Comic Book Movies/Shows You'd Like to See...

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-02-23 12:29pm

The recent release of Ghost Rider in theatres got me thinking about comic book movies. Not superhero movies, mind you, but comic book movies in general.

Basically, what comic books and graphic novels would you like to see made into motion pictures and/or television shows, or what do you think would work in such formats? To help broaden the discussion this is not exclusive to just superhero comics, but also to narrow it a little, it does not include manga.

My first choice would be Wesley Dodds, the original Sandman, specifically for a TV show because I don't think the set up is very suitable for a film. You'd not only have to focus on a single case, but also most likely treat it as an origin story, while I think it would be more appropriate to just jump into things. The show would have a general arc of progression and development, but generally be more episodic in nature, with individual cases lasting between one and 3-4 episodes. Specifically as inspiration I'm looking at the Sandman Mystery Theatre title of the 1990s, which took the Dodds Sandman and returned him to his late-1930s masked vigilante detective "mystery man" origins, with a noir presentation. I think that would work very well for a TV series.

The next idea is kind of cheating, since it's a graphic novel that actually started out as a screenplay for a film, but The Living and the Dead is an incredible horror comic by Todd Livingston, Robert Tinnell, and Micah Farritor, functioning as sequel to the Frankenstein novel. It'd be perfect for the kind of intelligent, drawn out yet genuinely creepy horror films that have been missing for some years.

Thirdly, I think a Howard the Duck cartoon would work really well, if produced right and aired on something like Adult Swim (not for content, but just because it'd be a good low-risk means of distribution), good piece for cultural satire and parody.

So, others?

Psychodelica · Post by **Psychodelica** » 2007-02-23 12:36pm

I would like to Sandman made into a TV-series, with Neil gaiman as the writer and as much as possible of the original workers in production.

Another thing I'd like is a new Hellblazer film. I liked Constantine as a pretty entertaining movie, but it sure as hell wasn't Hellblazer!

Fables cou do well as a movie too, I believe, or even better as a TV-series. The thing connecting all these three projects is a close co-operation with the writers and artist of the original comics.

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2007-02-23 12:45pm

Guards! Guards!

...What? There is a comic book version of it!

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2007-02-23 12:52pm

Psychodelica wrote:I would like to Sandman made into a TV-series, with Neil gaiman as the writer and as much as possible of the original workers in production.

Another thing I'd like is a new Hellblazer film. I liked Constantine as a pretty entertaining movie, but it sure as hell wasn't Hellblazer!

Fables cou do well as a movie too, I believe, or even better as a TV-series. The thing connecting all these three projects is a close co-operation with the writers and artist of the original comics.

Hellblazer would work best as an HBO or Showtime series really. Especially considering how. . .risque the books themselves get. Far as Sandman. . .meh. They'd never be able to properly do it right. I could see Books of Magic getting translated to television, but you'd have people knee-jerking and decrying it as a Harry Potter ripoff.

Publius · Post by **Publius** » 2007-02-23 03:45pm

There should be a movie featuring the Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch (i.e., Jim Hammond). It should feature extended sequences of them tearing through 1930s New York City smashing buildings, cars, streets, bridges, and virtually anything that gets in their way while the humans react in shock to the first overt display of superhuman might in the Marvel universe (à la Marvels #1). Namor should be hurling cars, wrenching propeller screws from ships and punching through submarine hulls, while the Human Torch melts steel and hurls fireballs. In honor of their definitive role, the film should be titled simply Marvels.

There should also be a movie set in the early 1940s featuring Sergeant Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos going head to head with Wolfgang Baron von Strucker (with cameo appearances by the Red Skull and Heinrich Baron Zemo). It should be shot with cinematic work similar to that in Pearl Harbor and Flags of Our Fathers, with the same sort of 'nostalgic' use of color. If it features technology that did not exist at the time, it should nevertheless be made to appear authentic, avoiding the sort of ridiculous 'steampunk' rubbish of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2007-02-23 05:18pm

Publius' ideas sound pretty cool.

However, I must confess I've a soft spot for a Ben Grimm/Jen Walters buddy flick, smashing cars and fighting giant monsters. ^_^

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2007-02-23 05:46pm

I've always wanted to see Dr. Strange brought onto the big screen in a good fashion. Given the fascination with wizards and magic brought on by the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films, and the explosion of superhero films, merging the two and bringing Dr. Strange back would seem like a good idea, either on his own or as part of a Defenders movie with the Sub-Mariner and the Hulk.

NeoGoomba · Post by **NeoGoomba** » 2007-02-23 06:35pm

I'd love a Sandman animated series. And of course the lead-in for a Lucifer HBO series would be sweet.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2007-02-23 11:52pm

The Dark wrote:I've always wanted to see Dr. Strange brought onto the big screen in a good fashion. Given the fascination with wizards and magic brought on by the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films, and the explosion of superhero films, merging the two and bringing Dr. Strange back would seem like a good idea, either on his own or as part of a Defenders movie with the Sub-Mariner and the Hulk.

Dr. Strange is already getting his own animated movie. Similar to the Utimate Avengers and Iron Man movies.

Old Plympto · Post by **Old Plympto** » 2007-02-24 12:05am

I'm tempted to say "Runaways" but I can see how "kids trying to act cool and witty with pop culture references dropped in every 30 seconds" can backfire horribly if they get the wrong actors and director.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2007-02-24 01:59am

Ex Machina as a TV series would have a lot of potential. The story arc is expected to last something like 50 issues, so there is a firm beginning, middle, and end. Plus, the superhero stuff is cool but also done via flashbacks; the main story concerns itself with the politics of running NYC as Mayor.

The Ultimates as a feature film seems almost a given, as the look of the book has that cinematic feel already.

Publius's ideas about Marvels is awesome. That battle between the SubMariner and The Human Torch was crazy.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2007-02-24 02:02am

Stofsk wrote:The Ultimates as a feature film seems almost a given, as the look of the book has that cinematic feel already.

They already did a direct-to-video Ultimates movie. It was watered down and stunk.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2007-02-24 02:46am

Then it's time to see what Sam Jackson and Val Kilmer are doing

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-02-24 03:20am

neoolong wrote:
The Dark wrote:I've always wanted to see Dr. Strange brought onto the big screen in a good fashion. Given the fascination with wizards and magic brought on by the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films, and the explosion of superhero films, merging the two and bringing Dr. Strange back would seem like a good idea, either on his own or as part of a Defenders movie with the Sub-Mariner and the Hulk.
Dr. Strange is already getting his own animated movie. Similar to the Utimate Avengers and Iron Man movies.

Okay, for the purposes of this thread, any silly little DTV "animated movies" don't count.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2007-02-24 04:46am

Publius wrote:There should be a movie featuring the Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch (i.e., Jim Hammond). It should feature extended sequences of them tearing through 1930s New York City smashing buildings, cars, streets, bridges, and virtually anything that gets in their way while the humans react in shock to the first overt display of superhuman might in the Marvel universe (à la Marvels #1). Namor should be hurling cars, wrenching propeller screws from ships and punching through submarine hulls, while the Human Torch melts steel and hurls fireballs. In honor of their definitive role, the film should be titled simply Marvels.

I'd be more tempted by a Marvels TV series.

Crazedwraith · Post by **Crazedwraith** » 2007-02-24 06:57am

Dartzap wrote:Guards! Guards!

...What? There is a comic book version of it!

You sir, are a genius. Though I'm not sure I liked that comics character designs for Vimes and co.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-02-24 07:09am

"Y, the last man", if given enough time for enough episodes, would make a fun TV show.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-02-24 07:11am

"Wow I didn't realize that there was already something going on that really makes my previous post sort of goofy now" edit:

So my post stirs my curiosity, and sure enough New Line Cinema has purchased the film rights. Hmmms

Psychodelica · Post by **Psychodelica** » 2007-02-24 07:21am

General Zod wrote:
Psychodelica wrote:I would like to Sandman made into a TV-series, with Neil gaiman as the writer and as much as possible of the original workers in production.

Another thing I'd like is a new Hellblazer film. I liked Constantine as a pretty entertaining movie, but it sure as hell wasn't Hellblazer!

Fables cou do well as a movie too, I believe, or even better as a TV-series. The thing connecting all these three projects is a close co-operation with the writers and artist of the original comics.
Hellblazer would work best as an HBO or Showtime series really. Especially considering how. . .risque the books themselves get. Far as Sandman. . .meh. They'd never be able to properly do it right. I could see Books of Magic getting translated to television, but you'd have people knee-jerking and decrying it as a Harry Potter ripoff.

Oh, I would love to see HBO making a Hellblazer series... They have a history of making kick-ass series on the whole.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2007-02-24 02:18pm

Someone needs to do Top Ten as a Homicide/NYPD Blue style cop show.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2007-02-24 07:53pm

NeoGoomba wrote:I'd love a Sandman animated series.

Animating Gaiman's Sandman would definitely be the only way to go, I think, and would be very awesome.

Though I think the real time for something like that would have been the early to mid 90s.

spongyblue · Post by **spongyblue** » 2007-02-24 08:45pm

I think Fables would make an awsome HBO series.

An even though I hear it's in the works, a DC Captain Marvel movie would be nice, as long as they put Black Adam into it because Black Adam = Awsome Villian/anti-hero.

Old Plympto · Post by **Old Plympto** » 2007-02-24 09:22pm

I would love to see a Micronauts movie based on the Marvel series. It would make a great [inner] space opera story, with Rann, Mari, Bug, Acroyear, Biotron and Microtron vs. Baron Karza in the Microverse. Current movie CGI effects would make it visually spectacular.

Two points:

1. It shouldn't have 80% of the movie in the real world like the Dolph Lundgren / Tom Paris He-Man movie.

2. Please, no Nanotron.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2007-02-24 10:36pm

spongyblue wrote:I think Fables would make an awsome HBO series.

An even though I hear it's in the works, a DC Captain Marvel movie would be nice, as long as they put Black Adam into it because Black Adam = Awsome Villian/anti-hero.

Agreed!
In a similar vein, a JSA movie would be very choice. Have any of the JSA folks had their movie rights sold?

Srynerson · Post by **Srynerson** » 2007-02-24 11:13pm

Green Lantern! (Any iteration, although I'd be particularly partial to an HBO/Showtime series based on the trippy John Stewart-centered Green Lantern: Mosaic.) If ever there was a comic book for which CGI was invented, this is it!