Rules to making Comic Book Movies

[PyroChamber]

If you could make up some rules about making comic book movies to give to movie studios, directors, actors/actresses, designers, etc. what would they be?

 

[Franklin Richards]

Always use an emblem.

 

[marcvader]

Stay true to the comic. There's a reason your making the movie in the first place. The comic is popular because people like it the way it is. Now don't go and change things because then you're no longer making the comic everyone loves into a movie, it's something else.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Don't try and make a 'comicbook movie'. Seperate the story from the medium of comicbooks. Tell the story in the medium of film. Imagine if the story had been written for a film in the first place.

 

[PyroChamber]

For the actors and actresses, do your research of the character you're playing. Read the comics, watch the cartoons, go to the creators, etc.

 

[Sam Fisher]

Don't go emo on it.



Oh yeah, don't put a villian in there just for the hell of it.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

I would say, stay as faithful as you can, and dont have anyone involved who really doesn't know anything about the character.

 

[KenK]

Don't try and make a 'comicbook movie'. Seperate the story from the medium of comicbooks. Tell the story in the medium of film. Imagine if the story had been written for a film in the first place.

I don't think that's necessarily fair. A "comic book movie" can be just as enjoyable and competently made as a film merely based on a comic book. Depending on the comic, "a comic book movie" approach might just be the best thing.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Keep the "sex factor" down (I'd recommend this to the artists as well). Contrary to popular belief, not everyone wants to see some woman with triple-Ds and a 6-inch waist! Also, make sure the original creators of the comic have a fair say in both the script and the final cut of the film.

 

[SPIDERMAN117]

Cast a actor for a villian no one wants then 2 years later people kneel to the greatness of that performance

 

[darkseid26]

don't have the love interest get captured or hurt by the main villain in every movie.

 

[PyroChamber]

And no more "woo hoo" when a character uses their powers for the first time

 

[The Chris]

Do what Nolan did with Dark Knight, Break the rules.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Take a hint from the dark Knight, you can make a serious edged film , even its a comic book origin.

 

[cerealkiller182]

Dont try to ground it in reality too much or exaggerate realism. The sense of realism should be almost identical to the sense of realism in the comic.

 

[Heretic]

Dont try to ground it in reality too much or exaggerate realism. The sense of realism should be almost identical to the sense of realism in the comic.

Which radically changes over the years, sometimes even between issues for no real reason.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Which radically changes over the years, sometimes even between issues for no real reason.

t:t:

 

[Project862006]

i hate this do what tdk umm no not every character is dark dark worked cause batman has a dark edged side just say true to source material if you gonna change something change something that wont translate well to film like alter a costume

 

[cerealkiller182]

Which radically changes over the years, sometimes even between issues for no real reason.

True, but each character usually has a realism continuity unless special circumstances a la Frank Miller doing Batman, but to be more specific:

Basically I dont want a number of the Bat rogues thrown to the wind because they dont shape up no matter how good those movies are.

But especially Spidey not having web-shooters because the prop guy couldnt make it so a high school student shouldnt and the Abombination not looking scaly because Lettetier didnt know why he would look that way in the first place. They are small changes that I didnt reall mind but ultimately its a "why change them?" they are what they are. Im not one to whine about this kinda small stuff but its science fiction.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Basically I dont want a number of the Bat rogues thrown to the wind because they dont shape up no matter how good those movies are.

Well, Chris Nolan has already stated that the Penguin will not be in his Batman films, because he does not believe the character fits into his vision for the series.

But especially Spidey not having web-shooters because the prop guy couldnt make it so a high school student shouldnt and the Abombination not looking scaly because Lettetier didnt know why he would look that way in the first place. They are small changes that I didnt reall mind but ultimately its a "why change them?" they are what they are. I'm not one to whine about this kinda small stuff but its science fiction.

Well, one thing that is often misunderstood (or just ignored) is the fact that comic-books and movies are completely different mediums. With a comic, you can do a lot with illustration, leaving major sequences up to the reader's mind. But with a film, the story has to be locked down into a specific pattern, and it has to be relatable to a mass audience, not just diehard fans. And sometimes, what works very well as a still image may not work when brought to life on film, for any number of reasons.

 

[cerealkiller182]

Well, Chris Nolan has already stated that the Penguin will not be in his Batman films, because he does not believe the character fits into his vision for the series.

Which is kinda stupid

Well, one thing that is often misunderstood (or just ignored) is the fact that comic-books and movies are completely different mediums. With a comic, you can do a lot with illustration, leaving major sequences up to the reader's mind. But with a film, the story has to be locked down into a specific pattern, and it has to be relatable to a mass audience, not just diehard fans. And sometimes, what works very well as a still image may not work when brought to life on film, for any number of reasons.

Slapping a little device on Spideys wrist instead of having web come out of some mystery hole in his wrist.

Choosing one more accurate giant monster over the other.

These things dont take relatability away from the movie.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Slapping a little device on Spideys wrist instead of having web come out of some mystery hole in his wrist.

Well, if you're bent on blaming someone for the organic web-shooters, pin it on James Cameron. It was his idea, back in the '80s when Carolco first wanted to do the film.

These things dont take relatability away from the movie.

Well, the artificial web-shooters would, because the film was going for more of a reality-based edge...and not that many viewers could reasonably identify with a failing Columbia University student who's suddenly able to invent a gizmo that the world's best scientists haven't figured out yet.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Be true to the material, but don't feel handcuffed by it. Know when to push the boundaries. Research the comic, sure. If possible, talk to the creator of the book & get his/her input. Or talk to some of the more recent writers & get their take. But remember that ultimately this is your movie. You are the one the fans are going to hold accountable. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. SOmetimes it pays off.

Don't let whiny, nitpicky internet fanboys push you around. Many of them don't know what they want. Many just like to complain & will go online to trash your movie no matter how many things you do right. Comic fans are notoriously resistant to change & now have the perfect medium in which to vent. Many of them have the movie written, directd, cast & shot in their heads & will reject anything that deviates from this. Many will complain about even the slightest change, & many will praise & uplift one movie that takes numerous liberties from the source material while trashing another which takes the same amount. You will not please all of them & there's no point in trying. These people complained about organic webbing, leather uniforms & rubber armor, while pouring tons & tons of money into the very movies that they criticized.
Cast based on suitability to the role, not looks,

success in other genres

or popularity with the opposite sex.

Even though some of the choices may prove controversial, if the person gives a top-knotch performance,

the fans will come around. Remember this above all; Ask yourself-can you sell the movie without putting their name on the poster?

Focus on the movie you're making, not on the sequel or spinoff you hope to make later. It's fine to set the stage, but don't make a throwaway movie, just to get it over with.
Selling toys, lunchboxes, etc is not your job. Make the movie. Let the studio worry about that other stuff. No amount of merchandising is worth a 2-hour commercial that's all fluff & no story.
Remember that you want to appeal to more than just kids and/or hormonal teenagers.
Know when to get out of the movie's way. It shouldn't be more about you than the character.

 

[The Navigator]

Don't assume "dark" is suddenly the go-to money-making secret for all superhero movies and characters.

Use CGI sparingly, and then try to design it as if it was shot by an actual human being through an actual camera.

And for the love of God, don't make the bad guy a giant cloud.

 

[Chris Wallace]

I'd say use CGI when necessary. Some things just can't be done any other way. But take some time & effort with it. It's an imperfect art form.
Also, don't try to follow in another filmmaker's footsteps. What worked for them worked for them. Period. I'm tired of reading post after post suggesting that every filmmaker should do things Nolan's way, Burton's way, etc. Screw that.
Don't get too hung up on insignificant things like minor costume details. Try to convey the essence of the character, (I know that's subject to interpretation) but what can be drawn & what can be put on a real live human being are not the same. And while again, fans will weep & wail & whine & gnash, keep in mind that the 2 most successful comic book movies ever made featured 2 of the most widely hated costumes. So it's NOT a deal-breaker.