Batman vs Bane & A Hospitalized Jim Gordon Seen In 'The Dark Knight Rises' Premiere Trailer

This is what we've been waiting for folks. Only small details about the film, but damn its real good.




What happened to Jim Gordon? Why is he hospitalized?

And Batman looking afraid and backing away from a hulking guy?

Awesome.

The Dark Knight Movie Poster Rises...

Christopher Nolan really has a thing for buildings. Note the posters for his other films, notably Inception and  the 2008's The Dark Knight.

Click on the image below for a full screen view. Its awesome. 

And no - that's not a Superman crest on the lower left hand corner of the image. But it would be damn cool if Supes (Henry Cavill) will make a cameo somewhere in the film.

 from ComicsAlliance via thedarkknightrises.com

'The Dark Knight Rises' Shows Its First Photo Of...

... Bane.

(click image to enlarge)

The Dark Knight Rises website has apparently have started of what looks like another massive viral campaign to promote the Christopher Nolan movie, just like what they did with The Dark Knight. 

Tom Hardy will be playing this intelligent, "steroid" (because I don't know what kind of chemical he's taking) packed supervillain who is most known to comic book fanatics as the one who broke Batman's back in DC's  1993 comic book story arc - Knightfall.

Super Talk: My Take On The 2012 Superman Film, Wishing For A Supes' Costume Tweak and More....

Image courtesy of DC Direct

Alright, let's go down to some Superman shall we? Haven't created a single Superman entry since my comic book review about All-Star Superman and its direct to DVD animation (which is going to come out in February) so I think this article is just in time (and my friend Marj is asking me a lot of questions so I attempt to answer all of them here).

So, it has been announced way back last month that Zack Snyder (director of Watchmen, 300 and the upcoming Sucker Punch) will direct the new 2012 Superman film under the production and writing of Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, Inception, The Dark Knight) and David Goyer respectively.  according to an interview with Hero Complex, Nolan stated that they've got brilliant ideas for the new flick which will be a complete reboot of the whole franchise - after Brian Singer's 2006 Superman Returns failed to meet expectations.

I've got no problem with Nolan and Snyder teaming up to do this for I think that Nolan is a great director, and the same can be said for the latter. I have watched all of their films and I loved them all. David Goyer's script writing is also a thing of beauty and it worked obviously on both of Nolan's Batman films so I can't complain anything at all with this team that WB put up. I really think it was the most logical thing to do. and makes me wish nothing but the best for the revival of the greatest superhero with these men on the forefront.

I have also read somewhere that an idea was pitched about doing a trilogy just like the Godfather films, chronicling the life of Superman right from his birth and escape from the doomed Planet Krypton, up to his final years and death as the Earth's sun begins to supernova. Unfortunately, this idea was eventually scrapped.

They were also thinking of making Superman almost "an angry god" at one point in the film, possibly an attempt to show the Man of Steel's other side that we don't usually see. A brooding, dark, angry Superman.

Let us see how would a bad-ass Superman would look like... hmmm... maybe this very cool cinematic trailer from DC Universe Online would do it for you (Bad-ass Supes starts on the 3:30 mark):

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Now let's talk costume. I really believe that Superman's red tights should be removed and that creators should design a slightly updated version of it. One good reason is to enable Superman to be "relatable" to the new generation of fans, because in these day and age, wearing your briefs outside your pants is not a good thing anymore. Second, because of the sole reason that the Man of Steel would rock without the tights on. Seriously.

Check out these costume designs from the cancelled Superman film titled Superman: Flyby (supposed to be directed by JJ Abrams) - which was supposed to be the film that would revive the franchise more than 5 years ago, before they scratched it, only to eventually ask Singer to create Superman Returns. The concept art by Steve Johnson could make great ideas for Kal-El's new costume... if they would ever decide to tweak it:

[Thanks to Comics Alliance for these photos]

 

 

I have to say these are pretty easy on the eyes and they are familiar - meaning, they don't stray too far away from the iconic red and blue costume. Maybe except for the beaded belt, every single art is a good candidate for a new Supes garb.

Then there is another one that I particularly liked from an artist from deviantArt that totally reeks of coolness( I totally forgot his name so please if you know his name or deviant handle, feel free to let me know):

I love the Kryptonese-designed belt and how his cape is no longer tucked under his shoulders. And again, no tights. Now imagine that being in the movie and we've got a complete Superman film revival that we should be all looking forward to.

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Finally, there's the hunt for the actor to play Superman. Who is going to be the lucky guy? I bet they are going to stick with the time honored tradition of choosing an unknown actor just like what WB did with casting Christopher Reeve n the first ever Superman flick that started the whole superhero film genre. It worked out again in 2006 by casting another unknown in Brandon Routh and so I think the magic could work again.

Personally, I would like Routh to give it a shot once more. He played Clark/Superman in Superman Returns just fine and I believe he can do better the 2nd time around with a great production team. He's going to be a perfect fit. But then again, its not for me or the fans to decide. 

And of course, a superhuman being needs a super-opponent. There had been rumors about putting Doomsday (the Kryptonian monster who killed Superman in the highly publicized 1992 comic book storyline "The Death of Superman") against Big Blue, as well as the uber-intelligent Brainiac. I would like to see Braniac in the future film only because the Doomsday thing is just getting old already,  and plus, the green skinned alien is the only one who could give Superman a hard time without ever getting into an Earth-pounding slugfest, which makes for a more interesting story as far as im concerned.

What do you think? Should they remove the tights? And should Routh be casted again to play Clark Kent and Superman? If you think otherwise, who should be chosen to portray our favorite Kryptonian?

[Thanks to Comic Vine and DC Wikia for the image of Brainiac and Doomsday]

Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy To Star As "Catwoman" and "Bane" in The Dark Knight Rises

This just in for ComicBookResources' Facebook update.

Multi-talented actress Anne Hathaway was selected to play as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman alongside Christian Bale's Batman in Christopher Nolan's final Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises as confirmed by Warner Bros.  She will serve as the love interest and nemesis of billionaire-playboy Bruce Wayne/Batman.

Here is the announcement from WB's press release:

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. She will be starring alongside Christian Bale, who returns in the title role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Christopher Nolan stated, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story."

 

In addition, Tom Hardy has been set to play Bane. Nolan said, "I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies." Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven. The Dark Knight Rises is slated for release on July 20, 2012. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

Hmm... I'm trying to imagine her in that sexy catsuit...

Damn, can't we just have pictures already? Oh I got an idea: try to imagine her in that catsuit while striking a pose like the one she did in the rated-R movie Havoc (where she appeared nude... yes, I'm probably going to hunt down a torrent of that movie):

Meow. Now tell me she's not fit for the role. Plus she's got a great rack.

Hmm... it could work. She could bring all that oozing sex appeal to the movie and maybe do a couple of hot scenes for the fans - not a bad idea, no? Even Batman should not have a hard time "rising" if that happens. We'll see.

Plus, my wish of seeing Bane in the movie were granted! Tom Hardy (yep that copycat guy from Inception) was also selected to portray the big-bad guy who once broke Batman's vertebrae in the comic books. Bane is a Latino in the comics and Hardy is hardly a Latino... but what the hell. Nolan did Ras Al Ghul as a white guy (Liam Neeson) before, so who cares about that. As long as they will portray the characters well, I've got no beef with it.

Image courtesy of ComicBookMovie

This might not be the combo I was expecting, for I was thinking more of a Hugo Strange-Bane for the third flick, but a sexy-as-hell-cat-burglar and a big-guy-who-can-give-a-big-can-of-whoop-ass could possibly be a formidable tandem to foil the Caped Crusader's crimefighting schemes and give him a legitimate ass-kicking of a lifetime before the whole thing ends.

Just one more wish: NO ROBIN. And I don't have to explain why.

The Dark Knight Rises is scheduled for release on June 20, 2012.

Facts About The Third Batman Film

Been keeping an eye on the third and final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise and I was able to get some pretty nice facts about the upcoming film, which is slated to hit the cinemas on July 20, 2012. Thanks to Hero Complex for scoring a good interview with Nolan himself who verified a couple of things about the film.

First, the movie title is The Dark Knight Rises. Not a bad choice and a catchy one at that. There's some mystique to it as to what the story and ending would be for our Caped Crusader's adventures.

Another thing that Nolan confirmed is that the villain is NOT - again folks, not - The Riddler. Rumors have spread all over the internet that the ever puzzling enigma is the next big villain to get a shot at the movies, with some reports saying that rapper Eminem is being cast to the role.  Though Riddler has been a great villain to the Bat over the years and thought I like Slim Shady's raps - I don't think its going to work mainly because the character doesn't have that "it factor". Just look at Batman Forever with Jim Carrey in it and tell me I'm wrong.

Now since The Riddler, The Joker and Ras Al Ghul  have been all out of the picture (Joker was used last year in the Dark Knight, and Ras was the bad guy in Batman Begins), who would be the villain? Don't even think about The Penguin, Catwoman or Poison Ivy - all of those guys we're used in the 90's, so we're left with... Bane, Killer Croc, Hugo Strange and maybe Harvey Dent (Two-Face).

It would be intriguing on how Nolan would use these aforementioned villains as the ultimate challenge for Batman. All have that "killer-instinct" and insatiable desire to defeat the Dark Knight, but the guys that I want to see in the film would be Bane and Hugo Strange. The former broke Batman's back and almost put him to retirement in the comic books so there's that long history and angle they could bring in to the movie, while the latter is probably one of the most underrated villains in Batman's rogues gallery. It would be  very interesting to see. Who knows? He might even do a combination of Hugo Strange + Bane or Hugo Strange + Killer Croc or any of those formulas. Let's see how Nolan would play this out.

What do you think guys? Who would be the the villain? Who's your pick?

My Top 9 Comic Book Movies of All Time

Since I'm a fan of comic books, I have virtually watched every superhero/comic book film out there - except for a few good ones - like Sin City and V for Vendetta for example, which is a shame really. Anyway, I have been running out of things to write on my blog and I don't want to fill this up with comic book reviews all the time.

There were a lot of comic book movies that I own on DVD, some of them are good, some of them not, and only a few are memorable, and I will going to list them down in no particular order.

So without further ado here are the best comic book movies that I have watched:

Spider-Man

The original is always the best as they say and this first Spidey flick proved that. It told the classic Spiderman origin, of how an ordinary school geek named Peter Parker became a super powered hero because of a bite from an irradiated spider, and learning that "with great power comes with great responsibility." Our friendly neighborhood hero surely didn't disappoint, with Tobey Maguire playing an excellent lead role. 

Favorite Scene: What else? The Mary Jane-Spidey upside down kiss in the rain. 'Nuff said.

 Batman (1989) 

The mother of all Batman movies. Tim Burton (of the Edward Scissorhands fame) directed this new take on the Batman mythos (new at the time at least) while comedic actor Michael Keaton took on the role as the caped crusader. The villain? The Joker played by the legendary Jack Nicholson. Loosely based on the Alan Moore classic "The Killing Joke", it gave new breath to the character and paved way for the creation of the Batman franchise. It is still one of my favorite Batman movies and I remember being so excited every time it was played on TV. It was that memorable - especially Jack's performance.

 Favorite scene: The first ever Batman-Joker face off. 

300

 

Who wouldn't forget all the bloody action and six-pack abs? This movie adaptation of Frank Miller's comic book masterpiece re-imagines the epic battle that occured in "The Battle of Thermopylae". 300 brave spartans led by King Leonidas (played by Gerard Butler) against millions of Persian warriors led by Xerxes. It was a great visual treat and a good historical film.

Favorite scene:  I was thinking the sex scene between King Leonidas and his wife (played by the red hot Lena Headey), but I changed my mind:

Messenger: This is blasphemy! This is madness!
King Leonidas: Madness...?
[shouting]
King Leonidas: This is Sparta! 

[Kicks the messenger down the well] 

Leonidas doesn't give a f**k.

Men In Black

 

Big guns, aliens in all varieties, and a white guy and a black guy teaming up to defend the Earth against all abominations? This movie kicked-butt, with Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in the lead roles. The theme song didn't hurt either. 

Favorite scene:  There were so many, and some I can't really remember, but I kinda chuckled everytime they did that "flashy-thing" routine to make people forget whenever they saw aliens.

Iron Man (2008)

Like I said, nothing beats the original. Robert Downey Jr as billionaire-industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man. It was the perfect. Packed with a lot of action scenes and high tech special effects, Iron Man gave me a lot of "WOW" moments and that's all I needed to realize that this was one hell of a comic book movie.

Favorite scene:  Iron Man taking his first flight.

X-Men (1999)

Any X-Men fan was happy to see this movie. All those characters that we all knew since childhood coming alive on the big screen: Charles Xavier, Wolverine, Rogue, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Beast, and the rest of the gang fighting Magneto and his evil mutants in an all-out war with Earth's fatehanging in the balance. Epic. Not to mention that it spawned two more sequels and started the re-emergence of comic book movies.

Favorite scene:   Can't remember the best scene for me. There were too many. I think I have to watch it again. haha. 

Blade (1998)

Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire, half-human killing machine was cool. I can't say anything that wouldn't make this as one of the best comic book movies. Anybody who saw this film wanted more when the credits rolled at the end.

Favorite scene: Again, I can't remember one fantastic scene that stood out in my mind. Kinda forgot. It's been a long time since I watched it, cmon.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Though the success of Batman Begins revived the whole Batman franchise after the abysmal movies that came before it years ago (remember Batman: Forever with all the nipples in the Bat costume? horrible), Christopher Nolan's sequel is probably the greatest Batman film ever. It broke box-office records and became the talk of the movie world - primarily because of Heath Ledger's monumental performance as the criminal psychopath, The Joker. 

His untimely death even before the film was released didn't hurt the movie's mystique and appeal either. R.I.P. Heath.

Favorite scene: I would say scenes. The first being the Joker "Pencil Trick" scene and then the Batman & Joker Interrogation scene. Both were fantastic. Watch it again if you don't believe me.

Superman: The Movie (1978)

For those guys who were born in the "Spider-Man" or "X-Men" era, you got to have and watch this movie if haven't seen it once because this is the movie that started it all. Directed by Richard Donner, Superman: The Movie set the standards of what a superhero movie should be. 

Starring a then-unknown Christopher Reeve in the lead role as the Big Blue Boy Scout,  the movie became an instant classic primarily because of Reeve's amazing performance as  the bumbling Clark Kent and Superman, in a "a role within a role" setup. The effects were pretty considering the time this was created and it not only that, it boasted a star-studded cast featuring Marlon Brando, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Phyllis Thaxter etc. 

It really made us believe that a man can fly. And it still does up to this day.

Favorite scene: Superman's first save. The unforgettable helicopter scene with Lois Lane. Goosebumps.  Watch it here.

So those we're my best comic book movies. If you feel like I forgot a movie that's deserving to be included in this list, or a movie that shouldn't be here, feel free to comment. Hope you liked my list!