Ratner to direct BHC 4 before Harbinger...

[jedimarley]

I'd be surprised if 1 in 10 people that saw Hellboy II had ever read a Hellboy comic.

That's a very good point.

However, how many people will see the movie and then buy the comic?

I really can't see many doing this.

My prediction is that if a Harbinger movie does come out (and that's a very BIG "if", in my opinion....), the boost it that it would give to new comics, that may or may not be coming out in the future would be negligible at best.

Paramount is going to make this movie...

It's ONE of the first TWO movies coming from Ratners production company. NOTHING looks like it will suffer from the same fate as Spider-Man did in the early 90's. I also don't think we will see something like Corman's Fantastic Four that was put on the shelf NEVER to be seen once Marvel bought the rights back.

Just because your mad at VEI for something doesn't mean your negativity is going to change my mind on the Harbinger movie. Paramount is a studio that is VERY interested in getting the movie made.

At SDCC I talked to a few Paramount reps and they know EXACTLY what I was talking about when I brought it up. Sin City was a hit and I bet LESS then a Percent of the movie goers read the comic before seeing the movie. YOU can keep using the Hellboy example it's a valid one. Other properties made into movies can also be made.

Will the Harbinger movie be made? YES I believe it will. Will ANYONE see it? That's NOT a question you or I can answer right now.

The point is....The Harbinger movie will raise the awarness of the comic. Thats the goal to it right? If it sells more comics Great.

Comics aren't going to be the thing that pays the bills for VEI anyways and if you think it will then you need serious help.

VEI has said "monthly titles are going to be made" how much more clear do you need it to be said?

-Brian

Everything you just posted it true...Right now. But movie studios are are funny bunch, they seem to fallow the trends.
I hope superheros are still trendy in 5 years.

[Chiclo]

VEI has said "monthly titles are going to be made" how much more clear do you need it to be said?

-Brian

I hear manufacturers saying that products will be out all the time.

I see those deadlines passed and forgotten and new deadlines thrown out like candy. And then sometimes these new deadlines are passed and forgotten.

I would love to see new Valiant comics before 31 Dec 08. Honestly I would be surprised to see them by that date, however.

[xodacia81]

VEI has said "monthly titles are going to be made" how much more clear do you need it to be said?

-Brian

I hear manufacturers saying that products will be out all the time.

I see those deadlines passed and forgotten and new deadlines thrown out like candy. And then sometimes these new deadlines are passed and forgotten.

I would love to see new Valiant comics before 31 Dec 08. Honestly I would be surprised to see them by that date, however.

Generating and "releasing" comics are two different things. Still, they might not be able to "generate" them by the INTENDED deadline, yet, they never said "no doubt we 100% will be" but rather that they "plan to start generating". At least, I think. Maybe there was a "will" in there. I am hopefull, but trying not to get too worked up about things. I'll be happy whenever-and I say when, not if-they get new books on shelves.

[Heath]

I also don't think we will see something like Corman's Fantastic Four that was put on the shelf NEVER to be seen once Marvel bought the rights back.

Just for accuracy, Marvel didn't buy back the rights to Fantastic Four. The same company that had the rights when Corman made his film had the rights for the other films.

I'll let Wikipedia explain:

Production

In 1992, Constantin Film was about to lose their option of the Fantastic Four film rights, unless they began production by December. Without the forty million dollars in funding, producer Bernd Eichinger turned to Roger Corman for help to make the film. Corman shelled out a $1.98 million budget to shoot the movie. Filming lasted a month and finished in January 1993. After shooting wrapped, the film was sent into post-production. Believing they had something good, the cast gave press interviews and attended comic book conventions. Neu Constantin planned the premiere to take place in 1994 at the Mall of America in Minnesota. By Christmas 1993, it was revealed that the film would not be released.

Over a decade later, Constantin Film made a $100 million Fantastic Four film and its sequel, the $130 million Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Controversy

Following the announcement of the cancellation of the film's release, a rumor spread that the studio intended this version of the Fantastic Four to be the film equivalent of an ashcan copy: they had the legal rights to create a film based on the Fantastic Four, but they were not ready to produce the big budget film that was intended. However, they needed to produce something or else they would lose the legal rights to the characters. Apparently the studio misled everyone involved in the making of this film by letting them believe it was going to be a genuine release rather than a way to maintain their license on the property. The cast and crew allegedly did the film for low salaries after being told if it did not get released to theaters, it would be used as the pilot for a potential television series. Corman since confirmed that this was indeed the case.

So basicaly, Constantin Films and Bernd Eichinger (producer for both films) used Roger Corman, the actors, and all the production staff to make a few million bucks.

There's some info about it and some quotes from Corman on the matter here: http://www.teako170.com/ffmovie.html

Not that any of this changes anything you said. So back to your regular conversation.

[dave]

i really think that the movie will do as well as the trailer allows them-if it's a great trailer, people will go see it.

i also agree that there are many valiant fans that are not on this site...my two brothers for example...they both enjoyed valiant back in the day, but today they are really into comics, and yet the both go to see the comic movies that have been mentioned. they aren't interested in collecting every issue ever published like the rest of us freaks (even though i STARTED collections for them!!!) but they'd go see the movie.

so that's two right in my family is my point. plus we'll all drag our spouses along won't we??? we just fillled TWO theaters!

[Tim]

Just because your mad at VEI for something doesn't mean your negativity is going to change my mind on the Harbinger movie. Paramount is a studio that is VERY interested in getting the movie made.

I never said I was mad at VEI. The fact is, a lot of studios are VERY excited about things and they never happen. Remember, the Comics Journal? They used to have a few pages in the back of all the issues that listed properties being "developed" and even listed what studios were doing it.

I'll bet less than 1% of them ever got made.

I HOPE the film gets made. I HOPE VEI puts out comics, but honestly, I'll believe it when I see it.

At SDCC I talked to a few Paramount reps and they know EXACTLY what I was talking about when I brought it up. Sin City was a hit and I bet LESS then a Percent of the movie goers read the comic before seeing the movie. YOU can keep using the Hellboy example it's a valid one. Other properties made into movies can also be made.

Brian, you obviously feel pretty strongly about this, but let me ask?

Would a Paramount PR Rep (and one at a comic book convention, no less, who would have to be totally prepared for questions about a comic book related property ) tell you anything different, even if they KNEW the film being made was a longshot?

VEI has said "monthly titles are going to be made" how much more clear do you need it to be said?

Sorry. Until I actually hold a book in my hand, I don't believe it. There's NO market for it.

[Tim]

Hell, I want them to make the movie just so I can hear someone say "buttlick" on the big screen.

[Rufusharley]

I'm generating an enormous piece of hud right now.

Might not physically come to pass for a while though.

[Crow331]

The fact is, a lot of studios are VERY excited about things and they never happen.

I'm still waiting for Rob Liefeld's THE MARK starring Tom Cruise ....

and that Youngblood film which should be going into production "any day"

[Tim]

Don't forget Steven Spielberg's "Doom's IV".

[Crow331]

HA ... That's the one I was really trying to come up with and I couldn't for the life of me remember the name and then I remembered the other one, The Mark .... thanks for keeping me from losing sleep about that damn title

[etos45]

Saying there are 100 people that are represented by each inactive member here that remember Valiant, fondly or otherwise, I'd say is a bit ambitious.

Also, I would expect that Paramount would advertise a Harbinger movie to more than just people that remember Valiant. I'd be surprised if 1 in 10 people that saw Hellboy II had ever read a Hellboy comic.

The only examples I can think of that represent what I'm thinking is:

1) The Watchmen. I know many people who do not read comics that are buying the trade of this to read about it. The movie is getting so much hype that a lot of people want to read it now just to see what all the fuss is about.

2) Sin City. Again, I know people that don't generally read comics that went out and bought these issues after the movie came out that liked it so much they wanted to read the comics.

So I think there is no doubt that a movie can generate interest in the comics that weren't there prior. The difference in Iron Man is that you are dealing with an already huge property. While the success might be able to generate interest, it's more likely that those interested would have already tried it. Maybe I'm wrong there.

The flip side, being that a larger fan base would help the movie is a legit one, in my opinion. I don't think movies like Spider-man would have done so well if he wasn't already a household name. The name recognition is what, IMHO, made Spider-man such a desirable film to make and is what made it sell so well. Harbinger has a hurdle to jump because it's something that hasn't really been published in many years and though Sin City and Watchmen do fall in that same category, they weren't an ongoing series that was canceled, unlike Harbinger. So I do think a successful relaunch would make Paramount want to release the movie with more expedience.

[Brother J]

I'm generating an enormous piece of hud right now.

Might not physically come to pass for a while though.

Is "hud" another word for dookie?

[Zaphod]

If they don't get cracking soon thier fan base will have died of old age.

Honestly, and I'm not trying to start an argument with anyone...

How big is the fan base in the first place?

"There are dozens of us. Dozens!"

[Zaphod]

1) The Watchmen. I know many people who do not read comics that are buying the trade of this to read about it. The movie is getting so much hype that a lot of people want to read it now just to see what all the fuss is about.

I read something crazy somewhere like The Watchment graphic novel has moved some insane number of units since the trailers started showing.

With the right directors and producers and a large investement from Paramount that could just as easily occur with a Harbinger movie.

On the flip side, does anyone recall "The League of Extrordinary Gentlemen" movie?

[jedimarley]

If they don't get cracking soon thier fan base will have died of old age.

Honestly, and I'm not trying to start an argument with anyone...

How big is the fan base in the first place?

"There are dozens of us. Dozens!"

So? Who's the valiant fan? The doc or the bald homo in the Daisy Duke's?

[ncameron]

If they don't get cracking soon thier fan base will have died of old age.

Honestly, and I'm not trying to start an argument with anyone...

How big is the fan base in the first place?

"There are dozens of us. Dozens!"

So? Who's the valiant fan? The doc or the bald homo in the Daisy Duke's?

All nevernudes love Valiant.

-neil

[betterthanezra]

1) The Watchmen. I know many people who do not read comics that are buying the trade of this to read about it. The movie is getting so much hype that a lot of people want to read it now just to see what all the fuss is about.

I read something crazy somewhere like The Watchment graphic novel has moved some insane number of units since the trailers started showing.

With the right directors and producers and a large investement from Paramount that could just as easily occur with a Harbinger movie.

On the flip side, does anyone recall "The League of Extrordinary Gentlemen" movie?

DC has come out and said that they will be printing 1 Million copies of Watchmen this year from the demand....ONE MILLION

With the League Of Extra The film wasn't that big of a hit. FOX had the Budget at about $80 Million and it grossed $66 Million in the states.

Foreign BO was kinder with $112 Million butIwonder how much of that was Sean Connery and his BO draw out-side of the US..

-Brian

[Zaphod]

1) The Watchmen. I know many people who do not read comics that are buying the trade of this to read about it. The movie is getting so much hype that a lot of people want to read it now just to see what all the fuss is about.

I read something crazy somewhere like The Watchment graphic novel has moved some insane number of units since the trailers started showing.

With the right directors and producers and a large investement from Paramount that could just as easily occur with a Harbinger movie.

On the flip side, does anyone recall "The League of Extrordinary Gentlemen" movie?

DC has come out and said that they will be printing 1 Million copies of Watchmen this year from the demand....ONE MILLION

With the League Of Extra The film wasn't that big of a hit. FOX had the Budget at about $80 Million and it grossed $66 Million in the states.

Foreign BO was kinder with $112 Million butIwonder how much of that was Sean Connery and his BO draw out-side of the US..

-Brian

well yes, you restated my point quite nicely. Thank you.

and sorry Jedi, it is an inside reference to the TV show Arrested Development. Nothing whatsoever to do with Valiant. my bad.

[Drift]

1) The Watchmen. I know many people who do not read comics that are buying the trade of this to read about it. The movie is getting so much hype that a lot of people want to read it now just to see what all the fuss is about.

I read something crazy somewhere like The Watchment graphic novel has moved some insane number of units since the trailers started showing.

With the right directors and producers and a large investement from Paramount that could just as easily occur with a Harbinger movie.

On the flip side, does anyone recall "The League of Extrordinary Gentlemen" movie?

DC ordered 200,000 copies in the UK alone printed to cope with demand.

[Crow331]

Looks like BHC is now off the table .... Maybe Harbinger after Conan!?

Date: Saturday, November 08, 2008
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

If Paramount Pictures wants Beverly Hills Cop IV completed within the next two years, they're going to have to move forward without director Brett Ratner. He's been weighing his options between a new R-Rated Axel Foley installment and a re-imagining of Conan the Barbarian and the latter won out. Nu Image/Millennium and Lionsgate are prepping this to be a hard R-rated approach to Robert E. Howard's character with hopes of getting the film into theaters sometime in 2010.

Ratner liked what he saw within the Conan script by Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly, who looked to Robert E. Howard's original pulp stories of the 1930s to create their take on the character. The writers are doing a quick polish to incorporate some of Ratner's ideas.

Joe Gatta and Avi Lerner of Millennium Films are producing, along with Paradox Entertainment president and CEO Fredrik Malmberg.

Preproduction is already under way for the $85 million shoot at Nu Image's Nu Boyana Studio in Bulgaria with an eye towards making a new franchise of films based around the warrior.

"The story opens on the battlefield where Conan is born and tells the origin story that sets the stage for what will be the first of multiple films," Lerner said.

[betterthanezra]

Ratner changes his mind like a girl.....

I'm sure he will direct another Mariah carey video in between this also....

He's directed several over the years....

Lucky *SQUEE*

-Brian

[superman-prime]

we shall see when it finally gets done

[Solitude]

i really think that the movie will do as well as the trailer allows them-if it's a great trailer, people will go see it.

Fade in. A happy teenage couple lounge around on a bed, and the male turns his head toward the female. She smiles, but he looks serious. "Khris, there's something I've got to show you." She frowns. "What is it, Pete?" Objects in the room begin to levitate, but Khris remains oblivious until Pete nods in their direction. "Oh my God, Pete! How are you doing that?" Fade out.

Voiceover: They've got a place for people like you, boy.

Fade in. Pete standing in front of an office building, Harbinger bird logo prominent. Fade out.

Fade in. Pete sitting in a chair, a middle aged Asian man opposite him. "This is where you belong, Peter. We're going to change the world." Fade out.

Fade in. Pete surrounded by armed, black-clad goons. He's on his knees, his hair drenched with sweat. "I just want to be normal!" Cut to exterior of building, the windows of one floor shattering outwards. Fade out.

Harada voiceover: You can't fight what you are.

Harbinger logo fades in, then a release date fades in below it.



That's what I'm picturing. Although there'd probably be more action sequences cut in, or shots of the car being levitated. Or maybe more of an emphasis on the other characters.

[dave]

sounds good-except they should not call sting peter in the promo-people are already gonna be thinking this is a marvel rip-off, and peter means peter parker to most people.

i like it though-it's very visual, and i could picture the whole thing the way you described it.