I don’t pretend to be all-knowing about everything “geeky.” I’ve never played a video game successfully that wasn’t “Kingdom Hearts” and I have a pretty abysmal comic book collection (even though I proudly flaunt my copy of “Watchmen” to anyone who cares to ask).
But I really love superheroes. And science fiction. And sweeping fantasy epics. So as a proud member of numerous television, movie and comic book fandoms, I will gladly decipher all the nerdiest of news for those unsullied in the ways of the geek. I hope you brought your towel.
Holy Left Field, Batman!
I was already pretty wary of the “Man of Steel” sequel when it was announced at Comic Con. Let’s be honest, “Man of Steel” wasn’t exactly the shining example for DC superhero movies that it tried to be, and “Superman vs. Batman” is a pretty terrible title.
But yesterday’s announcement of Ben Affleck as the new Batman might have crushed my small hopes of seeing a successful team-up of the World’s Finest.
Other than the obvious reasons that a big-name celebrity like Affleck might make it hard to take him seriously as Batman, Affleck just lacks the gravitas required to play a convincing Dark Knight. There’s nothing terrifying or imposing about him, no matter how buffed up he gets or how much he broods.
And while Affleck has proven himself in these past couple of years to be a talented director, he’s only a passable actor with a less than stellar resume. And his acting only gets weaker in movies where he’s not directing himself.
So with a shaky Zack Snyder at the helm and a potentially dubious script by David S. Goyer, things aren’t looking up for Affleck in “Superman vs. Batman.” I only hope they all prove us wrong.
In the Thick of “Doctor Who”
In good news, BBC announced that newly announced twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi will be keeping his Scottish accent.
This could have potentially awesome consequences, as Capaldi’s most famous and beloved role is as the foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker on the British government satirical comedy “The Thick of It,” which he reprised in the 2009 film “In the Loop,” where he did keep in natural Scottish brogue.
Now, if only they could make him as sassy as Malcolm Tucker, then all would be right witht he world.
Marvel: Phase Two
Whew, there’s a lot to cover with Marvel Studios’ “Phase Two” of their cinematic superhero universe. We saw the culmination of Phase One in 2012’s “The Avengers,” which took them four years and six movies to pull off, so Phase Two is bound to be a stunner.
At Comic Con, the Marvel panel teased “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and revealed the big bad for “The Avengers 2” (it’s Ultron). And major casting news has been making waves—first “Kick-Ass” star Aaron Taylor-Johnson was announced as Quicksilver at the beginning of the month, and now indie darling Elizabeth Olsen has been announced as the Scarlet Witch.
“Avengers: Age of Ultron” is getting more promising by the minute, and with the disappointment of the Batman casting still raw, Marvel’s starting to look like the better alternative.
The New World
Only 32 days until Joss Whedon’s newest television show “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” comes to our screens.
Yes, you heard me. Joss Whedon, geek goliath and television aficionado is coming back to where he belongs: T.V.
Sure, he directed “Avengers,” he’s directing “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and now he’s one of the most successful men in Hollywood, but television is where he won most of his fans, and now he’s bringing them…a spin-off of “The Avengers.”
Ok, so Whedon is now a part of the corporate superhero-making machine, but his recent successes in both the blockbuster world and the indie world has given him a bigger chance to draw out his creative processes without being cancelled after one season (R.I.P “Firefly”).
With Clark Gregg and Ming-Na Wen (for those who don’t know, she voiced Mulan) leading a cast of unknowns, a pilot written and directed by Whedon and pretty exciting new trailer, “S.H.I.E.L.D.” is at the top of my must-watch list.
hbui@theeagleonline.com
