X-MEN Director Almost Directed CASINO ROYALE?

The Cast of X-Men: First Class courtesy Marvel.com
The Cast of X-Men: First Class courtesy Marvel.com

Matthew Vaughn gave X-Men: First Class a sense of 1960’s James Bondian intrigue mixed with mutant drama. Vaughn directed Kingsman: The Secret Service, the new espionage film based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons.

 

Now Vaughn reveals he almost directed the film that relaunched the 007 franchise and turned Daniel Craig in the modern day James Bond. Continue reading X-MEN Director Almost Directed CASINO ROYALE?

JAMES BOND 24 Update

Daniel Craig in Skyfall courtesy Eon Productions
Daniel Craig in Skyfall courtesy Eon Productions

Daniel Craig will return as James Bond. Writer John Logan is on board for the follow-up to Skyfall which co-wrote. Logan is writing solo this time. Expectations are at (to borrow the theme from Octopussy) at an All-Time High after the critical and box-office success of Skyfall. Continue reading JAMES BOND 24 Update

14 Geek Wishes for 2014 Movies & Television!

X-Men #183 courtesy Marvel
X-Men #183 courtesy Marvel

2014 will be superstar year for comic book and sci-fi fans with Marvel movies, a new Doctor Who, The Walking Dead returns and Godzilla’s comeback!

 

But a geek can dream – here’s what I hope to see or announced in 2014.

 

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!

 

Wolverine #11 courtesy Marvel
Wolverine #11 courtesy Marvel

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

The Massive #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics
The Massive #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics

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.

 

 

6. Rian Johnson

The director of Looper should be up for any superhero movie he wants! How about Doctor Strange?

 

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!

 

courtesy BBC and Facebook/DoctorWho
courtesy BBC and Facebook/DoctorWho

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.

 

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.

 

Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #2 courtesy Marvel.com
Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #2 courtesy Marvel.com

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.

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Black Widow and The Winter Soldier from the cover of Captain America and Bucky #624 courtesy Marvel.com
Black Widow and The Winter Soldier from the cover of Captain America and Bucky #624 courtesy Marvel.com

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

MAN OF STEEL That Could Have Been JAMES BOND

Man of Steel courtesy Warner Brothers photo by Clay Enos
Man of Steel courtesy Warner Brothers photo by Clay Enos

Henry Cavill is soaring as Superman in Man of Steel and will fly again in sequels and a possible Justice League movie.

 

Imagine Cavill as James Bond or Edward Cullen?

 

Cavill’s road to Superman includes a list of roles in other huge film franchises that he lost. The star reveals to ABC News he lost out on playing James Bond in Casino Royale to Daniel Craig. He lost Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire and Edward Cullen in The Twilight Saga to Robert Pattinson. Craig has starred in 3 James Bond films and is contracted for 2 more.

 

“Daniel Craig was absolutely Continue reading MAN OF STEEL That Could Have Been JAMES BOND

Who Should Direct James Bond 24?

Skyfall set photo courtesy Empire
Skyfall set photo courtesy Empire

Sam Mendes will not return for James Bond 24. I named the Oscar winning director of Skyfall the Best Franchise Savior in My Geek Oscars.

The director of the next Bond film has a daunting task after the huge critical praise and billion dollar box office success of Skyfall. Mendes set the next 007 film up for success with his introduction of a new M, Miss Moneypenny and a new Q. The next Bond film has all the trappings even screenwriter John Logan is back to pen the new adventure. Who should direct the next James Bond film?

Let’s eliminate the obvious choice. Christopher Nolan has said he would not consider taking on 007 unless there was an opportunity to start fresh with a new actor in the role. Daniel Craig is keeping the tux.

Now here are my 7 directors for 007: Continue reading Who Should Direct James Bond 24?

Quick Takes: Bond, Apes, Poltergeist

Skyfall set photo courtesy Empire
Skyfall set photo courtesy Empire

Sam Mendes will not return to direct the next James Bond film. (Sigh)

“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” the director told Empire. “Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond.”

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Keri Russell will play the female lead in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes according to the Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision. Russell will join Jason Clarke and Kodi-Smit McPhee on the sequel directed by Matt Reeves. Andy Serkis reprises his role as Caesar. (Russell has been kicking butt on The Americans and in Dark Skies.)

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“They’re back!” Gil Kenan (Monster House, City of Ember) will direct a remake of Poltergeist according to Deadline. Sam Raimi is producing the MGM remake of the horror classic by Tobe Hooper. (The original freaked me out as a kid!)

By Editor

50 Years of James Bond in 4 Minutes!

courtesy 007.com
courtesy 007.com

As a lifelong James Bond fan I was thrilled the Oscars honored the 50th Anniversary of the 007 franchise and Adele received an award for the theme to Skyfall. I loved Shirley Bassey’s performance of Goldfinger.

That montage. Enough said.

Check out this fan’s montage.

Kees van Dijkhuizen Jr. deserves 00 status for this excellent tribute!

I’m shaken and stirred.

Thanks to Dark Horizons and The Playlist.

By Editor