Alive: The future of comic book heroes rests on X-Men

The future of comic book heroes rests on X-Men

By STEVE PERSALL, Times Film Critic

Look, up on the screen! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's . . .

. . . just about any superhero who has saved the planet from the pages of a comic book.

The movies have loved the idea for a half-century, from 1940s serials starring Batman to today's release of X-Men.

Easy to see why. Comic books help to build a child's reading skills and sense of imagination. If that child grows up to be a filmmaker, caped crusaders battling archvillains can be an irresistibly nostalgic topic. Superheroes are also good excuses for pushing film technology to another level. Special effects are always a grabber for audiences.

That is, unless you're Judge Dredd, Barb Wire or Tank Girl.

Those flops, plus the red ink hemorrhaged by Batman and Robin, made studios as wary of comic-book movie projects as Superman is of Kryptonite. There are plenty of superheroes on back burners in Hollywood, waiting to see how audiences respond to the $75-million X-Men.

A few films based on comic books are in the can. Several others are still on the drawing boards. Box office results for X-Men will influence their advertising budgets, how many screens are booked or even whether some projects will proceed. Call it the X factor. Studios call it business as usual.

Professor X and his mutant crew have the fate of the world -- and perhaps a few movie franchises -- in their hands. These superheroes could be coming sooner or later to a theater near you:

Spawn 2: Dark Justice -- Todd McFarlane's undead anti-hero earned $55-million in his first film outing. Michael Jai White is likely to return in the title role. No release date, but probably not before 2001.
Blade 2: Bloodhunt -- Wesley Snipes returns as the vampire slayer with a wicked wardrobe and some human feelings. The first Blade grossed $70-million at the box office and grossed out some moviegoers with its violence. Perhaps an August release.
Astro Boy -- The Japanese comic strip about a Pinocchio-like robot will mix live-action and computer animation. Tim Burton is expected to be the director after he finishes the Planet of the Apes remake. A summer 2001 release is expected.
Spiderman -- This one has endured plenty of false starts and legal hold-ups, so the summer 2001 release plan may be wishful thinking. No casting announcements yet, but every young hunk from Leonardo DiCaprio to Freddie Prinze Jr. has been rumored as a possibility. James Cameron is out, Sam Raimi appears to be in the director's chair.
Batman 5 -- Yes, there may be life after Schwarzenegger. Probably the longest shot on the board, since the last episode bombed with fans. Not even any decent rumors yet. George Clooney may not wish to weather this particular storm.
The Fantastic Four -- A script is ready and Raja Gosnell (Big Momma's House) has been hired to direct this Marvel Comics adaptation. No casting choices have been announced, but who wouldn't want to play the Thing or the Human Torch? No release date, but this one could be most affected by the X factor.
The Crow: Salvation -- The first movie was excellent, the first sequel was lousy. Eric Mabius (Welcome to the Dollhouse) takes over the ghostly role. Kirsten Dunst co-stars. This one was expected to be released in May, but was held back. Could arrive anytime.
Wonder Woman -- Just a daydream right now, but Joel Silver (The Matrix) is a producer who can make it come true. Sandra Bullock is the most popular casting rumor on the Internet.
The Incredible Hulk -- Universal already has the roller-coaster at its theme park. Why not make a movie to match it? Former St. Petersburg resident Michael France has a script prepared for whomever the studio hires to direct. Looks like a 2002 release.
Superman Lives -- Maybe. This project was oh-so-close to production three years ago with Nicolas Cage openly discussing what he was going to do with the Man of Steel role. Cage is still interested, but Kevin Smith's screenplay was turned down.
Iron Man -- Another long-term project, since the script is still being prepped by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (The Road to El Dorado). Tom Cruise is who they reportedly have in mind for the title role. That hiring would turn iron into pure gold.

MOVIES THAT MOVE - Margaret Murray's monthly series of buried film treasures continues Monday with an unusual presentation.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a 1920 silent milestone in horror filmmaking, will be screened at Globe Coffee Lounge, 532 First Ave. N in St. Petersburg. Show time is 8 p.m. Admission is $5.

Robert Weine's surreal camera angles, lighting and set design are prime examples of German Expressionism that continues to influence American filmmakers. The plot, involving murder, deception and a creepy asylum, contains images that can be traced through films ranging from Citizen Kane to Battlefield Earth.

The restored 16mm print will be accompanied by an original score composed and performed by Jon Todd, a Jacksonville trio that recently completed a southwestern U.S. tour with Stereolab and Mouse on Mars. Something different from the usual Wurlitzer organ background music for silent films.

For more information, contact Murray at (727) 381-4894 or murraymargaret@hotmail.com.