Comics and Movies

[Runwildboys]

Christopher Reeve with no s.

George Reeves(pictured below) with an s. Not Steve.

Steve Reeves

 

[Stash]

Christopher Reeve with no s.

George Reeves(pictured below) with an s. Not Steve.

That looks like Ben Affleck?

 

[Stash]

DC Studios was actually right to fire Superman Henry Cavill
By Johnny Oleksinski

December 15, 2022 | 4:03pm

DC Studios' new co-CEOs, James Gunn and Peter Safron, are making big changes to the DCEU's superhero franchises. Post photo composite
In 2012’s “Dark Knight Rises,” Batman’s foe Bane threatened to blow Gotham City to smithereens.

Bane lost. But ten years later, DC Studios is picking up where the villain left off and wiping out much of the existing DC Extended Universe of superheroes.

On Wednesday it was revealed that Henry Cavill was fired as Superman, a cape he has donned since 2013. The new heads of DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran, also recently nixed director Patty Jenkins’ plans for “Wonder Woman 3.” Meanwhile, actor Robert Pattinson’s “Batman” films and Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel, with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, will be allowed to move forward but will not be a part of the DCEU.

The takeaway is that DC is a monster mess that must be knocked down and rebuilt from scratch, regardless of what those crazed Zack Snyder fans will tell you. But the demolition won’t be easy.

The high-profile, high-stakes effort is one that almost nobody in Hollywood wanted to take on.

“The whole town turned the job down,” an industry source said. “It was almost Todd Phillips. They begged him.”

Ultimately Warner Bros. Discovery went with Gunn, who directed “Guardians of the Galaxy” for Marvel and “The Suicide Squad” for DC, and Safran, who produced “Shazam” and “Aquaman” at DC. The duo were helping Zaslav with the search to replace Walter Hamada, Dick Cheney-style, and wound up with the gig.

Some don’t believe Gunn, who has been in the role since October, is up to the task of turning around the struggling studio.

“Gunn has never run anything,” the source said. “I wonder if big filmmakers will work for another director with zero experience guiding movies through a huge grinder of a system. He’s not Kevin Feige [of Marvel].”


https://nypost.com/2022/12/15/dc-studios-was-actually-right-to-fire-superman-henry-cavill/amp/

 

[Runwildboys]

DC Studios was actually right to fire Superman Henry Cavill
By Johnny Oleksinski

December 15, 2022 | 4:03pm

DC Studios' new co-CEOs, James Gunn and Peter Safron, are making big changes to the DCEU's superhero franchises. Post photo composite
In 2012’s “Dark Knight Rises,” Batman’s foe Bane threatened to blow Gotham City to smithereens.

Bane lost. But ten years later, DC Studios is picking up where the villain left off and wiping out much of the existing DC Extended Universe of superheroes.

On Wednesday it was revealed that Henry Cavill was fired as Superman, a cape he has donned since 2013. The new heads of DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran, also recently nixed director Patty Jenkins’ plans for “Wonder Woman 3.” Meanwhile, actor Robert Pattinson’s “Batman” films and Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel, with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, will be allowed to move forward but will not be a part of the DCEU.

The takeaway is that DC is a monster mess that must be knocked down and rebuilt from scratch, regardless of what those crazed Zack Snyder fans will tell you. But the demolition won’t be easy.

The high-profile, high-stakes effort is one that almost nobody in Hollywood wanted to take on.

“The whole town turned the job down,” an industry source said. “It was almost Todd Phillips. They begged him.”

Ultimately Warner Bros. Discovery went with Gunn, who directed “Guardians of the Galaxy” for Marvel and “The Suicide Squad” for DC, and Safran, who produced “Shazam” and “Aquaman” at DC. The duo were helping Zaslav with the search to replace Walter Hamada, Dick Cheney-style, and wound up with the gig.

Some don’t believe Gunn, who has been in the role since October, is up to the task of turning around the struggling studio.

“Gunn has never run anything,” the source said. “I wonder if big filmmakers will work for another director with zero experience guiding movies through a huge grinder of a system. He’s not Kevin Feige [of Marvel].”


https://nypost.com/2022/12/15/dc-studios-was-actually-right-to-fire-superman-henry-cavill/amp/

I read this article to see why it justified the firing of Cavill, but there wasn't a word of explanation about that. That's pretty much beyond the definition of "click bait".

 

[DallasEast]

Some don’t believe Gunn, who has been in the role since October, is up to the task of turning around the struggling studio.

“Gunn has never run anything,” the source said. “I wonder if big filmmakers will work for another director with zero experience guiding movies through a huge grinder of a system. He’s not Kevin Feige [of Marvel].”

It is a valid observation. It can even be extended to how director's resume has translated in superhero movie box office.

On the Marvel hand, Gunn's two Guardians of the Galaxy movies have netted a combined $1.6 billion worldwide. On the DC hand, his The Suicide Squad brought in less than $169 million in global ticket sales. TSS brought in less than the original Suicide Squad at $746 million in worldwide gross, which I still consider was the better movie--even though I may be in the audience minority with that opinion.

Gunn should be mindful of how he advises directors assigned to his DCU vision. Their vision may be more laser focused than his own.

 

[Stash]

I read this article to see why it justified the firing of Cavill, but there wasn't a word of explanation about that. That's pretty much beyond the definition of "click bait".

I think the author’s ‘justification’ is the dysfunction and poor box office and critical disdain for the current DC film universe, and a widely-held opinion that they need to do a total reset.

 

[Stash]

It is a valid observation. It can even be extended to how director's resume has translated in superhero movie box office.

On the Marvel hand, Gunn's two Guardians of the Galaxy movies have netted a combined $1.6 billion worldwide. On the DC hand, his The Suicide Squad brought in less than $169 million in global ticket sales. TSS brought in less than the original Suicide Squad at $746 million in worldwide gross, which I still consider was the better movie--even though I may be in the audience minority with that opinion.

Gunn should be mindful of how he advises directors assigned to his DCU vision. Their vision may be more laser focused than his own.

Seeing all of his Marvel and DC films, I see an artist with a great sense of humor who is a bit unhinged and doesn’t take anything seriously.

Under Marvel, he had some checks and balances. Sure you can do this, no you can’t do that. Guardrails. In Suicide Squad? I didn’t see them, and I think the film went too far at times, which limits the potential audience.

I question whether that’s the guy you want to put in charge. It always helps me to believe the claim that nobody else would take the job.

 

[joseephuss]

That looks like Ben Affleck?

Twas merely a joke to illustrate I wasn't being overly serious in correcting someone in the difference between Reeve and Reeves. A mistake most people, including myself, often make when typing their respective names. Mistakes similar to Michael Irving, Jay Novachek or Jason Whitten.

 

[Runwildboys]

I think the author’s ‘justification’ is the dysfunction and poor box office and critical disdain for the current DC film universe, and a widely-held opinion that they need to do a total reset.

Maybe, but he's the last person who should've been mentioned to justify the move. He's been the best part of the DCEU, and that includes the goddess Gal Gadot.

 

[DallasEast]

DC Studios was actually right to fire Superman Henry Cavill
By Johnny Oleksinski

December 15, 2022 | 4:03pm

DC Studios' new co-CEOs, James Gunn and Peter Safron, are making big changes to the DCEU's superhero franchises. Post photo composite
In 2012’s “Dark Knight Rises,” Batman’s foe Bane threatened to blow Gotham City to smithereens.

Bane lost. But ten years later, DC Studios is picking up where the villain left off and wiping out much of the existing DC Extended Universe of superheroes.

On Wednesday it was revealed that Henry Cavill was fired as Superman, a cape he has donned since 2013. The new heads of DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran, also recently nixed director Patty Jenkins’ plans for “Wonder Woman 3.” Meanwhile, actor Robert Pattinson’s “Batman” films and Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel, with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, will be allowed to move forward but will not be a part of the DCEU.

The takeaway is that DC is a monster mess that must be knocked down and rebuilt from scratch, regardless of what those crazed Zack Snyder fans will tell you. But the demolition won’t be easy.

The high-profile, high-stakes effort is one that almost nobody in Hollywood wanted to take on.

“The whole town turned the job down,” an industry source said. “It was almost Todd Phillips. They begged him.”

Ultimately Warner Bros. Discovery went with Gunn, who directed “Guardians of the Galaxy” for Marvel and “The Suicide Squad” for DC, and Safran, who produced “Shazam” and “Aquaman” at DC. The duo were helping Zaslav with the search to replace Walter Hamada, Dick Cheney-style, and wound up with the gig.

Some don’t believe Gunn, who has been in the role since October, is up to the task of turning around the struggling studio.

“Gunn has never run anything,” the source said. “I wonder if big filmmakers will work for another director with zero experience guiding movies through a huge grinder of a system. He’s not Kevin Feige [of Marvel].”


https://nypost.com/2022/12/15/dc-studios-was-actually-right-to-fire-superman-henry-cavill/amp/

In any case, Gunn is starting out guns-a-blazing with a young Superman film that he has written and says is not an origin story.

Hopefully this holds true. It is especially true of the DC Big Three. Books. Movies. Live and animated television series. You name it. At this point, who in the audience does not know Kal-El is from Krypton? Or does not know Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered? Or that Wonder Woman grew up on Themyscira?

One thing I enjoyed a lot about Spider-Man: Homecoming is that it totally skips his origin story and chooses to loosely reference it during the movie. Anyone watching the movie and still had no idea how Peter Parker gained his abilities probably should have avoided it anyway. All movies ain't for everyone. That sounds snobbish. I agree, lol.

A non-origin Superman movie can devote more run time to solidly establishing the character as the primary flag bearer for the DCU. If that means giving Clark Kent equal treatment, good. Perhaps that angle would be more relatable to audiences. Make the actor playing him the foundation like Robert Downey Jr. accomplished for the MCU.

 

[joseephuss]

Steve Reeves

Thanks for that. I couldn't recall where I recognized that name from until this post.

 

[quickccc]

The thing about Chris Evans' superhero recognizable roles is that one has nothing to do with the MCU and the other has everything to do with it. Even hardcore comics fans do not experience deja vu with Evans having played both parts for that reason.

Recognizing or not recognizing people with or without makeup happens every day. A few folks remember Gemma Chan as Minn-Erva while watching Eternals. Most people do not. Similar things happen all the time in life.
Hopefully, I did not post something earlier leading anyone to believe I thought most people would care about an actor playing multiple roles. That was not what I was trying to get across. I was saying some (maybe few is more appropriate) think of an actor's previous role while watching their current role involuntarily. And that it is far notable for a minority of viewers within a concept like an interwoven cinematic universe, where relatable storylines purposefully intersect with one another--regardless if a previous role has been made defunct.

Take your Jason Momoa example for a second. I did not think of his previous roles while watching him play in Aquaman and Justice League--even though I enjoyed watching him in Stargate: Atlantis and Game of Thrones beforehand--because his past roles as Ronon Dex and Khal Drogo had nothing to do with the DC Extended Universe that Arthur Murray is a part of.

On the other hand, it would be different for me if Momoa was cast as Lobo. The Main Man is a huge DC character, arguably at the same level as Aquaman. So for me (just me and the minority of folks like myself), I would still have flashbacks of Arthur facing off with his half-brother while seeing Lobo fragging folks while chomping down on a cigar. Let me be clear. I am not saying Momoa's performance would diminish in my eyes. I am saying I would experience split-second flashes of the role he previously played within the same cinematic universe.

BTW, i just was not fond of Gemma Chan casting as Sersi in Eternals movie ... she just did not bring wow appeal to the light and stage at all.
i forgot about her the minute the movie was movie was over.
And Sersi is a very prominent Eternal member there is in the Marvel Comics..

 

[Runwildboys]

Hopefully this holds true. It is especially true of the DC Big Three. Books. Movies. Live and animated television series. You name it. At this point, who in the audience does not know Kal-El is from Krypton? Or does not know Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered? Or that Wonder Woman grew up on Themyscira?

One thing I enjoyed a lot about Spider-Man: Homecoming is that it totally skips his origin story and chooses to loosely reference it during the movie. Anyone watching the movie and still had no idea how Peter Parker gained his abilities probably should have avoided it anyway. All movies ain't for everyone. That sounds snobbish. I agree, lol.

A non-origin Superman movie can devote more run time to solidly establishing the character as the primary flag bearer for the DCU. If that means giving Clark Kent equal treatment, good. Perhaps that angle would be more relatable to audiences. Make the actor playing him the foundation like Robert Downey Jr. accomplished for the MCU.

There are probably plenty of young viewers who know little about Superman's origins, but you can't go through that every time you make a new movie. That said, if they're going to completely revamp the franchise, they should at least do a cursory recap to start the first new movie, or use flashbacks.

 

[quickccc]

Thanks for that. I couldn't recall where I recognized that name from until this post.

from the Hercules old movie movies ..?
i think i've seen a couple displayed on Tubi TV.

 

[Stash]

Maybe, but he's the last person who should've been mentioned to justify the move. He's been the best part of the DCEU, and that includes the goddess Gal Gadot.

No argument here! That’s why I mentioned that I was disappointed with the decision and if he’s not coming back, NONE of them should.

Commit to a totally fresh start.

But I think the saying is true, you get one chance at a first impression. And there is no a ‘stench of failure’ (for lack of a better, less harsh term) around DC that may take a long string of successes to chase away.

 

[Runwildboys]

BTW, i just was not fond of Gemma Chan casting as Sersi in Eternals movie ... she just did not bring wow appeal to the light and stage at all.
i forgot about her the minute the movie was movie was over.
And Sersi is a very prominent Eternal member there is in the Marvel Comics..

Did anybody bring "wow appeal" to that movie? The only 2 people I even remember offhand are Salma Hayek and the guy who was a Bollywood actor in the movie. (Just because he was so ridiculous.)

 

[DallasEast]

DC Studios was actually right to fire Superman Henry Cavill
By Johnny Oleksinski

December 15, 2022 | 4:03pm

DC Studios' new co-CEOs, James Gunn and Peter Safron, are making big changes to the DCEU's superhero franchises. Post photo composite
In 2012’s “Dark Knight Rises,” Batman’s foe Bane threatened to blow Gotham City to smithereens.

Bane lost. But ten years later, DC Studios is picking up where the villain left off and wiping out much of the existing DC Extended Universe of superheroes.

On Wednesday it was revealed that Henry Cavill was fired as Superman, a cape he has donned since 2013. The new heads of DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran, also recently nixed director Patty Jenkins’ plans for “Wonder Woman 3.” Meanwhile, actor Robert Pattinson’s “Batman” films and Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel, with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, will be allowed to move forward but will not be a part of the DCEU.

The takeaway is that DC is a monster mess that must be knocked down and rebuilt from scratch, regardless of what those crazed Zack Snyder fans will tell you. But the demolition won’t be easy.

The high-profile, high-stakes effort is one that almost nobody in Hollywood wanted to take on.

“The whole town turned the job down,” an industry source said. “It was almost Todd Phillips. They begged him.”

Ultimately Warner Bros. Discovery went with Gunn, who directed “Guardians of the Galaxy” for Marvel and “The Suicide Squad” for DC, and Safran, who produced “Shazam” and “Aquaman” at DC. The duo were helping Zaslav with the search to replace Walter Hamada, Dick Cheney-style, and wound up with the gig.

Some don’t believe Gunn, who has been in the role since October, is up to the task of turning around the struggling studio.

“Gunn has never run anything,” the source said. “I wonder if big filmmakers will work for another director with zero experience guiding movies through a huge grinder of a system. He’s not Kevin Feige [of Marvel].”


https://nypost.com/2022/12/15/dc-studios-was-actually-right-to-fire-superman-henry-cavill/amp/

Another thorn, though, is that NBCUniversal is said to be eyeing a purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, so whatever strategic changes Gunn and Safran make could be jettisoned soon enough anyway. Zaslav denied that WB is for sale during a town hall, but the industry source insisted “they are a cash-poor company being stripped to be sold.”

Productions: Howard the Duck, Hulk
Distributions: The Incredible Hulk, Kick-<expletive>, Kick-<expletive> 2

https://marvel-movies.fandom.com/wiki/Universal_Pictures


Even as a fan of the original Kick-<expletive> film, I am not really comfortable with NBCUniversal getting their hands on DC with that track record...

 

[Stash]

Productions: Howard the Duck, Hulk
Distributions: The Incredible Hulk, Kick-<expletive>, Kick-<expletive> 2

https://marvel-movies.fandom.com/wiki/Universal_Pictures


Even as a fan of the original Kick-<expletive> film, I am not really comfortable with NBCUniversal getting their hands on DC with that track record...

Agreed!

I recently saw the latest Minions, Halloween and Jurassic World films for FREE on Peacock and I STILL felt ripped off!

 

[DallasEast]

BTW, i just was not fond of Gemma Chan casting as Sersi in Eternals movie ... she just did not bring wow appeal to the light and stage at all.
i forgot about her the minute the movie was movie was over.
And Sersi is a very prominent Eternal member there is in the Marvel Comics..

I liked her better as Sersi than I did as Minn-Erva but I kinda know how you feel. I wanted to hit someone in the back of the head with a shovel for chemically neutering Salma Hayek's Ajak in Eternals.

 

[DallasEast]

There are probably plenty of young viewers who know little about Superman's origins, but you can't go through that every time you make a new movie. That said, if they're going to completely revamp the franchise, they should at least do a cursory recap to start the first new movie, or use flashbacks.

Gotta question any satisfactory cursory recap. Do a recap of any part of his life in Smallville? It should include a summary of the Kents and/or experiences in his hometown.

He is not human. That begs an additional recap of where he comes from. That's Krypton. Likewise, relevant details of his Kryptonian heritage and why he survived while practically everyone else did not must be retold as well.

Flashbacks? I must admit wanting to see how a director would insert them in a movie. Not because I do not believe it cannot be done well. They could look fantastic but I remember how Zack Snyder's flashbacks in Man of Steel were received. There was some negative criticism for his usage of flashbacks (along with other stuff) but I have always thought they were done well and did not distract from the overall film. I guess my curiosity would compare how flashbacks would be presented in a new movie against Snyder's and wait-and-read what moviegoers thought of them.