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  • kept back
    Persistent Member
    • Aug 2, 2002
    • 1203

    DC going dark

    Here's an article from (I belive) The New York Times about WB's approach to DC films...


    Emboldened by this summer's success with "The Dark Knight," Warner Bros.' movie studio is setting a new strategy.

    The Time Warner Inc. unit, like some other Hollywood studios, is planning to release fewer films into the crowded marketplace. But the studio, known for making more big, expensive movies than most rivals, plans to make even more of those -- some centered on properties from its DC Comics unit, such as Batman.

    Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov wants the studio to release as many as eight such movies a year by 2011. "The long-term goal of the studio is to take advantage of what has become a very global market by focusing on bigger films that require a bigger commitment," he says. Warner Bros. films released last year grossed $2 billion internationally, about 42% more than their $1.4 billion domestic take.

    Mining the comic-book franchise is central to the success of Warner Bros.' strategy. Its lineup of "tent poles" -- Hollywood-speak for big movies that are the foundation of a studio's slate -- has thinned. Warner Bros. has been slow to capitalize on DC, and it now faces a rival in Marvel Entertainment Inc.'s Marvel Studios, the company behind box-office gusher "Iron Man."

    Superhero films based on comic-book legends, like "The Dark Knight," have emerged as some of the strongest players in the global market, in part because they're natural candidates for tie-ups with consumer products and games that can also be marketed globally.

    "Superheroes are more global than ever in today's commercial world, existing in 30 languages and in more than 60 countries," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. The characters are "a world-wide export," he says.

    "Films with our DC properties have the opportunity to support other divisions in the company in a way that our other movies don't," Mr. Robinov says, for example, with products such as a Superman game or toys. By 2011, Mr. Robinov plans for DC Comics to supply the material for up to two of the six to eight tent-pole films he hopes Warner Bros. will have in the pipeline by then.

    While big ambitions can result in a huge payoff, they can also end in huge losses. Warner's car adventure "Speed Racer" bombed at the box office in May. The film, said to have cost as much as $150 million, has taken in only $43.9 million in the U.S. Some other big-budget Warner films, such as spy comedy "Get Smart," also have failed to meet expectations.

    Earlier this year, Warner Bros. shut its two art-house labels, Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures. The studio currently releases 25 to 26 films a year. By 2010, Mr. Robinov plans to pare production to 20 to 22 movies a year.

    A movie referred to internally as "Justice League of America," originally said to be for next summer, was planned as one of the studio's major releases. With that film, starring a superhero team, Warner hoped to spark interest in DC characters like Green Lantern who haven't yet attained the level of popularity of Batman. But script problems, among other things, have delayed the movie.

    The studio said last week that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," originally slated for November release, would come out next July -- on the same weekend that "The Dark Knight" opened this year. The Batman sequel made more than $150 million in the U.S. that weekend. "We just needed a July movie," said Alan Horn, president of the studio, at the time.

    Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million "Superman Returns," which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

    One of the studio's other big releases planned for 2009, "Watchmen," is the subject of a high-profile copyright lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox.

    Based on the premise that superheroes are real people grappling with their own problems, "Watchmen" is an apocalyptic vision of their world. Fox says it is seeking an injunction to enforce its copyright interest in the film. Last week, a federal judge ruled that it may have rights to the property. News Corp. is the parent of Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones & Co.

    With "Batman vs. Superman" and "Justice League" stalled, Warner Bros. has quietly adopted Marvel's model of releasing a single film for each character, and then using those movies and their sequels to build up to a multicharacter film. "Along those lines, we have been developing every DC character that we own," Mr. Robinov says.

    Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

    The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development.

    Many of the studio's directors credit Mr. Robinov for taking Warner Bros.' films in a darker and deeper direction. Christopher Nolan, who directed "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," says Mr. Robinov "really encouraged the logic of the villain" from "Batman Begins." That led to focusing heavily on the Joker in the sequel. "At the script stage, Jeff really wanted us to be very clear on the Joker's lack of purpose," he says.
    I suppose I should take the line "as dark as the characters allow" to some degree of heart. But considering these are the people responsible for things like Steel, Catwoman, and Batman and Robin, I have a very bad feeling about this. I don't think someone who's catchphrase is "Beware the power of Green Lantern's light" needs to be dark. Nor does Wonder Woman or Flash. And don't even get me started on a dark Superman.

    You get one mega hit under your belt and the response is "let's make them all exactly like that!" Not gonna work. I'm just petrified that Tim Burton's Superman will finally see the light of day.

    Ghost Rider as the Man of Steel...yeesh.
    Of all the souls I have encountered his was the most...human.
  • ctc
    Fear the monkeybat!
    • Aug 16, 2001
    • 11183

    #2
    Hmmmm....

    That's a lot of insider doubletalk going on there. I'm reminded of the Simpsons: "Aren't those words used by dumb people so they can SEEM smart?"

    >You get one mega hit under your belt and the response is "let's make them all exactly like that!"

    Yup! Unfortunately the moviegoing public WANTS that! If people would stop watching them, they'd stop making them. And yeah, you're gonna get whatever character seems popular at the time shoehorned into "The Dark Knight."

    "Beware the spirit of bloody vengeance! Beware; THE CREEPER!!!!"
    "Back from the dark to reap his gruesome REVENGE!!!!! He is.... BROTHER POWER!!!!"
    "They may still take naps, but they TAKE NO PRISIONERS! They are... SUGAR AND SPIKE!!!!"

    ....and then someone will come up with "L'il Lobo" for Saturday mornings....

    >Superheroes are more global than ever in today's commercial world, existing in 30 languages and in more than 60 countries," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. The characters are "a world-wide export," he says.

    That is one of the most brutally crass things I have read all day! "And we're gonna keep whoring them out 'til something better comes along!"

    Don C.

    Comment

    • SUP-Ronin
      Stuck in a laundry shoot.
      • Oct 8, 2007
      • 3146

      #3
      To me this is the whole problem - They are only interested in making a movie if it has global appeal and can sell a jillion consumer products, games, and other stupid crap because of it?

      Here's and idea and tell me if I am wrong.

      Write a good script.
      Find some good actors.
      Find a good director, a good key grip and a good effects lab, and whoever else as long as they're good.
      Make a good movie.

      They don't seem to understand than just because you make a movie with a popular superhero, doesn't mean it will be a smash. People want quality and they have high expectations for their heros. That's why they are heros. Seeing some crappy CGI, and lousy tired old rehashed script doesn't cut it. Look at this latest release of The Mummy. A whole bunch of arguably decent actors given absolutely NOTHING to work with. Made me wanna puke, and I knew it wasn't very good going into it, so I already had low expectations. Sure I saw it knowing it was bad, but I didn't go back 5 times like the good movies.

      The Star Wars series is a the classic example.
      First 3 -NH, ESB, RTOJ phenominal. Favorite movies of my life, and still are in my top 10 for the genre.

      Second 3 - For the most part sucked - IMO. High expectations and the Biggest disappoint of my life as far as movies. A few cool elements, but too many tragic ones.
      Why? - greed.

      In that whole article, no-one mentioned making a great movie because they love the character, and have a dream for that script. You could argue this in many directions but the bottom line is it's all about money, money, money.....just like everything else, to hell with quality.
      "Steel-like jaws clacked away, each bite slashing flesh from my body - I used my knife and my hands, and when they were gone, my bloody stumps - and yet the turtles came."

      Comment

      • palitoy
        live. laugh. lisa needs braces
        • Jun 16, 2001
        • 59794

        #4
        Blerg, I saw this coming. As great as I thought Dark Knight was, it wasn't piles of fun either, seeing this reality formula played out instead of playing it true to the character will be the death knell for superhero movies.

        I mean I loved the Dark Knight but I loved Iron Man equally.
        Places to find PlaidStallions online: https://linktr.ee/Plaidstallions

        Buy Toy-Ventures Magazine here:
        http://www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

        Comment

        • Goblin19
          Talkative Member
          • May 2, 2002
          • 6124

          #5
          Just stay true to the characters and get talented people who want to do the same. Superman and The Flash aren't Batman.

          Comment

          • ramsey37
            • Jun 18, 2001
            • 0

            #6
            Oh crap, I thought "grim and gritty" died with the 90's....
            George

            Comment

            • toys2cool
              Ultimate Mego Warrior
              • Nov 27, 2006
              • 28605

              #7
              Originally posted by palitoy

              I mean I loved the Dark Knight but I loved Iron Man equally.
              yup same here
              "Time to nut up or shut up" -Tallahassee

              http://ultimatewarriorcollection.webs.com/
              My stuff on facebook Incompatible Browser | Facebook

              Comment

              • MegoSteve
                Superman's Pal
                • Jun 17, 2005
                • 4135

                #8
                Warner Brothers doesn't get it and they never will.

                Comment

                • UnderdogDJLSW
                  To Fear is Not Logical...
                  • Feb 17, 2008
                  • 4895

                  #9
                  That does seem to be the trend these days is to take a project and do a sort of "Grand Theft Auto" feel to it - anarchy and danger around every corner. For those of us in our late 30s and 40s, it may not be our thing, but it might be for the younger target audience. I remember reading one time about the VW Beetle when it was first released that they had a color called slime green because they reasoned that the car was going to be popular with college kids and a generation earlier when they were growing up they would have seen the Nickelodeon show with slime in it. It is the same thing now. 20 year olds today have grown up with 24 news, acts of terror, and violent video games.
                  It's all good!

                  Comment

                  • jw1991
                    New Member
                    • Sep 10, 2007
                    • 18

                    #10
                    Originally posted by MegoRonin
                    To me this is the whole problem - They are only interested in making a movie if it has global appeal and can sell a jillion consumer products, games, and other stupid crap because of it?

                    Here's and idea and tell me if I am wrong.

                    Write a good script.
                    Find some good actors.
                    Find a good director, a good key grip and a good effects lab, and whoever else as long as they're good.
                    Make a good movie.

                    They don't seem to understand than just because you make a movie with a popular superhero, doesn't mean it will be a smash. People want quality and they have high expectations for their heros. That's why they are heros. Seeing some crappy CGI, and lousy tired old rehashed script doesn't cut it. Look at this latest release of The Mummy. A whole bunch of arguably decent actors given absolutely NOTHING to work with. Made me wanna puke, and I knew it wasn't very good going into it, so I already had low expectations. Sure I saw it knowing it was bad, but I didn't go back 5 times like the good movies.

                    The Star Wars series is a the classic example.
                    First 3 -NH, ESB, RTOJ phenominal. Favorite movies of my life, and still are in my top 10 for the genre.

                    Second 3 - For the most part sucked - IMO. High expectations and the Biggest disappoint of my life as far as movies. A few cool elements, but too many tragic ones.
                    Why? - greed.

                    In that whole article, no-one mentioned making a great movie because they love the character, and have a dream for that script. You could argue this in many directions but the bottom line is it's all about money, money, money.....just like everything else, to hell with quality.
                    Yep all about the money! and when these dark movies come out and tank. It'll be another 5-10 years before they'll take a chance on shelling out money for something that really rocks

                    Comment

                    • saildog
                      Permanent Member
                      • Apr 9, 2006
                      • 2270

                      #11
                      Originally posted by palitoy
                      I mean I loved the Dark Knight but I loved Iron Man equally.
                      I feel the same way, but spread out over ten different movies, I'd rather see 7 movies like Iron Man for every three movies like The Dark Knight. I loved both of the latest Batman Movies, but Iron Man was a great movie and great fun and I would love to see more movies take that approach. The Batman Movies were great for me, but it alienates the kiddos and if there's gonna be a slew of Superhero Movies made, most of them should be made where you can at least take the kids along for the ride.

                      Comment

                      • Joe90
                        Most Special Agent
                        • Feb 23, 2008
                        • 721

                        #12
                        I'm a Silver Age sensibilities comic geek. DC's gotten too dark as far as I'm concerned. I like Darwyn Cooke, he still has what someone described as "the Gee Whiz Factor." That's what comics should be, in my opinion. But to each his own. The World has a backlog of Silver Age comics for me to read, I can leave the modern stuff for someone who'll appreciate it.
                        90, Joe 90.... Great Shakes : Milk Chocolate -- Shaken, not Stirred.

                        Comment

                        • saildog
                          Permanent Member
                          • Apr 9, 2006
                          • 2270

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Joe90
                          I'm a Silver Age sensibilities comic geek. DC's gotten too dark as far as I'm concerned. I like Darwyn Cooke, he still has what someone described as "the Gee Whiz Factor." That's what comics should be, in my opinion. But to each his own. The World has a backlog of Silver Age comics for me to read, I can leave the modern stuff for someone who'll appreciate it.
                          Hey!!! I just bought Volume I of New Frontier yesterday on the way home from work (they didn't have Volume II in stock, but I will definitely track one down). I bought the DVD when it came out, but had never read the comic. I'm starting to get into Challengers of the Unknown (a previously unknown for this dude). While visit a Challengers site, I realized how much was left out of the movie, so I finally got around to getting the Comic.

                          Long story to say this: I'm with you, Darwyn Cooke's sensibilities reflect what I feel is missing and I am hoping the pendulum will swing back that way. Iron Man was along those lines, I think....Warner's strategy, as stated in the OP, is all wrong.

                          Not that I am opposed to the Batman Movies, though. I just think that if there are going to be more Superhero Movies, there should be more fun than dark.

                          Comment

                          • Hector
                            el Hombre de Acero
                            • May 19, 2003
                            • 31852

                            #14
                            Dark & gritty?

                            Oh no, here comes Tim Burton's Superman...



                            Good grief!

                            sigpic

                            Comment

                            • saildog
                              Permanent Member
                              • Apr 9, 2006
                              • 2270

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Hector
                              Dark & gritty?

                              Oh no, here comes Tim Burton's Superman...


                              Good grief!

                              Where the heck did you find that, Hector????

                              Comment

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