Film Idea & Fan Cast: Martian Manhunter

Ilike it but a lot of the budget would go into casting and this movie probably wouldn't get a huge budget. Ive been waiting years to see the Martian Manhunter's shapeshifting powers on the big screen.

You even used densely for the same reason lol.

@jimmyjay88 agreed but, they'd bring more money to the movie.

@ScarletSpeedster coooooooool

@Advocate 1st point: Thank you. Also if you know a better lesser known actor that would be better that would help me improve my cast.
2nd Point: Do you think mine did?
3rd point: I agree.
4th point: That's what I was going for!!! Also he is alive.

@PJ

1st point. I haven't really researched the acting pool, but just to throw some names out there, Giancarlo Esposito is lesser known. The reason he comes to mind is because his appearance (which is something I really try and focus on) bares slight resemblance to Denzel without confusing people which is which (since they are twins).

2nd point. I found the parts mentioned where MM was on Earth to be a bit dull. Not that they couldn't work. But if this story is really gonna be an origin story, then MM needs to be shown prior to the loss of his planet. While this isn't some steadfast say in movie direction, how about show Mars filled with life, etc. Show MM and his family. Pull at the audience's heart strings, and believe me, they will tug if Denzel is lead. Show a fallout between his brother. Not so Thor/Loki, but maybe more subtle. Maybe they both hold executive positions as council members or something and Ma'alefa'ak begins scheming, for whatever reason I'm unsure (belief in great calling, contact with more powerful being, or maybe he's in MM's shadow in a sense that he hasn't done anything "good" for the benefit of Mars). Maybe this is his drive to not try and rule as did Loki, but rather destroy everything. If he can't be good enough, then they simply won't "be" any longer? Something like that could erupt a kind of psychotic break where Ma'alefa'ak slowly develops/finds H'ronmeer's Curse. Perhaps in this pursuit he intercepts a device by a cameo appearance of Saul Erdel working on the ISS or some other satellite lab. That way the martian-human interaction is still pretty close to Mars. Maybe MM is more of a detective in this movie. Mars could be under attack by White Martians and (prior to Ma'alefa'ak's turning) the two ward them off. Could be a point of interesting for showing Ma'alefa'ak he can be a force for good.

This could be a really nice way to set up for a JL introduction. Since Ma'alefa'ak is presumed to be alive, maybe he could make this connection that White Martians might be a valuable asset...later on? Anyway, this whole diabolical scheme escalates, but MM is catching on and that's when Ma'alefa'ak triggers this device to send MM to Earth. He wouldn't be there for too long, since this would be a ploy to "finish the job," so MM would simply journey back to Mars. This could be a good point to bring in the Chocos. Maybe the teleportation zapped MM of his energy and he needs sustenance. The only being around (maybe he landed in some alleyway?) is a little boy passerby, eating Chocos. Offers them to MM and he expresses interest and thanks before he heads to Mars.

I think that's where the breaking point for MM is. He returns to find Mars crumbling, martians dying, and he frantically searches for his wife and son (like in Gladiator). That's when he'd find Ma'alefa'ak. I got the idea for this epic encounter when I looked up Ma'alefa'ak's info and saw he was responsible for the "mind-rape" of MM's wife. While I'm uncertain if every martian experienced this, MM could show up to witness this rape wrapping up, and that image could be burned into his head. Then this epic fight for the ruins of Mars and perhaps MM's son continue. And MM would lose him as well.

3rd point- MM is very much the reluctant hero, so I feel this story avenue would serve his personality best and not to mention really add this major dynamic to a JL film. Say the ending has Ma'alefa'ak imprisoned on Mars and MM kind of "wanders" or something. He'd arrive to find his prison broken (by White Martians?) and so he'd venture to Earth to warn of a possible invasion. So he doesn't want any trouble, he just wants to speak with Superman or "whoever's in charge" but the U.S. sees him as a threat and that's when you can have him in disguise, dodging the authorities while he tries to prevent what happened to his home.

Sorry I kind of got carried away with the idea there. I just really sink my teeth into stuff, but your ideas are my inspiration so thanks for fueling that creative machine. That's me spit-balling though so take what you like and run with it.

@Tainted87

Your brief points are valid. A lot could be worked on as far as story development, but I think we owe it to our fellow man and woman to not only critique, but construct as well.

For instance, what scale do you have in mind? A Justice League scale? Cosmological? Or perhaps minuscule.

What theme? As supporters of any film, especially the overlooked MM, we should see the right direction to go. What do we know of these characters. And what, from the information provided (however little) can we do to creatively, yet while paying as much homage to the source material, bring them together. We may not have every idea solidly thought out, but as you can tell from the poster's story line, any notion is progress.

The second half may not compute, but what does? Even if it's just your own personal opinion, you never know who might back you, or better yet, refine your contribution.

I'm sure you know your way around this site, so please don't take what I'm highlighting as a condescending adjustment of any sort. I simply believe that if I feel strongly about a certain subject, and I take time to suggest something, that I will discuss my views to the very last detail. Sure, it might be a lot to read, but it's better to sculpt a dragon out of a glacier than an ice cube. Am I right?

@Advocate maybe when he goes to Mars he has a long flashback or during his nightmare?
@Tainted87 This is an updated plot of the original mini-series so don't blame me.

@Advocate I agree... I agree