The 411 Top 5 02.08.08: Week 99

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 02.08.2008

The Top 5 Film Franchises We Want to See!

So, the word on the street is that the writers strike may finally be coming to an end soon, which is obviously good news for both fans and TV/film-makers alike. The question is, will the writers be able to get right back into the groove of things? Oh sure, it will be (mostly) easy for the TV writers, seeing as most will be jumping back into TV series that already have set plans in motion. But what about the movie screenwriters who haven't been writing anything during this hiatus? Will they be rusty?

If so, we here at 411 may have a solution. Rather than burn themselves out trying to instantly come up with some great new concept or original screenplay, why not take it a little easy at first and simply adapt something? There's certainly no shame in adaptations, right?

Ah, but what to adapt? Well, here too we can help. True, our intentions this time are a little more greedy. You see, we've grown tired of the same old Hollywood franchises, and have decided to make it known what we'd rather be plopping our hard-earned money down to see. So take note, filmmakers, as we give you a little inside information on what could be your next big money-makers, with a look at:

THE TOP 5 FILM FRANCHISES WE WANT TO SEE


Trevor Snyder

5. The Authority

Assuming Zack Snyder's upcoming film adaptation of Watchmen does as well as many are expecting, it could open the doors for additional harder-edged, more adult-themed superhero fare than has been the norm of late. If that's the case, it would be the perfect time to unleash Wildstorm's The Authority upon the world. Much like Watchmen, The Authority openly questions such notions as old-fashioned superhero codes and ethics. Not wasting time with little things like approval or permission from the governments of the world, The Authority instead uses their incredible abilities as justification for essentially putting themselves in charge of the entire planet – whether we like it or not. Known for its over the top action, incredible violence, and not-so-subtle skewering of other superhero books (Authority members Apollo and The Midnighter are clearly based on Superman and Batman…and are also a gay couple), The Authority has been both one of the most popular and controversial super-team books of the modern era. A movie probably wouldn't be for everyone, but it would be a nice change for comic fans looking for something a little different than the usual cinematic heroes we've been given recently.

4. Green Lantern

Alright, I suppose it might seem odd for me to go with one of those old-fashioned, goody-goody superheroes that I was just bemoaning a second ago, but I can't help it. I've always been a huge Green Lantern fan, and the fact that the character has had no movies yet is just mind-boggling to me. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see the rumored comedy version starring Jack Black go nowhere, but I'm still waiting for a film that will do the justice to the character that it deserves. And thanks to the brilliant concept of Green Lantern, it truly is a huge franchise waiting to happen – the Green Lantern Corps are more of an interstellar police force than a band of superheroes, and as such there are numerous Green Lantern's throughout the universe. Do the math – if they play their cards right, and not let the films slip in quality, that means there are multiple characters who can take center-stage in any number of Green Lantern off-shoot films (who wouldn't want to see a Guy Gardner flick?).

3. Repairman Jack

In his 1984 novel The Tomb, author F. Paul Wilson introduced Repairman Jack, a self-titled "fix-it man," who is willing to use his skills as a trained mercenary to help people out of terrible jams. These missions of his usually start off simple enough (well, you know, as simple as it gets in the world of underground mercenaries), but they almost always end up taking strange twists and spiraling off into bizarre territory, usually involving supernatural encounters or sci-fi elements. Since his debut in The Tomb, Jack has become one hell of a popular character, starring in ten other novels to date…and counting Stephen King (who calls himself the President of the Repairman Jack Fan Club) as one of his biggest fans. And yet there has been no move to make a movie or TV show out of the guy? What the hell? Now, I'll grant that any adaptation would probably have to streamline the overall Jack story a little, and not really get into the whole big picture. You see, the Repairman Jack series is actually an off-shoot of another Wilson series, known as the Adversary Cycle, of which The Tomb is also an entry. The rest of Jack's novels are not part of the Adversary Cycle…although Jack does appear in Nightworld, the final novel in the Adversary Cycle, even though Nightworld is not part of the Repairman Jack series. You know what? Never mind. Suffice it to say, the Jack character is interesting enough that you could forget all that stuff and just make movies featuring original tales of the man (or do adaptations of his novels, but rework the stories so as to drop the other stuff).

2. Starman

I know I'm leaning pretty heavily towards comic book properties in my list, but indulge me just one more time. After all, Starman - the amazing DC comic series by James Robinson, which ran from 1994 to 2001– is one of the great untapped comics out there. I've spent countless hours trying to convice comic fans who never experienced this modern classic to track it down and give it a shot…maybe it would be a little easier if I had a kick-ass movie series backing me up. It's the story of young Jack Knight, a slacker forced to inherit the crime-fighting mantle of his superhero father Ted (the original Starman, natch) after his older brother – who was supposed to be the next Starman – is killed on his very first night on the job. Although he never wanted anything to do with his dad's heroic past, Jack begrudgingly agreed to become the new Starman, but only if he could do it by his rules, and one of the best superhero comics ever was born (made even better by the fact that it was a complete story, with a beginning, middle, and a touching finale). At one time, Starman was in development as a potential television series, but that never got fully off the ground. Here's hoping those involved haven't completely given up on it, and are maybe looking to steer it towards the big screen instead.

1. The Dark Tower

C'mon, you're a little surprised this one hasn't happened yet, right? Stephen King's seven book mash-up of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and westerns remains his most impressive undertaking – and is still hugely popular (take it from someone who works at a bookstore…people still love this series). So why the hold-up bringing it to the big screen (or even small screen for that matter)? I'm guessing one of the reasons it never went anywhere before was that people were waiting for King to finish the tale, to make sure he didn't end up crapping out with a lame finale and thus rendering any adaptation pointless (the eventual finale he did come up with didn't please everyone, but went over well enough to avoid too much criticism). Plus, there's the simple fact that the whole thing is just so damn epic – it would certainly be a costly endeavor to do this thing justice on film. Still, if LOTR could turn out as well as it did, I have faith that there's a decent chance for Dark Tower, as well. And there is hope – King has apparently sold the rights for the series to J. J. Abrams (no surprise there – anyone who reads King's regular Entertainment Weekly column will know how huge of a Lost fan he is), although its still not clear whether Abrams is planning a series of films or a TV project. Personally, I'm hoping its movies, since I think only a film series could really capture the scale King's world requires. Whatever the case, at least it's in good hands.



Owain J. Brimfield

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Son of Rambo - like Son of Rambow, but an actual Son of Rambo
- Iain M. Banks' 'Culture' novels - maybe too high-concept for cinema, though
- Hyperion and Endymion by Dan Simmons

THE TOP 5

5. Doctor Strange

We've seen plenty of superheroes wield their supernatural powers on the big screen, but one aspect of the Marvel universe that hasn't really been tapped is mysticism and sorcery, exemplified foremost by none other than Dr. Stephen Strange, Sorceror Supreme of the Marvel-verse. His mastery of the mystic arts would undoubtedly make for compelling viewing, as would the surreal and psychedelic visuals that made the original Strange Tales such a head-trip (I came across a copy once in a geeky friend's basement and almost felt like I'd taken something while reading it). Plus, with a character as ambiguously defined as Strange, there's no real limit to his powers and it would be a treat to see something like that on the big screen after spending so much time in the company of flawed superheroes. George Clooney as Strange, maybe? Or would that infuriate the fanboys?

4. Star Wars - Dark Empire

Arguably the most widely-praised entry into the Star Wars expanded universe canon, the Dark Horse graphic novel series that saw Luke turn to the dark side and serve the resurrected Emperor Palpatine was bold, complex and completely satisfying for both the outsider and the Star Wars geek. I know Star Wars as a franchise already exists, but given that Dark Empire is based on original trilogy characters, I think it would have to be redone to give it a contemporary spin, which I guess would qualify it as a brand-new franchise. Although you could still have Ian McDiarmid voicing the reborn Emperor, who incidentally here is a heckuva lot more terrifying than he was in the movies. So, more franchise extension than brand new franchise, but when it has as much potential as this I think it qualifies for the top 5.

3 Piers Anthony's Apprentice Adept series

I'll confess to only having read the original trilogy (Split Infinity, Blue Adept and Juxtaposition), so I'm not sure whether the four later novels would be worthwhile cinematic adaptations. The three I have experienced, though, would make fantastic movies. The blend of science fiction and fantasy, which despite the narrative device used to implement it never feels contrived, would be a breath of fresh air to movie-dom, and the creative potential in visualizing the games played by protagonist Stile and his rivals during the tournament on Proton would be a real treat. Plus, the majority of the characters spend most of their time completely stark naked, which would be, er, intriguing to see. The novels read almost like video games at times with the trials the characters go through, so maybe we could finally have a movie worthy of that audience. Please? Comparing the wondrous storyline of Resident Evil 4 to the preposterous movies almost makes me cry.

2. Terry Pratchett's Discworld

I've no idea why this hasn't been greenlit already, given the success of the British TV adaptation of Hogfather. The Discworld novels are an excellent source of film material - the series is pretty much everything you want out of intelligent fantasy, and Hogfather proved that even with a limited budget, the novels are perfectly capable of cinematic realization (yeah, so most of it was shot indoors, but it suited the novel and only had a TV budget, so as far as I'm concerned they did a grand old job). If only there hadn't been the glorious irony of Ian Richardson dying so soon after portraying Death, he would be a natural to assume the character's mantle. A big budget, two-movie deal of The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic is what I'd like to see crown the franchise - the first two novels in the series still epitomize Discworld above and beyond anything else Pratchett has written, and Rincewind the Wizzard is a wonderfully cowardly protagonist. Plus - space turtles? Say no more.

1. Isaac Asimov's Foundation saga

Only just eclipsing Discworld as my favorite series of novels of all time, the Foundation saga is pretty much the definition of 'epic', following the fall and rise of humanity over the course of ten thousand years and our eventual search for our planet of origin. Whether or not it would be suited to the movie world is pretty debatable, but one thing's for sure, I'd love to see it attempted. The scope is certainly there for a five-or-so film series encapsulating the seven novels (Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth could probably be lumped together, as could the first two novels), although the question of would be visionary enough to attempt it is a particularly tricky one. One thing's for sure though, if it could be pulled off, it could prove one of the greatest science fiction franchises of all time.



Bryan Kristopowitz

HONORABLE MENTIONS

- The Punisher: Yeah, yeah, I know that we've already had two different movie versions of the criminal killer Frank Castle, and a pseudo sequel to the Thomas Jane version (sans Thomas Jane) is coming out fairly soon. And while I'd prefer to see a sequel to the Dolph Lundgren version, I think it would be best if a movie studio started off once again from the beginning and follow the comic to the letter. Because the truth is that the way the comic's origin is structured, family man that watches his family die becomes a criminal hunter, is the best way to handle the story. It's certainly more profound than Castle being a cop.

- Revelation Space: This is the science fiction novel by Alastair Reynolds, a book I can say that I don't quite understand but still find insanely fascinating. It's a dense novel that deals with a number of different characters and ideas. You could make like four movies out of the one novel. And then you could make a TV show out of Chasm City.

- Deadpool: Ah, yes, the "Merc with a Mouth," the mercenary killer who won't stop talking. I'm more of a recent fan, from the end of the previous Deadpool comic to the Agent X comic to the recent Cable and Deadpool comic. I can only imagine that any movie with Deadpool would be freaking insane, like a high octane action version of a Naked Gun movie, or if you took the action set pieces from Bad Boys II and mixed in some Airplane! There'd be talking to the camera, weird villains, and endless quips from Deadpool.

THE TOP 5

5. Shatterhand

I remember wasting hours and hours playing this early Nintendo game, never getting very far but loving it anyway (I used to play with that boomerang shaped controller with the little speed buttons to try to gain an advantage). I couldn't explain the story of the game to you because I have no idea what it's about specifically. All I remember is there's a guy with metal hands, running around punching killer robots into oblivion, occasionally gaining the help of little flying robots that throw rocks or whip things with a metal whip or something. It'd be a hoot. You could have a series of quick, 80 minute movies where the Shatterhand guy just beats the crap out of new villains each "episode." They could have him looking for something, like a special robotic suit or an alien artifact with special powers. It really wouldn't have to make sense, it would just have to kick butt. And that's exactly what Shatterhand would do.

4. Mike Danger

Am I the only one who remembers Tekno Comix, which then became Big Entertainment? I loved that company and dang near everything they put out. My favorite series from the company was Mike Danger, created by Mickey Spillane. It was a pretty cool detective yarn where a 20th century PI, in the middle of uncovering a Nazi scheme involving freezing Hitler in suspended animation, ends up getting frozen himself and comes to in the far future. Sure, it's been done a million times now, but with the right actor and director we could have a fine action mystery science fiction franchise.

3. The Protector

This is, of course, the novel by David Morrell. The main character, Cavanaugh, is an "executive protector," a sort of highly trained bodyguard. The actual novel would make a pretty decent movie, especially with the extended car chase and the whole fear toxin thing (it would be fascinating to see a highly trained hero type losing his nerve in the middle of the poop). But the Cavanaugh character itself would make for a fine movie hero. I'm sure Morrell could come up with more story ideas for his hero. I'd love to see The Fifth Profession turned into a movie, but from what Morrell writes in his book on writing Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing, Hollywood already tried and it was "impossible." Go hunt the book down and check out that section. It's eye opening.

2. Takeshi Kovacs Trilogy

This is, of course, the science fiction noir trilogy from the great Richard K. Morgan. I've only read the first book in the trilogy, Altered Carbon, but just from that one book I can see a major, kick butt movie series. The whole sleeving consciousness thing, the wicked violence, the surpremely depressing tone (but it's depressing in a good way), it would be movie gold. Kovacs could be, if handled right, the next big movie hero, because he has that bad butt hoodlum background, the whole military training thing. Why the hell hasn't this been made into a movie yet?

1. Mack Bolan: The Executioner

I did a column about this not that long ago. Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan has been around since the late 1960's, he's got a huge worldwide following, and there are plenty of stories to tell. The question is where to begin? Start right at the beginning, War Against the Mafia, or start with the modern Bolan, as a kind of super secret agent of the US government? Both versions could work, and both would end up being very different movie types. The Mafia was the main enemy of the early Bolans, with international terrorists the main bad guys in the later books. You'd have gritty, 70's style action movies with Bolan killing Mafia henchmen by the truckload, and then you could have modern, high tech action movies featuring all kinds of international intrigue (like a super violent James Bond type thing). Much like Kovacs previously, why haven't we already seen a Bolan movie? Freaking Remo Williams has a movie. So does Deathlands. So what the heck is the hold up?



Ron Martin

5. Classical Mythology

Classical Greek mythology is rich with stories and fables that are just waiting to be adapted for the big screen. I'm not talking a lot of muscular guys walking around in very little clothing like Troy, but a smarter adaptation similar to what the Cohen Brothers did with O Brother, Where Art Thou?. For example, instead of the 12 Olympian Gods/Goddesses, focus on a group of 12 friends from high school and their exploits as they travel out into the world. The stories would need to be updated, but the basic principles of storytelling would demand an audience. Instead of Hephaestus catching his wife Aphrodite cheating on him with Ares by capturing them in an invisible net and then bringing all the other Olympians in to see them in their compromising positions, perhaps he secretly sets up a camera to catch them. Then, it's on the internet. There are hundreds of stories to be told.

4. The Vampire Diaries (L.J. Smith)

The world is ripe for a series of movies about teenage vamps. Let's face it, there are all of about four vampire movies worth seeing, though it's a topic covered extensively. Teenagers are just waiting for the right person to come and take their money. If the Harry Potter movies can draw fans of all ages, certainly this tale of a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire, only to be seduced by his twin brother as well can touch a nerve with the ever sought after 13-27 crowd. There are several subplots to go along with the main plot of fighting a demon from beyond that ends up with our heroine dead until she could be brought back to life…kind of.

3. Vampire: The Masquerade

I hate to double dip in the vampire pool, but this movie franchise is long overdue. The role-playing game consists of 13 vampire clans each with their own goals and characteristics. The stories right themselves. If you don't feel like writing the stories, purchase one of the half dozen or so series of novels that follows some of the characters through 13 novels (one featuring each clan). Instead of the all out chaos that comes with Underworld, these novels are more character based focusing on inner turmoil and clan politics. Not that there's not any action. All out clan wars, assassinations, mutilations – this story has it all.

2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Conan Arthur Doyle)

I know, I know. There have been roughly a dozen adaptations of Holmes novels on TV and in movies. I'd like to see a definitive series of movies covering the tales and mischief of Sherlock and Watson as they battle with constant foes. Each movie could take part in just one novel, or maybe a few packed together. Sherlock Holmes is one of the great literary characters of all time. Isn't it about time that he had a big screen counterpart?

1. The Dark Tower (Stephen King)

With as many movies that have been adapted out of King works, I am utterly shocked that there is no production yet regarding his infamous Dark Tower series. Most other works of his are already sold for film adaptation before they even are release as books. I hate to go with the popular vote, but I think the only man I would trust with these films would be Frank Darabont. He's taken two King novellas and a serial novel and turned them into cinematic gold. You'd have to sign him to a seven movie deal to cover each of the books. Frankie likes to stay very true to the King books as well, so the story would write itself and have a built in audience. If they can make a miniseries out of It and The Stand, certainly a series of movies for the Dark Tower series should not be out of the question. The only downside? I have no earthly idea who could pull of Roland.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Next week, the 411 Top 5 celebrates its 100th week with a very special look at The Top 5 Stupidest Scenes in Movie History.