Why Is It... ?

Because it is easy money. They all come with a preinstalled fan base and recognition.

Also Hollywood is incapable of thinking up an original idea so they adapt every comic book, novel, cartoon, and video game they can get their hands on.

 

Yah I'd have to agree with Hollywood being short for ideas.
For a while it seemed like 75% of what was out there was a sequel or a remake.
Most best selling novels have been translated to film.
If not, it might just be because it is hard to translate a really detailed book, or certain kinds of books into film.

Comics on the other hand had been basically disrespected for a lot of years in North America as a second rate entertainment, now for a couple of decades they have gained ground, have gotten more and more recognition, and they lend themselves well to film since many scenes are already visually laid out.
Ontop of this, CGI and other visual technologies have come a long way.
Not to mention the fact that a majority of comic properties are ones that already have many storylines developed and Hollywood likes a potential franchise.

 

In simple terms,

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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I'd say there are many factors. A couple of notable ones...
- Computer generated effects are now capable off demonstrating photorealistic imagery unseen in earlier decades - The kind of visuals needed to make even a passable superhero flick. Therefore some of the flashier ideas that have probably been on the back burner gathering dust are now getting their opportunity to shine now that the technology is available to make them. Well... a faithful version at least.
- Established market. The risk factor has been dimmed with the likes of Spider-Man and X-Men proving that there is some bankable business in comicbook adaptations, so studios nerves will be more accepting of new ventures in a genre that was once both expensive and risky.

"Easy money"... By the sounds of things from the likes of Transformers and X-Men, the filmmakers had to be extremely careful with their budgets and visual effects. Didn't sound much like easy money to me! t:

 

Well, Going through your examples specifially, Wanted probably got Hollywood's attention because Top Cow as a company is all about translating their properties to any medium they can. I get the feeling Silvestri wants to be a full-fledged Hollywood player, as does Mark Millar (the guy did pitch Warner Bros on an idea for a Superman sequel).

Whiteout, the concept is very cinematic and lends itself to film translation, as does Road To Perdition. It's not like the studio responsible for the latter film really pushed to emphasize the fact that it was a graphic novel, the same for A History of Violence. It's eventually mentioned in press releases and interviews, but it's not like they promote the films in a "Hey, it's based on a comic book!" sort of way.

And you know, for all the ragging on Hollywood some of us do for not doing enough original stories in film, A LOT of films we consider classics are based on pre-existing source material anyway. Go through almost any genre, and you've got some great film that was something else first. Gone With The Wind, Psycho, Dracula, just to pick some stuff at random. To say nothing of movies adapted from stage plays. Condemning Hollywood for lack of originality is kind of pointless.

 

You answered your own question yourself. Also, $$$ is involved, as always.

 

Your right but it would have bin a lot riskier if Transformers and X-Men weren't already well known franchises. I doubt either of them would have done half as good if they would have bin original ideas.

 

i think there is a dynamic to these pictures that studios have only recently realized they should be capitolizing on.

 

Two reasons for so many comic book movies

1) They already have a fanbase

2) Hollywood's running out of fresh ideas for movies

 

Was American Splender based on one of his books? Or was it an original bio movie about his life?

Also, some movies like Road to Predition are comics that aren't just superhero comics. So as a movie it would seem just like a regular movie instead of just another comic book movie. Some movie goers don't want to see a comic book superhero film but will go to see something like Road to Predition because of subject matter. I think that idea apeals to studios because it would most likely get a wider audiance than a superhero comic film. Plus its less likely to get comic fans upset because they didn't transfer the comic stright to film.
Like when people got upset that Spider-Man had organic web shooters.

 

I didn't know road to perdition was based on a comic. i think that is an excellent way to make a movie - have it be faithful to the source material but well acted and brought to life people would never expect it to based off a comic or grapic novel.

 

Yep. Michael Bay even said on the "Transformers" DVD that he made the tie-in deal with GMC for many reasons, but chief among them was to keep the production budget under $200 million, which would've been impossible otherwise.

 

Money is the big factor. Action movies have provided Hollywood a considerable amount of profit over the years and that genre has changed during that time. It used to be westerns, then cop films, then sci-fi actioners and now the technology advanced to produce superhero films. And like the other genres it'll continue until people get bored with it.
Also, a lot of film-makers are now ready to admit that they are comic fans which helps push things along.

 

Actually Road To Perdition is EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of what you said (ok, not the well acted part) as it is infact pretty unfaithful to the novel. Hell, Jude Law's character wasn't even in the graphic novel to begin with.

Although, the term "based on a graphic novel" is starting to earn some credit after the success of 300, seeing as they slapped it on the 30 Days Of Night posters and trailers right after that.

 

Those are a big part of it,as with remakes. Its already established films or has a fanbase they think they can philter money from. Overall its safe money in their eyes..
Sadthing is there are probably thousands of novels that would make a good movie,but I don't think writers/studios are even bothering searching for these 'future' hits...