Alternate History of Phase Two of The Canon Studios Marvel Cinematic Universe (1988-1990)
By Christmas of 1987, the Hollywood landscape has changed due to a series of successive Marvel hit films from Canon Studios. Warner Brothers is prompted to fast track their DC properties beyond Superman before this " Superhero trend", expires. Other studios also dust off old pulp and fantasy properties in order to take advantage of this " Super Boom" of the 1980s.
Not only have the films been hits, but Spiderman, Fantastic Four, and Avengers each spawned massive hit Soundtrack Albums ,and music videos ,featuring some of the biggest artists of the decade ,including ,Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, Lionel Ritchie, Psychedelic Furs, and many more.
A whole new movie tie in toy line is established aside . Even the comics of the decade begin to reflect the likenesses of actors playing the roles on screen. The cast of The Avengers is even invited to appear at the White House with U.S. President Reagan over various humanitarian causes. In just a few years, Canon's Marvel films have already left it's mark in pop culture of the 1980s along with Nintendo, MTV, Hair Bands, Masters Of The Universe, and The Cola Wars.
While Canon has made a fortune off of their first wave of Marvel film properties, they still feel the ire from the establishment of film critics who, by in large, dismiss the films as mindless fluff and " kids stuff" . While the films are exceedingly popular with families , teens, and children, Canon wants to prove that they aren't, as cultural commentator from the New York Times stated " Care Bears In Tights".
As sequels to Spiderman, Fantastic four, Iron Man, and Captain America go into development, Canon wants to explore some of the darker and grittier properties of the Marvel Universe. With the success of tv shows such as Miami Vice, and films such as Commando, Rambo, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Lost Boys, studios aims it's sights on Punisher, Daredevil, Blade, Wolverine, and The X Men, to name a few. However, unlike the early 80s , when the Studio had to beg big name stars and investors to jump on board, now, everyone including actors, celebrities, athletes, even politicans, want to take their crack at appearing in a Canon Marvel film.
Sly Stallone is the first choice to play the Punisher. Eddie Murphy takes on his first dramatic role between his string of comedies to play Blade. He also takes an active role behind the scenes to ensure the film does not devolve into a Coming To America or Trading Places , Comedy Horror film. Wes Craven produces the frightening Doctor Strange film with Christopher Lambert in the title role. Mel Gibson, hot off of his Mad Max run , stars as Wolverine in his own origin film , followed by the James Cameron epic, The X Men .
Phase two marks a darker , more experimental phase in Canon's Marvel catelog, and the results are mixed. While many critics and audiences praise the darker direction of films like Daredevil, Weapon X : The Wolverine, and The X Men, many parents are shocked by the darkness and violence of films like The Punisher, Blade, and Doctor Strange. While most of the films of phase two are box office successes , a backlash ensues from parental groups and other organizations which taint some of the darker films for years to come. It isn't until the twenty- teens that the phase two films received appreciation for what they tried to achieve.
In 1991 , however , in the midst of the backlash, and lower than expected box office, Canon decides to get back to what audiences liked, and decide that the direction they need to go, is under the sea, and out of this galaxy.
CANON FILMS
THE PUNISHER (1988)
Director : Michael Mann
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The Cast
Punisher/ Frank Castle : Sly Stallone
Jigsaw : Billy Drago
Kathryn O’Brien : Ellen Barkin
Chip : Gene Hackman
The Russian : Andreas Wisniewski
Howard Saint : John Vernon
Maria Castle : Talia Shire
CANON FILMS
DAREDEVIL : MAN WITHOUT FEAR (1988)
Director : Ridley Scott
The Cast
Daredevil/ Matt Murdock : Tom Berenger
Kingpin/ Wilson Fisk : Paul Sorvino
Bullseye : James Woods
Electra : Jennifer Beals
Tombstone: Tiny Lister
Karen Page : Kim Basinger
Foggy Nelson : John Candy
Stick : David Carradine
Ben Urich : Roy Scheider
CANON FILMS
BLADE (1988)
Director : John Carpenter
The Cast
Blade : Eddie Murphy
Jean DeWolff : Ray Dong Chong
Abraham Whistler : James Coburn
Deacon Frost : Jack Palance
Morbius: Jason Patric
CANON FILMS
DOCTOR STRANGE (1988)
Director : Wes Craven
The Cast
Doctor Strange / Steven Strange : Christopher Lambert
Baron Mordo : Tony Todd
The Ancient One : Keye Luke
Madeleine de St. Germane : Marina Sirtis
CANON FILMS
WEAPON X :THE WOLVERINE (1989)
Director : George Miller
The Cast
Wolverine/ Logan : Mel Gibson
General William Stryker : Brian Dennehy
Sabretooth / Victor Creed : Clancy Brown
Mariko Yashida : Tamlyn Tomita
Lady Deathstrike : Michelle Yeoh
Omega Red : Mark Pillow
Silver Fox in flashbacks : Rachel Ticotin
Special Guest Cameo
Charles Xavier : Ben Kingsley
CANON FILMS
THE X MEN (1989)
Director : James Cameron
The Cast
Charles Xavier : Ben Kingsley
Wolverine/ Logan : Mel Gibson
Dazzler : Helen Slater
Angel : James Spader
Nightcrawler : Jon Cryer
Kitty Pride : Wynona Rider
Storm : Grace Jones
Jean Grey : Julia Roberts
Cyclops : Billy Campbell
Colossus : Dolph Lundgren
Magneto : Terrance Stamp
Mystique : Rebecca De Mornay
Senator Robert Kelly : Paul Gleeson
Bolivar Trask : Joe Turkel
