NOTE: This is my first article, so I really don't know how to post pics, so if I could get some help on that, it would be really appreciated.
Now this is my first article, I have been reading this site for quite a while, and this is the first time I have ever posted something. I got this idea yesterday and couldn't get it out of my head, and I wanted to know what everyone here thought, since we are all so passionate about comicbook movies and about the Avengers and the potential of the marvel cinematic universe.
With the release of Captain America: the First Avenger, we are on step closer to the Avengers. The event that the past five Marvel Studio’s films have been building to, and have created an entire cinematic universe around. But what happens after the Avengers? We know Disney and Marvel Studios have Iron Man and Thor 2 scheduled for release in 2013, plus a Captain America sequel on the way. But what about other characters, how do we get characters like Antman, Doctor Strange, Black Panther and others onto screens. Where do they fit into this plan? I got an idea.
Marvel Studios is doing something never done before in film, a whole universe where there many different franchises can cross over. Basically bringing to life the comic book experience of reading a story from one characters, crossover from other character and references to other story that shape one universe. We get the experience of seeing how all theses different heroes interact in their worlds together.
Now I figure they can release up to two or three movies a year, so here is my proposed schedule that I would like to see. Now every movie can’t be released in the summer and I think this year showed it just get’s to crowded and there aren’t enough months in the summer. Marvel Studios needs to take advantage of the dry months (January-April, September-October). It shows with little out, a big event movie get’s audiences to go to theaters. Also take advantage of the holiday movie season, need to get some good action movies out then. Why have superheroes be exclusively summer, have them go into many different times of year, that way we can enjoy the Marvel Cinematic Universe and superhero movies all year around. Plus, let’s face it, not all heroes can have big summer draws, some need to think smaller and less prime release dates.
So here is the proposed schedule
2008
Iron Man-May 2, 2008
The Incredible Hulk-June 13, 2008
2010
Iron Man 2-May 7, 2010
2011
Thor-May 6, 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger-July 22, 2011
2012
The Avengers-May 4, 2012
2013
Iron Man 3-May 3, 2013
Thor 2-July 26, 2013
Antman-November 8, 2013
2014
Mrs. Marvel-March 14, 2014
Captain America: Winter Soldier-July 4, 2014
Black Panther-November 7, 2014
2015
Doctor Strange-April 3, 2015
Agents of SHIELD-July 31, 2015
2016
The Avengers 2-May 6, 2016
People worry about how good of quality of directors Marvel will be able to get, as a director will want to bring their own take to the character and what director would want to take orders to fit into a giant universe. But it worked for Harry Potter, they got four very talented director, who all brought their own unique directing styles and kept a sense of continuity to make one giant film series and one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises. So if they can do it, why can’t Marvel Studios. Here are some directors I would like to see tackle the superhero movies above.
Iron Man 3-Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)-I absolutely love the choice of Shane Black directing Iron Man 3, he has the right sense of comedy for the character of Tony Stark, and he knows how to combine action, comedy, and mystery all together (he wrote the Lethal Weapon series). It will be fun to see how he takes Iron Man in the spy and espionage direction.
Thor 2-Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2, Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian)-He has a good track record with making films in the fantasy genre, and both Narnia films had someone awesome action scenes, very well directed. Plus, the Shrek films showed he could handle the comedic elements of the story (he directed the only good Shrek films). Has a good boxoffice track record and has a good history with Disney. His tone and style would be a good fit for Thor, and a good director to take for Kenneth Branagh and bring the sequel in a different direction.
Antman-Edgar Wright (Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim VS the World)-Wright has been attached to Antman for years, and I think he is the perfect director for the film. While Antman sounds like a silly idea, Wright seems to have a great idea with making a spy film. Plus Wright’s fast paced, quick cut, action is a good fit for this character, to make him more interesting for the general audience. Have the movie be about Hank Pym and Wasp, and also Scott Lang. I would like to see Joe Anderson (Across the Universe, the Ruins, the Crazies) as Hank Pym. Nicki Clyne (Callie from Battlestar Galactica) as Wasp. And Eric Stoltz (Mask, Pulp Fiction, Sleep with Me, Caprcia) as Scott Lang.
Mrs. Marvel-Mary Harron (American Psycho, I Shot Andy Warhol, The Notorious Betty Page)-I think for a strong female superhero, you need a strong female director, and Harron has a good dramatic track record, and I would love to see what she would bring to a superhero film. He isn’t a big name, so she might come a bit cheaper, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a great director. Plus, I would like to see a Mrs. Marvel done like the X-Files, very creepy and mysterious (as it would involve aliens), so that’s one reason I picked Mary Harron, because she made a thriller like American Psycho. Also, I think actress Kate Mara (Iron Man 2, Shooter, Brokeback Mountain) should be Ms. Marvel. Reprising her small role from Iron Man 2, we never find out her name and only know she is a federal Marshall, so that could be Sharon Carter. She has the right look, beauty and attitude Ms. Marvel needs and would be a good way to show the universe, tie it into a bigger movie and have a small character become a superhero.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier-Joe Johnson (Captain America: The First Avenger, the Wolfman, Jumanji, the Rocketer, Jurassic Park 3, Honey I Shrunk the Kids)-Johnson is contracted two direct two Marvel Studios films, and he has expressed interest in directing a Winter Soldier movie. So why not combine Winter Soldier into the Captain America sequel, have Winter Soldier be an anti hero, a villain at first and redeem himself towards the end while being a big bad throughout, holding some hate for his former friend as he thinks he let him die. Johnson was the right man to direct Captain America because he knew the tone, and it would be great for him to return in a sequel and see how he brings the style to now. Also, have the film cut back and forth between 1940’s and now, as two story go on parallel that converge at one point (maybe some set up in 1940 like Baron Zemo). Plus, in 2014, the 4th of July lands on a Friday, and what’s more patriotic then seeing Captain America on the 4th of July weekend.
Black Panther-Anton Fuqua (Training Day, King Arthur, Shooter, Tears of the Sun, Brooklyn’s Finest)-Black Panther is a difficult character to adapt to screen, because you have to delve into not only a new element like Vibranium, but also Wakanda, and explain a whole country. I think it would work well as a short, but I know they want to make a movie, and he has enough material to cover a film. Fuqua style seems the right fit. King Arthur had the epic scope that Black Panther needs, Shooter had the action, and Training Day had the characters. He shoots his movies very dark and gritty, which is a good fit for Africa, to show Wakanda and how Black Panther is needed to help his people.
Doctor Strange-Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, William Shakespeare’s Romeo+Juliet, Australia, the Great Gatsby)-Marvel has expressed interest in doing a Doctor Strange movie, and I think he would have mass appeal, the magic aspect (what Disney is known for). It should have the magic and wonder of films like the early Harry Potter or The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, but also the dark exorcism elements like in Constantine and the later Harry Potter films. Baz to me is the best man for the job to capture the wonder and terror of magic, with his frequent uses bright distinct colors and fast-paced editing to convey the sense of wonder and action. He knows how to fill the screen and make something magical and wonderful. I am all for Patrick Dempsey as Doctor Strange also, so I think Marvel should cast him.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.-Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland, State of Play, the Eagle)-Marvel Studios have expressed interest in doing a movie for Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury. I think that’s too much for audiences and not enough for the characters, as they don’t have the big appeal. But maybe make a film that covers the history of SHIELD, from it’s founding to how it becomes so big in the Marvel Universe, and split up into segments for each character. Have the film focus on early days with Howard Stark and the Howling Commando’s finding it (maybe they are the first SHIELD agents), and move on to Nick Fury, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Maria Hill, Coulson, and introduce Spiderwoman, Mockingbird and Eric O’Grady as SHIELD agents. Show Fury’s rises to power, Hawkeye and Black Widow’s origin, and a team dynamic. Make a spy, espionage movie, very much like Mission Impossible or 24. Show the global threats they battle and what it is like to work for SHIELD. Cast I would like to see are…Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls, Sin City, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) as Spiderwoman. Will Arnett (Arrested Development, Running Wilde) as Eric O’Grady.
Also, Marvel Studios has expressed interest in doing short films to premier before their bigger movies (just like Pixar does) to introduce secondary characters. I think this is a great idea because not every character deserves their own feature length movie, so a short is a good way to introduce them to audiences and put them into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It works for Pixar, plus, it would give people more for their money. They not only get a movie but an extra short on a character, just like back in the 40’s when they would show a few cartoons and then the movie. Again, a very good way to introduce secondary characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it would take less time to put them in crossover movies. This way we could get to see Namor, She Hulk, Vision, ect, without a full movie or big budget. Shorts I would like to see, and with which movie…
SHORTS
Captain Marvel-Ms. Marvel-Captain Marvel would most likely be in a Ms. Marvel movie, so a good way to set him up a bit more, and to show him more would be a quick short/prequel, and help explain the Kree a bit more. Garret Hedlund (Tron: Legacy, Troy, Country Strong) would be my choice for Captain Marvel.
Namor-Captain America: Winter Soldier-Namor is one of the classic Marvel characters and one of there first, so it would be appropriate for his short to be before Captain America. Also, a quick way to set him up, and a way to show his hatred for humanity and why he does. Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica, Law & Order: UK) would be my choice for Prince Namor.
She Hulk-Black Panther-A good way to tie into the Hulk films, Jennifer Walters as a lawyer who gets a blood transfusion from her cousin, and becomes She Hulk. Short and simple and a good way to introduce her to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. No real reason to put her with Black Panther, but she is a good character for a short film. Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield, Mean Girls, Hot Tub Time Machine, True Blood) to me is the perfect She Hulk.
Iron Fist-Doctor Strange-Iron Fist is a very mystical character, so introducing him with Doctor Strange would be appropriate. Also, do something quick, establish his backstory and show some cool action, leave the audience wanting more.
Spider Woman-Agents of SHIELD-Spider Woman would be a part of the SHIELD movie, so explain her origin in the short so they could get straight to the plot and action in the SHIELD movie. Again, my choice for Spiderwoman is Alexis Bledel.
Theses are just my thoughts, I would love to know what you guys think and also what you all would like to see the Marvel Studios and Disney do with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what direction you would like to see it do, what films and what characters, and what story arcs? Please comment.