'Super Max' - Goyer's new DC film project

[mad-sci]

Forget the Flash, this might be the perfect film project for David Goyer. From Wizard Magazine:

Maybe it was giving up the gig writing and directing “The Flash” for Warner Bros., but it seems like David Goyer’s a little bit more into villains these days.

Just weeks after he and Warners envisioned very different takes on the Flash, Goyer sold the studio on an idea that focused on the more villainous side of the DC Universe.

“Super Max” is Goyer’s take on supervillain incarceration in the DCU. Revolving around a wrongly convicted Green Arrow being whisked away to the super max prison for out-of-control heroes and villains (where he's forced to face a number of inmates he put there), Goyer says the flick—which he’s developing with writer Justin Marx—isn’t just a Green Arrow film.

“He’s Green Arrow for the first 10 minutes of the movie, and then he’s arrested and his secret identity is revealed,” says Goyer, who also has plans to do a graphic novel or miniseries that would tie in to the possible film. “They shave his goatee and they take his costume and send him to prison for life, and he has to escape. It’s like ‘Alcatraz,’ and he has to team up with, in some cases, some of the very same villains he is responsible for incarcerating in order to get out and clear his name. Of course, tons of people try to kill him while he’s in there. We’ve populated the prison with all sorts of B and C villains from the DC Universe. For the fans, there will be all sorts of characters the hardcore comic book junkies will know, but they’re all going to be there under their human names and no one is wearing a costume, but there will be a lot of characters with powers and things like that.”

Just imagine - one of the most right-winged, aggressive DC characters in prison. And imagine the possible villains - Deadshot, Deathstroke (all of whom have to work together). I have to admit this is a very good suggestion...


To be honest, origin movies have been done to death. Batman needed one, whereas Green Arrow doesn't (Smallville and JLU gave fans basic background knowledge...)

 

[Prison Mike]

I don't know. Besides the fans, the general public don't really know who Green Arrow is. IMO, Batman didn't need an origin movie, but GA needs one for the general public. But if they could work the origin into flashbacks or something, then I guess it would be ok.

 

[mad-sci]

They don't really need to focus on GA's origins - It's Prison Break the movie, or the prison breakout from Tango & Cash.


The bottom line is this is a different approach to a superhero flick, aside from the obligatory origins/helping people/love interest/big bad guy showdown.

300 has shown that anything different may be what the audience wants.

 

[mr jinx]

I don't know. Besides the fans, the general public don't really know who Green Arrow is. IMO, Batman didn't need an origin movie, but GA needs one for the general public. But if they could work the origin into flashbacks or something, then I guess it would be ok.

origin: rich dude is good at archery

 

[cerealkiller182]

This seems more like a route for a future Punisher rather a Green Arrow film.

 

[IKnowSomeJudo]

Just imagine - one of the most right-winged, aggressive DC characters in prison.

WTF

Anyway, this sounds like a pretty neat idea, coming from Goyer of all people.

The bottom line is this is a different approach to a superhero flick, aside from the obligatory origins/helping people/love interest/big bad guy showdown.

Which is exactly why it sounds like a breath of fresh air in contrast to being yet another formulaic crap of a superhero movie. Lawd knows we've had enough of those already.

 

[The Guard]

Not real keen on the name. The concept doesn't sound too bad. Could be very cool if Dinah Lance is involved.

 

[Kebab gud]

like i said over at newsarama .. Goyer MUST be a fan of the Grell/Dixon era..
back then ollie was wanted by the feds and stuff, and once even teamed up with Deathstroke

 

[The Batman]

This sounds pretty cool. Throw in some badass villains, change the name, and this could be awesome.

And we dont need a GA origin....and its pretty lame anyway

 

[Prognosticator]

He needs to change his name to David Goiter :

 

[The Guard]

If it's called THE SLAB, I'm there.

It could be an actual exploration of the concept of vigilantism (But probably won't be). Think of the possibilities.

 

[Prognosticator]

origin: rich dude is good at archery

LOL

 

[04nbod]

origin: rich dude is good at archery

thats exactly what i was going to post- maybe if it spawned another movie backstory could be explored or just some throwaway lines about his past and such

 

[OneManHairBand]

Breaking down Ollie's origin is easy. Think "Cast Away" + "Falling Down". Now for Goyer's part, throw in "Prison Break".

 

[Paradoxium]

Bonus points to Goyer for not doing an origin. The concept sounds a hell lot like Brubaker's recent Daredevil run. Maybe Goyer should bring Brubaker on board to help out (unless Marvel has some stipulation on this type of cooperation in his exclusive contract). Ollie is more of an anarchist, which has slight parallels to a left-winger.

I think Super Max is a temporary or code name, like Batman Intimidation was for Batman Begins.

 

[Kebab gud]

I think Super Max is a temporary or code name, like Batman Intimidation was for Batman Begins.

Batman Begins was "code named" "The Intimidation Game" not Batman Intimidation

 

[Brian2887]

Sounds like someone read the end of Bendis' Daredevil run. . . all about Murdock being in prison with criminals he put away.

But, then again, Rorshach was in jail with criminals in Watchmen. I think Punisher has been once or twice.

Green Arrow wouldn't be the character I'd do a film like this with, though..

 

[Prognosticator]

Unfortunately, it sounds too much like they're taking "popular ideas" that have proven successful recently, and turn that into a GA movie. And going that route will prove to be predicable and painful. The "prison movie" is a great concept, but there's only so many ways to tell that story.

 

[Sentry2k2]

I've seen this already. Its called Prison Break.

 

[Octoberist]

This is the most ambitious concept yet. You're taking an established but somewhat unknown (to the public) character and placing him in prison with other DC villains?

Awesome.

Honestly, as much as Arrow's a good character, he is hard to translate to film. I mean, it's not possible, but it would be overwhelming since more than half of the comic book movies out there have similar origins, and honestly, i want to cut down to the chase due to the oversatuaration.

Will WB have the balls to do it? If Goyer is NOT directing, then that's cool. I still think Goyer doesn't have the confidence needed to direct, but I have to reserve my opinion until The Invisiable.

 

[Paradoxium]

Batman Begins was "code named" "The Intimidation Game" not Batman Intimidation

Well my bad

I am excited about this film. Wonder if it is rated R or PG-13.

Sounds like someone read the end of Bendis' Daredevil run. . . all about Murdock being in prison with criminals he put away.

But, then again, Rorshach was in jail with criminals in Watchmen. I think Punisher has been once or twice.

Green Arrow wouldn't be the character I'd do a film like this with, though..

I think this is more Brubaker than Bendis. Bendis setup Brubaker's arc. While this prison idea is not completely original, its not as common for a superhero film. If it resembles anything like the Brubaker DD story, it may not take place in the prison the entire time. He had DD travelling all the way to Europe.

I am not sure there is a lot of DC characters that would work with this concept. Batman, but that won't ever happen. Most of the Batman and Green Arrow "family membrs" are too obscure save for Dick and Roy (even the later is debatable). The only other vigilante that might work is The Question, which Rorschach is based on.

 

[ang_hulk]

should be cool.

 

[Hypestyle]

Well, the character was already introduced to fans of the Smallville Show—which should be out on DVD by this fall. If things are handled respectfully, I’d check it out. Also, if it were given an R rating I’d definitely check it out. I’d still want a proper Green Arrow movie, however. If this movie project does well, then I’d hope that a costumed Green Arrow film can be spun out of this.

 

[Cinemaman]

It sounds like a fresh idea, if you compare it to other superhero movies, where there is always origin part. I can't wait to see how Goyer is going to tell the story and express this great idea in the general movie

 

[GhostPoet]

hum..

Honestly...I don't like it.
Why? Because they are stripping the characters of their costumes and tying to bring superheroes down to a more realistic level. I'm so tired of trying to make superheros as realistic as possible...we don't need to bring heroes down to earth.