Diseased Maniacs: The Villains Thread with POLL

[emielaen]

Kaluuya for the win.

 

[Chris B]

I think it pretty much has to be Brainiac for three reasons:

1. Never used before
2. Overdue to appear in live-action
3. They should go big and not bet on saving things for a sequel that may or may not happen

 

[AndrewGilkison]

Brainiac is great for a choice of villain because not only is he an alien invasion story, but he's also an A.I. gone rogue story, all of which is perfect for a science fiction action movie.

You can also use Brainiac's tech as an explanation for other villains, like Metallo, in the sequels.

 

[Alien Anal]

Brainiac that Lex thinks is working for him but its the other way round .... but then Lex outwits him and gets him back.

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

Brainiac is great for a choice of villain because not only is he an alien invasion story, but he's also an A.I. gone rogue story, all of which is perfect for a science fiction action movie.

You can also use Brainiac's tech as an explanation for other villains, like Metallo, in the sequels.

Yeah, like in Morisson's New 52 run, Metallo and Steel easily fit into a Brainiac story.

Brainiac could also be interesting if they tie it into our general reliance/addiction to the internet, the scary power of tech giants in government, tech companies spying on everyone, etc. I believe in Morisson's run, Brainiac is the internet.

I also like the idea of exploring the theme of ambition with Brainiac and Lex, that drive people have to be better, to be the alpha, to continue expanding one's limits, something that perhaps Clark could learn from a little?

Brainiac that Lex thinks is working for him but its the other way round .... but then Lex outwits him and gets him back.

Totally. I love the idea of Lex and Supes working together to defeat Brainiac, only for Lex in the end to pull one over on Supes, take Brainiac's ship and flee to space to continue Brainiac's work (or perhaps to return the stolen worlds for the credit, live-streaming his space-faring escapades, earning back the attention and respect of the human race).

 

[BobJM]

Yeah, like in Morisson's New 52 run, Metallo and Steel easily fit into a Brainiac story.

Brainiac could also be interesting if they tie it into our general reliance/addiction to the internet, the scary power of tech giants in government, tech companies spying on everyone, etc. I believe in Morisson's run, Brainiac is the internet.

I also like the idea of exploring the theme of ambition with Brainiac and Lex, that drive people have to be better, to be the alpha, to continue expanding one's limits, something that perhaps Clark could learn from a little?



Totally. I love the idea of Lex and Supes working together to defeat Brainiac, only for Lex in the end to pull one over on Supes, take Brainiac's ship and flee to space to continue Brainiac's work (or perhaps to return the stolen worlds for the credit, live-streaming his space-faring escapades, earning back the attention and respect of the human race).

Interesting; I just don’t like a Brainiac story (especially for a first Superman film) where Superman is responsible for bringing Brainiac to Earth.

In Kevin Smith’s script, it was a beacon from Luthor (seeking intergalactic help to takedown Superman) that got Brainiac’s attention. Maybe something here could similarly work, especially if Gunn holds true and doesn’t make this an origin—Luthor is already working against Superman in this scenario, so we’re assuming they’ve met or at least Superman is public. Luthor teams with Brainiac to enhance Metallo and/or Parasite or other villains before he’s ultimately betrayed by the Coluan.

Then, at the end, you can still have Superman fight off a Brainiac invasion but not stuck, narratively, cleaning up a global mess/devastation that he brought.

 

[Superchan]

Brainiac would be the obvious choice but ultimately (for me atleast) it should be the story that dictates who the villain is and not the other way around.
I still believe that a straight up Action 775 adaptation is the way to go, Superman fighting for his relevance and for a future where extreme violance isn't always the answer. As such Manchester Black would be the obvious choice and in stead of having nobodies like Hat, Coldcast etc....you can sub in some Superman villains like Metallo, Liverwire maybe Silver Banshee as part of M.Black's Elite team. And while you're at it you can substitute Atomic Skull (appeared in the animated adaptation) for Parasite.

 

[C Prometheus]

Brainiac would be the obvious choice but ultimately (for me atleast) it should be the story that dictates who the villain is and not the other way around.
I still believe that a straight up Action 775 adaptation is the way to go, Superman fighting for his relevance and for a future where extreme violance isn't always the answer. As such Manchester Black would be the obvious choice and in stead of having nobodies like Hat, Coldcast etc....you can sub in some Superman villains like Metallo, Liverwire maybe Silver Banshee as part of M.Black's Elite team. And while you're at it you can substitute Atomic Skull (appeared in the animated adaptation) for Parasite.

I strongly doubt it will be Manchester Black, given that the existing premise for the film so far is that it will explore Clark in his early days as a cubby reporter. That indicates to me that whoever the villain will be, it'll probably be someone who immediately lends themself to a plot where Clark has to do old fashioned investigative journalism in addition to his usual Superman exploits, such as Toyman or Parasite.

Though I suppose it's possible we could see Brainiac still, given how he played a big role as the climax for the end of Grant Morrison's first arc in his Action Comics run, which also explored Clark's early days as a starting reporter and a recently established Superman.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

Brainiac. He's long overdue.

Lex should be featured throughout the franchise as part of Superman's supporting cast.

We should see his story play out through multiple films.

 

[Silvermoth]

They would be mad not to use brainiac

 

[GreenKToo]

As much as I want Brainiac it's probably best to wait.

Set Brainiac up at the end for a sequel.

First film should be Lex and some villain he creates to take on Superman, ie, parasite, metallo, etc.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

I would be fine with Parasite or Metallo with Lex if they really go hard on the "this is about Clark as a reporter" and bring in some post-crisis John Byrne elements like billionaire Lex Luthor where he owns half of Metropolis and Clark and Lois are trying to take down his empire.

Things like...

Lex being a creep who makes his female employees sleep with him.
Lex ripping the Kryptonite out of Metallo because he failed him.
Lex having Lana Lang tortured to find out info about Superman.
Lex staging an accident to poison Lois's mom so Lois would have to go to him every month for a treatment serum.

Just go all in on making Billionaire Lex the scummy soap opera villain that you love to hate.

I don't know how that would square with a Grant Morrison All-Star Superman tone though?

 

[Silvermoth]

Actually that’s a good point. Brainiac is a step up villain not an introduction villain. Actually you know who would be fun and a great way to differentiate from man of steel? Bizarro. Make Kal like, a big brother type guy and bizarro is constantly running intro trouble. It’s also conflict because Kal is trying to keep under cover

 

[GreenKToo]

This is how I'd like to see lex portrayed.

Show him being even more intelligent than his teachers in elementary school, correcting them and even writing out complicated formulas they don't understand. His arrogance would already be showing.

Show him graduating HS at 12.
Getting multiple PHDs by 16.
Making his first billion by 19.

He develops a Germ phobia at an early age, so he is constantly shaving all his body hair, including his facial and scalp hair, and he wears gloves.

He Forms Lex-corp by 23.
He Becomes the wealthiest person on the planet by 24.
He buys up properties in Europe and Africa to get the mineral rights, and he has those who refuse to leave their town or villages, "disappeared".

He would have rock star status while out in public. He wears movie stars, models, and singers on his hands like most do jewelry.

The Ladies and men both love him, but he has no time, nor desire to have any close relationships.
He hires mercy as his personal assistant and bodyguard.
She shadows him everywhere he goes and keeps away the admirers that stray to close.

Lex would be on all the major magazine covers and make all the talk show rounds.
He soon grows bored with it all as he secretly hates people, but they are a means to an end so he continues the act, putting on a likable facade while doing so.

He would have Tony Stark level of intelligence, but without the quirkiness or humor.

Superman then shows up and everything changes for Lex.

 

[Lily Adler]

This is how I'd like to see lex portrayed.

Show him being even more intelligent than his teachers in elementary school, correcting them and even writing out complicated formulas they don't understand. His arrogance would already be showing.

Show him graduating HS at 12.
Getting multiple PHDs by 16.
Making his first billion by 19.

He develops a Germ phobia at an early age, so he is constantly shaving all his body hair, including his facial and scalp hair, and he wears gloves.

He Forms Lex-corp by 23.
He Becomes the wealthiest person on the planet by 24.
He buys up properties in Europe and Africa to get the mineral rights, and he has those who refuse to leave their town or villages, "disappeared".

He would have rock star status while out in public. He wears movie stars, models, and singers on his arms like most do jewelry.

The Ladies and men both love him, but he has no time, nor desire to have any close relationships.
He hires mercy as his personal assistant and bodyguard.
She shadows him everywhere he goes and keeps away the admirers that stray to close.

Lex would be on all the major magazine covers and make all the talk show rounds.
He soon grows bored with it all as he secretly hates people, but they are a means to an end so he continues the act, putting on a likable facade while doing so.

He would have Tony Stark level of intelligence, but without the quirkiness or humor.

Superman then shows up and everything changes for Lex.

This is what the people want.

 

[GreenKToo]

Lol WroOOnnnGgg!

 

[AndrewGilkison]

This is why I want Josh Brolin to play Lex. I can very easily see him playing a live action version of a STAS style Lex in a way that isn't remotely Jessie Esenberg-ish.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I loved the idea of Brolin for Lex back when he was in that Wall Street sequel. But I think after Thanos, Cable and Jonah Hex (lol), he’s played enough comic book characters.

I guess it could happen though. Was it Gunn that initially cast Brolin as Thanos? I know he first appeared in GOTG but I don’t know if that casting was Gunn, Feige or kind of a group decision.

 

[GreenKToo]

Matthew McConaughey

 

[Silvermoth]

Hm. Choosing and casting a villain seeks to be the hardest part

 

[GreenKToo]

I'd have Lex with a secondary villain that he creates to take on Superman. Either metallo or parasite.
I'd set Brainiac up at the end for a sequel.

 

[DCDAVE]

I think Gunn is going to go with a new villain. Lex will be around in the movie but I think Gunn wants this movie to be original. I would go with Brianiac but I don’t see Gunn using him because Marvel used Ultron already. Live wire and a Parasite combination would be fun playing smaller villains in the movie. I expect this to be something we have not seen before.

 

[CaptainWagner]

Okay, I'm gonna make a deep-cut here. We want a villain that fits well with a narrative where Clark is still a young reporter new to the big city. We want someone who represents a stark contrast to the ideals that Superman represents, to shake off the muddled values of the Snyderverse. And we have the idea of "Legacy" to deal with. So here's my pitch:

Intergang & The Religion of Crime; ft. Bruno Manheim and Metallo

In the shadows cast by the bright light of the City of Tomorrow lurks a dark and deadly criminal organization, devoted to a dark and twisted cult that worships selfishness above all else. Intergang has grown powerful thanks to a secret pact formed years ago between its founder and a mysterious visitor from outer space. (In this adaptation, it would be a deal with a rogue Kryptonian, rather than Apokolips) These powers helped make Metropolis what it is today, but kept it under the thumb of the Manheim family.

Enter Superman. Turned on to Intergang by Clark's assistance in Lois' investigative reporting, he begins to smash his way to the heart of the gang's operations. Enter Metallo. Using their extraterrestrial tech, Intergang is able to create a threat unlike anything the young Superman has ever faced. Who will win the battle for the soul of Metropolis?

Burn Gorman as Bruno Manheim

Chris Evans as Metallo

This story would be a great intro for a young Superman, IMO. It's a serious enough enemy to carry a movie, but not a world-ending threat. It gives Clark, Lois and Jimmy material to work with that's integral to the plot. It offers a clear path to establish Clark/Superman's values and what he stands for. Meddling with extraterrestrial technology is a great springboard for lots of future projects.

 

[Silvermoth]

Intergang would be fun. It’s interesting, I reckon Hong Chau would play a really cool superman villain but I’m not sure who yet. She just has that Quitley look and she’s having such a moment right now

 

[Deck Rickard]

I feel like I could happily live my whole life without seeing Burn Gorman in anything again. That dude keeps getting cast in intimidating villain roles and I can’t figure out why.