Why Marvel Is Defining The Modern Superhero Film Genre - Forbes Article

[Walts Ghost]

This is in no way being used to start some sort of flame war or criticize WB/DC. I just thought it was an interesting article that fans of the genre may be interested in reading. Hit the source link for the full article.

With the impending release of Disney-Marvel’s newest big-budget superhero franchise installment Thor: The Dark World, and last week’s unveiling of an impressively dramatic trailer for next year’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Marvel superhero film business is taking control of the superhero film genre and defining it for the modern era. There are no doubt a lot of fans who will disagree with that assessment, but let’s look as objectively as might be possible at the big picture, and I think you’ll come to understand why Marvel is indeed setting the standard for the future of superhero cinema.

Marvel’s enthusiasm and confidence is apparent, in the choices to produce a Guardians of the Galaxy film featuring a walking alien tree superhero and a talking space raccoon, Ant-Man featuring a character little-known outside of comic book fandom, and a plethora of other comic book adaptations to expand the already-large Marvel cinematic universe. From 2008 through 2017, Marvel will have released SEVENTEEN films all existing together within a single world on screen. That’s not including the Spider-Man series, X-Men series, and other characters licensed by other studios, remember. In fact, most of the Marvel characters with the highest name-recognition among the general public are being exploited by other studios.

Looking at all of the films Marvel has made so far or has planned in the next few years, how many of the characters were possibly well-known commodities to the average movegoer before their film adaptations? One — the Hulk, who probably enjoys a decent amount of public awareness and had a previous film under his belt, but who still wasn’t on par with public awareness for Batman and Superman. Marvel has built their empire primarily on less recognizable characters, characters who wouldn’t seem to have much ability to attract worldwide audiences, and generally characters whose concepts seem at first glance to be hard sells.

If someone had asked you back in 2005 whether a Thor movie would be a big hit — bigger even than a Superman movie — what would you have said? Or if someone suggested an Iron Man movie could break a billion dollars at the box office — making more even than the highest-grossing Batman film — would you have been a tad skeptical? Yet here we are, in a genre pretty much owned by Marvel now.

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[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

This is in no way being used to start some sort of flame war or criticize WB/DC. I just thought it was an interesting article that fans of the genre may be interested in reading. Hit the source link for the full article.



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love it walt, but.......

you know it's just a matter of time before the show get's going; glad i got good seats!

[Kirk Out]

awesome post walt

[JavaJulien]

I'd say the fact that Superman and Batman is finally being made is a reaffirmation that Marvel films have reset the standard.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

This is in no way being used to start some sort of flame war or criticize WB/DC. I just thought it was an interesting article that fans of the genre may be interested in reading. Hit the source link for the full article.



Source

Mark's a great writer and always enjoy reading his stuff. Curious to read his DC article when it's done.

[Beast]

Because unlike DC they can get a movie off the ground that doesn't feature Superman or Batman?

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Beast

Because unlike DC they can get a movie off the ground that doesn't feature Superman or Batman?

And, here...we...go!

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

And, here...we...go!

Don't get me wrong.... I would love to see a Flash movie. A Wonder Woman movie.

Hell... a good Green Lantern movie would be awesome sauce. But WB/DC seem incapable to deliver.

While I am more of a Marvel fan than a DC Fan... I do like their animated series and DTV films.

That's one area where I will definately tip my hat to WB/DC on. They seem to handle that well.

Though I wish they would get off the Superman and Batman train for the DTV films as well.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Beast

Don't get me wrong.... I would love to see a Flash movie. A Wonder Woman movie.

Hell... a good Green Lantern movie would be awesome sauce. But WB/DC seem incapable to deliver.

While I am more of a Marvel fan than a DC Fan... I do like their animated series and DTV films.

That's one area where I will definately tip my hat to WB/DC on. They seem to handle that well.

Though I wish they would get off the Superman and Batman train for the DTV films as well.

As Mark said in the article, technically, they don't need to. They make more than just DC properties. Marvel Studios was specifically created to make comic book movies.

When you're making money off of Hangovers, Titans, Rings/Hobbits, Pacific Rims, hell...even Gravity, you don't really need to try Aquaman or Flash.

Not saying they shouldn't tap into their DC source but again, WB doesn't have an urge to do it because of everything else they have.

Hell, if Rowling's new Potter spin-off makes bank, forget since the B and C tier characters from DC. The Potter spin-off will take priority.

The only DC character that has priority that's not named Batman or Superman is Wonder Woman. That's it.

[The Dragon]

I love the fact we now have a genre, dedicated to our beloved comicbook Superhero characters.
I mean, when I dig into my stash of films to watch now, it's exciting to revisit more than Batman & Superman. Even bashed films like Green Lantern, I'm glad to have the variety.
I can't wait for Dr. Strange, Antman, and Guardians of The Galaxy!

[sxerunner]

Great article! Batman is my favorite hero, but I'm squarely in the Marvel camp. Instead of drawing lines we should be supporting each other and be happy that this genre is getting the proper treatment it deserves. DC has an uphill climb, but they have the characters to pull it off.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

This is in no way being used to start some sort of flame war or criticize WB/DC. I just thought it was an interesting article that fans of the genre may be interested in reading. Hit the source link for the full article.



Source

Great article, Walt. Much thanks!

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

As Mark said in the article, technically, they don't need to. They make more than just DC properties. Marvel Studios was specifically created to make comic book movies.

When you're making money off of Hangovers, Titans, Rings/Hobbits, Pacific Rims, hell...even Gravity, you don't really need to try Aquaman or Flash.

Not saying they shouldn't tap into their DC source but again, WB doesn't have an urge to do it because of everything else they have.

Hell, if Rowling's new Potter spin-off makes bank, forget since the B and C tier characters from DC. The Potter spin-off will take priority.

That is basically what the studio has decided. Batman and Superman for a semi-annual theatrical franchise, and lesser characters get relegated to television.

Arrow is a great example. It's a perfect superhero vehicle for 2013, it just happens to be on the CW.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

That is basically what the studio has decided. Batman and Superman for a semi-annual theatrical franchise, and lesser characters get relegated to television.

Arrow is a great example. It's a perfect superhero vehicle for 2013, it just happens to be on the CW.

I would add Wonder Woman to the rotation if they get her right. Because, based on recent articles from the WB brass, she's on their mind in a big way.

We will see Wonder Woman in some kind of form within the next three years.

And Arrow's a great show. I think it's easily better than SHIELD.

[The Dragon]

Originally Posted by sxerunner

Great article! Batman is my favorite hero, but I'm squarely in the Marvel camp. Instead of drawing lines we should be supporting each other and be happy that this genre is getting the proper treatment it deserves. DC has an uphill climb, but they have the characters to pull it off.

My point exactly. We should demand quality treatment of source material though. Technology has come too far-and there are far more writers available than Goyer.

[Jumpman]

The reason I say three years is because Zack Snyder is crazy enough to think that he'll be the one to create the first cinematic version of Diana.

This is why I know we'll see her on the screen very, very soon.

[The Dragon]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

The reason I say three years is because Zack Snyder is crazy enough to think that he'll be the one to create the first cinematic version of Diana.

This is why I know we'll see her on the screen very, very soon.

I liked Sucker Punch... It was like a Western take on Japanese Anime`, and The Watchmen. Those female characters kicked some butt!

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by The Dragon

I liked Sucker Punch... It was like a Western take on Japanese Anime`, and The Watchmen. Those female characters kicked some butt!

Yep. Again, just look at the women in Man of Steel and the rest of Snyder's filmography. He's gonna do Wonder Woman.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

This is in no way being used to start some sort of flame war or criticize WB/DC.

Aw, c'mon, I was just getting through "Dark Knight Rises" this weekend on Blu-ray--Can't we do a LITTLE bashing of WB/DC's wrist-slitting, ill-guided, comic-hating social-martyr Nolan-Mania? Just a teeny-weeny bit? Please?

(Not even a little-bitty joke about Tom Hardy's Bane sounding like Siegfried from the old "Get Smart" series?:
"It's a new world, Mr. Schma...er, Wayne." )

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Yep. Again, just look at the women in Man of Steel and the rest of Snyder's filmography. He's gonna do Wonder Woman.

Faora was probably very similar to how Snyder and Goyer will do Wonder Woman, hope they go into her origins as well so people can see all her abilities and learn about her bikini style combat armor.