Superheroes

I've been thinking recently. With all these films adapting comic books to the big screen, I've seen directors take classic icons of America and do wondrous, but also not-so-great, things with them.

So here's the topic of the thread.

If you were picked to adapt any classical super hero story to the big screen, which hero would you choose and how would you go about creating the perfect portrayal of them, to not only the world, but to yourself as well?

You need to consider everything from themes, to sets, to props, to actors; just, go all out. How would you handle development? Would it all be in one film or would it be a trilogy, and would the development follow the trilogy's pattern or would each film focus on the story instead?

Tell me how you would make the perfect superhero film.

I've been kicking about an idea where the superhero is a secondary character and the real protagonist is a school kid trying to find out their secret identity. All they know is that the superhero matches their age and may or may not go to their school. Or a neighboring one.

Now, I've been debating about the direction of the story. Should it mainly be a school mystery story or a high school story with elements of mystery? Should we find out who the superhero is or not? How fantastical is this story? Is it the kind of hero who just nabs crooks on the street, or the kind that fits giant monsters and supervillains?

If I were to adapt an existing property, though, I'd like to see Captain Marvel be adapted. A movie with him learning how to fit into the role of a superhero, with Superman as a mentor, could be pretty enjoyable, kinda like what they did with Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam.

edited 18th May '13 11:32:21 PM by Tuckerscreator

I would adapt Vartox the Hyper man.

Inb4 someone says they'd adapt DR. BEES!!!

edited 20th May '13 3:47:10 AM by Tuckerscreator

You know, I had a similar idea, except the kid doesn't want to find out his / her identity, but actually just wants to be saved by one. It would be a sort of drama film where in the end he'll probably never see his hero in person, but his life would still be as rich without this, growing out of his phase, or finding out that his obsession is actually a substitution for something, like, one of his parents dying in a regular war. Just when he finally has the chance to meet his hero though, he chooses what's more important, like family and friends.

Also, to give it more impact, make it take place in an established superhero world, and have the heroes be seen through video footage on the news or something.

And then an earthquake hits and a bunch of people die who wouldn't have had the city been protected by a flying brick.

Thus teaching us the Aesop that if you refuse to sacrifice your own personal happiness for the greater good there are consequences.

DISREGARD THIS POST THAT WAS WRITTEN BY A DUMMY

edited 19th May '13 5:22:55 PM by Canid117

How does that tie into what he said at all? I seriously don't get it.

Oh crap I misread the post.

I thought he said a kid was going to be Captain Marvel but turned it down to be with friends and family.

Woops...

I recall some time back that there were plans to make film about a super-villain jailbreak, utilizing DC super-villains. Or perhaps about a hero (I think it was supposed to be Green Arrow) locked up with a bunch of super-villains in a super-maximum security prison. I thought that was an interesting approach.

That reminds me. A while back I had brainstormed up an alternate universe version of The Avengers film where all the villains had won instead in the previous movies, and SHIELD was forced to use them to defend Earth. Stane succeeded in killing Tony, Red Skull was sent into the future instead of Captain America, Banner was captured by General Ross and his blood used by Blonsky to become the Abomination, Vanko becomes a rival in arc reactor production to Stane, and Thor becomes a tyrant and banishes Loki out of Asgard. I should revisit it once I'm less busy after this week.

edited 19th May '13 10:22:59 PM by Tuckerscreator

^ So, it would be like a MCU version of Dark Avengers? Sounds very interesting.

Oooh, never read that. I'll have to look for it at the comic shop to gather some inspiration.

In addition, Black Widow is the only member of these "Enforcers" who was also an Avengers member. And since I'm writing this as though it were an actual MCU film, I've changed Vanko's identity around since Mickey Rourke has said he doesn't want to work with Marvel again. Ivan Vanko is now Inessa Vanko, who instead of whips favors Doc Ock-esque claws. Includes the bonus of averting The Smurfette Principle, it seems.

edited 20th May '13 3:40:42 AM by Tuckerscreator

I'd say keep the whips...

Then I'll consider it. Can't change my mind quite immediately, though.

Personally, I'd love to see a Coat, Hat, Mask pulp hero played entirely straight. Not a parody like The Spirit, but a full-on depiction of the guy whose only real powers are determination, a good right hook, and balls that you could launch out of a cannon.

I couldn't do the job. Mainly because I agree with just about every word that Bill says here:

Apart from finding the superhero mythology "fascinating". I don't.

@ Tucker: I wouldn't mind hearing your plan on how to make Thor evil. Does Odin actually die insead of go into Odinsleep? Maybe Jane, Selvig and Darcy get killed in the fight with Destroyer?

Or, maybe he never go on his trip to Earth, never getting his lessons on humility and fighting for reasons other than for the sake of it, becoming some kind of Blood Knight?

edited 20th May '13 6:06:02 AM by TechPowah

The draft's still unfinished, so I haven't figured out that part yet. One factor of it, though, is that he never got his lesson of humility on Earth. But that can't be the only reason. Even before that he was still a rather nice guy.

I'll have to consider your theories though. I suspect that him going in a Blood Knight direction could possibly be brought about by continued war with the Frost Giants, and Odin being dead gives him more leeway for descent. And I'm pondering over whether he ends up taking the role of Big Bad against the Enforcers the way Loki was to the Avengers in the main timeline. It doesn't seem like Thor would be willing to lead an army of Chitauri. An army of something else, maybe Asgardians, but what would incite all of Asgard to go to war against Earth?

^ Well, here's something if you were okay on keeping Thanos a thing:

Thanos could use the Mind Gem to make Thor get Asgard on Earth's ass, but in a More than Mind Control way - Thor couldn't stop the invasion if he wanted to, but he's embittered by Loki (and by extension, Earth) enough that, maybe he doesn't necesarily want to stop it.

Somehow, the Enforcers/"Dark Avengers" and/or the Warriors Three break Thor of the mind games, Thor (while not back to his cheery MCU self) cancels the invasion, but it still triggers the whole "to court Death" scene).

edited 20th May '13 7:02:51 AM by TechPowah

Is that regarding Iron Man 3 spoilers? If it is, I won't be looking at them for at least a week, unfortunately.

edited 20th May '13 7:18:00 AM by Tuckerscreator

No, just Avengers, for those that somehow haven't seen the first stinger.

Hmm. Hadn't considered throwing Thanos into the mix. I'm a little wary to, given that it might make the story too cosmically spanning, but if the purpose of having him is just to induce Thor to take darker and darker turns, then he shouldn't be too much to include.

edited 20th May '13 10:07:53 AM by Tuckerscreator

This may be of some interest. David Wong's take on superheroes.

http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-ugly-lessons-hiding-in-every-superhero-movie/

4. Only Raw Talent and Wealth Make Someone Fit to Be in Charge

Wong, that's, like, the lesson you preach in every one of your articles...

edited 20th May '13 11:08:29 AM by kalel94

Cynical as always. Apparently he missed all the points in the MCU where people without special powers still show meaningful courage and heroism.