Before Lobster Johnson...

[Otto66]

... there was The Shadow.
This is the first I've read about Sam Rami being involved in a movie
about The Shadow, Doc Savage and the Avenger.
A Mignola poster for this movie would be incredible.
I had heard the Darkman story previously.
Oh, and, worstpreviews is a nifty site.

"In addition to bringing "Spider-Man" to the big-screen, Sam Raimi is planning to also bring several pulp heroes from the 30s and 40s as well. Famous heroes from Street and Smith Publications, which was once the top pulp publisher, have a special connection to Raimi, whose earlier work illustrates just that. "The Shadow," which is one of the Steet and Smith characters, was a passion of Raimi, who attempted to direct the film with Coen brothers writing the screenplay. Obviously that never happened, and in the end, Alec Baldwin starred in the 1994 version, directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander, The Real McCoy). As a result, Raimi went on to direct "Darkman."

The new film will bring together Doc Savage, The Shadow and the Avenger, possibly other (if not all) major characters by the publisher. Additional resource adds that Raimi is also directing the project, with a relatively unknown writer, Siavash Farahani, working on the screenplay.

In the past, the Doc Savage movie has been attempted, attracting the likes of Arnold Schwarzeneggar, James Cameron and Frank Darabont at various points. We might also get to see a Raimi version of "The Shadow," for which he is rumored to have found a writer."
http://www.worstpreviews.com/headlin...d=1672&count=0

[Hellmistress]

Why oh why bring them together in one film? The Shadow is deserving of a really decent film all of his own. Fantastic character, and I'd love to see Raimi's 'take' on this hero who knows how to 'cloud men's minds.' I only hope the scriptwriter at least attempts to stay true to the original storylines from the radio shows.

HM

[Otto66]

The radio shows? Yea, I'm more a fan of the pulp version. In those stories
The Shadow is more a force against crime with his legion of agents who
deals justice with twin .45s, then a dandy detective with a spooky
voice who is constantly saving Margo Lane from this weeks creep.
Still, we all come to this character from different sources.

Having the three in one movie poses some interesting obsticales. Each
character has their own agenda and manner of dealing with crime. The
Shadow scares or shoots his nemisis, Doc has gadgits and is into rehabilitation
and the Avenger uses his putty face for disguise before using Ike and Mike.

'Course, the opening scene could be exposition by the villain about the three
and how they operate so as to introduce the audience to these heros.
As you can see, my little mind has already started racing with ideas.

Oh, and setting should be the 1930s with some of those great pulp covers
shown in the opening credits.

[Otto66]

And now the word from CBR.
"The Hollywood Reporter broke today (12/11) news of a new feature film based on The Shadow, the legendary pulp fiction, comics and radio character created by Walter B. Gibson. As the Reporter reports, Columbia Pictures acquired the film rights to the character after lengthy negotiations, and the film will be produced by the man behind the studio's latest, greatest genre franchise: Sam Raimi, director of Columbia's massive “Spider-Man” series of films. Raimi and Josh Donen will produce the film through their Buckaroo Entertainment company.
"I've been a passionate Shadow fan ever since I was a kid and have long dreamed of bringing this character to the screen," Raimi told the Hollywood Reporter. Many fans are able to see the influence of The Shadow in much of Raimi's work, most especially in his 1990 cult hit “Darkman.”"

http://www.comicbookresources.com/ne...em.cgi?id=9125

[Poe Ghostal]

For the record, I think Mignola based LJ more on a Shadow-like hero called The Spider, who even had a couple of black-and-white serials (just like LJ).

The movie sounds really cool though. I wonder if they'll set it in the '30s.

[Mike Cross]

Tim Truman did an awesome Spider mini series in the early 90s if i recall. Very cool indeed. Yeah, i see more Spider in LJ than Shadow

[lerochelle]

Am I misreading you guys? There already was a Shadow movie... I have it. It's old, but still good.

[Tad]

You're right, there was a Shadow movie.

This is a new one in development that would use several pulp characters.

[THE REAL kirk]

I would have to agree that The Spider is more the precursor to LJ than The Shadow. Didn't The Spider even have a lighter that burned a spider onto the foreheads of his victims?

But I am excited about the new Shadow movie. I am a huge fan of the pulp era heroes (I have been reading Doc Savage stories for over thirty years - I'm a slow reader!). I am one of the five people that actually loved the Alec Baldwin Shadow movie. I would really like to see The Shadow, The Avenger, The Spider, AND Doc Savage made into movies. Plural, as I think it would be a really bad idea to have them all in one movie. It could not be done right.

[Hellmistress]

The Hellmister is also a huge fan of the Alec Baldwin version. The Shadow is just about his favourite hero, pulp era or otherwise, and I know he'll be excited about a new version - although he'll be concerned that money will overtake artistic input, as always. He's also a big Phantom fan, but that's neither here nor there. ;)

HM

[Mike Cross]

And here we go, i liked the movie The Phantom, thought it was well done, for a "superhero" movie.

[shonokin]

There's a collection of new SPIDER stories coming out this winter from Moonstone Books. Don't know if they'll match the ribald insanity of Norvel Page's stream of conscious torturously violent groo, but it's better 'n nuttin.

If you are unfamiliar with THE SPIDER, Chris Kalb has a really excellent website on the pulps, serials, creators and essays, etc. Chris also has a great site on the proto-Superman, Doc Savage.

A great site for getting up to speed on the Shadow is here.

Personally I liked the Baldwin Shadow movie, though most hardcore pulp fans aren't crazy about the emphasizing of the radio show version. I really look forward to seeing what Raimi will do with it and loved the original DARKMAN.

I always thought The Lobster was a bit more in line with the serial SPY SMASHER myself. Since he* is a costumed hero fighting in the war effort.

*Actually "they" because Spy Smasher had a twin brother who at one point also dons the cape and goggles.



Or maybe even the Black Commando from THE SECRET CODE who is pretty much a mirror image of Spy Smasher.


...and of course you can hear an audiobook of THE SPIDER here.

[Otto66]

Lets see, Mistress, shonokin, THE REAL kirk and Otto make 4. Is the fifth
Shadow movie fan lurking out there?:D

'Course, I'm a fan of all things Shadow, radio, pulps, paperbacks, comics,
serials, movies and have the poster from The Shadow movie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111143/posters
and the nifty Bowen bust that came out that same year. And as most readers
of pulp hero stories know, ya can't just read one. Ya crave to know about
the others.

Seem to remember Mignola say'n somewhere that LoJo was an amalgam of
pulp heros. Since The Shadow was first, Spy Smasher, The Spider (Master of Men)
and their ilk are just The Shadow with a bit of a twist.

Thanks, Poe Ghostal and shonokin for the links.
And, skinnymikec? Yea, Tim Truman did a great job!

[SpydaWeb]

I too enjoyed the Baldwin Shadow. Saw it as a youngster.

I like the idea of a new Shadow movie done too, but only if Raimi decides to direct.

[Hellmistress]

Lets see, Mistress, shonokin, THE REAL kirk and Otto make 4. Is the fifth Shadow movie fan lurking out there?:D

You forgot the Hellmister, Shadow Fan Extraordinaire. He LOVES the movie, and wore out 2 videos before I replaced it on DVD - which is also getting a lot of play time.

He's also been muttering about Don Winslow of the Navy. He used to read these comics when he was a kid, and they were pretty old then!

http://www.toonopedia.com/dwinslow.htm


HM