“Hulk” director says “1602″ would make great superhero film
Still on the subject of Neil Gaiman, from a link at his journal, “Hulk” director Louis Leterrier tells MTV Movies blog that Gaiman’s “1602″ would make an excellent film.
“I’m begging [Marvel Studios President] Kevin [Feige] to do ‘1602,’ the Neil Gaiman version, you know, the almost medieval superhero movie,” Leterrier said. “I’d love to see that. That’d be a nice switch on the superhero movie.”
Gaiman’s Tulsa trip cancelled
According to Neil Gaiman’s journal, his planned appearance in Tulsa on June 28 has been cancelled.
Gaiman writes:
An apologetic note to say that I’ve just learned that for various reasons (none of which was really anyone’s fault) the Tulsa Oklahoma event on June the 28th has had to be cancelled. (And, I am assured, all tickets will be refunded.)
I definitely want to come to Tulsa — there are Lafferty archives to see, after all, and old friends to eat with — so I think its been more postponed than cancelled, although it’ll probably be in a slightly different form when next it happens.
This is too bad — I know several people were looking forward to the well-known “Sandman” author’s appearance — but there is some hope that a future trip is in order.
– Matt Price
Comics shipping, 6-18-08
The fourth collection of Joss Whedon’s “Astonishing X-Men” and the tenth of Brian K. Vaughan’s “Y: The Last Man” make for some pretty good trade paperback reading. Meanwhile, Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, the “Civil War” team, kick off “Old Man Logan” in ”Wolverine” #66. Full list after the break.
Review: X-Factor 32
One of my favorite parts of X-Factor 32 is Peter David’s sense of history. Here is a writer who is proud of his past works and happily makes use of some great characterization he set up a few years back.
Namely, that Madrox is a great detective. Why? Because he sent duplicates of himself all over the world to learn everything and then absorbed them all back. Also, he’s a fan of noir movies, which we’re reminded of in this capper to the too-brief Arcade storyline.
This issue is damn good. Not my favorite of the series, because it’s hard to beat some of the earlier stories or even the Madrox miniseries, but still a fine showing. Why? Because Peter David is funny and he loves his characters enough to make them funny, too.
When Rictor explains that Val Cooper is a robot because of her perfect hair and dead, soulless eyes, you know where he coming from. And when Jaime replies that it’s because she works for the government, you get a nice laugh.
There are lots of those moments here and plenty of disturbing portent and emotion. Sometimes, I go so long between reading comics this good that I forget comics can be this good. It’s not a great jumping on point — that’s next issue. But if I were you, I’d snap up all the recent X-Factor trades (and the Madrox mini trade) so I could enjoy an issue that is truly tops.
- Greg Elwell
Mike Wieringo scholarship announced
From a news release:
Wieringo’s Friends and Family to Host Special Fundraising Booth at Heroes
Con
CHARLOTTE, NC — When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last
August, the comics industry lost more than a great artist and creator – it lost
a friend. Now, Mike’s family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art
and Design to create The Mike Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help
keep his spirit of generosity alive.
Created by Mike’s brother Matt and his sister-in-law Suzanne, the ‘Ringo is
designed to help provide similar help to artists at the Savannah College of
Art and Design or SCAD. Domestic and international students with have a
minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate financial need and display a
serious interest in pursuing comics as a career are eligible. The scholarship
will take effect in the artist’s second year of classes, and is renewable for
up to two additional years, provided the student continues to meet the criteria.
The recipient will be chosen from three finalists determined by the college
in a portfolio review by Matt and Suzanne Wieringo, along with a rotating
group. The ultimate goal for the ‘Ringo is to raise enough funds so that it can
cover a full year’s expenses at SCAD, approximately $30,000.
Toward this end, a table staffed by Mike’s family and friends will be set up
in his traditional spot in Artists Alley at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC.
Heroes was a big part of Mike’s life and career, and was the industry event he
most looked forward to every year.
The table will raise funds through donations and the sale of remaining
copies of Mike’s sketchbooks, copies of comics featuring Mike’s work, selected
pieces of Mike’s original artwork, sketches by Mike’s friends in the industry
who will be appearing at the booth, and items donated by other comic
professionals. Pros appearing include Jeff Parker, Rich Faber, Craig
Rousseau, Todd Dezago, Mark Waid, Richard Case and more to be announced.
“SCAD is one of the most impressive programs in the world to focus on the
medium of comics,” says Jeff Parker, creator of The Interman and Agents of
Atlas, who worked with Mike at Artamus Studios. “I’m pretty sure Mike would
have loved to have attended such a place in his student days. It would make an
excellent legacy for him if we can grow the Ringo scholarship into a launch pad
for the future greats of comics.”
Despite his success on such books as The Flash, Fantastic Four and his own
creator-owned Tellos, Mike Wieringo never forgot what it was like to be a
struggling creator. For many up-and-comers, Mike served as a mentor and
friendly voice, whether it was providing free covers, advice, or just the
encouragement to keep going.
With your help, the Mike Wieringo Scholarship can continue to grow and help
a new generation of creators get the training and connections they need to
start their careers. Mike’s talent, enthusiasm and generosity inspired many in
the comics industry to be their best as both creators and as human beings.
With your help, Mike will continue to be an inspiration for creators in
decades to come.
Stan Winston, RIP
The Los Angeles Times and other sources are reporting the death of special-effects pioneer Stan Winston at age 62. Winston won four Oscars — one for visual effects for “Aliens,” one for visual effects in ”Jurassic Park,” and two for ”Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” for visual effects and for makeup.
Winston was responsible for Predator, Edward Scissorhands, and “Batman Returns,” and recently worked on “Iron Man.”
– Matt Price
Hulk makes $54 million in opening
According to Box Office Mojo, “The Incredible Hulk” pulled down $54 million to take the No. 1 spot for the weekend. The movie didn’t top the $62 million brought in by the first week of Ang Lee’s “Hulk” film in 2003. Still, Lee’s “Hulk” fell fast, making only $18 million its second weekend. Marvel and company likely hope the Edward Norton-starring film has better word of mouth.
At the moment, “Incredible Hulk” is scoring only slightly better at Rotten Tomatoes, with 66% positive versus 61% for its predecessor. However, on the more populist imdb.com, voters are currently tagging “Incredible Hulk” as an 8.2/10, compared to a 5.8/10 for “Hulk.”
– Matt Price
Happy Father’s Day!
Took most of the day to spend with my own kids, but thought I’d throw a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Who I’m sure are making their way the only way they know how. Wait, wrong John Schneider show.
Happy Father’s Day!
- Matt
George Lang and Matt Price talk Hulk, movies
George Lang and I discuss this week’s movies, including “Incredible Hulk,” “The Happening,” “American Teen” and more in this week’s entertainment podcast.
– Matt Price
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Kenneth Johnson talks “Hulk”
From Friday’s The Oklahoman:
By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
Those who grew up in the 1970s and ’80s know Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk. Writer-director-producer Kenneth Johnson’s take on “The Incredible Hulk” is probably still the best-known, and inspired the current Edward Norton film. Johnson was the creative force behind the 1970s TV series starring Bill Bixby and Ferrigno.
Seasons three and four of “The Incredible Hulk” were released this month on DVD.
Johnson is more excited about director Louis Letterier’s take on the Hulk, out today in theaters, than Ang Lee’s 2003 film.
“We felt like they had missed the whole point of what I had tried to do in the series. It was a bunch of movies that didn’t quite come together,” Johnson said. “I’m a fan of (director) Ang Lee’s work, but I just think he was just miscast for that one.”
The second film is much more similar to Johnson’s series.
“I was talking to a friend of mine in Brazil who was their production manager down there for their Amazonian shoot, and he said, ‘Oh, Kenny, it’s much more like your original.’”
While Johnson is best-known for his work in the superhero and sci-fi genres, that’s not where he initially planned to make his mark.
“I had been trained at Carnegie Mellon, which is a theater school. All my training had been in the classics,” Johnson said. “Then, you create the ‘Bionic Woman,’ and the view that Hollywood has of you begins to narrow down.”
After the success of “The Bionic Woman,” Johnson was asked to pitch a show based on a Marvel Comics character of his choice.
He wasn’t originally interested, but in the process of reading “Les Miserables,” the fugitive concept appealed to him. He began to think about applying that idea to “The Incredible Hulk,” as well as playing up the Jekyll-and-Hyde elements.
“I could turn it into a psychological drama,” he said.
He asked for control over casting, and brought in Bill Bixby as David (not Bruce) Banner, and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk. “The Incredible Hulk” became a hit, running on television for five seasons.
“My pilot was released in Europe as a theatrical feature, and it was the top-grossing movie in Europe for two months,” Johnson said.
Johnson grew up in Arkansas, but has some ties to Oklahoma.
“When I was a kid, my dad was in the Army Reserve. Every summer, for some years, we would spend some time at Fort Sill,” Johnson said. “He lived in Tulsa for a time, so I have ties to Oklahoma.”
