Where Are the Black Superhero Movies?

[Dorian Gray]

Bishop would make an excellent movie..


Green Lantern would be ridiculous no matter who they picked. One group would want Jordan, another would want Stewart, and the third would want Rayner..theres no happy middle ground with GL.

 

[Flame on!]

It's got nothing to do with skin colour. Black superheroes are for the most part, quite ****.

Black Panther could work, but not when you can make Iron Man. Luke Cage could work, but not when you can make Thor.

Those are the only two that have any real chance of being made, but they're so far down the pecking order it's untrue. Heck, we're even gonna get FF2 before those.

And all the others are so B-list, it's laughable to think that they could carry a film.

It really pisses me off when people read into things and see patterns that aren't there.

 

[KenK]

It's got nothing to do with skin colour. Black superheroes are for the most part, quite ****.

Black Panther could work, but not when you can make Iron Man. Luke Cage could work, but not when you can make Thor.

Those are the only two that have any real chance of being made, but they're so far down the pecking order it's untrue. Heck, we're even gonna get FF2 before those.

And all the others are so B-list, it's laughable to think that they could carry a film.

It really pisses me off when people read into things and see patterns that aren't there.

Lest we forget, someone had to greenlight MAN-THING!! Yeah, it ended up being straight to video, but the bottom line is, someone actually thought there was a viable audience for the character. If such a low-rent character could get even a direc-to-video movie, characters like Black Panther and Luke Cage should be just as deserving.

Some people still seem to forget Marvel's first theatrical success was Blade, after the embarassments of films like The Punisher and Captain America, that couldn't eve muster support to make it to the big screen, it was one the their most obscure of obscure characters, and a black character at that, that blazed a trail for the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises. And without there success, we might not have even seen films like Sin City or V For Vendetta.

 

[terry78]

It's quite easy to dismiss a cry of wanting a superhero that looks like you racially when most of them already do.

 

[Mr. Socko]

They'll be plenty of black superhero movies coming soon. By 2010 they'll have made every superhero comic into a movie and tarnish them all except maybe a few. They're 2/3 complete already

 

[pifpaf]

most people seem to forget most of super heros war made early 40 50 60 and 70at this time black people dont have at this time...(segregation time) the same right than white people and most of writer at this time was white and some black ceator dont even have right to created a black super heros to firt bach of black super heros where created late 60 early 70 at the end of segregation


the only thing bug me is some people want to change some iconic character esample(some rumor have said couple a years ago want to make a black superman it bug me when they change white nick fury for black nick fury, why they just created a new character.

for me dont change character for black just created a new one use imagination not go the easy ways for only change skin color


we have enought place for new creation by the triathlon was cool and falcon is hot

 

[pifpaf]

why we dont start a contest

create a totaly new no-white character super heros it would be chanllenging
and fun

 

[Mister J]

Lest we forget, someone had to greenlight MAN-THING!! Yeah, it ended up being straight to video, but the bottom line is, someone actually thought there was a viable audience for the character. If such a low-rent character could get even a direc-to-video movie, characters like Black Panther and Luke Cage should be just as deserving.

Last I heard, there were rumblings of theatrical releases for both, Luke Cage and Black Panther. Of course, it's just talk right now, but I have seen it mentioned.

Some people still seem to forget Marvel's first theatrical success was Blade, after the embarassments of films like The Punisher and Captain America, that couldn't eve muster support to make it to the big screen, it was one the their most obscure of obscure characters, and a black character at that, that blazed a trail for the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises. And without there success, we might not have even seen films like Sin City or V For Vendetta

It's true that Blade was Marvel's first success on the big screen, but it had nothing to do with the character's skin color. Blade was the first movie project they actually took seriously. Captain America, The Punisher and that horrendous unreleased Fantastic Four movie were all crap. They were just flat out awful and poorly produced. When Marvel took an active interest in seeing justice done to the character, things changed. There was a market there, but the product was crap. Fantastic Four and The Punisher fared much better when they were given proper treatment. A movie about Cap would be the same way. If Blade was made in the same vein as the previous movies, it would have tanked too.

The primary (if not sole) purpose of these movies is to make money. It's not to appease us hardcore fans and it's certainly not to cater to equal representation among the races. If those things happen to result, then great, but studios are looking to maximize dollars. It's natural that Marvel and DC look to their big guns and recognizable names first. As it turns out, not alot of those characters are Black (or any other race/ethnicity for that matter). The reasoning behind that is another discussion altogether.

It's not as if Marvel or DC are just ignoring adaptations of characters because they're Black. If the companies think they can make beaucoup cash off a property (of any color), they're going to go for it.

 

[KenK]

Last I heard, there were rumblings of theatrical releases for both, Luke Cage and Black Panther. Of course, it's just talk right now, but I have seen it mentioned.

I know they're in production, but I was responding to Flame On!, who said, why bother with those characters, when there are more high profile characters that could be adapted.

It's true that Blade was Marvel's first success on the big screen, but it had nothing to do with the character's skin color.

I never said Blade succeded because of the character being black, but it succeeded in spite of it, as you've illustrated that the filmmakers primarily focus on whatever can make them the most money, and that usually means going with more high-profile characters. I'm not arguing that, but I think with some of the comic book films that get made and reach ANY venue, whether it be the theaters, DVD, or even cable (I mean, c'mon, even Painkiller Jane has gotten live-action treatment!), there are a few characters (who may just happen to be black, or non-white in general) that could stand to get a shot.

 

[Mister J]

I know they're in production, but I was responding to Flame On!, who said, why bother with those characters, when there are more high profile characters that could be adapted.

OK. I hope they do as many of the notable characters as possible. There'll always be a niche audience and if the product is quality, people will go see it. Those characters deserve consideration. They all won't make hundreds of millions at the BO, but there's certainly a profit opportunity there.

I never said Blade succeded because of the character being black, but it succeeded in spite of it, as you've illustrated that the filmmakers primarily focus on whatever can make them the most money, and that usually means going with more high-profile characters. I'm not arguing that, but I think with some of the comic book films that get made and reach ANY venue, whether it be the theaters, DVD, or even cable (I mean, c'mon, even Painkiller Jane has gotten live-action treatment!), there are a few characters (who may just happen to be black, or non-white in general) that could stand to get a shot.

Ahh. I get your context now. I think a good number of people would be in favor of that. I'd hate to think that there's even consideration that certain characters aren't bankable because of race. Blade garnered a trilogy. I hope that would quell the argument against race right there. That was big for a second-tier character. It only fell off when they screwed it all up near the end.

I like that Marvel is going thru with the Blade live-action series. Hopefully it'll do well and lead to some discussion for similar treatment of other non A-list, yet viable properties. A potential drawback could be the reluctance to settle for DTV money, when they feel they could go after full theatrical release money. However, I'm all for quality projects, regardless of medium.

 

[Flame on!]

Lest we forget, someone had to greenlight MAN-THING!! Yeah, it ended up being straight to video, but the bottom line is, someone actually thought there was a viable audience for the character. If such a low-rent character could get even a direc-to-video movie, characters like Black Panther and Luke Cage should be just as deserving.

Some people still seem to forget Marvel's first theatrical success was Blade, after the embarassments of films like The Punisher and Captain America, that couldn't eve muster support to make it to the big screen, it was one the their most obscure of obscure characters, and a black character at that, that blazed a trail for the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises. And without there success, we might not have even seen films like Sin City or V For Vendetta.

Man-Thing was a creature effects film though, attracting comic and horror film buffs to the flick, something that had yet to be seen in the comic to movie genre.

To say that Blade was the first big hitter for Marvel is true, but to bring race into it is codswallop. It was a badass dude kung-fu-ing his way through hords of vampires. It had decent direction, nice editing and a banging soundtrack. The vampire hunter was the sellling point, building on the fan base established by Buffy and what not.

Luke Cage could be a good flick in the right hands, and it will get made because it's ridiculous to say that it wouldn't. I'm just saying there's a pecking order and like it or not, black superheroes just are't in the public consciousness and even those who are are almost too 'black' as to alienate a fraction of the audience (Black Panther invokes the black panther movement, Luke Cage - a badass from the ghetto etc).

Spider-Man, Hulk, Daredevil etc could feasibly have been played by black actors, but you will never ever even contemplate having Blakc Panther or Luke Cage played by a whitey because the ethnic origins of the characters are so prominant.

 

[deemar325]

It's got nothing to do with skin colour. Black superheroes are for the most part, quite ****.

Black Panther could work, but not when you can make Iron Man. Luke Cage could work, but not when you can make Thor.

Those are the only two that have any real chance of being made, but they're so far down the pecking order it's untrue. Heck, we're even gonna get FF2 before those.

And all the others are so B-list, it's laughable to think that they could carry a film.

It really pisses me off when people read into things and see patterns that aren't there.

Ever hear of a little movie called 'Blade'?

Z-list character, Black, didn't even have his own ongoing series yet it's a triology of movies.

Flame-off.

 

[deemar325]

why we dont start a contest

create a totaly new no-white character super heros it would be chanllenging
and fun

Your grammar is horrible.

 

[Dr. Mid-Nite]

Your grammar is horrible.

Read his sig, it explains why.

 

[deemar325]

Read his sig, it explains why.

Ah..yes Quebec!

 

[Dr. Mid-Nite]

Ah..yes Quebec!

Yep.

 

[deemar325]

Isn't Seline Dion from Quebec?

God I hate her.

 

[Dr. Mid-Nite]

Isn't Seline Dion from Quebec?

God I hate her.

I think you mean Celine Dion.

And yes, she is.

 

[deemar325]

I think you mean Celine Dion.

And yes, she is.

Well I'm never going to Quebec.

 

[Flame on!]

Ever hear of a little movie called 'Blade'?

Z-list character, Black, didn't even have his own ongoing series yet it's a triology of movies.

Flame-off.

Oh yeah, forgot about Blade. Wish I'd mentioned him in the post directly before yours...

Next time, read the full thread before trying to be a smart arse.

 

[deemar325]

Oh yeah, forgot about Blade. Wish I'd mentioned him in the post directly before yours...

Next time, read the full thread before trying to be a smart arse.

A little behind on the jabs aren't ya?

 

[Flame on!]

I have real life friends to attend to.

 

[Masut]

John Stewart/Green Lantern

 

[Flame on!]

John Stewart/Green Lantern

Is considerably crappier than Hal Jordon and Kyle Raynor.

 

[GL1]

Is considerably crappier than Hal Jordon and Kyle Raynor.

Read comics. Seriously. Not only will you learn how to spell Jordan and Rayner, but you'll learn that John out thinks and is just all around deeper and more interesting than Kyle and Hal. He's definitely not white, though... which is kinda the point of this thread... readers are leaders.

[Flame OFF]





Edit:


Oh, and it's BEYOND past time for a John Stewart movie to be made...