“Heroes, Villains, and Me” is a weekly article on Geeky KOOL by Larry Litle about the world of comic books and my reaction to it. “Heroes, Villains, and Me” is not a comic book review article. I will write about current events, speculation and rumors, or my own wacky thoughts about the world of comic books.
From the time I started reading comic books in the mid 70’s, I have always desired to see my favorite characters in movies and on Television. In the 70’s we settled for cartoon versions that were often poorly done. I watched a bunch of bad television adaptations such as the Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and the terrible Captain America television movies.
There were a few great superhero movies in the 80’s. Superman II and Batman were fantastic and I still love them. But most of the super movies were just terrible. We started to see some really awesome comic movies with The X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002) but still there were a ton of hit and miss movies in the 2000s (Daredevil anyone?).
Now Marvel and DC are on a bit of role with good to great movies. We know that both groups are adding more and more characters to their larger movie universes. There is a lot of anticipation for Avengers 2, Superman/Batman, Justice League, and many more.
I have a list of superhero characters I would love to see on the big screen but we probably will not get movies for these characters. This is part one of my list. I will include part two tomorrow.
10) Captain Marvel/ Shazam
Why It Would Be KOOL:
As a kid in the 1970s, I love the Saturday morning version of Shazam. But I would love a movie version of the comic and not the Saturday morning version. Young orphan Billy Batson is chosen by the Wizard Shazam and given great super powers. When Billy says Shazam, he is transformed into Captain Marvel, an adult with similar powers to Superman yet he still has the mind of a youth. This can lead to all sorts of interesting plot twists. I would love to see the villainous Black Adam on the big screen.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen:
Many people see Captain Marvel or Shazam (as he is known as in the new 52) as an antiquated character. He is a boy in a man’s body. As KOOL as I find Captain Marvel, it would be difficult to demonstrate the awesomeness of his character.
Why We Might See It Anyway:
There is a group of Marvel Family fans out there. The 1970’s series was quite popular on Saturday mornings. If you can remind us about the fun of the character from our childhood then just maybe we could see this happen.
9) Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil
Why It Would Be KOOL:
You take a Tarzan like character and jungle girl character with a temper and place them in a hidden and mysterious jungle in Antarctica. You add in dinosaurs roaming this same land. This could be such a fun movie.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen:
It would be difficult to convince a movie studio that there would be an audience for this movie. The cost of these special effect would be high. They would need a writer that understand the premise and the characters. Unfortunately, Ka-Zar is not a well known character and would not have a lot of name recongization.
Why We Might See It Anyway:
There would be Dinosaurs and saber-tooth tigers and Dinosaurs are KOOL!
8) Ms Marvel/ Captain Marvel
Why It Would Be KOOL:
Marvel’s newest Captain Marvel (aka Ms Marvel) is a great female hero. She is a complex as a person. She is a superior test pilot. She is extremely powerful but questions herself at times. She is a great girl power role model and proves that girls can do anything boys can do.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen:
I have two reasons this movie probably will never get made. Firstly, the movie studios seem very gun shy about a singular female superhero. If DC won’t make Wonder Woman, then why would Marvel/Disney take a chance on Captain Marvel.
The second reason has to do with her complex back story. It would require introducing the Kree and Mar-Vell (aka Marvel’s first Captain Marvel). The backstory will require its own movie before you can tell about the awesomeness of Captain Marvel.
Why We Might See It Anyway:
If DC finally makes a Wonder Woman movie or TV series and it is successful, then the Studios will become much more open to other female heroes.
7) Devil Dinosaur
Why It Would Be KOOL:
A giant T-Rex with intelligence and his friend Moon-Boy, caveman like character. They have wild adventures in this strange world. Devil Dinosaur fights to survive again other dinosaurs and budding humanity. He and Moon-Boy are reluctant heroes. They were the creation of Jack Kirby.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen:
These stories are perfect for comics or maybe even an animated series but it would be extremely hard to make a good Devil Dinosaur live action movie. I don’t think a movie writer could get enough inside of the mind of Kirby to do it justice.
Why We Might See It Anyway:
Again- There would be Dinosaurs and Dinosaurs are KOOL!
6) All Star Squadron
Why It Would Be KOOL:
Masked mystery men and women fight crime during World War II. They are brought together by President Roosevelt to protect the States while the war is being fought over there. The Nazis have their own super soldiers and fight against the All Star Squadron.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen:
Here is a team book that DC hasn’t utilized since the mid 80’s. They have it buried in their archives. As much as I loved these comic and believe they could be awesome on the big screen, I don’t think DC/Warner would give them a chance.
Why We Might See It Anyway:
If and Avengers 2 and the Justice League movie are a huge success, we just might open up the possibilities of other less known super teams.
(Check out Part 2 tomorrow)
Stay Geeky My Friends!
