DC versus Marvel Heads to the Big Screens
Without a doubt the world is often split in to two groups. Some might say it is
those who have and haven’t read the Lord of the Rings. Others might try and split the rich and the poor down the middle. And others still will say that the world is split in to 10 types of people, those who know binary and those who don’t. For us though, the world is very much split in to Marvel Comics versus DC. And, for the first time, that fight is being taken to the big screens!
For so long, if you were a comic fan, you had an allegiance to one side or the other. All you would have to do to see this in proof is peer through my windows as my father and I discuss the merits of which character could out-do the other.
DC will claim dominance if you asked them. But, of course, so would Marvel. Both would be totally unable to comprehend the idea that it wasn’t them that led the comic revolution through the <insert decade here>’s.
But only now is that battle being fought out in the cinema box office. Now yes, granted, that’s because the medium hasn’t had the money and technology until today. But a new battle is not unexciting just because it was unlooked for.
The greatest example of this battle is in the pair’s respective superhero teams. On one side, we have the Justice League of America, camping out underneath the DC banner. And, from the right corner, coming from New York, we have Marvel with their Avengers. Both teams are made up of heroes from within their respective universes, and are lynch pins to the industry.
Subsequently, movies focusing on the teams will be lynch pins, or as Warner Bros. are calling them, “tent=poles” for the film industry. But if you’ve been following any of the JL news of late, you’ll know that there is no peace in WB and DC world. In fact, things aren’t looking too bright at all.
Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan – the actor and director from the Batman Begins movie – have expressed their sadness at WB’s desire to create the JL movie prior to the end of their trilogy of movies. Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris – the screenwriters behind the failed Superman Returns movie – have pulled out of any future sequels. And the general feel for the casting rumors are that the movie is going to turn out as a Justice League 90210.
Warner Bros. and DC are hurrying along the Justice League movie because they know that comic fans will go bananas for it. But they’re not only misjudging out gullibility, but mistreating the franchise in the process. If nothing else, ask yourself, who else would you want to play Batman these days?
Compare all of this to what Marvel is doing, and you’ll see that there is going to be a clear winner.
Already we’ve seen Marvel pump out a pair of trilogies for X-Men and Spider-Man. Iron Man will make his debut next year, and we know Thor is currently undergoing script changes. Two Fantastic Four movies have been made, and the Incredible Hulk is already filming. Wolverine is in pre-production, beginning filming in under a month, and we’ve heard that Ant-Man is coming along as well. Add to that rumor’s of movies for Luke Cage, the Black Panther, Namor, and the most recent news that Captain America may have a director, and you begin to see a pattern.
For those a little slow on the uptake though, here’s the kicker; I’ve basically listed pretty much some of the heavy hitters of the Avengers. Let’s look at it again without the extra words; Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Ant-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage, Black Panther, Namor, and any of the Fantastic Four except Reed are all eligible characters for an Avengers movie. They’ve all lined up in Avengers books, and are all fan favorites.
Marvel has decided that giving the fans what they want is the best course of action. They’ve seen that they have a huge fan base, and in all reality, they’re going to be pumping them for all the cash they possibly can. But that doesn’t meant they don’t respect them. They’ve just thought of the best way to use them.
Marvel have slowly, in conjunction with Fox Studios, Sony Pictures, and simply through their own studio, managed to produce, or place in to production, enough movies that an Avengers movie is simply the next logical step. And when you consider bringing in extra characters in to an Avengers movie, they’ve then got spin-off material as well. Hands up who wants a Wasp movie? I sure as hell do!
DC could learn a thing or two from what Marvel is doing. Instead of belittling its fans and forcing through a movie that is at least 5 years away from real viability, WB and DC are going to push JL no matter how much it hurts the franchise; and us as fans.
I pay no special allegiance to any comic branch. I’ll read them all, and love them too! And though DC usually wins in a direct face off, this time, Marvel has not only got the edge, but the blade, the pommel, the sheath and the bloody pants as well!
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Comments
You’re completely right! However, i don’t see them having Wolverine and Spiderman et al in the Avengers film. Simply because they belong to other Studios other than Marvel Studios.
What Marvel have done cleverly is to buy the rights of Hulk back to Marvel Studios. So now (under the Marvel Studios banner) they’ve got Cap, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk. In the Avengers film i can see them introducing Hawkeye, Ant Man and the Wasp to make an awesome fim. We’ve heard rumours that Samuel Jackson may cameo in Iron Man and other Marvel films to give an indication of a background shared continuity to lead into an Anvengers film.
If this is right, Marvel have planned very very well.
First-it’s Luke Cage not Nick Cage, if you’re going to post it get it right.
Second-you forgot to list the Blade trilogy, and the first Hulk movie in your list of Marvel movies.
Third-Yeah I would like a Wasp movie, and maybe Hawkeye while they’re at it.
yeah , i hate to admit it … you’re right though. i also gotta say a movie about the Joker along the lines of Saw based in an urban setting starring Jim Cary please, please, please…. please no more chris nolan interpretations. please. i am not afraid of a man whom i can unmask… where is the laughing demon?
Hey, good post… you actually were favorable to DC, by not mentioning at the very least 4 other Marvel movies/ characters. They are: The Punisher, Dare Devil, Electra, and Blade (I, II, and Trinity). Not that they were academy award winners(well, 2 out of the 4), but they are Marvel.
Why can’t DC wise up and do Lobo? Or throw Manbat out there? I think Catwoman was a tragedy (like JLA will be) in that they omitted the most essential parts of any Catwoman story = Batman, Gotham City… I don’t know, lets make hamburgers and omit the meat and buns, O.K.?! I, like your self, will read any comic, and do collect both DC and Marvel… DC’s movie history is just a travesty!
Mark
I personnally agree with most of what you had to say. I believe Marvel is wiping the floor with DC in the movie areas. Eventhough Marvel has produced its fair share of crap films (Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Hulk, and Electra) which 3 out of 4 were directed by the same guy. However I believe that DC is wiping the floor with Marvel in the areas of TV and cartoons. The Batman, Superman, and JLA cartoons rocked. Smallville has been a great success and even some of the cartoon movies were hits as well. I would love to see what Bruce Timm and his team could do in writing a JLA script for a live action movie, they tend to bring the best to TV what DC has to offer.
I know you are talking about the silver screen but I thought it worth mentioning the animated DVDs that have been coming out. Like many fans, I was estatic that the Death of Superman was coming out on DVD. I was also dumbfounded after watching it how DC could have allowed it. I have also watched Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and the Avengers DVDs and I have to say, Marvel is crushing DC.
A JLA movie can work, just as an X-Men movie worked (the last X-Men movie had good action but was the worst of the 3), but they must take their time and do it right, don’t rush. Believe me, whether it comes out in a year or 10 years, I will be there to see it.
well 1st thing i wanna say is just because marvel has made more movies and is doing more movies doesnt make them better all of marvels films except x-men and spider man did very badly look at hulk and daredevil and ugh the fantastic 4 i was very disapionted in that movie and i know everyonr is all excited about ironman but iv got a bad feeling about that movie ps.marvel sucks dc is better
I can’t believe DC and WB are going through with this. If it’s about money then they are severley stupid. First of all the best route (at least in my broke crazy mind) is that they should make their individual superhero movies first (i.e Green Lantern, the Flash, etc), just like marvel has been doing. They will bring in money, there’s no doubt. Introduce the character, bring the m up to date whatever. Then the studio should take the profits from those movies and make the damn JL movie and make it right. I dont understand how they can pull off a batman or superman in the JL movie when superman just returned (no joke intended), and batman is just starting up again. It can’t be a prequel, it cant be set in the future, it will suck eitha way. They seriously need to think this through.
Not to nit pick but J Storm was never a member (the other torch was) Mister Fantastic Prof. Reed Richards Avengers vol. 1 #300 (February 1989). Resigned in Avengers vol. 3 #1 (1998).
Invisible Woman Susan Storm Avengers vol. 1 #300 (February 1989). Resigned in Avengers vol. 3 #1 (1998). Thing Benjamin Jacob Grimm West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #9 (June 1986) Provisional status; vote not taken.
Good post
actually they ended trilogies with good movies. You have to realize they need to fit a whole characters origin in the movie in a small amount of time. So stop complaining and be satisfied with what you get.
I’m a marvel fan who appreciates some of the DC stuff. the lines between the 2 have blurred after stan lee wrote some reimagination of DC heroes.
just like in the moves, superman started it all, but face it, marvel has done more, and will continue to do more in the foreseeable future. the guys at marvel seem to demand a lot more respect from the movie studios over their properties.
let me dream by asking that a marvel-DC crossover movie be considered. batman vs punisher would be awesome
A Marvel-DC crosover movie would be grand, and mutually beneficial to both companies. Batman vs. Punisher would be awesome, but I would also like to see a Superman vs. Hulk or a Batman vs. Wolverine. In the end, of course, the 2 heroes would band together to fight some common foe.
I honestly think you’re just bitter because DC is “cheating” at this game by moving ahead with a superhero team-up movie. But both DC and Marvel are different companies with their stories differently coordinated. DC’s storylines are basically written around Superman and Batman and their teams, while Marvel is more about individual characters like Spidey, Hulk or Ironman. The JL movie will introduce the mainstream media to less well known characters like Flash and Wonderwoman, and push the WB to produce these spin-offs. An Avengers movie however is unlikely since many actors will most likely be tired of their super-roles, and like what the Radiator said, these characters are each owned by different companies. Besides, Superman Returns, while it wasn’t great, it wasn’t really a failure either; it was both a moderate critical and financial success. They will move on to a “Man of Steel” project after the JL movie.
However, dont get me wrong, I also think its too early for JL. They could atleast wait for the Batman trilogy to end. By the way, i heard news that they’re postponing JL production. *High fives*
I think you should stop hounding on dc just as they are getting of their feet. Marvel has just ended two trilogies with horrible movies so they cannot talk either.