[Review] Deadpool
Superhero fatigue: It's a very real thing, especially at the beginning of a year in which we'll see Deadpool, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: Civil War, X-Men: Apocalypse, Suicide Squad, and Doctor Strange representing the superhero film genre. By now, we've grown tired of the standard Marvel formula, as showcased by the less-than-stellar reviews of Ant-Man and Avengers: Age of Ultron last year. However, Fox has done their best to change not only our expectations of the genre, but for the film itself, as seen by the tone-perfect marketing campaign.
Can Deadpool rise up to the challenge with maximum effort?
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Deadpool
Director: Tim Miller
Rating: R
Release Date: February 12, 2016
Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), as we come to find out, is a merc-for-hire specializing in defending girls from their stalkers thanks to his experience in the Special Forces. His best friend, Weasel (T.J. Miller), is a bartender and proprietor of extracurricular activities at his bar where many of the other mercs and vigilantes find their next missions, and his girlfriend, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), is just as twisted as Wade is. However, he's soon afflicted with terminal cancer, making him a target of an underground lab that experiments on triggering mutant powers within humans, led by mutant Ajax (Ed Skrein) and his bodyguard, Angel Dust (Gina Carano)... you get where I'm going with this.
However, where Deadpool differs from other superhero origin films is its approach at its plot chronology. To a certain point, Deadpool tells its story in a non-linear way, allowing its storytelling to match the setting of a comic book that specializes in breaking the fourth wall and playing with its audience/readers. Undressing the film of its non-linear approach, however, reveals the standard revenge plot... but honestly, is the plot really what we're watching Deadpool?
Absolutely not. Finally, we're given a mainstream Hollywood comic book adaptation that truly allows the source material to be faithfully represented on the silver screen. Deadpool, as he's become to be known currently, is the anti-hero that fully embraces his existence within the confines of a comic book, allowing the writing to go in interesting ways... ways in which the standard mainstream superhero book wouldn't. Thusly, the comic book fandom embraces Deadpool as one of their own, someone who is a total badass that doesn't settle for the standard or takes himself seriously... as you'll see from the film's very first second.
Championing the character, and this film's sole existence, is Ryan Reynolds, who was destined to don the red and black in a way that does the role justice, not the poor excuse that was Deadpool's now non-canon debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. As he's said in recent interviews, Reynolds doesn't want to play another superhero character because of his organic connection to the role that highlights and accentuates the actor's strengths. Sprinkled in are the X-Men Colossus, voiced by newcomer Stefan Kapicic, and X-Men trainee Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), who serve no real purpose beyond connecting Deadpool with Fox's ramshackle universe. Further confusion sets in when you attempt to make sense of the Fox/Marvel universe and where Deadpool fits in the timeline alongside X-Men: Days of Future Past and this year's aforementioned X-Men: Apocalypse, so do yourself a favor and just take Deadpool for what it's worth.
And its worth is a near-perfect film adaptation of a fan favorite comic book that will meet audience's expectations... and then some. I'll go so far as to say it'll be equitable in its box office returns in comparison to the projected blockbusters Captain America: Civil War, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Suicide Squad, thanks to its dedication to its source material, Reynolds' perfect portrayal of the Merc with a Mouth, and a full embracement of the R-rating that will make all superhero film fans forever curious of what it would be like to see Wolverine truly draw blood. Don't get it twisted: this may be a Marvel adaptation, but it definitely isn't meant for kids.
Deadpool is everything we wanted it to be since it was officially announced... beyond the predictable plot and shoddy placement within the larger X-Men/Fantastic Four universe Fox has attempted to create. Much like Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Robert Downey, Jr's Iron Man, Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool is the perfect casting for a role that's destined to be franchised around. Deadpool sets the bar extremely high for its superhero brethren this year, and it'll be entertaining to see just how each film compares to this instant classic.
Channing Tatum Might Leave Gambit Solo Film
All seemed well for Fox and their X-Men film properties out of San Diego Comic Con '15. After all, they cemented their status at the comic book convention with a great panel showcasing all of their upcoming films (Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, et al) and an epic on-stage selfie. All seemed well and good coming out of the successful panel, but rumor has it that everything might not be as it seems.
Despite lobbying to play Gambit, it appears that Channing Tatum (Magic Mike XXL) might be dropping out of the Gambit solo film due to discrepancies related to his deal. Tatum is also co-producing the film, but there's no word if he'll continue to produce the film if he drops out (though, I'd think it's safe to say he would have no involvement whatsoever if he does, indeed, leave). The news comes just a short month after director Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) was announced as director of the film and rumors that Lea Seydoux (SPECTRE, Blue is the Warmest Color) might be cast in the lead actress role.
It'll be a huge blow to Fox and the X-Men film franchise if Tatum exits. While X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool are sure to be bonafide box office successes, a Tatum-led Gambit just could have been the gambit Fox needed to overtake the proper Marvel Studios films. We'll have more information as it becomes available.
[via The Wrap]
10 Badass Superheroines and Supervillains in Comics
Recently, there has been tension in the superhero world over the lack of strong women in comics. While there is a huge gap between the number of men versus women in the comic book world, there are powerhouse superheroines fans seem to phase over. Don’t be fooled, some of the names that you might recognize are bigger in the comic book world than their blockbuster film roles have lead you to think. Regardless of your gender, here are 10 female comic book characters that kick ass harder than their male counterparts.
Fox Might Be Developing X-Men TV Show
While the box office is where the real money is, many studios are embracing the TV format for various comic book properties. The Batman-related Gotham's series premiere a few weeks ago brought in 8.21m viewers, Netflix and Marvel recently revealed the logo for Daredevil (the first of four TV shows to exclusively premiere on the service), Brian Michael Bendis' Powers will be released exclusively on the PlayStation Network this December, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has had its ups and downs, but further expands upon the lore of its Cinematic Universe, and we all know how successful The Walking Dead has been since it premiered four years ago. These shows help represent cheaper, faster returns for the studios as opposed to producing one film every x amount of years. That's not to say that each series' quality is any less than what we catch in theaters, of course. Nevertheless, TV is becoming the perfect landscape for serial storytelling, and with the growth and success of comic book properties in the past 10 years, it makes sense for more adaptations hitting the small screen.
That brings us to the new rumor that 20th Century Fox is preparing to develop a live-action X-Men show. Recently, it was confirmed that the next X-Men film, X-Men: Apocalypse, will mark the final entry in the trilogy that began with X-Men: First Class and was continued by this summer's Days of Future Past. The film is currently slated for a May 2016 release, which gives Fox two years to develop the rumored X-Men TV show to further continue the mythology and universe established in the X-Men films.
What do you think? I, for one, would love to see a live-action X-Men TV show, so long as it was handled correctly.
[via Bleeding Cool]
Channing Tatum Confirmed to Play Gambit in Future X-Men Films
Out of all of the hoopla surrounding the X-Men film franchise and its myriad of sequels and spin-offs, one of the most requested characters has been Gambit. Most people in their mid-to-late 20s remember the Cajun as being the smooth talking kinetically-powered mutant romantically linked to Rogue thanks to the '90s X-Men cartoon series. Comic book fans know there's more to the character than his accent and status as a ladies man, as he's tiptoed the line between good and evil many times.
While the character was briefly seen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch (John Carter), it wasn't the major role fans wanted. Channing Tatum (22 Jump Street) has expressed major interest in portraying the character over the years, and having Tatum play such a large role in the franchise would be great for both fans and the franchise alike.
Apparently, the studio agrees, as X-Men: Days of Future Past producer Lauren Shuller Donner has confirmed Tatum's casting as Remy LeBeau in a future X-Men film in a video interview with Total Film. You can watch the confirmation video below.
This is great casting for the X-Men films, as Tatum has been building up a good resume in both action and comedy roles over recent years. His excitement over the character should also help his portrayal of Gambit, as well. Speculation will begin now that he's been officially cast in the role, but I bet he'll play a huge role in either X-Force or X-Men: Apocalypse with the potential to build the franchise around him.
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[via Total Film]
X-Men, Fantastic Four Film Crossover Won't Happen Anytime Soon
Marvel set the blueprint for unified film universes with Iron Man. Since then, they've made billions at the box office with every subsequent Marvel-related film tying into an overarching narrative. Some of the groundwork for The Avengers was placed in Iron Man, for example. Keeping to a cohesive narrative structure is something that involves tons of planning and forethought and can't simply be rushed through. However, some of the other studios aren't necessarily treating their properties with the same care, rushing through sequel and spin-off announcements like nothing.
It makes sense, then, that a Fantastic Four and X-Men crossover would happen sooner than later. They're both owned by Fox, and each film property is being written by Simon Kinberg. However, that's apparently not the case, if Kinberg's word is to be believed. During an interview with ScreenCrush, the writer was asked point-blank whether or not an FF/X-Men crossover would take place. His answer is somewhat surprising:
Well, it’s complicated. Because none of the X-Men movies have acknowledged the notion of a sort of superhero team — the Fantastic Four. And the Fantastic Four acquire powers, so for them to live in a world where mutants are prevalent is kind of complicated, because you’re like, “Oh, you’re just a mutant.” Like, “What’s so fantastic about you?” [...] No, it is, they live in discrete universes.
The logic behind his reasoning is hot and cold. On the one hand, yes, creating a universe that's already established itself as having mutants would neuter the Fantastic Four's rise as the premier superhero team/family. At the same time, this didn't stop Marvel from creating their universe full of mutants and superheroes. It makes better sense to have each property thrive on their own instead of lumping them all together (re: Batman vs. Superman) and contemplate a crossover down the line. Whatever the case may be, it'll be at least a few years before we see a Thing and Wolverine Fastball Special.
[ScreenCrush via /Film]
X-Men: Days of Future Past on 25 Empire Magazine covers
The next X-Men film, Days of Future Past, has been building up momentum over the past few months with the onslaught (no pun intended) of images, trailers, viral videos, and even the announcement of the film's sequel. Over the course of a whirlwind 25 hours, Fox and Empire released an exclusive cover for the magazine commemorating characters from the mutant-filled sequel.
Some of the covers feature X-Men film mainstays like Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X, but also introduced new entries in the franchise, such as Bishop, Blink, and Warpath. The most controversial of them, however, is director Bryan Singer's vision of Quicksilver, the mutant Avenger and biological son of Magneto. Who is considered both one of the most iconic Avengers and enemy to the X-Men has been nerfed into a '90s club kid complete with gaudy headphones and silver, side-swept hair.
You can check out the full collection of covers below.
[Empire Magazine, via Forbes]
X-Men: Apocalypse set for 2016 release date
X-Men: Days of Future Past is still five months away, yet the stage has already been set for its sequel. Yesterday, director Bryan Singer confirmed that X-Men: Days of Future Past's follow-up, X-Men: Apocalypse, will be coming out in May 2016. The news comes a bit too premature to announce, doesn't it? In a way, the announcement somewhat spoils X-Men: Days of Future Past where the events of that film kind of spin-off into an alternate reality where the titular villain Apocalypse rules the world.
Also announced yesterday was the hiring of writer/producer Simon Kinberg (Fantastic Four reboot) to help create a large, cohesive universe for the Fox Marvel properties (X-Men and Fantastic Four) in the same vein as the Disney Marvel films (Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers, etc.). Kinberg's been a busy man as of late, helping produce the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII, but his role as Fox's version of Kevin Feige might be his biggest role to date.
What do you guys think of all of this news? I love the idea of an Age of Apocalypse adaptation, but I'd have held onto announcing the film until after Days of Future Past, perhaps in a post-credits scene or something. As for Kinberg's hiring, I love it; I just hope that it'll lead to a crossover between Fox and Disney's properties for a true cohesive universe.
[via /Film]