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EXCLUSIVE: I’ve just learned that the latest script for the DC Comics character The Flash will be handed into Warner Bros between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green are writing the draft, and Greg Berlanti did the story with them. No word on who’ll direct The Flash yet, but I can tell you it’s doubtful it’ll be Berlanti, even though his very different Life As We Know It came in #2 at the box office for the studio this weekend. And his freshman TV superpowers series No Ordinary Family is now ABC’s most promising new drama, doing respectable business as a self-starter 
in one of the most competitive time slots. ”He won’t want to direct it because he kinda wants to do something in between size-wise first before attempting something that large,” an insider tells me. On the other hand, “If Warner Bros does like the script and wants him to direct it… But that’s a lot of ifs. And all of it is moot if they don’t dig the script. Green Lantern wasn’t real until the studio liked the draft.” Speaking of Green Lantern, all 3 scribes worked on that superhero pic which director Martin Campbell is right now editing. And I hear the film shaping up is “jaw-dropping”.) My source says, “They’re working round the clock on that now. Also, the three of them are working on the treatment for the sequel to the Green Lantern at the same time. All of which will be in by Christmas.”
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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With comic books and 70′s TV shows Hollywood will never run out of “original” ideas.
Guess what, comic books contain original stories written by writers and drawn by artists.
The point that they were original 30 plus years ago seems an odd one to make. Everything was original at its inception. Shakespeare. Chaucer. Homer. But I hardly think anyone would qualify their stories as fresh, or unique by today’s standards.
Comic book characters don’t just have one story, they have long ongoing stories and histories. And new stories are written every day in comics.
It’s really easy for people to look down on comics, those *whom* only read novels and wine lists etc. but my point is is that comics are filled with legitimate writers and artists (e.g. Alan Moore, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis etc.) and to lump in comic books with 70s remakes and that whole tired “Where are the original ideas?” schtick , like you’re trying to save Hollywood (please…) only shows that you don’t know anything about comics. As said, there are always new movies coming out from original screenplays or based on novels etc.
“Everything was original at its inception. Shakespeare. Chaucer. Homer”
Actually entire academic careers are made tracking down and footnoting the sources used by Shakespeare, Chaucer and Homer. Shakespeare created his own versions of stories told by Chaucer and Homer, and it’s pretty clear that Homer himself was writing down what had been an oral tradition. The freshness came in the telling – fitting the old archetypes to the pscyhe of their contemporaries. (Much as the early comic writers did as well).
The problem comes when you turn it into a franchise, reducing the power of art to a cash value, or pandering to small egos who want to lay claim to some god-like authority over the authenticity of “their” story.
I’m telling you now…
…audiences are going to get tired of all this comic book $hit.
Funny, since we’ve been getting comic book movies for how many decades now?
If you mean super heroes, you may or may not be right. If you mean comic books as a whole, I doubt it. Some of the most interesting stories are actually comic books superhero or not. History of Violence, Road to Perdition, The Losers, Red, The Walking Dead-TV series. These are all based on comic books.
100% percent right, but personally i don’t think refencing THE LOSERS is going to help anyone’s cause.
Hahaha.. I know it didnt do too well and the critics didnt like it much… But I for one really enjoyed it, it wasn’t a great movie, but it was fun as hell
Why should audience get tired of good content, regardless of origins? I agree when it comes to unnecessary sequls and reboots (thank you SPIDERMAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK), but GREEN LANTERN, THE FLASH . . . these are movies that have characters no one outside the comic book community has had the opportunity to fall in love with, this gives them the chance. All things being equal, GREEN LANTERN will knock their socks off.
Yeah Jack -
As if the market is really “over-saturated” with them. As if one gets released every goddamn week, 52 weeks a year.
Shut the fuck up.
~
Coat
Yes. This comic book/graphic novel craze needs to come to cessation quick.
Who wants to see celluloid feces like Scott Pilgrim II: Dealing with STDs from Evil Exes ???
Scott Pilgrim is one story from one comic books series- comics are full of different stories, just like in any medium. It’s what Hollywood chooses to do with them, and how. You will get both good and bad ones.
Listen, I don’t like remakes and adaptations either but my guilty pleasure is comic book movies. Good comic book movies.
People complain about not having ‘original’ ideas when the past decade has been filled with original ideas. They’re just not tentpoles. (Ie Black Swawn & 127 Hours are fairly indie). In other words, you will always have the Fall season.
But the tide might be changing with the likes of Inception, District 9, etc are becoming hits. Even adaptations and remakes like The Social Network and (perhaps) True Grit are always welcomed.
I think Brad Bird would be great, as long as Mission Impossible 4 will be as good as his other animated stuff.
“Director Martin Campbell is right now editing….” That’s probably news to Stuart Baird, the actual editor of the movie. Please don’t ignore the below-the-line artists.
I hope it’s NOT news to Stuart that the person who is effectively his “boss” at the moment is overseeing the next process in the film he directed. Don’t be such a sensitive little douche. It’s just annoying. Next time the LA Times announces Frank Gehry is building something make sure you write a letter informing them how Frank isn’t building anything, it’s all the construction workers, electricians, HVAC technicians, etc… And make sure you get all their names and correct spelling so you can put them in your letter. I mean seriously, dude, I don’t reply often but when a fight-picking little bitch like you comes along, you deserve to be called out for the moron you are.
You’re actually making my point for me, so thank you. Just as you wrote, the post should read “Campbell is the Boss and is OVERSEEING the editing.”
There are directors who actually edit their own films, as well as directors who DP their own films. To give all the credit to the director when it’s not due is, again, short-sighting other talented craftsmen on a film, as well as those multi-talented directors who actually do other jobs.
I don’t think the intent was to “ignore” anyone, directors typically have a hand in the editing process despite not being the ones that cue the key-strokes.
audience will not get sick of super hero movies because audiences still love great stories and comic books have great stories
they will tho get sick of bad super hero movies like Jonah Hex and Wolverine
This just in: Doctors are warning against the possible onset of Comic Book Fatigue among viewers. CBF, as it’s also known, manifests itself in various way. Symptoms include viewer nausea at the thought of yet another superhero in a suit movie. On the production side, symptoms include the desire to plunder comic book publishers for all they’re worth while ignoring the need to develop anything new and original ever again. Unless treated, the prognosis is terminal.
And yet Christopher Nolan manages to make both a superhero movie and a much-lauded original movie. Funny that. Or should that be ignored to allow for more hyperbolic “jokes”?
Completely irrelevant since Christopjer Nolan, last time I looked, is a director and not a studio drawing up a production schedule. Batman is a huge franchise, whereas with The Flash and Green Lantern Warners is getting into the genre of lesser well known superheroes. Apart from the fans, who are presumerably already pre-sold, these films have to be marketed and sold to a much wider audience, many, more likely most, of whom, will need educating from scratch. With Iron Man it worked, true, but – and I write this slowly because it’s brain cells you’re missing, not a link – the risk increases each time. To underestimate viewer fatigue (guy or gal in a suit/mask/cape fights crime/evil super villain, again) would be a huge mistake and on the production side, yes, it really, honestly does distract from originality and the ability to find, develop and nurture something new.
“I’m telling you now…
…audiences are going to get tired of all this comic book $hit.”
unfortunately, these movies are catering to young people and they never get tired of shit. eg Twilight.
This kind of breathless anticipation of a script delivery for a comic-book megapolis is exactly what’s wrong with Hollywood and why we’re not getting many quality movies.
Nikki, I love you with a love fierce, but is Endeavor working overtime on damage control? What’s with the Berlanti spin that doesn’t seem to match with reality? A week after you were telling us Social Network, no stars and subject matter about computers and business, was “disappointing” at 23 million, DHD’s now spinning Life as We Know It, with Katherine Heigl who previously had 3 movies hit 100 million domestic, as a plus?
Life as We Know It was in more theaters than any other movie last weekend, and still only came up with 15 million, with mediocre reviews (41 on Metacritic). Yet a post like this is still making it sound like LIfe as We Know It was a big success and that Berlanti’s directing it is a feather in his cap. At what point do results, either critical or commercial, figure into reputation?
The Flash is fun. Loved the tv series as a kid. Green Lantern could be really huge. That character has some major name recognition beyond the comic fanbase and was one of the few heroes besides Superman that other kids wanted to be if they had a choice of super powers. The very concept of the character sets your mind in orbit. Intergalatic cops with the power of their imagination as their source of weaponry condensed into a ring. Now that is cool. Can’t wait.
This must be one of those vested interest comments. The Green Lantern has virtually no name recognition whatsoever – nobody knows who this character is. “People” know three comic book characters: Superman, Spiderman, Batman. For all the rest it’s whatever the ad campaign can create.
Agreed. It’s obvious when a PR flack starts to spin and make stuff up.
Most kids who weren’t into comics got their first look at the John Stewart Green Lantern in the WB cartoons, like Justice League Unlimited. Those kids who did read comics for the last 15 years saw Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner as Green Lanterns, not Hal Jordan, who was killed after becoming a mass murder and only resurrected a few years ago.
Frankly, I’d prefer Will Smith as John Stewart’s Lantern. That would have been a guaranteed July 4th blockbuster (and added some diversity to the superhero genre)! Yeah, I know people hate Will Smith, but he’s gold at the box office and does sci-fi very well.
Ryan Reynolds would have made a great Flash.
P.S.
Why the heck hasn’t Marvel released another Blade movie? The first 2 were great. It was only when hacktacular director Goyer got his mitts on the franchise that the franchise lost its wind.
I loved seeing that spoof where Blade meets Edward Cullen!
and don’t forget: Wonder Woman, Captain America
Robinov, stop wasting time on the internet and get back to work! lolz
Yes, especially by Summer 2012 when you’ll have:
Avengers
Spider-Man 4 3D
Wolverine 2
Batman
Runaways
A few of these movies just aren’t going to work
A few romantic comedies don’t work, either. They don’t stop making them.
kdb
As a kid I collected comics back when they cost 25 cents. I even had a few that were 10 cents as well as the DC/Marvel collaboration Superman/Spiderman issue but I have no interest in watching any of this stuff and the same goes for my son. I’m really curious who’s going to support the avalanche of superhero projects coming down the pike. Must admit though I saw Fantastic Four because Silver Surfer was a favorite of mine 35yrs ago! Somehow it wasn’t quite the same effect.
I think the success of similar previous projects like X-Men, Fantastic Four, Batman, Spiderman and Superman has caused clueless execs with no sense of TIMING to bet the farm on this genre but this is going to be almost as bad as when the dot com bubble burst. Heads will surely roll.
The footage is “jaw-dropping.” Wish I had a nickel for every time I heard this on a movie that ultimately fizzled. The footage ALWAYS seems “jaw-dropping” at that stage (this is especially true on effects-heavy movies).
Some (perhaps quite amazing) special effects are getting dropped in, great temp music is getting dropped in, everyone who pops in the editing room swears it all looks “amazing.”
Then you have to turn these awesome special effects and cool shots and cool music into an ACTUAL MOVIE that paying audiences will see, and you know, actually care about, with characters and stories they will emotionally invest themselves. And often the story changes.
Not saying this won’t be a good movie — Martin Campbell can deliver the goods — just saying early word that the footage is jaw-dropping is more or less worthless. Wait for the movie.
As long as strong and interesting writing and directing talent is drawn to comic book movies, they will thrive. That’s what has led to the current resurgence – people like Chris Nolan, Sam Raimi and David Goyer getting involved. Sure, there are others, but as long as there are GOOD comic book movies, audiences will forgive the bad ones.
Geoff Johns’ ascent at DC seems to have totally changed the culture there, as there is now someone who can bridge the comic and film world and is respected by both.
I had hoped and still hope for this as well. But every artist has to fight the corporate mentality.
No one knows The Flash better than Geoff Johns. He had a story and treatment for a movie version of Flash.
The powers that be, chose to pass on his and asked The Green Lanetern screenwriters to do Flash… with a darker take.
I hope in time Geoff Johns sets them straight.
Im looking forward to seeing how Green Lantern turns out.
Until then I cant get excited about the same trio doing The Flash.
From what i do know, The Flash is going to be a darker take of the character, which is already a HUGE RED FLAG.
There are light characters and there are dark characters. Sticking to the source material is how to create a box office winner. Making Flash or Superman dark characters will work as well as making Batman a light charcter.
Actually, making Batman a lighter character brought in a TON of money for Fox back in the 1960′s, and is doing well for Warners RIGHT NOW with the current cartoons. Going DARK, on the other hand, has never really payed off for anyone BUT Batman.
Jasperzoo: Stuart Baird is the official editor, sure – but when you have such a significant CGI component to every scene, the director is involved at that stage. No doubt they’re still getting the CGI work back and splicing everything together.
Even setting aside the CGI component, Baird has edited Campbell’s last 4 films. Obviously their process is a collaborative one, for them to re-up all those times.
that green suit.
If the movie features a grown man wearing a costume, and fighting bad guys, I’m not seeing it. I’m beyond tired of that garbage.
Thank god… because when these movies come out, do you know how hard it is to find a seat at the theater? It seems like EVERYMAN goes to see them. I guess someone will be happy to take yours.
I concur!
If you like superheroes, you’re a fuck-tard.
Judging from your comment, you’re obviously too mature to like superheroes.
Thank you… because when these movies come out, do you know how hard it is to find a seat at the theater? It seems like EVERYMAN goes to see them. I’m sure someone will be happy to take yours.
Everyman is my real name, you a–hole!
Did roger ebert call it “jaw-dropping?”
that image of the Flash is ridiculous! why the need to draw super-heroes more and more massive? Flash is supposed to be fast, not incredibly strong. comic book artists need to take some anatomy classes or life drawing lessons.
Thats a general statement. That is ONE artists STYLE. not everyone draws him the same. And the anatomy is fine, not everything has to be photo-realistic. Whats the point of comics if thats the approach?
Ryan Reynolds will be great to play the role of Green Lantern and if these two movies will be ready by then, they will be both awesome for kids and adults to watch out this December.
Can we be honest about “Iron Man 2″? It was just okay. A C+ effort at best. It lost its magic. The story was weak. The villain was lame.
Scarlett Johannsen was miscast as the Black Widow. A character who is always portrayed as being a mature, experienced spy who should be in her 30s to early 40s not mid-20s. Think of Michelle Forbes or Sigourney Weaver when either was in her 30s. That’s the Black Widow. Tough, experienced and sexy.
The first movie was great because as wild as it was, there was an element of realism. The second film had Iron Man serving as a one man conflict deterrent, which makes little sense given how easily one person could be killed.
As for the Flash, I keep reading that the Flash movie is going to be dark and gritty like the Dark Knight. Did the screen writers ever read a Flash comic? Hello! This is the Scarlett Speedster. His world is bright and bold. Yeah, there are killers but it’s far from grim and dirty.
Iron Man 2 had a lot of issues. Black Widow was a superfluous character in what was already a crowded ensemble. Yes, Scarlett Johannsen was miscast—Angelina Jolie would be much better suited for the role.
Swapping Terence Howard for someone who, apart from skin color, shared 0 similarities with him, was a jarring choice that distanced audiences from the narrative.
The Monaco scene was by far the most interesting action set-piece, and should have been used as the climax instead of the forgettable free-for-all in a generic Central Park-like location, that we got.
Also, in the first movie, the repartee between characters was well paced — giving you time to process the oh-so-razor-sharp-wit. In Iron Man 2, character interactions seemed hyper-accelerated, hardly giving you time to breathe.
Finally, someone mentioned Ryan Reynolds would be a more appropriate choice for playing the Flash, as opposed to Green Lantern. That someone was right.
At least Don Cheadle can ACT. Terrence Howard is a pretty man, but not nearly in the same league as Downey, Rourke, or Scarlett Johanssen. (Saw her on Broadway in “A View from the Bridge,” opposite Liev Schreiber, and the woman is a real artist. I would be quite interested to see a spinoff of “Black Widow.”
Who wants to bet that Josh Duhamel will be the Flash? That guy’s built to be some Superhero at some point in his career.
Will some studio please opt to make Dr Strange already? it was a tv movie years ago and not that bad but a big screen version could be great if handled right, but please dont make it all about oriental hokum like they did with Electra ( that one could have been done so much better )it should begin with a world crisis that the doctor discovers is plotted from an unknown realm with tacit acceptance by world leaders who are convinced it is a good thing- then all hell breaks loose-etc
DR. STRANGE is reportedly in development at Pixar (as possible live-action/ animation ala their upcoming PRINCESS OF MARS)