Michael Dworkis – Senior Writer, Wrestling Columnist
1. Are superheroes facing oversaturation in today’s media?
We’re getting close, but not close enough to cause panic. Comics being in the mainstream media has been universally accepted as part of current movie and television trends. It seems like comic book characters have always been so popular and a draw for the theatres. I have felt most networks have run out of ideas for new shows and right now comics/superheroes/fantasy have been the saviors of entertainment.
I’m not a young man anymore. I do remember when George Clooney donned the cape and cowl for his cringe-worthy Batman roles. I also recall the original live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. I also remember when they tried Birds of Prey which horrifically tanked. There was a time where there was such skeptiscm and critics on comic books being produced for film. It was laughable. Considered a joke and a desperate move.
These days, everyone cannot wait for the next bit of news on Avengers or Star Wars. Will Michael Bay return for Transformers 5? Will Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers get a reboot? Will we ever see Voltron or Thundercats earn the live-action treatment. Fact is, comic movies make big money because it is today’s most successful trend. More Iron Man? Inhumans? Deadpool? Cable? Batman vs. Superman is now a Justice League prequel? Some of these might suck, but there is no doubt the demand for these films are not waning at all. Now that DC is pushing hard into the filming frenzy, there is cause of concern of over-saturation. They are going to try to do in five years what Marvel has built in nearly a decade. We are about to find out if too much really can be a bad thing.
2. How can superhero content stay fresh over the next few years?
Pacing. It’s all about the pacing. DC became desperate to make their mark, we wound up with Gotham, Constantine, Flash, and a third season of Arrow within the span of a month. Marvel gave us one show. One. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
DC would have been better off spread the distribution over the course of three-to-six months. They want to compete hard with Marvel, which is understandable. Marvel laid out the foundation, spreading movies over the next five years. DC is going to cram it all in. To stay fresh, you have to leave fans wanting more. Don’t put it all out there so fast. Leave some time, leave gaps. People can wait for the next film if it is done right.
3. What will we be saying about the superhero genre in five years?
Hollywood would have died. Not kidding. Forget the awards. People go nuts for news on comic book movies. Comic fans and casual movie-goers. It’s become part of pop-culture and in five years, will become routine. It will be expected to see some sort of superhero flick every couple of years. The production studios have found the right formula to make it work, and more importantly, to make it last.
If it ain’t broke. Don’t fix it.
4. Out of all the movies that have been announced, what will be the best overall film?
This is a tough call. I would like to say Avengers 3 Parts 1 & 2, but my gut tells me no because of the level of over-hype it is already getting. I am going to stick with Guardians of the Galaxy 2. It is a fun ride film, much like the first Avengers, but since Guardians is among the build towards the epic conclusion, they can retain the same charm the first movie had.
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