Spidey musical gets opening date
The Hollywood Reporter shares that the Spider-Man Broadway musical, with music and lyrics from Bono and the Edge, now has an opening date scheduled.
The show will open on Broadway on Feb. 18 of next year. Preview performances are scheduled to begin Jan. 16.
There’s not a real history of super-heroes doing all that well on Broadway, though perhaps Spider-Man can be the exception. I’m sure there will be quite a bit of buzz based on the involvement of the U2 members.
Tickets are available at www.SpiderManOnBroadway.com.
Gondry tapped for “Green Hornet”
AP photo
According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Michel Gondry (”Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) is in negotiations to take over as director of “The Green Hornet.” The film is set to star Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow. Chow had been in line to direct the film, but left over creative differences. Chow will still co-star as Kato to Rogen’s Hornet.
It’s certainly an interesting choice for “Green Hornet,” which at one time had been offered to Kevin Smith. This big-screen superhero adaptation isn’t likely to be a straight adventure caper with Gondry at the helm.
– Matt Price
Popularity of Batman character sparks “Dark Knight” toy line
With the Oscar success of “The Dark Knight,” the Christopher Nolan-directed film is again in the public eye. Mattel, the toy licensor for “Dark Knight,” has launched new toys in its “Dark Knight” line of toys, including playsets and role-playing items.
Rob Novickas, spokesperson for Mattel, spoke to the success of the “Dark Knight” line, and the method of translating a somewhat dark film to a successful all-ages toy line.
Q: How successful has the Dark Knight line of toys been?
A: Batman is considered an evergreen property. While “The Dark Knight” was not a movie seen by most kids, the fact that the character is so popular and has been with many generations made the toy line very popular with kids and especially adult collectors.
Q: Was it difficult creating a line of toys that was true to the dark themes of the movie, and yet still play-friendly?
A: For years, Mattel has created a variety of Batman toys that bring this perennial super hero favorite to life for fans of all ages – from action figures and role-play toys, to playsets and games. Our close-working relationship with the filmmakers and Warner Bros. on this film allowed us to be an active participant throughout the entire process. This presented a unique opportunity for Mattel to demonstrate its distinct ability to translate what viewers see on screen into child-appropriate, fun toy line that captures the spirit of the Batman characters.
Q: Tell me about some of the special features of the Dark Knight toys.
A: Mattel has developed an exciting collection of innovative and fun products including role play toys that allow kids to transform into the Dark Knight and fight crime just like Batman, cool vehicles straight out of the streets of Gotham City, realistic action figures and interactive playsets that capture the action, drama and thrill of the movie.
Q: What about Batman has made the character and accessories so popular over so many years?
A: It’s all about the gadgets and the ultimate cool car – what’s cooler than the Batmobile? The cape and cowl is also extremely popular with boys. Batman has entertained and inspired generations of people, and is truly considered an evergreen property between its multiple films, comic books, television series, and consumer products. He’s embodies the “good triumphing over evil” that makes super hero play so appealing to children of all ages.
Q: How much of an effect does the success of a film, in dollars or awards consideration, have on the success of a toy line?
A: At Mattel the success of a toy line comes from creating innovative and fun toys first and then over laying of a license. In the case of Batman, we make the ultimate in action figures and vehicles, and the role play items allow a kid to really feel like he’s the best of the super heroes – Batman.
– Matthew Price
From Tuesday’s The Oklahoman
Recent “Dark Knight” toy releases
The following toys are recent releases in the “Batman: The Dark Knight” line.
Batman: The Dark Knight – The Rapid Fire Utility Belt: This role play toy includes a cape and features a rapid-fire motorized blaster with foam projectiles that feeds into the buckle.
Batman: The Dark Knight Mega Cape: The cape can rapidly expand to a 5-inch wingspan, or retract into a convenient back harness for run-around play.
Batman: The Dark Knight Gotham City Battle Playset: This playset transforms into four different environments, as well as a Batmobile.
Batman: The Dark Knight Shift Attack Sports Coupe: Bruce Wayne’s sports coupe can transform to an attack mode. As the car changes, the four-inch Bruce Wayne driver figure changes to a Batman figure, and out come battering rams, missile launchers and massive turbo engines.
DVD review: Hulk Vs.
The Marvel animation team goes heavy on the “Hulk Smash” in “Hulk Vs.,” a new two-disc DVD featuring two programs of about 45 minutes.
The first, “Hulk Vs. Wolverine,” is the better, and bloodier, of the two, as Wolverine is called in to stop a rampaging Hulk. Wolverine’s an agent of Canada’s Department H, and the film also traces his backstory. “Hulk Vs. Wolverine” guest-stars several X-Men-related characters, including Deadpool, Omega Red, Lady Deathstrike and Sabretooth. The battle between Wolverine and his Weapon X brethren is the film’s highlight.
In “Hulk Vs. Thor,” Thor’s evil brother Loki has long since sought to rule Asgard, the realm of the Norse gods. Odin, the ruler of Asgard, must periodically hibernate to restore his energy. With Asgard left less-defended, Loki uses magic to control the Hulk, who he sends to destroy Thor.
There’s not a lot of story in either, but there’s a lot of well-animated action and violence. The dark humor keeps “Hulk Vs. Wolverine” relatively light despite a lot of PG-13 hacking and slashing. The characters’ voices are on-model and fit with the Marvel Comics depiction of them. “Thor” is the lesser of the two films, but he’ll get another try, as the special features on the disc include a first look at a “Lord of the Rings”-inspired take on the god of Thunder, “Thor: Tales of Asgard.” There are also featurettes and commentaries on the development of each film included as extras.
- Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
New “Battlestar Galactica” film eyed
Adding another layer to the “this has all happened before and will happen again” phrase from the current “Battlestar Galactica” series: Word comes from The Hollywood Reporter that Universal has entered into negotiations with Glen A. Larson to write and produce a motion-picture version of the “Battlestar Galactica” property.
The new film version would have no connection to the Sci Fi television series, which is nearing an end. It would feature characters like Adama, Starbuck and Baltar, according to the Hollywood Reporter, but would be a new version.
Of course, “Battlestar Galactica” has had false starts, before, as well: Bryan Singer’s version very nearly made it to television in 2001, as I wrote about here.
– Matt Price
“Watchmen” books advance film
WORD BALLOONS
“Watchmen,” the Zack Snyder adaptation of the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, hits theaters next month. In the meantime, DC Comics and Titan Books have created books and merchandise to take fans into the alternate 1980s world of “Watchmen.”
First, the story itself. Named one of Time magazine’s 100 greatest novels, the “Watchmen” graphic novel is available in a variety of formats.
Most impressively, the oversized “Absolute Watchmen” ($75) features 48 pages of supplemental material beyond the 12-issue series. It contains the series proposal, pages from the original script, and additional art. The art was remastered and recolored for the original printing of “Absolute Watchmen,” and it’s now used for all of the “Watchmen” reprints.
Also available are a “Watchmen” hardcover ($39.99), a “Watchmen” trade paperback collection ($19.99) and a single-issue reprint of “Watchmen” issue No. 1 ($1.50).
In addition to the book, DC’s toy division, DC Direct, has created action figures, busts and props of the “Watchmen” characters.
Titan Books, meanwhile, has released four tie-in books surrounding the “Watchmen” film.
“Watching the Watchmen,” written by Dave Gibbons, comes in two editions. The comic-store exclusive edition has a cover featuring the character “The Comedian” and additional pages. It’s also signed by Gibbons and comes with exclusive prints. This edition retails for $50. The standard edition retails for $39.95 and has a cover featuring Dr. Manhattan.
“Watchmen: Portraits” ($50) features black-and-white portrait shots of people in the film, ranging from stars to extras, and was shot by official movie photographer Clay Enos.
“Watchmen: The Film Companion” ($29.95 hardcover, $19.95 softcover) was written by Peter Aperlo and explores the behind-the-scenes making of the film. Aperlo also writes “Watchmen: The Art of the Film,” ($40), which features storyboards, photography and preproduction art. Possibly most intriguing for comic-book fans will be the new art created by Gibbons, as well as alternate takes on the characters by comic-book artists John Cassaday, David Finch and Adam Hughes.
All of the Titan Books releases contain spoilers for the film and graphic novel, so read the book or see the film prior to reading the ancillary material.
Judging from the books, Snyder and company look to have created a rich alternate world, and tried to respect the graphic novel, which has engrossed readers for more than 20 years.
– Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Weekend Look sneak peek includes “Watchmen”
Gene Triplett, Brandy McDonnell and Matt Price discuss the upcoming “Weekend Look,” including a sneak peek at the Jackie Earle Haley interview from “Watchmen.”
Entertainment Insider: Oscars 2009
Gene Triplett, Brandy McDonnell, George Lang and Matt Price recap the Oscar ceremony of 2009.
Comics Q&A: Watchmen
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss the “Watchmen” graphic novel in this week’s Comics Q&A.
