Universal In Talks To Make Mark Millar's War Heroes

HeatVision reports that Universal Pictures is in negotiations to develop Mark Millar's War Heroes into a film. Previously the project had been with Columbia Pictures but the rights lapsed. The studio is in talks with screenwriters Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer who wrote Conan The Barbarian (2011) and recently handed in a script for Doctor Strange to Marvel Studios. The premises is an alternate America where soldiers are given pills to unlock various superpowers to fight the country's enemies.

This is yet another boost for comic writer/creator Mark Millar who is starting to become the next Stan Lee in the world of comic book films. War Heroes will be his 7th comic book turned into a film. Two movies have already been completed [Kick-Ass, Wanted] and six others in development [Wanted 2, Kick-Ass 2, Nemesis, Superior, The Secret Service, Supercrooks]. It will be interesting to see who they'll get to direct the film.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Justin Lin in contention considering Fast Five/Fast Six writer Chris Morgan is producing. Lin has been rumored/attached previously to Terminator 5, Highlander, Oldboy, The Wolverine and Die Hard 5. Robert Schwentke (RED) also seems like a possbility since he walked away from directing RED 2 and is currently helming another high concept comic book adaptation R.I.P.D. (his second comic book film) for the studio.

Matthew Vaughn Making Mark Millar's Superior Into Movie

CBM has a press release that confirms writer/director Matthew Vaughn (X-Men First Class) has obtained the film rights to Mark Millar's (Wanted, Kick-Ass) comic Superior. Millar had mentioned that he had been in talks with directors and studios but nothing was ever announced. Superior focuses on a young boy multiple sclerosis who is granted his wish to become his favorite superhero by aliens.

It's assumed that Vaughn would direct the film but unknown when it would start production. Matthew is likely getting pressure from 20th Century Fox to deliver a First Class sequel by summer 2013. I would expect that Jane Goldman will also be involved with the script process. Jon Hamm (The Town, Mad Men) has been rumored as the ideal actor for the role of the hero. There had been an online campaign to get Hamm cast as the new Superman in Man of Steel. Hamm opted out stating he was too old for the part. It would make sense to cast Jon in Superior since the hero is a Superman archetype and could be any age.

Goldman Says Kick-Ass 2 Not Next For Vaughn, Could It Be Turf?

It looks like the DailyMail was a little premature. Jane Goldman (X-Men First Class, Stardust) has spoken out the rumor that her next writing project is Kick-Ass 2 via Twitter.

"Saw a few erroneous reports today that I’m currently writing Kick Ass 2 script – sorry if anyone’s disappointed, but not true. Currently writing for 2 other projects, then on to lovely Matthew V’s next thing (right now, looks unlikely to be KA2) when X-Men post-prod’ ends."

While she doesn't mention the possible projects they very well could be comic book related. TheGuardian mentioned that Jonathan Ross was hopeful his prohibition era vampire gangster comic Turf could be made into a film by Vaughn. Ross is a famous comedian in the UK and it doesn't hurt that his wife is Goldman. The project seems different enough that it could be very appealing to both Goldman and Vaughn. I could see it ending up a mix between Boardwalk Empire meets the original Blade film.

LatinoReview reported a few months back that Bloodshot was a project that Matthew and Jane were working on together with intentions of making it into a film. It was later stated by Mark Millar that they had turned it down but it's unknown if Millar is reliable anymore. Speaking of Millar's reliability the comic book writer had stated that a big announcement concerning a live-action adaption of his comic Superior which was to be made this month. It would reveal the film's director and possible lead actor. Millar previously tweeted that he gave Vaughn a first pass at the film.

"I've promised Matthew Vaughn a first pass at Superior though. We're going to talk next week whether it's this, KA2 or something else next."

Actor & Director For Superior To Be Announced In January

Mark Millar has Tweeted that along with a director to be announced in January an actor has been locked in to star in Superior. The comic focuses on a teen with MS who is transformed into his favorite superhero, think Superman meets Big. It mixes well established comic book mythologies from Superman, Thor to Shazam!. Even more impressive is Millar's statement "highest profiled actor of 2010". That is suggestive as there are lots of names that he could be referring to from Ryan Reynolds to Leonardo DiCaprio. The list of actors I have in my head that would consider this project include Sam Worthington and Tom Hardy. Jon Hamm's name has been tossed around by Millar for the film but didn't have a massive breakout in 2010 besides his role in The Town.

Now comes the director involved. I won't pretend to know what direction the film is going since I don't even know which studio has grabbed the project. If it's Universal or Fox I expect someone like Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) could very well be lined up. Reeves has been in contention for both Superman and Wolverine 2. He also made my list of possible directors for Iron Man 3. If it's Warner Bros. Guy Ritchie's name had been thrown around during talks for Nemesis before Tony Scott was hired. Yet since this is too similar to Superman I doubt he'll direct this one considering his relationship with both Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment.

Matthew Vaughn on the other hand could be another person to take on the film. He campaigned with Millar for their own pitch for the Superman reboot to Warner Bros. Vaughn also had been attached to direct Thor before Kenneth Branagh came on board. While Matthew has stated he believes the superhero film genre is on it's last legs he went on to direct X-Men First Class and is still interested in making Kick-Ass 2. Superior is a very different take on the whole genre and could interest lots of director, so who knows?

Director For Mark Millar's Superior To Be Announcent In 2011

Mark Millar might run his mouth on a regular basis even more so when it comes to the progress of Kick-Ass 2. Yet he is somewhat reliable when it comes to his comics becoming films. Recently Tony Scott signed on to direct Nemesis which Millar believes should star Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp.

Now there is word from Millar via an interview with TheList that his newest comic Superior is also getting the film treatment. While he doesn't give us a hint who is directing or even the studio. Mark teases an announcement for film's director will be released in January.

A name Mark has thrown around for the lead is Jon Hamm. If Hamm doesn't get the Superman job which is very likely. This could be an excellent consultation prize. The story takes influences from Superman, Thor and Shazam! combining elements of their mythologies.

When Will We See Guy Ritchie's The Real RockNRolla?

 The article on the site that gets the most traffic and comments is the one focusing on Guy Ritchie's The Real RockNRolla. It's been promised ever since the original theatrical release of RockNRolla and it was even teased in the credits. Since then Guy Ritchie has been focused on many other projects. I'm going to run down what those movies are and the prospects of when we could expect Ritchie to start production on the RockNRolla sequel.

When it comes to Ritchie's current project he is shooting Sherlock Holmes 2 with Robert Downey Jr. The now established franchise is giving Guy more commercial success than he's ever had before. I expect like with other dedicated Warner Bros. directors (Nolan, Snyder) he will be rewarded with financing for his original projects. The only setback is that he might want to round out a Holmes trilogy before jumping into anything else. I wouldn't be shocked to see Sherlock Holmes 3 his next film.

Guy's previously attached projects could also become a hold up on The Real RockNRolla. He's been in talks with producer Joel Silver to helm both Lobo and Sgt. Rock which are based on the DC comics.
The studio had filmed test shots for Lobo with Jeffery Dean Morgan (Watchmen) and possibly Clancy Brown (Highlander, Starship Troopers). Sgt. Rock is also in development hell and is being re-tool from being set during WWII to the future. I'm not sure if the productions stopped because of Holmes 2 or the fact the characters were taken from Silver by DC Entertainment.


Ritchie has also been attached to direct remakes of the Dirty Dozen and Excalibur for the studio. From what I understand Dozen got the axe because of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. I'm sure it will eventually happen but needs time between the Tarantino film.

Excalibur was once part of Bryan Singer's long list of projects in the works. He's been focused on Jack The Giant Killer which made opt out on directing X-Men First Class. Giving Matthew Vaughn the chance to finally show us his version of the X-Men universe. It would be interesting to see Ritchie take on the world of fantasy.


Another dreaded obstacle could be Ritchie signing onto new projects. Mark Millar teased that Ritchie along with Sam Raimi had been interested in making a movie based on his comic Nemesis. The project now has Tony Scott in the director's chair setup at 20th Century Fox. It's not surprising to see his name involved with Millar's projects since Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn is a friend and producer of Guy's films. Vaughn helped produce Lock Stock, Snatch and Swept Away. Millar is now teasing that his new comic Superior will become a film. Superior is a mix of iconic comic book mythology taking influences from Superman, Thor and Shazam!. The comic writer says the director would be announced in January. There is a possibility Guy Ritchie very well could be this name.

A very doubtful but still possible project could be Iron Man 3. It's unlikely because of Guy's current relationship with both DC and Warner Bros. Yet Robert Downey Jr. has director approval and could choose someone he's worked with before.

There could also be other unnamed projects which come up and he signs on. My expectations is that while The Real RockNRolla script is more than likely completed Guy could focus more on his high profile projects first. I wouldn't assume to see it go into production until 2012-2013 at the earliest. While there is enough of a demand from fans of the original he is sort of moving forward with different types of films. You can't blame him for wanting to expand his genres and can respect wanting to try different things.

Millar Will Give Vaughn First Shot At Superior Film

Mark Millar is just about to start releasing the first issue of his new series Superior. The comic follows a teen who has M.S. and has a superhero alter-ego similar to a mix of Superman, Thor and Shazam. Like Nemesis it's already caught the attention of Hollywood. Millar said that he's gotten offers for the film from studios but will give the first crack to friend, director Matthew Vaughn. It's likely since Vaughn hasn't been eager to jump straight into Kick-Ass 2 he could opt-out for the power-based superhero film.

"Sent Superior 1 to some buds last night and two informal offers from studios already. This is looking good."

"I've promised Matthew Vaughn a first pass at Superior though. We're going to talk next week whether it's this, KA2 or something else next."

"Vaughn and I will be doing lots of head-scratching between Superior and Kick-Ass 2 next week."


Abraxas the villain of the series is described by Millar as a mix of Darkseid, Brainiac and Darth Vader.