You (hopefully) heard it here first: I'm no longer slated to make Wonder Woman. What? But how? My chest... so tight! Okay, stay calm and I'll explain as best I can. It's pretty complicated, so bear with me. I had a take on the film that, well, nobody liked. Hey, not that complicated.
Let me stress first that everybody at the studio and Silver Pictures were cool and professional. We just saw different movies, and at the price range this kind of movie hangs in, that's never gonna work. Non-sympatico. It happens all the time. I don't think any of us expected it to this time, but it did. Everybody knows how long I was taking, what a struggle that script was, and though I felt good about what I was coming up with, it was never gonna be a simple slam-dunk. I like to think it rolled around the rim a little bit, but others may have differing views.
The Wonder Woman film has been slowly turning into a trainwreck for a while now. There's still no script. There's still no lead actress. There's still no set release date. And now there's no director. It's likely a matter of time before the whole project gets scrapped, which is truly a shame.
Meanwhile, Joss Whedon remains one of the busiest men at his craft. Between wrapping up Astonishing X-men, launching the new Buffy comic, taking over the Runaways comic, and working on his own pet project, I don't think he'll lose sleep over this one.
I'd cite Serenity flopping as the main reason for this. Had it been a hit the fanboys were claiming it would be, Wonder Woman would already be in the can right now.
It goes further back than that. The guy doesn't have a very good history of movies that were liked by critics, casual fans, or well... anyone really... If Firefly had been a hit than at least you'd be able to say that he's good at tv series.
As it stands right now he's probably looked at by peers as the guy who had one good film/tv idea and ran with it for ten years.
To be fair, I'm pretty Buffy and Angel are enough to qualify the guy as "good at TV series'".
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
As far as writing goes that little movie called Toy Story wasn't bad. I'd say between creating and directing Buffy and Angel, writing Toy Story and all the comic books he's working on he's done a pretty good deal. I'd take him over the highly overrated Bryan Singer.
He was one of about ten writers who took a pass at TOY STORY. I'm sure there's some of his stuff in there, but he didn't exactly create the thing.
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Originally posted by The Vile1I'd cite Serenity flopping as the main reason for this. Had it been a hit the fanboys were claiming it would be, Wonder Woman would already be in the can right now.
Actually, I'd put more stock in this just being the fault of the suits at WB. They are notoriously bad at developing their DC comics properties. Sometimes it works out in the end (I really liked Batman Begins and thought Superman Returns was alright, if disjointed), but the developmental process always seems to go really poorly, and at least a couple of directors wind up walking away either out of disgust or lack of patience with the process. Surely you've heard about the infamous Superman vs. Giant Spider incident that one of the producers was adamant about including during the devolopment of that movie? But the lengthy development times on Superman and Batman and the end results for Catwoman, Constantine, and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen speak to the producers' genuine unfamilarity with their product and lack of knowledge of what to do with it.
And speaking of the completely inept WB, the guy who brought you "Night at the Museum", "Cheaper By The Dozen", and "The Pink Panther" now brings you The Flash!
Sources said that Levy, who before "Museum" had been known for such comedies as "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "The Pink Panther," has no intention of making "Flash" a comedy but is aiming for a lighter movie than previous Warners comic book adaptations, such as "Batman Begins" and "Superman Returns." Goyer's "Flash" also had been dark-themed.
Excuse me, for I must now bang my head against the wall.
Originally posted by Tenken347Surely you've heard about the infamous Superman vs. Giant Spider incident that one of the producers was adamant about including during the devolopment of that movie?
That story is an awesome story. For anyone who hasn't heard it, it's available here (The W at Amazon). Kevin Smith is much better at telling stories about making movies than he is at actually making movies.
Originally posted by oldschoolheroHe was one of about ten writers who took a pass at TOY STORY. I'm sure there's some of his stuff in there, but he didn't exactly create the thing.
Right, I think he had more to do with putting the final nail in the coffin of the Aliens franchise than he did Toy Story. Angel also only had him green lighting episodes for the past few seasons as he was busy spending all his time on Firefly/Serenity. The guys that are now making Smallville a great show were running Angel for all but maybe it's first and second season (first arguably being the weakest).
Originally posted by The Vile1I'd cite Serenity flopping as the main reason for this. Had it been a hit the fanboys were claiming it would be, Wonder Woman would already be in the can right now.
Actually, I'd put more stock in this just being the fault of the suits at WB. They are notoriously bad at developing their DC comics properties. Sometimes it works out in the end (I really liked Batman Begins and thought Superman Returns was alright, if disjointed), but the developmental process always seems to go really poorly, and at least a couple of directors wind up walking away either out of disgust or lack of patience with the process. Surely you've heard about the infamous Superman vs. Giant Spider incident that one of the producers was adamant about including during the devolopment of that movie? But the lengthy development times on Superman and Batman and the end results for Catwoman, Constantine, and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen speak to the producers' genuine unfamilarity with their product and lack of knowledge of what to do with it.
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was the work of 20th Century Fox and Don Murphy (Transformers). Your point is noted, and it sort of makes sense. But after what happened with Superman Returns, I doubt WB was willing to invest that much with an unproven director/filmmaker on a big budget superhero movie.
At least Batman Begins turned out well. And they did give Bryan Singer free reign and a blank check for Superman Returns. Though whether that was a good idea or not is debatable I suppose.
And now comedy-hack extraodinare, Shawn Levy, is directing the Flash. God have mercy on us all.
Originally posted by The Vile1League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was the work of 20th Century Fox and Don Murphy (Transformers).
I thought League was a Vertigo property, which a simple search proves is incorrect. As for the Flash picture, the choice of Levy doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, but I figure I can hold out hope until I find out who the scriptwriter for the picture is.
Well considering that Levy directed a script by Steve Martin, I doubt it would be very relevant. I mean look at what the final product turned out to be (The Pink Panther).
Wow, I did not see that ending coming. Young Justice has been a ballsy enough show that though I had some doubts Artemis would stay dead after the teaser, they had me going by the time they showed the wake in Mount Justice.