Shane Black's "Doc Savage"

[DarkSovereignty]

I thnk armie hammer could pull it off, based on what I know about the character, he's got a good amount of range.

 

[747]

I don't know much about the character but after Iron Man 3, count me in.

Yep. That's me too.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Jesus. 120,000 posts Hunter? I see you didn't join me in taking a break...

How cool am I?....

Batman/Doc Savage team up.

Make it happen, universe.

 

[Octoberist]

None of the Doc Savage comics from DC are available in-print to buy as trades, which sucks.

 

[Octoberist]

BTW another casting suggestion: Alexander Skarsgard.

 

[C. Lee]

None of the Doc Savage comics from DC are available in-print to buy as trades, which sucks.

Here's one and the money goes to a good cause http://www.fantompress.net/first_wave_signed_hard_cover

Fantom Press has been selling a lot of signed Doc related artwork and donating the money to Bob Larkin. Bob is the second best known, but most prolific, Professional Doc Savage artist....his wife had been battling cancer for many years. This was set up to help him pay the bills. Unfortuantly, she died last month...but the bills don't go away.

I've picked up most things, even a couple not listed anymore because they sold out. There is still some nice things for the Doc fans.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

C. Lee, got any casting suggestions?

 

[Rowsdower!]

So, no love for my suggestion of Philip Winchester? Seriously, the guy NEEDS to play some superhero.

 

[Boom]

How about Kyle Chandler?

 

[C. Lee]

This news is not directly related to the possible Doc movie, but it is important to Doc Savage fans...

Len Leone, the art director for Bantam books from 1955 to 1984 has passed away. http://www.thepulp.net/yellowedperils/2013/07/01/len-leone-1921-2013/ Len was one of the major factors in Bantam acquiring the rights to Doc Savage and republishing them in the 60's. He personally designed the waving flag look to the Doc Savage name on the books covers, hired James Bama to do the covers, and instructed Bama on the distinctive look that the character is known by today. Rest in peace Mr. Leone.....you helped to bring the greatest superhero in the history of the world to my attention....I will be forever grateful.

A nice article on him from a couple of years ago http://www.thepulp.net/pulp-info/pulp-articles/len-leone/

 

[Octoberist]

Shane Black Talks DOC SAVAGE; Confirms 1930s Setting and Describes It as “What if Jimmy Stewart Were a Stone-Cold Killer?”

Coming off the massive success of Iron Man 3, it’s safe to say that co-writer/director Shane Black probably had his pick of the litter when it came to choosing his follow-up project. Despite this fact, the filmmaker admirably chose to return to a bit of a passion project for his next film, an adaptation of the 1930s and 40s pulp fiction hero Doc Savage. The character’s heroic personality and penchant for quests makes for a promising start to an entertaining feature film, but in the hands of a genius screenwriter like Black, this Doc Savage movie has the makings of something really, really special.

We caught up with Black at the Saturn awards, and he was gracious enough to talk a bit about Doc Savage. Black confirmed that the film will retain the 1930s setting, and wonderfully described the title character as “what if Jimmy Stewart were a stone-cold killer?” Hit the jump to read on. [Update: Black has reached out to us and offered a clarification with regards to Savage being described as a "stone-cold killer." Read his comments after the jump.]

Update: Black contacted us earlier today to offer a bit of a clarification regarding his comments about Doc Savage:

“The line I so blithely tossed off, ‘what if Jimmy Stewart were a stone cold killer,’ is a bit misleading. Doc Savage had the abilities of a fighting machine but truly the soul of a pacifist. He always tempered his violent skills with kindness and a social conscience, preferring never to take human life. So, um, perhaps my quote should have more accurately read, ‘potential’ killer.”

Black also offered some clarification in the comments section below, so If it somehow wasn’t clear that Doc Savage was in the right hands before, I believe these comments solidify Black as the man for the job. Really can’t wait to see this thing. Our original story follows below.

While it didn’t really seem likely that the Doc Savage character would be transported to modern day, Black confirmed that his film will indeed take place in the 1930s and he also talked a bit about the tone and sensibility of the pic:

“We’re shooting it as though it’s in the 30s, including all the Capra-esque elements of 1930s films like You Can’t Take It With You. The idea of ‘What if Jimmy Stewart were a stone-cold killer?’ basically. It’s that kind of combination which we enjoy.”

The filmmaker went on to talk about his deep affection for the Doc Savage source material, saying that he hopes his film will make an entirely new audience fall in love with the character:

“Doc Savage is a personal film to me. It’s a 1930s pulp character so it hasn’t been around for 75 years or so, but people if they’re introduced to it they’ll get to know, hopefully, what I came to love as a kid. I’ve read those series for 43 years and always wanted to figure out how to crack it.”

http://collider.com/shane-black-doc-savage-interview/

 

[Octoberist]

And here's the video of that same interview:

http://collider.com/shane-black-iron-man-3-doc-savage-interview/

 

[Moridin]

I'm not at all familliar with Doc Savage other than the little I've gathered here, but with Blacks involvement I'll be there opening day.

 

[Octoberist]

What I'm craving for now is a tentpole that has pure adventure. Not just action, but sheer adventure with scope. Think Indiana Jones.

The closest one that we've had was Tin-Tin.

 

[C. Lee]

Shane Black Talks DOC SAVAGE; Confirms 1930s Setting and Describes It as “What if Jimmy Stewart Were a Stone-Cold Killer?”
http://collider.com/shane-black-doc-savage-interview/

Glad to hear the confirmation it will be set in the 30's.

 

[Project862006]

Chris Hemsworth Wouldn't Be A Bad idea?

"Obviously in the books, there's an element of goodie-goodie that we like. Doc Savage was the basis essentially for Superman because his name is Clark and he has a Fortress of Solitude, and oh, Superman has the same thing...that's odd! But that kind of perfect hero who never makes mistakes is great to a point, and the type of adventure and pulp it represents is so imitated; Raiders of the Lost Ark is essentially a child of Doc Savage.

We needed something more cerebral. We've kept it in the 30s. We've beefed up the rationale behind what it would take to be the perfect person and to be trained as such from childhood and how that would scar someone and what it would take to be a parent who is capable of inflicting that on a kid. But beyond that, we're also trying to be true to the series. Give him the helper, while also reinvigorating it and introducing a whole new brand of people to this is a challenge because it's been around for 75 years.

I've read all of them. I love them. I read my first one 45 years ago. I love Doc Savage and hope everyone comes to see it.

Here's the problem. They kind of gotta be tall. He's the perfect physical specimen and when people look at him, they're overawed by the sort of symmetry and perfection he exudes. I don't know that you could use like a James McAvoy as Doc Savage. You couldn't do it. He's a fine actor, but we need someone big. Back in the day Schwarzenegger was talked about to play Doc Savage. I don't know yet; who do you think? [Chris Hemsworth?] That's not a bad idea! You need someone magnetic and someone a little but off because that's the fun of the character. He's been secluded from people and kept from any social niceties for so long that he's become a savant."

http://uk.ign.com/videos/2013/09/17/doc-savage-update-from-shane-black

 

[Hunter Rider]

He'd be a great choice IMO.

 

[terry78]

I know we mentioned Hemsworth earlier. Though I hope they don't end up typecasting the dude too much. Rush is a start away from that hopefully.

 

[slumcat]

Hemsworth gets recommended for all the heroic roles today.

People want him for He-Man too.

Haha! Maybe there's a paucity of tall leading men in Hollywood that one good guy gets suggested for everyone.

Of course he would be very good in the role. But it might be a bit samey for him as an actor. He might get bored of such roles.

 

[Octoberist]

Either Chris or Alexander Skarsgard.

 

[slumcat]

So in DUH! casting news, Black has actually infact approached Hemsworth for the role.

http://collider.com/chris-hemsworth-doc-savage/

 

[terry78]

I knew it.

 

[Drz]

Terrible choice.

Hemsworth can't act at all.

 

[LoganGambit87]

Terrible choice.

Hemsworth can't act at all.

 

[rogue trooper]

Either Chris or Alexander Skarsgard.

Absolutely!

On a related subject, I'm planning on getting this: http://www.amazon.com/Doc-Savage-Ar...TF8&qid=1403710098&sr=8-3&keywords=Doc+Savage