Chad Stahelski Needs To Direct The HAWKEYE Movie!

What could Marvel's Hawkeye movie look like? Well that remains to be seen, as people have some theories of what direction Marvel should go with a spin-off. Some think parring Clint with Black Widow to explore their shared adventures in Budapest is a good idea. My personal assumption is that Hawkeye could become a major lead in a West Coast Avengers/New Avengers splinter film. We've been hearing rumblings that Marvel is considering on using another team in a feature film, but unsure what that could be (Avengers West Coast, New Avengers, Secret Wars?).

With that said, there are plenty of awesome action filmmakers making their mark in the last couple of years. Who I think could make a pretty damn fine Hawkeye movie, whatever direction Marvel takes him. One in particular I believe could make the biggest impact for a badass solo Hawkeye movie, that would be John Wick director Chad Stahelski.



Chad is a director, 2nd unit director and stunt coordinator that has been making a name for himself with his company 87 Eleven. They are responsible for some of the best stunt/action sequences in Hollywood. He even did some stunt work on Iron Man 2, so there is a tiny connection to Marvel Studios. Some of the company's stunt credits include The Crow, Point Break, The Matrix Trilogy, Spider-Man 2, Mr. And Mrs. Smith, Serenity, V For Vendetta, 300, Die Hard 4, Rambo, Killer Elite, The Wolverine, Hunger Games 1-2, and Expendables 1-2.

One of the biggest concerns of Marvel fans is how to make a film compelling with a powerless hero. We don't seem to ask those questions when it comes to massively entertaining franchises like Bond or Bourne. I'm a bit curious why fans don't cut Hawkeye and Black Widow some goddamn slack. I believe there is some middle-ground where you could allow them to have some powers eventually. Barton does become both Ronin and Goliath, two alter-egos that have yet to be explored in the cinematic universe. There are plenty of stories to explore with both these characters, and Stahelski is the director to give fans a thrilling ride.

Below is the trailer for John Wick, a film which currently holds a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Along with his second unit work on movies like Hunger Games, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Expendables 2, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. While a script likely doesn't exist for this possible spin-off, at least we have an idea of who should bring it to life.





Chad Stahleski Vehicle Reel from 87eleven on Vimeo.

Should Marvel Studios give Chad Stahleski a shot at giving fans an action-packed Hawkeye movie?

SPOILERS: Why Is Marvel Studios Teasing Namor In Their Movies?

This isn't much of a spoiler, but an aspect of Namor is teased in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. We've been slowly seeing similar  tidbits used as Easter Eggs in other Marvel films. Marvel doesn't own the film rights, so what's the deal?

Oracle is a real company and has been a tie-in product placement for films. However, they've really only been Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Avengers and Iron Man 3. Most notably a giant glass dome Oracle building at Star Expo. Oddly enough, it could be more than just way for Marvel to add revenue by advertising the tech-company. 

As his human alter-ego Namor Mckenzie runs a corporation named Oracle, which secretly helps envirvomental causes. We've seen a bunch of fictional Marvel corporations teases already, mainly Roxxon which has shown up a bunch of times in Iron Man films (along with Coulson's One-Shot). It's possible that humans along with energy companies like Roxxon are destroying the the oceans, where Namor and his people call home. This could spark a bit of tension between the Atlantians and the humans.

Pulling from the headlines BP oil spills/oil sands pipeline and Fukushima Nuclear Plant still leaking radiation into the ocean, could help influence Namor's motives and place him as a threat. Plus, using the fictional Roxxon might be way not name actual companies. We've already seen how the drone program and NSA scandals have made their way into the narrative of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Having an environmental angle to Namor wouldn't be out of place for the character.

Another shot in Iron Man 2 was indeed hinting to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, with SHIELD's meta-human map. Let's just hope that Hydra has been there first.

Surprisingly, theres another hint to Namor but not in a film featuring Iron Man. The name of the SHIELD boat The Lemurian Star in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a direct hint to a group of Namor's villains.

The Lemurians are similar group of underwater dwellers (different from the blue skinned Atlantians, having scales and greenish skin) that are part of another neighboring kingdom. There are mostly at odds with Atlantis and Namor. It's not shocking that a ship aligned with Hydra, would have links to other Marvel villains.

So why is Marvel teasing him? As it stands now Universal Pictures holds the film rights to Namor The Sub-Mariner. They have been trying to develop a feature for years and even had an early script from David Self (The Haunting, Road To Perdition, Bourne Identity, The Wolfman). Self also tried putting together scripts for Captain America, Deathlok, God of War, and the Robocop remake. Then the studio looked to Jonathan Mostow (The Game, U-571, Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines, Surrogates) to write and direct the project, which never came together. I assume because of critically backlash for T3 and Surrogates. 

Former British Olympic diver turned action-star Jason Statham (Transporter, Expendables, Fast And Furious 7, Snatch, Lock Stock) mentioned a meeting for The Sub-Mariner, in 2008. I'd still love to see Jason in the role, since he's surprising good depending on the material and direction. Fans of Guardians of The Galaxy were a bit shocked when Bradley Cooper (not Statham) took the Rocket Raccoon role. It's currently unknown the status of Namor at Universal. While it seems odd, with such a rise in interest for Marvel films Universal hasn't even hinted to making it.

“I took a meeting for Sub-Mariner. I don’t know if I’d look right running around in a tight speedo with wings on my ankles but there’s so many cool fucking characters.”

The weird thing is, that Marvel hasn't teased other properties they don't own such as X-Men, Spider-Man or Fantastic Four. It's possible that Universal could be developing a co-production similar to The Incredible Hulk, or that Marvel has seemingly found a way to get the rights back (but aren't willing to announced it). However, keeping the film at Universal could allow the studio to make a joint-venture without having to pay the entire production budget. Disney on the other hand, I'm sure would be willing to buy the rights back. As of August 2013, Kevin Feige confirmed the rights are indeed still at Universal. Even though earlier Joe Quesada said otherwise.

It's possible that Namor could have ties to The Inhumans (another in-development film at Marvel) or become the antagonist (starting out as villain to the Avengers before joining them) in almost any future Marvel film. Hopefully, Marvel is able to wrangle the rights back and place him properly. Namor also fought alongside Captain America and Bucky in the super-team the Invaders during WWII. Prince Namor also joined forces with The Hulk and Doctor Strange to form The Defenders, which with different lineup (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage) will have a mini-series on Netflix.

Justin Theroux In The Mix To Play DOCTOR STRANGE?

CHUD reports that Marvel Studios is strongly considering actor/writer Justin Theroux (Zoolander, Charlie's Angels 2, Your Highness, America Psycho) for the role of Dr. Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange. They say that others might also be in the mix but Justin is the only name currently being mentioned. Theroux might have an in with the studio since he wrote Iron Man 2 and being very good friends with Robert Downey Jr. Writing Tropic Thunder which helped Robert land a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. He also has a knack for accents if the studio is aiming Strange to be more European to separate from the many American heroes. While Benedict Cumberbatch has been the favorite for thethe role it's possible Marvel is making sure they have options. It's an odd choice since Justin is best known for playing villains.

Is Black Widow The Secondary Lead In CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER?

Marvel has been trying for years to put together a Black Widow movie. It started when the project was at Lionsgate but that would eventually go into limbo after Catwoman and Elektra bombed. Widow would be played by Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2 which fuelled talk of a new spin-off. A new script was penned by Nicole Perlman who wrote the original draft of Guardians of The Galaxy but seems like it's still in development.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier will include her and from this synopsis gives the impression that Natasha will have a larger role than previous Marvel films. It could actually be more of a secondary lead, as she's rumored to have connections with the shadowy enemies (her Russian employers?) and will be partnering up with Rogers to battle them. It's possible Widow having her character get more of a spotlight might mean her spin-off is right around the corner.

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier” will pick-up where “Marvel’s The Avengers” left off, as Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and teams up with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, to battle a powerful yet shadowy enemy in present-day Washington, D.C."

TO BE CONSIDERED: Ruth Wilson As Scarlet Witch

The rumor over the weekend that Ms. Marvel could be a possible addition to the Avengers team in the sequel. Scarlet Witch is looking like a solid candidate for the roster as well. Ruth Wilson has been my favorite for the role for a while now. The daughter of conflicted mutant villain Magneto is also a legacy member of The Avengers/X-Men. Making her able to possibly play both baddie and heroine depending on the film.

Director Jon Favreau had cast Scarlett Johansson in the role of Scarlet Witch in Iron Man 2 before Emily Blunt's exit as Black Widow. Scarlett would end up playing Natasha instead and the Witch part was axed. There had been questions since if Marvel indeed owned the rights to use her in their films.Marvel's Kevin Feige confirmed over the summer that they co-own the Scarlet Witch film rights with 20th Century Fox's X-Men franchise. This could mean the actress playing Wanda would be able to appear in both X-Men franchise and Marvel Studios' films.

It's very possible Fox could add her into Days of Future Past as the time-travelling aspect could see Wanda involved. Matthew Vaughn would need to make up to fans for his terrible casting of January Jones as Emma Frost in First Class. Hiring Ruth in the role seems like solid casting as Alice in Luther she was able to juggle both friend and dangerous predator very seemingly.

This could also bleed over to Avengers with the original lineup without a female superhero presence. Wilson is rumored for the role of Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel) but seems better suited for Wanda instead. Her longstanding roots with the Avengers could be explored with a supporting role in the MCU.  Fox producer Lauren Shuler Donner recently stated she'd love to see the X-Men join the Avengers. Witch and Wolverine being the the standout mutants among the Avengers ranks.

Another possible actress who could swoop in and grab the role is Jessica Chastain (Lawless). She had been in talks for a supporting role in Iron Man 3 only to walk, giving it to Rebecca Hall. Jessica seemed very optimistic about working with Marvel in the future. The redhead is a solid choice for Wanda but her rising profile and demand could be a problem come contract time.

Could Scarlet Witch Become An Asgardian In Thor 2?

We've been hearing a bit on the progress of Thor 2 but nothing concerning villains or new characters. It's been reported that we could see the cast of Asgardians double. So that means we could see at least six new characters in the sequel. One character that's been knocked around since Iron Man 2 is Scarlet Witch.

Yes, in the comics she is a mutant and the daughter of Magneto. However, she's been more active in The Avengers and West Coast Avengers comics and has magic based powers. This might exclude her from the X-Men/Fox deal and that she very well show up in Marvel Studios' films. Previously director Jon Favreau had Scarlett Johansson in mind for the part when Witch was originally included in Iron Man 2.  Emily Blunt vacated the Black Widow role which was filled by Johansson leading to the character to be cut from the film. I don't think Kevin Feige would have even allowed Jon to play with the idea unless they actually have control of the character. I could see the studio making Witch an Asgardian since it's a good way to reinvent the character for the screen.

It wouldn't be the first time Marvel has reinvented a character to fit their Cinematic Universe. Bucky Barnes, Black Widow, Whiplash, Justin Hammer, Jane Foster and Thor have all had their characters retooled to fit the films so it wouldn't be shocking to see it happen again. My thought is that Scarlet could end up being one of the many new Asgardians in Thor 2. Thor's rogues gallery is full and colorful his group of cohorts is somewhat unbalanced. The amount of villains out weights the group of allies and friends, considering the scale of this fantasy world. We should expect characters like Balder (The Brave), Amora (The Enchantress), Skurge (The Executioner) and Brunhilde (Valkyrie) but the impression I get is that we could see the studio give us even more. Scarlet is also a prolific member of the Avengers so she could make an excellent addition to the mostly male lineup.

If I had to choose someone to play the heroine it would be Ruth Wilson who is best known from the BBC series Luther and The Prisoner mini-series. She's also attached for the female lead in Disney's The Lone Ranger alongside Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer.