Joss Whedon

August 2, 2006 - The comic-based blockbusters of Summer ’06, like Superman Returns and X-Men: The Last Stand, have already begun to fade from the pop cultural consciousness. And fandom is looking ahead, anticipating the excitement of comic book movies yet to come. We’ve taken the temperature of the many comic-to-film adaptations currently being made and have compiled a list of the 10 most anticipated. To be clear (so we aren’t deluged with email complaints), this list does not include films like the Superman Returns sequel because it’s really just speculation at this point. We’re strictly counting down flicks that are already in production or some stage of legitimate development. There will also probably be some comic movie that you absolutely love that barely missed making the cut... Instead of firing off a vitriolic rant, just send us a nice email with your suggestions and reactions to our list. Because we care. It’s what we do.

Let’s count down the top 10 most anticipated comic book movies...

10. Ghost Rider

After years of false starts with other superhero films, comic book aficionado Nicolas Cage has finally exorcized his comic book movie demons by playing the title role in Sony’s forthcoming Ghost Rider. Cage stars as damned biker Johnny Blaze whose flaming skull alter ego takes on the demonic Peter Fonda and Wes Bentley in the movie directed by Daredevil filmmaker Mark Steven Johnson. Eva Mendes co-stars as Johnny’s love interest, Roxanne. The biggest challenge facing the movie has been mastering the CG fire needed to effectively render the title character; fan reaction to the trailer and Ghost Rider’s look has been decidedly mixed. The movie opens Feb. 16, 2007.

9. Wonder Woman

Joss Whedon is writing and will direct the Amazonian goddess’ long overdue big-screen adventure for Matrix producer Joel Silver. Whedon has often grumbled to the press about how difficult it has been writing the script - bemoaning the character’s origin story and her poor rogues’ gallery - and has also clarified that no actress has been cast, despite all the contenders the rumor mill continues to conjure up (such as Kate Beckinsale, Mischa Barton and Charisma Carpenter).

8. Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer

Although not universally loved, the first Fantastic Four movie was a financial success and proved especially popular among families and general audiences. The sequel will introduce one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, The Silver Surfer (who may or may not be played by Hellboy actor Doug Jones). All of the original film’s cast will return, although Julian McMahon’s Dr. Doom remains questionable for now. Tim Story will once again direct from a script by Mark Frost. Filming commences later this summer in Vancouver for a June 15, 2007 release.

7. Wolverine

While there are currently no plans for X-Men 4, 20th Century Fox is developing this spin-off featuring Hugh Jackman’s feral antihero. Plot details for the movie, which was scripted by Troy’s David Benioff, are being kept under wraps. What is known is that it will be a prequel covering Logan’s adventures before he joined the X-Men. Jackman has said that he expects Wolverine to go before cameras sometime in 2007.

6. TMNT

This computer-animated reboot of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy, cartoon and comic book franchise was directed by Kevin Munroe. Warner Bros. will release the film stateside while The Weinstein Co. will handle overseas distribution. The new trailer indicates that, while TMNT will return to the darker roots of the characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, it will also not lose its family-friendly humor. TMNT opens March 30, 2007.

5. Iron Man

One of the last of Marvel’s A-list characters to get the silver screen treatment, the Armored Avenger will finally be brought to cinematic life by filmmaker Jon Favreau. The director says the role of Tony Stark will most likely go to a relatively unknown actor rather than a star, much the same way Tobey Maguire and Hugh Jackman were cast in their respective franchises. The film will not explore Stark’s alcoholism but it will cover his origin and first clash with the villainous Mandarin. Iron Man is slated for release on May 2, 2008, where it will go head-to-head with the next James Bond movie.

4. 300

Dawn of the Dead helmer Zack Snyder directed this adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel about the Battle of Thermopylae. Shot against green screens on a Montreal soundstage, 300 recreates ancient Sparta and the last stand made by 300 of its warriors against Persian invaders. The cast includes Gerard Butler, Dominic West, David Wenham and Lena Headey. 300 wowed the audience at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego where jaw-dropping exclusive footage confirmed that 300 will be, like Sin City, an almost literal translation of Miller’s work to the silver screen. 300 is slated for an early 2007 release. If it does well commercially then perhaps another Snyder-directed comic book pic, Watchmen, will finally move ahead.

3. The Dark Knight

Although a critically acclaimed box office success, last year’s Batman Begins didn’t rake in X-Men money and didn’t fare as well abroad as had been hoped. But the inclusion of the universally popular Joker as one of the villains in the next film has already guaranteed that The Dark Knight will bring in more viewers than the last movie did. The question now is whether surprise casting choice Heath Ledger is the right man to play the Clown Prince. Seeing as how director Christopher Nolan rescued the Bat-franchise from high camp, he has earned enough trust from the fans to make such a bold and unconventional casting choice. The Dark Knight begins filming early next year for a 2008 release.

2. Transformers

A Michael Bay movie about giant robots fighting each other in the streets of America. That alone would be enough to drive most filmgoers to multiplexes on July 4, 2007 but the fact that this movie is based on a decades-old and hugely successful toy, cartoon and comic book franchise makes Transformers one of next summer’s "can’t miss" event movies. The casting of cartoon vet Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime only further whetted fans appetites for this movie.

1. Spider-Man 3

There is one reason why every fanboy on earth cannot wait until May 4, 2007: Venom. Despite director Sam Raimi not initially being a fan of the character, Spidey fans will finally get to see the popular villain on the big-screen. Venom is being brought to life by actor Topher Grace, who plays Eddie Brock, a Daily Bugle employee and Peter Parker’s (Tobey Maguire) doppelganger. The highly anticipated sequel also brings in another hugely popular character from the comics, Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), as well as Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and a vengeful Harry Osborn (James Franco) as secondary villains. The big question about Spider-Man 3 isn’t how many box office records it will undoubtedly shatter but which character(s) get killed off. Judging by the intense but crowd-pleasing trailer, Spider-Man 3 will be the darkest and most dangerous entry yet in the blockbuster franchise.