed it up and it's going to be for future fans to have to correct it."

He didn't use screwed, btw. The language was a little more colorful, but the point is made. There are many film makers out there that would love to make a new Star Wars film. It's not going to happen right now, but somewhere in the future there will be some hot director or screenwriter that gets the jewel gig of reviving what Lucas himself almost killed. It may take twenty years like it did for the prequels to happen, but I have an idea that by then the wraith of the fans will be very vocal about what we like and what we don't like.

I'm sure there will be a different interpretation of Darth Vader's universe by then... in fact, it may not even be about him or Luke... I'd bet some movie in the form of "Knights of the Old Republic" will get made first. But new characters and old will occupy these films. And they will try and do justice for the universe Lucas created and forgot about. We may even get darker tales about this galaxy. Zack Snyder("300", "Watchmen") is on record as saying he wants to make an "R" rated Star Wars film with Jedi's going around with light sabers creating carnage across the universe... errr, that universe. And he's not the only one.

Remember for a time it was even talked about having Steven Spielberg directing one of these. As much as that idea makes me and other SW fans all numb, it ain't going to happen. I don't think that Steven would ever do it out of respect for George... others won't have that problem.

Imagine the headlines when someday in the future you see an announcement that a super hot writer has been signed to write the first of a new trilogy. And then just as the buzz starts to settle down a blockbuster making director is hired to direct it. The fans will start to get excited and nervous. Praying for the best, fearing the worst. I'd love someday to have Peter Jackson direct one, but that's probably just a pipe-dream from me.

But basically a lot of problems the prequels had will have to be fixed by the fans or film makers who happen to be fans. Problems had by most, but not all who saw the films. I'm sure there are people out there that like Jar Jar Binks... I'm sure some people like Jake Lloyd's wood performance as "Ani". Sign, that name alone was a big problem. But it will be left to future generations to fix the potholes that Lucas left in the construction of the road he built to the Star Wars universe. Somewhere along the line someone will fill in the stories and explanations and give us a better reason for what happened than the man that created it. The problems the prequels have are legion, but the focus that Lucas should have taken was(according to Blue Sky Disney and its inner circle of friends)...

All of EP I should have been broken down into the first half of the first film. If it was up to me(I know it isn't) it would have only occupied the first act and other two thirds would have been what you saw in EP II, minus all the crappy dialogue like "I'm haunted by the kiss you shouldn't have given me"... EP II should have been the Clone Wars. Simple as that. And EP III should have been a longer and darker decent into what made Anakin become Vader... he turns too quick. Also the Jedi should have appeared a little more wise. They are Jedi after all... From the prequels they come off as totally clueless to all that is happening around them.

THIS is the movie we wanted. The one we expected.

We didn't get it. We should have, but you get what you get... Time will go on and eventually we'll get another Star Wars film. Or maybe a trilogy? The mistakes of the past will give way to a clearer vision of the future. But enough talking about DCA's "Makeover", we're supposed to be talking about Star Wars here.

Not now, but someday in the future... perhaps when a little distance has given us more perspective and Lucas has handed over the reigns(voluntarily or not), we'll sudden get a surprise that they're about to make a new Star Wars film. Then you have to wonder, will it have that 20th Century Fox logo in front of it? Or maybe Cinderella's Castle? Don't think that could happen? Don't be too sure... the Clone Wars animated film that swoops into theaters this August has a Warner Bros. logo in front of it. It's a new world... Things change... Just as long as Lucasfilm doesn't hire Paul Pressler we should be in for a good future. Patience. Lucas isn't an immovable force... just a temporary delay. And speaking of force...

May the Force be with you.

Always.