COMIC CON 2009 NEWS WRAP UP
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| Andrew Kosarko Comic Con PODCAST July 25 2009! |
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COMIC CON 2009 NEWS WRAP-UP
Superhero News
by Andrew Kosarko
So the Superhero’s were out in full force this weekend, saving us the fans from a lack of news. Hall H was the place to be this weekend, and baby…
..here
….we
…..go!
Gary Oldman drops a Bat-Bomb
During the panel Q&A for Book of Eli, Gary Oldman was questioned by a fan on the status of the next Batman film. “We start next year, I think, so it’s at least 2 years away.” Which sent the crowd, and the internet into an uproar of happiness. While this is not really all that much, it basically eliminates any questioning of the cast / crew – most importantly Chris Nolan returning. Whether or not the film goes into production next year is another question. Nolan and company are notorious for trying to keep as much about productions under lid and having the most anticipated sequel on his workload isn’t going to help. While nothing about the workings / release of the film can be confirmed from this, I’d say it’s a safe bet that Nolan is on board and the wheels are turning…
Iron Man 2 steals the show….
So the cast and crew of Iron Man 2 where in town to unveil some footage from the film and take questions. The footage showcased Tony Stark arguing with the government about the applications of his suit and whether it should be confiscated by the US government. There were also the first looks at War Machine, Justin Hammer, Whiplash, Black Widow, Nick Fury and Don Cheadle taking over the role of Col. James Rhodes.
Kickass gets a thumbs up….yet still sets still…
Matthew Vaughn presented footage from Kickass, based off a comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. that was met with thumbs up from it’s massive audience. The problem however, is that the film makers still have problems finding a distrubution deal for the film. Apparently studios don’t realize that fanboys mocking themselves is the nature of this film. While it is indeed Watchmen-esque with it’s language, violence and politically incorrect humor, it’s an original and unique world all it’s own. If anything, it’s worth a theatrical release. Time will tell on this one, but I’m pretty sure it’ll eventually find a home.
Jonah Hex footage screened
The teaser poster and some footage was shown in trailer-style format, but was assured that it was not a trailer for Jonah Hex. This will no doubt be WB/DC’s final R-rated film as production began before Watchmen and the decision to pull back on R-rated comic films. The footage contained a lot of exploration of Hex’s scars and Megan Fox (who apparently does have some nudity in the film.) While this film doesn’t have a giant following, the sheer concept of a cowboy superhero with machine guns on a horse and voodoo powers is enough to make people wander into see it, despite it’s rating. That and once word spreads of Megan Fox showing some skin and the rest of the cast’s immense pool of talent.
Wanted 2 gets the bullets rolling…
Wanted 2 is slated to go into production in the late part of this year, possibly an early start next year. Mark Millar spoke about a production start in 8 weeks but ComingSoon.net has since spoken further with Timur Bekmambetov, the director of the first and soon to be second film, and said that they may start PRE-production in 8 weeks. The script is complete but a lot of planning goes into a film like this. Either way, it’s a safe bet that this sequel about international assassins will happen.
Smallville panel has a first….
Sunday’s smallville panel had a first – Tom Welling showing up for the Q&A. Not only is welling now starring on the show, directing two episodes this season, but he will serve as an executive producer this season. Which says to me, he’s in it for the long run now. Producers spoke of gunning for a 10th season and there’s been strong talk that Clark will dawn a costume this season and eventually transition the show, as many have rallied for, into a Sequel Series called “Metropolis.” For my fellow Smallville-Lex fans – no mention of a return for Michael Rosenbaum, but never say never.
Trick R’ Treat screened and loved
Not a fanboy film I know, but Michael Dougherty’s (co-writer of Superman Returns) film “Trick or Treat” was screened for over 4,500 people with rave approval of the film. I have been personally waiting for this since it was completed in 2007. The film follows a narrative set up like that of Creepshow but with an overall plot that ties them all together. The film seems to pay adaquete tribute to 70/80’s horror films with limited CGI, if any, and cinematography (what makes a horror film work IMO) that breaks the cliché conventions of norm. The film has not gotten a theatrical release, because what seems to be fear on the studio’s part. Why a film like “Orphan” gets backing over a movie like this will not be known to me, but the film will come out on DVD in October. I’ll be reviewing it the next day…so you’ll know if it’s worth the hype. Which from the footage I’ve seen….it will be.
Sigourney Weaver came out and announced in an interview that she will not be taking part in the next installment of the Ghostbusters film. While that may pose problems for the humor that comes from Bill Murray’s character, I can honestly admit she bored the heck out of me in those movies so her loss is not much to my expectations. She did say that she suggested they incorporate her character’s son from the second film if they wanted to carry on anything from her character. Either way…..whatever. As long as we have the original 4 and Rick Moranis (which I honestly haven’t heard if he’s back or not) then I think we’re good.
District 9 takes the day
Apparently the advanced showing of District 9 stole a lot of thunder over the weekend getting rave reviews from all that saw it. The film was produced by Peter Jackson and is basically an original film using concepts that were originally created for the now dead in the water Halo film. The story of the film follows alien refugees who refuse to share their advanced weaponry with mankind because of the problems it would cause. A lone reporter then is exposed to some kind of virus that begins mutating his human DNA into the Alien DNA, which is the necessary key to unlock the weapons abilities, making him public enemy number one for both races. The biggest thing raved about this film is the use of CGI. I myself have seen the trailer and did not realize that every single alien in the film is CGI. I haven’t seen it that good since Jurassic Park. While I may not agree with the politics of the film (from what I’ve gathered from the trailer) I may go see it for the aesthetics of the CGI.
Avatar Day – August 21
James Cameron’s highly anticipated film “Avatar” has a preview day slated for August 21 in which select theaters will be showing 15 minute of the film in 3-D all day. Avatar takes us to a spectacular new world beyond our imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption, discovery and unexpected love, as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. The film was first conceived by Cameron 14 years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not yet exist. Now, after four years of actual production work, Avatar delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film, disappears into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story.
Tron: Legacy
If you haven’t seen Tron….you don’t know what kind of 80’s technology based movie you’re missing. However, somehow, the idea was formed into a sequel that I was very pessimistic about checking out. Until I watched the Vis FX sequence from Comic Con and had MY MIND BLOWN AWAY. Not to mention, if the film is in 3-D (which it IS). The sequence is basically a very major rip of 2 sequences from Star Wars – the speeder bike case from Jedi and the podracer sequence from Phantom Menace. But once again, someone else does George Lucas…..better than George Lucas.
Miami Vice
