Media Hijinks - Reboots, Casting and Lists

Well, this week has been another of mixed blessings.  For while original projects have been getting some good news, Hollywood still has its head firmly up its backside and is looking to adapt and reboot even more franchises, the latest being some of the worst ideas in the world (not quite as bad as Naked Gun or The Crow, but pretty close).  So scroll down to experience all the horror.

First up, a reboot!  Surprised?  Of course not.  Would you be surprised if I told you they were planning on rebooting Gilligan’s Island in movie format?  Yup, I guess since most of the old cast is dead-and-gone, it’s about time.  I’m going to go ahead and call it right now - within 5 years we will have a Happy Days movie.  Anyone care to take that bet?

Second, an adaptation!  This time the victim is the old, marginally successful cartoon series that inspired Venture Bros. - Jonny Quest.  It’s being put together by Peter Segal, the master of mediocre comedy responsible for such movies as The Longest Yard and Tommy Boy.  Personally, I’d rather see them do Venture Bros., but what can you do?  For more on that, check out this link.

Third on the agenda, some quick casting news.  One of Marvel’s newest projects, Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man, has its titular character.  The main hero will be played by Paul Rudd.  And while I’m not sure who this guy is, people don’t seem too happy about it.  Apparently he was in Anchorman?  His IMDB list reads like an exercise in fail, with very little on it that’s recognizable as anything other than a footnote.  I guess we shall see.

More casting - Argo veteran and award-winning scriptwriter Chris Terrio has joined the team over at Batman vs. Superman.  He’s worked with Ben Affleck before and now he’s back for more.  He did a good job on that one, but it was his first full screenplay, so I have no idea how this is going to turn out.  Let’s hope he does just as well with super heroes as he did with history.

Also, it seems as if the folks at Batman vs. Superman have been approaching none-other-than Joaquin Phoenix for the role of the big baddie.  They’re still only in talks and Phoenix isn’t known for doing big movies, but still… if they could get him, this would be one of the best casting decisions ever, IMO.  He’s the only reason I enjoyed Gladiator, his villainous portrayal on par with the likes of Javier Bardem.  Hopefully he’ll say yes, but more likely he’ll say no.  Stay tuned for further news as we receive it.

And finally, something to help all my readers organize the next few months of their lives.  Here is a brief list of all the best geek-centric TV shows hitting the airwaves from now until mid-February -

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - January 7^th

Arrow - January 15^th

Community - January 2^nd

Game of Thrones - TBA (Spring 2014)

Hannibal - February 28^th

Sherlock - January 1^st in UK/January 19^th

The Walking Dead - February 9^th

And don’t forget the Doctor Who Christmas Special on Christmas Day, of course!

Until next time, remember that everyone is a super hero, deep down inside.  Just don’t try to jump off of buildings to prove it.

Photo Credits -

Gilligan’s Island courtesy of whatculture.com