Gareth Evans Is Open To Making Marvel Film In The Future, Let's Hope It's HEROES FOR HIRE

Indonesian director Gareth Evans is clearly making a name for himself in the action world. His debut feature The Raid captured everyone in love with both action and martial arts films. He's currently filming it's sequel and was recently asked by FlicksAndTheCity if he'd consider making a superhero film. More specifically a Marvel one and his answer is interesting.

"It's tough. The thing is right now, where I am, the kind of things that I'm doing, I don't know if I fit the superhero mold yet. It's something I need to learn at some point but I don't know if I can deliver a PG-13 movie. I don't know how to do that yet. I should learn but yeah, I'm not sure. Maybe a darker, superhero [film] from Marvel."

The one Marvel project that comes to mind that would be perfect for Evans would be Heroes For Hire. A while back Marvel's Joseph Loeb let slip they were developing a Heroes For Hire film. Likely, setting up a ground level Marvel team that would include Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Two characters that have had their own solo films in development for ages. Combining them into one movie would solve issues of their crowded release rollout.

"Just like we just announced Guardians of the Galaxy, we are certainly looking at the Heroes for Hire franchise which is Luke Cage and Iron Fist."

The film should also include characters such as Moon Knight and The Punisher. Which could finally solve the problem of how to make a movie with Frank Castle that people will actually pay to see. Along with the possibility of throwing rebooted versions of Blade and Daredevil into the mix as well. All of them street level heroes based in New York City and since the rights are back at Marvel they might as well use them.

While they could be decent solo features a bigger team-up adventure would be a great way to introduce a great deal of Marvel heroes leading up the rumored Civil War/Thanos battle in Avengers 3. We have some idea of what the Phase Three lineup will look like. Ant-Man, Doctor Strange and possibly features such as Black Panther, Inhumans and a new Hulk film. A Heroes For Hire film would seemingly grab the attention of the action driven audiences who fork all of their money to see films like Fast And The Furious. Imagine setting a Marvel team film in the world crime and throwing in actual superheroes and super villains in there, it could be something very unique. Gareth brings a lot of style and validity to the table. Similar to when Marvel hired Game of Thrones' Alan Taylor to make Thor: The Dark World. So having him involved could also help gain a little more attention to the project.

Irdis Elba has been meeting with Marvel for a while now about playing a second role in the MCU. His wish-list of roles includes Black Panther, Blade and Luke Cage. Considering Marvel's interest in Legendary Pictures' Godzilla main cast Aaron Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen for Avengers: Age of Ultron. It wouldn't be a stretch to see them also looking at cast members in Legendary international smash Pacific Rim as well. Elba as Luke Cage makes a whole lot of sense with his gritty roles on shows such as The Wire and Luther. Charlie Hunnam has equally as much background in street level themes with his series Sons of Anarchy. Plus, he showed off some impressive fighting abilities in Pacific Rim. Which could be amped up ten-fold by Gareth's stunt team and fight trainers. Hunnam was actually in the mix for Thor and Captain America at one point. So having him play Danny Rand could be just as exciting.

Kevin Feige Gives Insight To Upcoming Marvel Projects

In the Thor set visit interview from Collider which was held during before the production of Captain America. Kevin Feige gives the impression that The Howling Commandos will be the only Marvel hero group used in the film. Previously there had been rumors that we'd see a mix of Commandos and Invaders in the movie.

Director Joe Johnston has denied on many occasions that Namor (a member of the Invaders) would be included in the film. Saying the film would focus on only one Marvel hero. This could mean that others such as Union Jack and Spitfire would also not be featured. It makes sense that Namor and Union Jack could be better suited in their own films or contemporary Marvel sequels. So this would mean that J.J. Feild is playing Percy Pinkerton not Union Jack.

Also yesterday Feige was involved with a live chat on HeroComplex (LATimes) which was to promote the release of the new Thor trailer. Where the producer dished on tidbits of future projects and answered fans questions. Even Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier dropped by to say hi. I was luckily enough to join this chat yet it was beyond crowded and laggy.

Kevin gave confirmation that The Avengers' Iron Man armor will see an evolution similar to the different suits in Iron Man 2. Giving me the impression the Hulk Buster suit is an option.

 "Joss would kill me if I gave anything away, but I will say that the evolution you saw his armor take in IM2 will continue in The Avengers."

One of the biggest admissions of Kevin is confirmation that Marvel Studios has indeed got the rights back for The Punisher. A Frank Castle show is being rumored to be setup at HBO for a hardcore violent series. He doesn't comment on where we'll see Frank next. Kevin does mention how the Blade franchise had been a successful group of R-themed films.

"Punisher's back in house, and various plans are in the works."

He even spoke on the possibilities of bringing Moon Knight to life. Knight had been set to become a TV series but it ultimately didn't happen. The vigilante hero is one of the most complex in the Marvel roster living the life of cab driver, playboy, mercenary and mystical vigilante.

"Moonknight's a challenging, but extremely interesting character. We've been discussing various versions of it for years."
 

Kevin briefly confirmed projects in the works like Black Panther, Iron Fist and his love/hope for a Dr. Strange movie. He also talked Luke Cage and his love interest Jessica Jones, it's one of few times he's brought up the Luke Cage project. Liking everyone's support for Isaiah Mustafa (Old Spice Guy) to play Cage. He also gave an update on the progress of Edgar Wright's Ant-Man.

"Edgar was here a few days ago. He's already working on the next draft."

Joe Carnahan Wants To Direct Preacher & Taskmaster

A-Team director Joe Carnahan (Smokin Aces) wants a shot at directing the long waited Preacher film. It's been in development for years and even high profile directors like Sam Mendes have been attached. Joe also mentions Marvel characters he's been interested in bringing to the screen. He mostly wants to make Taskmaster film which he has talked about before. Taskmaster is a villain who is able to mimic fighting moves and abilities just by seeing them.


It's interesting since he does mention the vigilante Moon Knight could end up taking him on. Joe had also been toying with the idea of Juggernaut film, who get's his powers from an ancient ring. I can't comment if Carnahan is the best choice for Preacher but he seems capable enough to make an adult oriented Moon Knight or Taskmaster film.

Could Marvel & Miramax Team Up?

The one thing that worries people about the Disney and Marvel deal is, what happens to the violent/adult characters? Miramax is the answer to that question. The studio that helped produce: The Crow, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Gangs of New York, Equilibrium and Scream, just to name a few. I could see Disney buying the rights back for characters such as Punisher and Blade. I doubt the rights would be as expensive as say for Spider-Man or X-Men. I can't see Marvel Studios being able to also handle the adult content. Miramax could be studio able to tackle the films.



PUNISHER: War Zone for all it's problems with story, dialog and acting, ended up to deliver the action the Thomas Jane film couldn't. With a solid script and accomplished action director the series could end up becoming something great. I know they aren't a popular choice but Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank, Gamer) could give the series the energy it needs. The pair would understand the Punisher Max series and how to make an entertaining action movie. Ray Stevenson is the best Frank Castle and should return for at least one more film.



BLADE: The character that started the whole comicbook film craze, needs to be respected. So let's hope for the return of Wesley Snipes and a decent director. As much as I enjoy his writing, David S. Goyer's directing is awful. I'd love him to write a new script because that's what he does best. Ryan Renyolds' Hannibal King could return but with Reynolds playing leads in both Green Lantern and Deadpool, it's unlikely. It would be nice to have Stephen Norrington return. If not, having someone from Guillermo del Toro's group of directors would be ok with me.

Casting Thoughts



David Wenham (300) as Jack Russell aka Werewolf By Night



Michelle Ryan (Jekyll, Bionic Woman) as Lilth




MOON KNIGHT:Soldier of fortune Marc Spector becomes the vigilante Moon Knight after an encounter with the Egyptian god of vengeance and moon deity. The character is known for his 3 identities: Marc Spector mercenary, New York millionaire Steven Grant and Manhattan cab driver Jake Lockley.



James McAvoy (Wanted) as Marc Spector aka Moon Knight