2014 was geektastic year for comic book and sci-fi fans with Marvel movies, a new Doctor Who and Godzilla’s comeback!
Here’s what I hope to see or announced in 2014 – and here’s what actually happened.
1. All New Cast for X-Men: Apocalypse!
Bryan Singer revealed he’s on board for 2016 film set to star the First Class cast. After the time twisting elements of X-Men: Days of Future Past – it’s a perfect opportunity for Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) to start over and discover a young Cyclops, Jean, Storm and even the impossible task of recasting a wild loner named Logan! (UPDATE: The new film will be set in the 1980’s and feature new actors in younger versions of Scott Summers, Jean Grey and Storm. Oscar Isaac has been cast as Apocalypse.)
2. Hugh Jackman in Wolverine and Kitty Pryde.
I know I’m countering my previous wish but if Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold return for a solo Wolverine movie I hope it’s based in part on this other classic tale by Chris Claremont set in Japan. Ellen Page as Kitty could join Jackman in this supernatural tale of family, honor and demons. (UPDATE: Hugh Jackman will appear in X-Men: Apocalypse but no official word on a new Wolverine solo film)
3. Daniel Craig returns as James Bond 007 in SPECTRE!
Don’t “Khan” it! Producers have the rights to bring back the classic S.P.E.C.T.R.E. and their sinister leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, back to the big screen for the first time since the Sean Connery era! I want to see Craig’s Bond kill and seduced his way up the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. food chain until a final showdown with the bald, bad criminal genius with a fondness for white kitties. (UPDATE: We nailed this one! Bond returns in SPECTRE – the new title for then next 007 film is based on the evil organization from classic Connery movies. Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz and Dave Bautista of Guardians of the Galaxy are part of the cast.)
4. Fantastic Four teaser in X-Men: Days of Future Past!
I think Fox’s Marvel movie team (including Mark Millar) have a “Fantastic” teaser moment in the post-credits sequence for us! How about Dr. McCoy calling on a young Reed Richards in class or Logan and Ben Grimm sharing a brew? (UPDATE: The rebooted Fantastic Four will veer from comics canon and not be in the same cinematic universe of the X-Men.)
5. The Massive will become a movie or television series!
Brad Pitt as sniper/professional soldier turned conservationist Callum Israel and executive producing a big-screen version of Brian Wood’s epic series of pacifist environmentalists now fighting for survival and searching for their sister ship in a post-apocalyptic world. With Naomi Campbell as Mary, Callum’s tough devoted lover and Dwayne Johnson as Mag, Callum’s fellow soldier turned activist. (UPDATE: The final arc Ragnarok is underway. No word on a film but fingers crossed.)
6. Rian Johnson
The director of Looper should be up for any superhero movie he wants! How about Doctor Strange? (UPDATE: Scott Derrickson will direct Doctor Strange for Marvel but Johnson is signed up for Star Wars IX and VIII.)
7. Lex Luthor in Superman vs. Batman!
Enough speculation – let’s have the charming but ruthless genius/C.E.O. manipulate the conflict between the DC titans but in a sequel having him fitted for a Lexcorp Battlesuit! (UPDATE: Jesse Eisenberg will play a young Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.)
8. Doctor Who, Agent of ?
I’d like to see the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) forced to an agent of a greater power. I always enjoyed when the Time Lords forced the Third and Fourth Doctor to go on missions for them. My first Doctor Who arc was Tom Baker on a quest for The Key to Time by the White Guardian. The Time Lords forced Baker’s Who to investigate the Genesis of the Daleks. Capaldi reminds me of Jon Pertwee, who was a UNIT scientific adviser. I liked seeing the anti-authority rebel Doctor sometimes forced to work at the whim of a higher authority. (UPDATE: The new Doctor explored time and space with Clara while a mystery woman named Missy (Michelle Gomez) has a brief appearance before the two-part finale revelation: Missy was the Doctor’s oldest enemy: The Master. The regenerated renegade Time Lord was secretly building an army of Cybermen.)
9. Spacey cameos in Guardians of the Galaxy!
The Collector, The Nova Corps and Ronan the Accuser will appear in the big screen adventure based on Marvel’s space faring team. I’m sure if Ronan is a villain then we’ll see the Supreme Intelligence or Yon-Rogg, the Kree officer connected to the transformation of Carol Danvers into Ms. Marvel – now known as Captain Marvel. (UPDATE: Guardians of the Galaxy featured the cosmic comeback no one was expecting – Howard the Duck! Kevin Feige has announced a Captain Marvel film in 2018 but expect Carol Danvers to appear in an earlier film.)
10. Black Cat in Amazing Spider-Man 2! Sony is spinning spinoffs starring Venom and the Sinister Six but have about Peter Parker’s femme fatale? There are some reports Felicity Jones will play Felicia Hardy – the cat burglar anti-heroine. (UPDATE: Sony is reportedly planning a spinoff starring a female superhero. Felicia Hardy was the logical choice but what about Spider-Gwen? The Spider-Verse story introduced Gwen Stacy as the costumed hero of an alternate Earth and already has a solo book on the way. With Spider-Gwen’s sudden popularity and Emma Stone’s star power, Sony could move this new heroine with a classic heritage into the solo slot.
11. Misty Knight and Colleen Wing in Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones.
The tough private detectives (Knight Wing Restorations) aka the Daughters of the Dragon are integral players in the world of Murdock, Cage, Rand and Jones. Misty and Danny Rand always made one hot couple. (UPDATE: No word on Knight & Wing but Rosario Dawson is playing Claire Temple and Deborah Ann Woll will play Karen Paige.)
12. Steranko in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Stan Lee deserves every cameo he wants but how about giving the legendary Jim Steranko a role in the ABC series or flashback arc that salutes the groundbreaking Steranko era of Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. UPDATE: Who knows? But you can see his weekly take on the series on Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision.
13. Fatale The hit horror/crime noir Image series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips would be a smash and (would have to be on HBO, Showtime, Cinemax.) Josephine is cursed and so is every man who falls in love with her as she runs through the decades from demonic forces and killer cults.
14. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
This is THE story that made be love Steve Rogers all over again. Ed Brubaker’s epic take on the Star-Spangled Avenger and his resurrected best friend is one of my all-time favorite comic book storylines. I hope this sequel is such a smash that we see a Winter Soldier/Black Widow movie based on Brubaker’s spinoff series.
There you have it – my 14 geek wishes I hope to see or have announced in 2014. What’s on your wish list? Comment below or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter @comicsblend and check out our Best of 2013 recaps.
By Editor