More movies.
So, every once in a while, I post a screed about movies. Specifically, Comic book movies. Stuff I wish they'd done, stuff I hope they'll do. In this screed, I take on DC's announcement that a certain oft-mocked hero might get a film, and I give my thoughts on how X-Men 3 SHOULD'VE been handled.
Aquaman -
First film should follow the first part of Arthurian legend, a sword in the stone sort of film, with Vulko as a NON magical Merlin, the man who introduces Arthur Curry to his true identity, that of Orin, King of Atlantis, and to his destiny, reclaiming the throne. He has to save Atlantis from Black Manta, the rapacious agent of a corporation which seeks to strip-mine the ocean floor, and who intends to loot Atlantis at the same time.
The second film would be the assumption of the throne, the introduction of Mera, (his Guinevere), and the betrayal of his brother, Orm, the Ocean Master. It might open with Orin learning the ways of being a king, the diplomacy and judgments, while his bride prepares for their wedding… Then show the wedding, go to credits, open 10 months later with the opening wails of their infant heir. Ocean Master arrives, with proof he too is a half-breed heir to the throne. As he is older than Orin, some begin to back his claim to the throne, while other oppose, citing Orin’s leadership, and that he has an heir already. Orm ‘solves’ this by slaughtering the child, and then we see climactic battle. The inability of Arthur to save his heir leads to the Atlanteans exiling him in favor of the tragic queen figure, Mera.
Movie 3? speculation only upon request.
X-Men 3 -
Should’ve been the Hellfire Club. Sebastian Shaw, industrialist (Seen in movie 2 on a TV), backs Warren Worthington II’s research into the ‘cure’, hoping to use it to pick and choose among the mutants, eliminating any who oppose him. Angel, Warren the 3rd, could’ve been being scouted by the Hellfire Club for membership, in the hopes of being brought closer in line with Shaw’s industries. Distinctions between Magneto’s 'mutants are superior' attitude, and Shaw’s willingness to kill and depower mutants who just represent a threat or who cross him, could’ve been emphasized. Shaw also has tracked the semi-amnesiac Jean Grey, now Phoenix, and has begun to use some of his allied mutants, especially Emma Frost, to bend her to his side, as his Black Queen. Meanwhile, Prof. X is distracted from his search for Jean by the actions of his half-brother, Cain Marko, the Juggernaut. This puts him at odds with Scott, who wants Jean found. Wolverine could’ve gone off to fight Juggernaut, finally finding someone he can’t beat, and so on. Beast, the human version seen in X2, with larger than average hands and feet, is called in to supplement the team because of Xavier's distraction, and his scientific understanding of hte cure, just like we saw in X3, bu skip the fur. The final battle should’ve depowered Prof. X by the shock of warding off both Jean and Frost(possibly putting him into a coma), while Storm gets hit by a ‘cure bullet’, losing her weather powers. In the end, when turned against Scott, Jean regains control, takes out the Hellfire Club, and movie ends with Storm leaving for Africa, Wolverine leaving to follow up on leads from memories which surfaced during Jean’s psychic assaults, Scott taking control of the school and afraid of Jean, who is desperately trying to atone for her dark side by trying to wake Prof. X and win back Scott. Roll credits. (post credits, tease for Iceman and Angel taking a trip to LA. (Suggests a fourth movie, and fanboys get the inside reference to the Champions of LA shortlived comic)
Thoughts?
(My previous screed can be seen here)
Aquaman -
First film should follow the first part of Arthurian legend, a sword in the stone sort of film, with Vulko as a NON magical Merlin, the man who introduces Arthur Curry to his true identity, that of Orin, King of Atlantis, and to his destiny, reclaiming the throne. He has to save Atlantis from Black Manta, the rapacious agent of a corporation which seeks to strip-mine the ocean floor, and who intends to loot Atlantis at the same time.
The second film would be the assumption of the throne, the introduction of Mera, (his Guinevere), and the betrayal of his brother, Orm, the Ocean Master. It might open with Orin learning the ways of being a king, the diplomacy and judgments, while his bride prepares for their wedding… Then show the wedding, go to credits, open 10 months later with the opening wails of their infant heir. Ocean Master arrives, with proof he too is a half-breed heir to the throne. As he is older than Orin, some begin to back his claim to the throne, while other oppose, citing Orin’s leadership, and that he has an heir already. Orm ‘solves’ this by slaughtering the child, and then we see climactic battle. The inability of Arthur to save his heir leads to the Atlanteans exiling him in favor of the tragic queen figure, Mera.
Movie 3? speculation only upon request.
X-Men 3 -
Should’ve been the Hellfire Club. Sebastian Shaw, industrialist (Seen in movie 2 on a TV), backs Warren Worthington II’s research into the ‘cure’, hoping to use it to pick and choose among the mutants, eliminating any who oppose him. Angel, Warren the 3rd, could’ve been being scouted by the Hellfire Club for membership, in the hopes of being brought closer in line with Shaw’s industries. Distinctions between Magneto’s 'mutants are superior' attitude, and Shaw’s willingness to kill and depower mutants who just represent a threat or who cross him, could’ve been emphasized. Shaw also has tracked the semi-amnesiac Jean Grey, now Phoenix, and has begun to use some of his allied mutants, especially Emma Frost, to bend her to his side, as his Black Queen. Meanwhile, Prof. X is distracted from his search for Jean by the actions of his half-brother, Cain Marko, the Juggernaut. This puts him at odds with Scott, who wants Jean found. Wolverine could’ve gone off to fight Juggernaut, finally finding someone he can’t beat, and so on. Beast, the human version seen in X2, with larger than average hands and feet, is called in to supplement the team because of Xavier's distraction, and his scientific understanding of hte cure, just like we saw in X3, bu skip the fur. The final battle should’ve depowered Prof. X by the shock of warding off both Jean and Frost(possibly putting him into a coma), while Storm gets hit by a ‘cure bullet’, losing her weather powers. In the end, when turned against Scott, Jean regains control, takes out the Hellfire Club, and movie ends with Storm leaving for Africa, Wolverine leaving to follow up on leads from memories which surfaced during Jean’s psychic assaults, Scott taking control of the school and afraid of Jean, who is desperately trying to atone for her dark side by trying to wake Prof. X and win back Scott. Roll credits. (post credits, tease for Iceman and Angel taking a trip to LA. (Suggests a fourth movie, and fanboys get the inside reference to the Champions of LA shortlived comic)
Thoughts?
(My previous screed can be seen here)