Quick Take: Some Superhero News for All Us Fanboys

Welcoming us after this weekend is a trio of superhero news to kick the week into full gear…

Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish have Written Ant-Man:

In order for an Ant-Man film to be successful, there has to be a great creative team working on the project.  Ant-Man is one of the quirkier and less-known superheroes of the Marvel franchise so relying on name recognition won’t be enough to draw the average movie goer.  Fortunately, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish are part of that creative team as they have recently submitted a 2nd draft of their Ant-Man script to Marvel.  Edgar Wright is the creative mind behind Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World while Joe Cornish is making his feature writer/director debut this year with Attack of the Block.  Hopefully, in addition to writing the script, one (or both) of these men will also be involved as director.  This could be one of the most fun superhero adaptations to come to the big screen.

http://www.totalfilm.com/news/edgar-wright-and-joe-cornish-have-delivered-their-ant-man-script?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=totalfilm&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+totalfilm%2Fimdbnews+%28Total+Film+IMDb+aggregate%29

Tim Miller to Direct “X-Men Origins: Deadpool”:

In the tradition of Fox studios, they continue to make questionable decisions regarding the X-Men franchise.  After X-Men and X2 the franchise has completely taken a turn for the worse with X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  This summer we’ll see if Matthew Vaughn can right the ship with X-Men: First Class; but even if he can another disaster is likely to follow.  Recently, Darren Aronofsky backed out of directing the 2nd Wolverine film (smart) leaving the film without a director, and the other origin story no one cares about is X-Men Origins: Deadpool.  With Ryan Reynolds still attached, apparently Fox still cares (sort of) because they’ve named Tim Miller their director.  This will be Tim Miller’s directorial debut with all of his previous film experience being in visual effects.  Just what we need, another director who thinks good story telling is about explosions…

This is what I think about story structure!

 http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/x-men-vfx-wiz-tim-miller-to-direct-deadpool/#more-121283

General Zod has been Officially Cast:

One of the biggest questions surrounding Superman: The Man of Steel has been who will be cast to play the lead villain General Zod, well this weekend we got our answer.  Other names surrounding the role have been Viggo Mortensen and Daniel Day Lewis, but the Kryptonian general will be played by none other than Michael Shannon.  Shannon was rumored for a villain role in the film but the part was not specified until he was officially cast as Zod.  Shannon is a fantastic choice for the role, an Oscar nominated actor who has recently delivered some strong performances in Revolutionary Road, The Runaways, and Boardwalk Empire among others.  Shannon will join the star studded cast including: Ashley Judd, Kevin Costner, and Amy Adams (oh yeah and some guy named Henry Cavill will play Superman).

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/04/10/superman-michael-shannon-zod/

News from the Rumor Mill: Michael Shannon a Villain in Man of Steel

Today marks the opening of Zack Snyder’s newest film Sucker Punch and with the early reviews being brutally scathing, it’s possible this rumor was leaked intentionally to keep the hype for his next project, Superman: Man of Steel, positive.  Between Superman and Batman, Warner Bros seems to have new villain casting news every week; and while this news is more speculation than last week’s announcement of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s role in the The Dark Knight Rises, it is fulfilling its duty of keeping me excited about Superman.

OMG!!! It's a bird...

According to Deadline, Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire, The Runaways, Revolutionary Road) is reportedly a strong contender for a villain role in the upcoming Superman movie.  The role was not specified but so far all speculation has been that Zod will be the primary villain.  Earlier rumors had Viggo Mortensen and Daniel Day Lewis in contention for the role of Zod, but those rumors have quieted; could Shannon now be the primary contender for the Kryptonian General?

No matter what role Michael Shannon will occupy in this film, it appears to be a promising choice.  Shannon is a veteran actor whose name has flown under the radar for some time – suggesting he can carry a villainous role without overshadowing Superman and the other supporting roles in the film.  Shannon would be a suitable replacement to the other high profile names attached to the Zod role, but it is possible the interest in him is for a second villain.  One wonders what he would look like bald?

My Guess is a Lot Like Him...

Man of Steel Casting Rumors: Who Will Play General Zod?

The casting rumors for Superman: The Man of Steel seem to be heating up as news of the casting of Ursa, Jonathan Kent, and Kal-El himself have stirred up internet sites routinely.  The most anticipated casting of the entire film (besides maybe Superman) will be for the role of the principal villain, who we now “know” to be General Zod.  After the Ursa rumors hit the mill everyone was clambering to hear the name for the Zod casting.  Aside from Lex Luthor, whose appearance in this film is still unknown, General Zod is the most well-known of all Superman villains.  He appeared on film in the Donner films played by Terrance Stamp, and was most recently portrayed by Callum Blue on the CW’s series Smallville. 

I am General Zod. Your ruler.

Yes, today begins a new order.  Rumors of the casting of General Zod in Zack Snyder’s upcoming adaptation have given the fanboys two names to debate – Viggo Mortensen and Daniel Day-Lewis.  The Hollywood Reporter has identified Mortensen as a person Warner Bros. is heavily interested in for the role opposite Henry Cavill’s Superman.  Mortensen is also in negotiations for a role in Snow White and the Huntsman, and with his involvement in both being unlikely he’ll most certainly have to decide between the two.

this sounds eerily familiar

I’d like him to follow in Kristen Stewart’s footsteps and join her on Snow White, not because I am interested in that film or dislike Mortensen, but because I’d like to see Daniel Day-Lewis play Zod.  This rumor has also been picking up steam, and it certainly is the more exciting of the two.  Daniel Day Lewis’s filmography reads like a timeline of Academy Award winning films and roles and to see him take on the role of Zod would definitely be worth the price of admission.  Unfortunately, until I see the official press release of his casting I’ll remain highly pessimistic.  Like Mortensen, Daniel Day Lewis’s name is also attached to another film – Steven Spielberg’s Abraham Lincoln biopic; and the disappointment still lingers from the falsehood of the rumors that Lewis would play Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes sequel.

Aww, did I drink your milkshake?

It seems that actors/actresses/directors turning down roles might be this film’s saving grace.  Reportedly Zac Efron, Kristen Stewart, and Ben Affleck have all turned away from this film leading to better personnel decisions being made; will Viggo Mortensen be the next name added to this list?  Warner Bros. is scheduled to release Superman: The Man of Steel on December 17, 2012.