Superhero Movies in Two Double Zero Eight(2008 for you non hipsters).

So I am compiling a list of Superhero Movies that we will see in 2008. I have them sorted by release date.

Iron Man is being released May 2nd

“Weapons designer Tony Stark is in Afghanistan to introduce his new missile design to the Air Force until the unit he is traveling with is attacked and Stark is taken hostage. Injured by shrapnel embedded near his heart, his captors order him to assemble a missile for them, giving him access to a workshop. He puts his creativity to use by assembling a bulletproof set of power armor, complete with pacemaker and flamethrowers, and uses it to free himself. Back at home, he becomes Iron Man, developing a flying suit with the red and gold scheme and advanced weapon capabilities. Stark faces the Iron Monger.”

This is the first incarnation of Iron Man on the big screen, but its not a new hollywood project.

This from wikipedia:

“In April 1990, Universal Pictures bought the rights to develop Iron Man for the big screen. By February 1996, Twentieth Century Fox acquired the rights from Universal. In January 1997, actor Nicolas Cage expressed interest in being cast for the lead role, and in September 1998, actor Tom Cruise had expressed interest in producing as well as starring in the film debut of Iron Man. Quentin Tarantino was approached in October 1999 to write and direct Director Iron Man. With no deal made, Fox eventually sold the rights to New Line Cinema the following December. By July 2000, the film was being written for the studio^[32] by screenwriter Tim McCanlies. New Line entered talks with Joss Whedon, a fan of the character Iron Man, in June 2001 for the possibility of the director taking the helm. In December 2002, McCanlies had turned in a completed script.

In December 2004, the studio attached director Nick Cassavetes to the project for a target 2006 release. After two years of unsuccessful development, and the deal with director Cassavetes falling through, New Line Cinema returned the film rights to Marvel. Screenplay drafts had been written by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and David Hayter, but they were not retained. In November 2005, Marvel Studios worked to start development from scratch, announcing it as their first independent feature, as Iron Man was their only major character yet to be adapted.^[2]

On April 28, 2006, Avi Arad, chairman of Marvel Studios, announced that Jon Favreau would direct Iron Man, with Paramount Pictures distributing. Favreau had wanted to work with Arad on another film after the Daredevil adaptation, and found an opportunity to create a politically ambitious “ultimate spy movie” in Iron Man, with shades of Tom Clancy, James Bond and RoboCop. Favreau also described his approach as like that of an independent film, “[i]f Robert Altman had directed Superman”, and also cited Batman Begins as an inspiration. Favreau changed the Vietnam WarAfghanistan, as he did not want to do a period piece^“

As you can see there have been alot of names attached to the movie, including my boy Tarantino. Its finally coming to fruition with Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr.

Scott Excitement Level: 3 out of 5

Incredible Hulk is being released June 13th

Edward Norton is taking over this role after a dismal performance from Eric Bana. I am much more excited about this sequel than I was the first one. I think they will tap into something here that will create a bigger audience and following for future movies than what we saw with the original. Although this is technically a sequel, Zak Penn said it will be so much different that you can consider it a reboot of the franchise.

Scott Excitement Level: 5 out of 5

Hancock is being released July 2

I am not very excited about this movie. First I dont think Superhero movies should EVER be comedies(My Super Ex-Girlfriend, , even if it is a recently created Superhero. The only redeeming quality is Peter Berg directing this thing. I loved what he did with The Kingdom. Here is the synopsis if you don’t know what this movie is about.

“Will Smith portrays an alcoholic superhero despised by everyone. A publicist (Jason Bateman) helps rehabilitate him, and the superhero eventually begins an affair with the publicist’s wife (Charlize Theron)”

We will wait and see as it gets closer.

Scott Excitement Level: 1 out of 5

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is being released July 11th

I loved what Ron Perlman did for this series the first time around, he really reminds me alot of Mickey Rourke..but that is beside the point. Basically Guillermo del Toro will take his directing excellence that he achieved in Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth and sculpt it into what I hope will be many more movies in the Hellboy franchise.

The plot of number deux is much like the original “The mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity in order to rule the Earth, so Hellboy and his team must save the world from the rebellious creatures.” Although I feel like they wont have to do as much back story, and there will be much more action.

Scott Excitement Level: 3 out of 5

Batman: Dark Knight is being released July 18th

When I learned that Heath Ledger was going to be The Joker, I immediately became a gushing fanboy of this damn movie..its actually kind of pathetic. Between all of the “Viral Marketing” for the movie, and the constant streaming updates from WB it doesnt seem like July 18th will get here soon enough. When they rebooted the franchise with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman it probably pumped about 4 or 5 more movies into it. Christian Bale is becoming one of my favorite actors, everything I have seen him in has been solid platinum(3:10 to Yuma, Rescue Dawn, The Prestige, American Psycho, Batman Begins..all outstanding movies). He just brings the roles something more, something that not alot of actors can bring to the screen.

I honestly dont know what I am more excited about, Heather Ledger as Joker, or Bale reprising his Batman role..lucky for everyone we will get to see both July 18th

Scott Excitement Level: 5 out of 5

The Punisher: Warzone is being released September 12th

I am not excited about this movie at all. The first Punisher(2004) sucked, the reboot didnt work, and they should have just left it at the sub par movie they did the first time around. I think the only reason a second movie was even though about was the fact that it did so well on DVD. They are hoping to get people that enjoyed the DVD into the theaters to see a new one. Stupid

“Continuing his crusade to punish violent criminals in America, former FBI agent Frank Castle arrives in New York to take on a underworld boss who plots to take control of the underworld.”

Scott Excitement Level: 0 out of 5

So there you have it. What to expect in the Superhero/Comic Book Movie genre in 2008. There is also another dumb Spoof movie called Superhero! that will be coming out. I dont support or condone dumbass movie like that so i didnt list it here. actually i just think its dumb, so no dice.