Is DC even going to try to compete with Marvel on the big screen?

[Jaded Devil]

If Beckinsale and Pearce think they're too high and mighty to wear superhero costumes? The hell with them. We're better off without them.

I can't speak to Pearce and Daredevil, but as far as Beckinsale goes, there is a big, big, BIG difference between wearing the Iron Man armor or the costumes of Thor, Cap, and Black Widow, and wearing the glorified swimsuit that is the traditional Wonder Woman costume, which of course fans would be screaming bloody murder on if it's not just right (look at "Pantsgate" with the New 52). Beckinsale doesn't have an issue playing in the genre...look at her Underworld movies, where her costume is easily as form-fitting as the Black Widow costume...but she might have an issue wearing something as blatantly silly as the Wonder Woman costume. There's a fine line between "snobbish" and "self respect"...pretty sure Beckinsale hasn't crossed that line with her comments.

[Flashpoint]

I can't speak to Pearce and Daredevil, but as far as Beckinsale goes, there is a big, big, BIG difference between wearing the Iron Man armor or the costumes of Thor, Cap, and Black Widow, and wearing the glorified swimsuit that is the traditional Wonder Woman costume, which of course fans would be screaming bloody murder on if it's not just right (look at "Pantsgate" with the New 52). Beckinsale doesn't have an issue playing in the genre...look at her Underworld movies, where her costume is easily as form-fitting as the Black Widow costume...but she might have an issue wearing something as blatantly silly as the Wonder Woman costume. There's a fine line between "snobbish" and "self respect"...pretty sure Beckinsale hasn't crossed that line with her comments.

I don't think Lynda Carter looked silly. Neither did Rebecca Romijn or January Jones in their skimpy outfits. And "Hunger Games" superstar Jennifer Lawrence doesn't look foolish either when she's wearing nothing but plastic patches and blue body paint as Mystique.

The problem isn't the costume. The problem is getting a script, a director and an actress who respects Wonder Woman and treats the mythos seriously.

[Flashpoint]

I hope that rumor about the end credit scene is true. If it is i wonder what the scene will be?

It's solely a rumor going around town. I haven't seen anything even remotely reliable online to back it up. But yeah, I'm still hoping it turns out to be true, too.

[Kiryu]

It's solely a rumor going around town. I haven't seen anything even remotely reliable online to back it up. But yeah, I'm still hoping it turns out to be true, too.

Hopefully it's not as banal and worthless as Sinestro putting on the yellow ring.

[pariah-1972]

I don't think DC should "compete" at least mentally remember that DC was ahead of the game first with the Superman and Batman movies it took Marvel until what? the X-men movie? to get their crap together with lots of embarrassing failed movies and even live action tv shows.

That's not to say they shouldn't not look into a Justice League Movie, but if they do don't compete with how Marvel does things no matter how hard anyone tries they are still two different companies.

I think the main problem i see with DC movies is getting strong visionary directors who are a good fit for their style and genre of movies they are attached to and then give them creative control, but keep the budget on a level of sanity a lot of the big failures of DC movies are because they spend enormous amounts of money even for a big budget movie.

The Green Lantern movie was a mess because they had the wrong director mostly and a pretty terrible script and you could tell that everyone in the movie wasn't taking the property seriously which is a huge problem if it feels like the whole movie is laughing at the concept of superhero's and comics.

that's not to say ever comic book/superhero movie has to be serious by any means but obviously Marvel has found a way to bring some sense of humor to their movies without making it feel like it's not a whole camp fest and everyone is embarrassed to be in the movie cept for the big paychecks.

From all evidence Geoff Johns had no credited insight into the GL movie and it sure didn't feel like something he would appreciate.

[Bob Fett]

I just saw the Avengers and just Wow!I am extremely disappointed that WB has not caught up with Disney as far as getting a JL movie in the works at least.We have a Batman coming out and a MOS movie but after that nothing.Now they're going to reboot Bats to be released when? 2015,2016?Disney is going to be looking at WB in the rear view mirror for a long time.Sad.

[Flashpoint]

I just saw the Avengers and just Wow!I am extremely disappointed that WB has not caught up with Disney as far as getting a JL movie in the works at least.We have a Batman coming out and a MOS movie but after that nothing.Now they're going to reboot Bats to be released when? 2015,2016? Disney is going to be looking at WB in the rear view mirror for a long time. Sad.

I seriously doubt it. Money talks---and the box office grosses from Avengers are screaming bloody murder all across Hollywood.

Let's wait until at least June. I suspect that is when WB is going to start revving up the TDKR/MOS engine. And in order to make production deadlines, they have to announce their planned release dates for the years ahead this year before other studios claim them.

Stay tuned. Something big is coming. (I just wish I knew for sure what it was...)

[LoneNecromancer]

I tend to agree. Especially after Avengers is now rocketing into the same category as Hollywood blockbusters like E.T. The Extraterrestrial, Titanic and Avatar.

And as many before me have noted, Nolan originally didn't want a Batmobile in his Batman movies. If I recall correctly, it was former WB head Alan Horn who told him there *has* to be a Batmobile in a Batman movie.

Again, the rumor mill is running full tilt around here in Hollywood that WB is going to put an end credits scene in MOS. This may be another case where Nolan is overruled. We shall see; I certainly hope so.

I'm inclined to think he'll be overruled too. Unlike the Batman movies which are, well, his vision and his story, this Superman film is Goyer's idea and he liked it enough that he jumped on board, he's not really the one calling all the shots here. I'm sure he probably did go over Goyer's screenplay, but if WB wants that scene and told Snyder to film it- and Goyer and Snyder, unlike Nolan, are comic book fans and probably wouldn't mind- there's little he could've done about it. He's offering his input on this film, but unlike the Batman films, he doesn't have the final say.

Of course, this depends if WB did want that scene.

[blinker]

David Goyer may tell good stories - but he's a godawful screenwriter - case in point - the Unborn.

[Flashpoint]

I'm inclined to think he'll be overruled too. Unlike the Batman movies which are, well, his vision and his story, this Superman film is Goyer's idea and he liked it enough that he jumped on board, he's not really the one calling all the shots here. I'm sure he probably did go over Goyer's screenplay, but if WB wants that scene and told Snyder to film it- and Goyer and Snyder, unlike Nolan, are comic book fans and probably wouldn't mind- there's little he could've done about it. He's offering his input on this film, but unlike the Batman films, he doesn't have the final say.

Of course, this depends if WB did want that scene.

Man Of Steel doesn't come out until June 2013--that's 13 months away. Way, way, way more than enough time to insert another scene.

Hell, the very last scene in Avengers after the credits wasn't filmed until, what, 2 or 3 weeks ago?

But I agree with everything you're saying. And I think we all agree that the monster success of Avengers has permanently changed the game. Spider-Man was the first movie to make $100 million in 3 days. Now Avengers is the first move to make $200 million in 3 days.

What superhero movie will beat $200 million in 3 days and set the next new record?

If any movie can do it, it is the Justice League.

[SpideyCzar]

I seriously doubt it. Money talks---and the box office grosses from Avengers are screaming bloody murder all across Hollywood.

Let's wait until at least June. I suspect that is when WB is going to start revving up the TDKR/MOS engine. And in order to make production deadlines, they have to announce their planned release dates for the years ahead this year before other studios claim them.

Stay tuned. Something big is coming. (I just wish I knew for sure what it was...)

Remember last time DC tried to copy the Marvel Studios method with their Green Lantern film? That didn't work out so well. It was blatantly obvious Wb sorely wanted GL to kickstart a DC movie revival similiar to what Iron Man 1 did. They even tried to do a after credits scene, and attempted to make Hal Jordan funny.

So I don't think it would be wise for WB to announce a JL movie unless they have the right Director & script lined up. If they do they may have another financial flop on their hands similiar to GL. WB needs to be wise about their next non Batman DC property. With as well received as Avengers has been and financial success of it I can see how tempting it can be for studios to make a cash grab. But Marvel didn't just throw this thing together this film was put together with the right talent involved. That's the key to their success, if WB copies anything from Marvel Studios it is getting the right creative talent for each character.

[Jaded Devil]

I don't think Lynda Carter looked silly. Neither did Rebecca Romijn or January Jones in their skimpy outfits. And "Hunger Games" superstar Jennifer Lawrence doesn't look foolish either when she's wearing nothing but plastic patches and blue body paint as Mystique.

Lynda Carter was almost 40 years ago. Tastes, attitudes, perceptions, and opinions have changed a LOT since then.

I see what you're saying with Romijn and Jones (although I'd argue that Lawrence spent the majority, if not all of her time, shapchanged into something with clothes or wearing the Xavier "uniform"), but I'd argue that those were both "bad girl" roles that were supposed to play up the sexualized, slightly kinky nature of wrongdoing. Wonder Woman has to be good and earnest and genuine and strong and fierce...all while wearing a one-piece swimsuit with boots.

The problem isn't the costume. The problem is getting a script, a director and an actress who respects Wonder Woman and treats the mythos seriously.

I agree 100%, provided that fans realize that certain things may need to be sacrificed in order to make it work. Thor didn't wear his helmet at all in Avengers...Captain America's comics costume was played as punchline in his film. And everything turned out fine. I wonder, if WW fans had a great director, a phenomenal script, and an actress who was perfect for the character and knew all of her dramatic beats inside and out...BUT, the character was wearing pants...if they could look past it as a condition for a good movie. It seems like they should but, honestly, I never know with WW fans.

[Flashpoint]

Great analysis with a couple of very, very salient points...

THIS WEEKEND North American audiences got a big taste of what international movie fans have already been enjoying as the super hero value pack The Avengers smashed the all-time opening weekend record kickstarting the summer blockbuster season in an unbelievable manner. Marketed and distributed by Disney, the PG-13 film grossed a jaw-dropping $200.3M over the Friday-to-Sunday period obliterating the previous record of $169.2M set last July by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 surpassing it by more than $30M. Both films were helped by 3D and IMAX runs. Playing in 4,349 locations, the per-theater average was a scorching $46,063.

Yes. Avengers made more money at one theater in one day than your average yearly salary.

But this second part is even more important. Which is why I'm highlighting it in red:

Many years in the making following solo movies from Marvel and Paramount, The Avengers was always expected to have one of the biggest debuts of all-time but the eventual turnout was even more than expected. Disney staked its claim on the May 4 weekend early on scaring away all other studios as no other film opened in wide release. That allowed Avengers to book extra screens within every megaplex thereby boosting its grossing potential. Getting a sixth or seventh screen is extra hard in June and July when so many tentpoles are playing side by side. The super heroes dominated the marketplace sucking up 80% of the entire box office this weekend. After just a single weekend, Avengers has already beaten the total grosses of every Hulk, Captain America, and Thor film.

Those who think WB won't be making any announcements this summer, read that twice. They have to lock down dates years in advance before other studios get the jump on them or they can't book enough screens to get those record-breaking box office grosses.

[Fate's Faith]

Having just seen the Avengers, I think DC has a problem. Its starts with a W and ends in a B. I have seen in past few years Marvel heroes made with the studios of Paramount, Fox, and Sony. That's a huge portion of the movie industry but WB has a lock on DC's characters and we see this anemic release of their heroes to film. This year we will have a Batman film. Next year a Superman film. Last year Green Lantern. But we've gotten Iron Man 2, Captain America, Thor, the X-Men, the Avengers and soon Spider-Man in what seems like a short span of time. All due to differ studios having vested interest in making whatever film they are releasing the best product to their consumers. WB just acts as if they will use their DC properties when they get around to it. They don't seem to care if their DC properties are successful in their own right. Just if they are successful for them. If Disney does the same thing and from now on make sure only their own studio releases the films then I wouldn't be surprised to see the quality drop. Disney is in a win win position. Other studios take the risks and they still reap the rewards. But that will change if Disney gets greedy and wants it all for themselves as WB seems to be.

[Flashpoint]

Found this on AICN...

Hey folks, Harry here... my long time internet buddy, Edward Mazmanian pointed me at this Twitpic of Edgar Wright's with the words: "Received this in the mail. What can it mean?" - now I've written Edgar for clarafication, but I bet he couldn't even if he wanted to - so... Now that MARVEL has all the money - will Edgar's ANT MAN get going very quickly? We'll see - when Edgar was in town recently I got to sit down and have casual off the record conversation - there's a lot of options that Edgar's looking at - and he's weighing all of it carefully. But I have to admit - this rather obvious tease of his - well it's enough to get me geeking!

Sheesh. Now even Ant-Man is going to beat Wonder Woman and The Flash onto movie screens.

Sometimes I think WB execs enjoy being the butt of jokes among movie fans.