Part One:
Marvel Us

Marvel Studios, famous now for bringing us the successful “Blade,” “X-Men” and “Spider-Man” franchises, actually controls the licenses of more than 4,700 proprietary characters, including Captain America, Ant-Man, Black Panther, Power Pack, Longshot, Deadpool and Morbius the Living Vampire. Upcoming Marvel projects include:

“Daredevil” is a sci-fi actioner about attorney Matt Murdock, whose childhood encounter with a radioactive truck left him blind but also with the super-acute hearing, touch and smell that he secretly uses to pursue a career as a crimefighter. Ben Affleck stars in the Feb. 14 Fox release.

“X-Men 2” is a sci-fi actioner about an amnesiac mutant drawn closer to his past when an escaped master of magnetism helps the world’s most powerful telepath halt a plot to wipe out the planet’s mutants. Returnees from part one include director Bryan Singer (“The Usual Suspects,” “Apt Pupil”) and screenwriter David Hayter (“The Scorpion King”), as well as actors Hugh Jackman (“Kate & Leopold”) as Logan, Patrick Stewart (“Star Trek: Nemesis”) as Xavier, Ian McKellen (the “Lord of the Rings” series) as Magneto, Famke Janssen (“I Spy”) as Dr. Jean “Marvel Girl” Grey, James Marsden (“Sugar & Spice”) as Scott “Cyclops” Summers, Halle Berry (“Die Another Day”) as Ororo “Storm” Munroe, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (“Femme Fatale”) and Bruce Davidson (“High Crimes”) as Mystique, Shawn Ashmore (“Strike”) as Bobby “Iceman” Drake, and Anna Paquin (“25th Hour”) as Marie “Rogue” D’Ancanto. Newcomers to the series include Alan Cumming (“The Anniversary Party”) as Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner, Katie Stuart (“Masterminds”) as Katherine “Shadowcat” Pryde, Brian Cox (“The Bourne Identity,” “the Ring,” “Adaptation,” “25th Hour”) as Stryker, Aaron Stanford (“Tadpole”) as Pyro, and Kelly Hu (“Scorpion King,” “Cradle 2 the Grave”) as the mutant supervillain Deathstrike. Fox has marked May 2 as the spot for the sequel’s release.

“The Hulk” is, yes, a sci-fi actioner that retells the tale of Bruce Banner, a scientist transformed by gamma radiation into an impossibly strong green man. Like “X-Men,” “Daredevil” and “Spider-Man,” it’s based on the character created by Stan Lee. The “Ice Storm”-”Ride with the Devil”-”Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” team of director Ang Lee and screenwriter James Schamus reunite. The cast includes Eric Bana (“Black Hawk Down”) as Banner, as well as Jennifer Connelly (“A Beautiful Mind”), Sam Elliot (“We Were Soldiers”), Nick Nolte (“The Golden Bowl”), Brooke Langton (“The Replacements”) and Mike Erwin (“The New Guy”). Universal has prepared a wardrobe of tear-away shirts for June 20.

Due May 7, 2004, Sony’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” is a sequel to 2002’s monster hit. Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco and J.K. Simmons are set to reprise their roles as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn and J. Jonah Jameson, respectively. Sam Raimi will once again direct, this time from a screenplay by Michael Chabon (“Wonderboys”). It is widely rumored that, in this outing, Peter Parker must use his bizarre superpowers to combat a pair of freakish supervillains dubbed Dr. Octopus and the Lizard.

Marvel also has more than a few projects in development.

“Captain America” is a new look at a World War II soldier injected with an experimental serum that transforms him into a superman. The screenplay is by Larry Wilson (“The Addams Family”) and Les Bohem (“Dante’s Peak”).

“Fantastic Four” follows a quartet of scientific adventurers who find themselves transformed during a space mission into four super-powered beings – the highly elastic Mr. Fantastic, the force-field-generating Invisible Girl, the flying Human Torch, and the grotesque, super-strong Thing. Peyton Reed (“Bring it On”) was reportedly being sought to direct from a screenplay by Chris Columbus (“Nine Months,” “Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland”) and Mike France (“Cliffhanger”). It’s in development at Fox.

“Namor” is an actioner about the amphibious sea-dwelling superhero known by many in the Marvel Comics universe as the Sub-Mariner. Namor made his first appearance in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939, but his more modern manifestation debuted in Fantastic Four #4 in 1962. Philip Kaufman (“Rising Sun,” “Quills”) may direct from a screenplay by David Self (“Road to Perdition”).

Wesley Snipes, already a comic book antihero in the two “Blade” films, has long been connected to Marvel’s “The Black Panther.” The actioner is about an African prince who can transform himself into an enormous feline to fight evildoers. The latest screenplay is by Jeffrey A. Fiskin. Snipes has reportedly said he’ll begin filming this year for Sony.

The “Blade” franchise is reportedly experimenting with “The Experiment” helmer Oliver Hirschbiegel as director of “Blade 3.” A deal has yet to be signed for him to shoot the screenplay by writer/producer David Goyer, who also penned parts one and two. Said to be set 20 years after “Blade 2,” the new project will see the title character at odds with the vampires who have taken over the world and enslaved the human race. New Line has yet to sharpen a release date.

Casting is reportedly already underway for “The Punisher.” The actioner is about an ex-soldier who embarks on a one-man crusade against the crime syndicate that murdered his family. Screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh (“The Saint,” “Armageddon”) was reportedly set to make his feature directorial debut from his own screenplay. It’s in development at Artisan.

“Dr. Strange” is yet another “new look,” this time at the mystical Marvel superhero. The screenplay by “Blade” series scipter David Goyer is in development at Sony.

Comic-book collector (at least before his short marriage to Lisa Marie Presley) Nicolas Cage is often connected to comic book adaptions. Marvel’s “Ghost Rider” is one. The drama details the adventures of a motorcycle stunt performer named Johnny Blaze who is cursed to spend his nights as host to a fiery spirit of vengeance. The screenplay is by Shane Salerno (“Shaft”). It’s in development at Sony.

Cage was also connected to Fox’s “Iron Man,” about an industrialist who finds that the high-tech suit of armor that keeps him alive also allows him to fly and fight evil. The screenplay is by Jeff Vintar (“Final Fantasy”). Tom Cruise has also reportedly been sought to play Man of Iron Tony Stark.

Cage, born Nicolas Coppola, cribbed his screen name from the Marvel superhero Luke Cage, but he is not connected to “Luke Cage,” a science fiction adventure about a young African-American prisoner who gains superhuman powers after he volunteers for dangerous experiments in exchange for his freedom. John Singleton (“Shaft,” “Baby Boy”) may direct from a screenplay by TV vet Joseph Dougherty (“Once and Again,” “Presidio Med”).

“Iron Fist” is a Marvel actioner about a man who gets his superpowers by defeating a golden dragon. Kirk Wong was reportedly set to direct from a screenplay by John Turman. Ray Park (“X-Men,” “Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever”) may star in the project in development at Artisan.

“Silver Surfer” examines a gleaming superhero who can navigate the far reaches of outer space via a cosmic surfboard. Geoffrey Wright (“Romper Stomper”) may direct from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker (“Sleepy Hollow”), Rudy Gaines and John Rice (“Blown Away”). Fox has the rights to this project.

“Thor” is an animated actioner about the Norse god Odin’s son, who fights injustice with the help of his massive divine hammer.

Finally, “Venom” is an actioner based on the ruthless Marvel character who has come to menace “Spider-Man” in recent years. The screenplay in development at New Line is by “Blade” series scripter David Goyer.

Part Two:
DC Charge

Once the dominant force in superhero moviemaking thanks to its “Superman” and “Batman” franchises, DC Comics has long been developing relaunches for each of its flagship characters – but at this writing Warner Bros., which controls the movie destinies of all DC-owned characters, has no superhero projects in actual production.

“Superman,” however, is said to be on the fast track at Warner Bros. Director Brett Ratner (“Red Dragon”) segues here from cannibalism, repression and psychological instability to truth, justice and the American way to direct this version. The new script by J.J. Abrams (“Armageddon,” TV’s “Alias”) reportedly “re-imagines” the DC Comics legend, and features a disgruntled CIA scientific investigator named Lex Luthor and a planet Krypton that doesn’t explode. Anthony Hopkins has reportedly been cast as Superman’s father, Jor-El. Filming is expected to start in the spring with a planned release in summer 2004.

“Batman Vs. Superman” was once expected to be the reintroduction of both characters, but the defection of director Wolfgang Petersen (“Air Force One,” “The Perfect Storm”) to the Trojan War epic “Troy” put this project on the back burner. As the title implies, the screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker (“Sleepy Hollow”) finds the Man of Tomorrow at odds with the Caped Crusader. Colin Farrell and Jude Law were once rumored (or, since they’re both denizens of the British Isles, rumoured) to play the respective title characters.

Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, “Batman: Year One” is the story of two young Gotham City men, billionaire Bruce Wayne and police lieutenant James Gordon, who seemingly operate on opposite sides of the law but ultimately find they have a lot in common. Darren Aronofsky (“Below”) was reportedly set to write and direct.

Batman’s nemesis heads into eponymous territory in “Catwoman.” Ashley Judd (“Frida”) was reportedly set to play the conflicted villainess’ alter ego Patience Price (changed here from the traditional Selina Kyle). Longtime visual effects supervisor Pitof (“Alien Resurrection,” “Astérix and Obélix vs. Caesar,” “Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc”) was reportedly set to direct from a screenplay by John Rogers (“American Outlaws”). Warner Bros. is aiming for a 2004 release.

“Wonder Woman” is another of the DC titles that goes through various stages of development hell. Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lopez are rumored to be the leading contenders among the young actresses who might wield the golden lasso.

“Watchmen,” sometimes called the “War and Peace” of comic books, is said to have been the subject of a fairly faithful screenplay adaptation by David Hayter (the “X-Men” series), who may also make his feature directorial debut. Based on the apocalyptic comic series written by Alan Moore (“From Hell”), the Universal project deals with a disturbed ex-superhero trying to track down a mystery man who is killing his former fellow costumed crimefighters.

“Constantine,” based on another DC-owned character created by Moore, is described as the “Dirty Harry of the occult world.” The movie’s story sees John Constantine team with a female police officer. Keanu Reeves has reportedly signed to play the title character. Music video director Francis Lawrence (POD’s “Alive,” Shakira’s “Whenever Wherever”) was reportedly set to make his feature directorial debut. Warner Bros. is expected to set a 2004 release.

Based on still another popular comic created and written by Alan Moore, “The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen” is a sci-fi action thriller, set in 1898 England, about a group of diverse literary heroes commissioned by Queen Victoria to stop an evildoer from conquering the world. Steve Norrington (“Blade,” “The Last Minute”) directed from a screenplay by Alex Ayres and comic book writer James Robinson (“Starman,” “Hawkman”). Sean Connery (“Finding Forrester”) stars as Allan Quatermain, Peta Wilson (TV’s “La Femme Nikita”) as Mina Harker, Jason Flemyng (“Mean Machine”) as Henry Jekyll, Naseeruddin Shah (“Monsoon Wedding”) as Captain Nemo, Max Ryan (“Kiss of the Dragon”) as Dante Inferno, Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!”) as the Fantom, Stuart Townsend (“Queen of the Damned”) as Dorian Gray and Shane West (“A Walk to Remember”) as Tom Sawyer. While DC Comics subsidiary Wildstorm publishes “League,” DC does not own the property, which is likely why Warner Bros. is not releasing the movie. Instead, Fox has pen and inked July 11, 2003 for the release.

Part Three:
Horse Power

Dark Horse Comics, the force behind “The Mask,” “Timecop,” “Barb Wire” and “Mystery Men,” was founded in the 1980s with the intention of revitalizing what its founders saw as the hidebound comics industry. They have also specialized in turning movies and TV shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Indiana Jones,” “Star Wars,” and “Xena: Warrior Princess” into comic book series.

“Hellboy,” deals with a demonic-looking fellow, born in Hell and brought into the world during a Nazi pagan ritual, who is raised in a doctor’s Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. Hellboy presently works for the bureau alongside: a merman named Abe Sapien; Liz Sherman, a woman who can psychically control fire; and Moss, an FBI agent who is Hellboy’s rival for Liz’s affections. Ron Perlman (“Star Trek: Nemesis”) stars as Hellboy, Larry Miller (“A Guy Thing”) as Dr. James Manning, Selma Blair (“A Guy Thing”) as Liz, Doug Jones (“Adaptation”) as Abe and James Babson (“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”) as Moss. John Hurt (“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”) co-stars. Guillermo del Toro (“Blade II”) directs from his own screenplay. Sony plans a 2004 release.

“The Mask 2: The Son of the Mask” is a sequel to the 1994 blockbuster, but reportedly won’t include the prohibitively expensive services of Jim Carrey or Cameron Diaz, focusing instead on an infant who is transformed each time he wears the titular object. SSSSSnursin’! Larry Guterman (“Cats & Dogs”) was reportedly set to direct from a screenplay by Lance Khazei. New Line has tentatively set a 2004 release date.

“Black Cross” is a Dark Horse actioner, set in a post-apocalyptic future, about a loner who takes on militaristic mercenaries who hunt humans for sport. Based on the comic created by Steve Perry and Chris Warner, it may be directed by Russell Mulcahy (“The Shadow”). Howie Long (“Broken Arrow”) was once reportedly sought to star in the Disney project.

“Concrete” is a Dark Horse title about a political speechwriter who is captured by extraterrestrials who transplant his brain into a massive, bizarre robotic body. When he escapes his alien captors (who flee the earth with his real body, perhaps forever), he must find ways to readjust to the world of humans while trapped in his freakish form. Screenwriter Larry Wilson (“The Addams Family”) was once attached to direct from a screenplay by Wilson, Caroline Thompson (“Buddy,” “Stuart Little”) and “Concrete” creator Paul Chadwick.

Part Four:
Image Conscious

Based on the Image comic book created by Tony Daniel, “Adrenalyn,” is a contemporary science fiction actioner about a Russian female cyborg built to bring the United States to its knees. The screenplay is by Alan Sereboff. Christina Ricci (“Pumpkin”) was once reportedly set to star.

“Area 52,” also based on an Image comic, is a science fiction horror-thriller, set in Antarctica, about misfits who band together to save themselves and the world from an alien killing machine. The screenplay is by Damion Shannon and Mark Swift.

“Avengelyne” is an actioner about a fallen angel who is transformed into an avenging superheroine. It’s based on the Image comic book character and in development at New Line.

Part Five:
French Connection

Our French friends have turned a 1965 French comic book into a major franchise. “Astérix And Obélix: Mission Cleopatra” is the latest in a series of comedies, this time about the famous Egyptian queen and her wager with Caesar that she can have a palace built in three months. Actor Alain Chabat (“The Taste of Others”) makes both his feature directorial and screenwriting debuts. Gerard Depardieu (“C.Q.”) and Christian Clavier (“Just Visiting”) return as the dimwitted title characters. Monica Bellucci (“Brotherhood of the Wolf,” “Irreversible”), Gerard Darmon (“For Sasha”), Jamel Debbouze (“Amélie”), Claude Rich (“Season’s Beatings”), Edouard Baer (“Alias Betty”) and Chabat costar. Miramax plans a June 2003 release.

Speaking of French comics, Drew Barrymore is reportedly producing a movie based on the Jean-Claude Forest comic book “Barbarella” (but not on the 1968 Jane Fonda/Roger Vadim camp classic famous for its peek-a-boo nudity). Barrymore is expected to star in the project, scripted by John August (the “Charlie’s Angels” series). Fox and Warner Bros. have coyly mentioned 2004 as a possible release date.

Universal’s “Metabarons” is a science fiction epic, set in the year 20,000, about a powerful dynasty of space warriors. It’s based on the French graphic novels written by Alexandro Jodorowsky. Alfonso Arau (“A Walk in the Clouds”) may direct a screenplay by Arau and Jodorowsky (“El Topo,” “Santa Sangre”).

 

Part Six:
Independent Jones

Inspired by the comic book series co-penned by Gotham Chopra (son of Deepak), “Bulletproof Monk,” is an actioner about an immortal martial arts master who takes a street kid under his wing. Video director Paul Hunter makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by the “Demon Knight” team of Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris. Chow Yun-Fat (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), Seann William Scott (“Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Old School”) James King (“Slackers”), Karel Roden (“Blade 2”), Victoria Smurfit (“About a Boy”) and Marcus Jean Pirae star. MGM unloads it April 16.

The remainder of projects described here can be comfortably classified as “in development.” “Shrink!” is a Sony comedy about a psychiatrist who finds herself caught in a love triangle with a superhero and a supervillain. It’s based on the Internet comic created by former Marvel comics illustrator Rob Liefeld. Jennifer Lopez (“Maid in Manhattan”) may star.

“30 Days of Night,” a story that originiated in an IDW Publishing comic, is set in Barrow, Alaska, a town near the Arctic Circle that spends nearly a month in darkness. When it is overrun with vampires, a husband-and-wife pair of sheriffs must choose between saving themselves and helping the town survive the onslaught until the sun returns. Steve Niles, who wrote the print version, was reportedly drafting a screenplay.

Based on the CrossGen comic book, DreamWorks’ “Way Of The Rat” is a martial arts action-adventure, set in Hong Kong, concerning a young acrobatic hero, a wise-cracking monkey and a princess who has a way with blades. Chuck Russell (“The Mask,” “The Scorpion King”) may direct from his own screenplay.

“Fathom,” based on the Top Cow comic title, is the story of a shockingly well-toned, thong-wearing young woman who discovers she is descended from a mysterious race that evolved below the ocean’s surface. Linda Woolverton (“Beauty and the Beast”) was reportedly drafting a screenplay for the live-action Fox project.

Jessica Alba (TV’s “Dark Angel”) was reportedly set to take the title role in Universal’s “Beautiful Killer,” based on the Black Bull Comics one-shot about a young girl driven to seek vengeance after her parents are killed because of their involvement in the espionage game.

“Prime,” based on the Malibu Comics line, is the tale of 13-year-old who, as a result of a government-backed experiment, gains the ability to transform into an adult superhero. Don Calame and Chris Conroy were reportedly set to write the screenplay.

“Ash” is an animated actioner about a man who benefits from a force from the future that allows him to emerge from a deadly inferno with superhuman powers. It’s based on the Event Comics character created by Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti. The screenplay is by Rand Ravich (“Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh,” “The Maker,” “The Astronaut’s Wife”).

At the Comic-Con International, Mindfire Entertainment announced a deal with Harris Publications to produce a live-action feature film based on “Vampirella,” the comic book about the voluptuous bloodsucker dedicated to defeating other voluptuous bloodsuckers. Plans once called for a Halloween 2003 release.

Last and, depending on your particular tastes, perhaps least, Universal’s “Archie,” based on the 55-year-old comic, is a teen romantic comedy about a middle-class blonde in love with a middle-class redhead in love with a rich brunette. Tommy O’Haver (“Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss,” “Get Over It”) may direct from a screenplay by O’Haver and Douglas Carter Beane (“To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar”). If the writing/directing team’s past projects are any indication, Archie and Jughead may just live happily ever after.