shaxper
05-07-2007, 10:20 PM
DC has been getting its butt kicked at the box office in recent years. While Marvel films are a dime a dozen (and three of the Marvel franchises have brought in serious $$$), DC has released two films, and one was a box office disappointment. Personally, I think this is because DC heroes tend to be iconic and unchanging, while Marvel characters are more human and changeable. Spider-Man and the X-Men, in particular, have gone through so many character-rich changes in their history, and much of this was reflected in the films. But Superman and Batman don't have that same level of humanity, and their status quo rarely changes.
So why not reach into the Wildstorm Universe instead (or at least in addition)?
I think Stormwatch/Authority would make for an amazing film franchise, full of intense action, mind-boggling special effects, major character, and great storylines. Here's how I'd envision such a film franchise:
Begin with "Stormwatch: Change or Die." The film would begin much like Ellis's first issue on the book. Bendix is recruiting new members for his team, and we are introduced to Stormwatch through their eyes. However, it's later revealed that Bendix is specifically recruiting them in anticipation of a conflict with The Changers. First though, the newly reorganized teams would confront the Neitzchian Superman dude from the first issue, forcing them to reflect upon the responsibility that super-beings like themselves have to the ordinary world.
Perhaps the film would take time to cover the history of Jenny Sparks, recounting her personal history and idealism/jadedness about saving the world. I would leave out the Sliding Albion bit though, as this would probably confuse some movie-goers with unnecessary info.
But the film would then kick into high gear as The High would begin his plan to change the world and Bendix would begin to make orders that would place the team in morally uncomfortable circumstances. Eventually, Jenny Sparks would take him down, but not before a biological weapon destroys the Changers, leaving The High to attack Stormwatch and die in the process. The film would end with Jackson King taking over as Weatherman, as the entire team reflects, individually, upon what has happened.
If that film did well, then it would follow with two sequels. The first would be "Stormwatch: Bleed," in which the Bleed storyline is done, but with our Stormwatch actually taking some sort of active role in the events occurring on the alternate Earth. The action would have to be intensified a lot, with all out war between the residents of that Earth and the aliens, but it would all begin with that one ship ominously approaching. The film would provide some great action, as well as intense character building as the team debates amongst themselves how involved they should get in another Earth's war. This would also provide some great backstory on Jack Hawksmoor, as he relives his memories while being forced to fight the aliens that made him into what he is. In the end, though, Jackson King would make the call to stand down and let the alternate Stormwatch team board the lead alien ship on their own, leaving Stormwatch to wonder if getting involved would have saved the other team's lives.
Finally, the third film would be "Stormwatch vs. Aliens," in which the devastating encounter with the Xenomorphs is rewritten as Stormwatch's battle with the aliens on their station. WildC.A.T.S. would never appear in the film. Just like in the comic, many characters would die, but Stormwatch Black would be on the station too, this time, allowing the team to put up a better fight and walk away with a few more survivors.
I'd also introduce Midnighter and Apollo at the beginning of this film, before the aliens arrive. Christine would discover Bendix's file on the pair, and Stormwatch would confront them, have a quick fight, and then reach an understanding, pulling Midnighter and Apollo up to the station. Jackson wouldn't trust the two yet, so they'd still be in a room, held for "polite" interrogation, when the Xenomorph attack would begin. Ultimately, Midnighter and Apollo would play key roles in the conflict, becoming part of the team by default.
This would be another great action film, full of great characterization as each member of the team is forced to encounter his or her most desperate moment. The introduction of Midnighter would be priceless for comic relief amidst all the terror and chaos. I think Jack Hawksmoor could manage to make light of the situation at times too. Most importantly, though, all this would come amidst Jackson doubting himself after the last film, as well as facing doubts from the rest of the crew. By the end of the film, Stormwatch will be destroyed physically and intellectually, but the spirit and idealism will still be there in the wreckage, allowing for the possibility of an Authority film to follow...
What do you guys think?
So why not reach into the Wildstorm Universe instead (or at least in addition)?
I think Stormwatch/Authority would make for an amazing film franchise, full of intense action, mind-boggling special effects, major character, and great storylines. Here's how I'd envision such a film franchise:
Begin with "Stormwatch: Change or Die." The film would begin much like Ellis's first issue on the book. Bendix is recruiting new members for his team, and we are introduced to Stormwatch through their eyes. However, it's later revealed that Bendix is specifically recruiting them in anticipation of a conflict with The Changers. First though, the newly reorganized teams would confront the Neitzchian Superman dude from the first issue, forcing them to reflect upon the responsibility that super-beings like themselves have to the ordinary world.
Perhaps the film would take time to cover the history of Jenny Sparks, recounting her personal history and idealism/jadedness about saving the world. I would leave out the Sliding Albion bit though, as this would probably confuse some movie-goers with unnecessary info.
But the film would then kick into high gear as The High would begin his plan to change the world and Bendix would begin to make orders that would place the team in morally uncomfortable circumstances. Eventually, Jenny Sparks would take him down, but not before a biological weapon destroys the Changers, leaving The High to attack Stormwatch and die in the process. The film would end with Jackson King taking over as Weatherman, as the entire team reflects, individually, upon what has happened.
If that film did well, then it would follow with two sequels. The first would be "Stormwatch: Bleed," in which the Bleed storyline is done, but with our Stormwatch actually taking some sort of active role in the events occurring on the alternate Earth. The action would have to be intensified a lot, with all out war between the residents of that Earth and the aliens, but it would all begin with that one ship ominously approaching. The film would provide some great action, as well as intense character building as the team debates amongst themselves how involved they should get in another Earth's war. This would also provide some great backstory on Jack Hawksmoor, as he relives his memories while being forced to fight the aliens that made him into what he is. In the end, though, Jackson King would make the call to stand down and let the alternate Stormwatch team board the lead alien ship on their own, leaving Stormwatch to wonder if getting involved would have saved the other team's lives.
Finally, the third film would be "Stormwatch vs. Aliens," in which the devastating encounter with the Xenomorphs is rewritten as Stormwatch's battle with the aliens on their station. WildC.A.T.S. would never appear in the film. Just like in the comic, many characters would die, but Stormwatch Black would be on the station too, this time, allowing the team to put up a better fight and walk away with a few more survivors.
I'd also introduce Midnighter and Apollo at the beginning of this film, before the aliens arrive. Christine would discover Bendix's file on the pair, and Stormwatch would confront them, have a quick fight, and then reach an understanding, pulling Midnighter and Apollo up to the station. Jackson wouldn't trust the two yet, so they'd still be in a room, held for "polite" interrogation, when the Xenomorph attack would begin. Ultimately, Midnighter and Apollo would play key roles in the conflict, becoming part of the team by default.
This would be another great action film, full of great characterization as each member of the team is forced to encounter his or her most desperate moment. The introduction of Midnighter would be priceless for comic relief amidst all the terror and chaos. I think Jack Hawksmoor could manage to make light of the situation at times too. Most importantly, though, all this would come amidst Jackson doubting himself after the last film, as well as facing doubts from the rest of the crew. By the end of the film, Stormwatch will be destroyed physically and intellectually, but the spirit and idealism will still be there in the wreckage, allowing for the possibility of an Authority film to follow...
What do you guys think?