Jake Gyllenhaal As Captain Marvel, Tobey Maguire To Abandon Spidey Role?
Rush and Malloy are reporting that Jake Gyllenhaal is slated to reprise the role of DC comic superhero Captain Marvel of “Shazam!” fame, from the popular 70’s kid’s show of the same name. This Captain Marvel is not to be confused with Marvel Comics “Captain Marvel.” Due to copyright and trademark issues, DC Comics can’t market under the Captain Marvel name, so Shazam and Captain Marvel have become synonmous in the DC world.
If true, Gyllenhaal will be reprising the role of Captain Marvel for New Line, whose alter-ego is radio reporter Billy Batson. Billy, a young man, would obtain his super powers from the wizard Shazam, which would transform him through a bolt of lightening into an adult with the powers of six legendary figures. How cool is that?!
The article states that New Line is ready to spend $200 million on the film and director Peter Segal hopes to quickly “nab” Gyllenhaal before Sam Raimi does for the continued adventures of Spider-Man. There is speculation that Maguire is ready to retire his role in the Spider-Man movies, despite his oddly huge popularity playing the webbed hero. Maybe he’s just sick of looking at the Kikster. He wouldn’t be alone.
Come to think of it, didn’t Jake once date Kirsten Dunst? Very interesting. Moving on…Bringing comic book superheroes to the big screen has become huge business for movie makers. The popularity of the Spider-Man series, Batman Returns and now Ghostrider have generated interest in other comic figures from the DC Comics and Marvel Comics catalog. And the catalogs have depth.Â
Marvel Comics did well with The Fantastic Four, and the sequel to that will hit theatres this June with The Fantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer. Not all silver screen superhero films been hits though. The Superman Returns and The Hulk didn’t do as well as expected, and from a movie go-ers perspective that has more to do with the treatment of the material, than the popularity of the character. The filmmakers for these two relative flops (they weren’t Razzie award winners, but they weren’t box office breakouts like Spider-Man or even The Fantastic Four) didn’t do the stories justice. Drama and character development are essential, and while I understand it’s difficult to do an origin story without some boring scenes before building up to the action, both the Hulk and the new Superman were snoozers, most especially Superman. Ugh, it was just dreadful. Being poorly cast didn’t help either.
It’s hard to say what the magic combination is to having a superhero box-office smash. Casting is essential. Initially, people had their doubts about the seemingly dopey Tobey Maguire playing Peter Parker/Spider-Man, but in reality it was brilliant. For anyone who’s read the Spidey comic books, Peter was dopey and the dialogue was often cheesy. But Peter/Spidey is a complex character with some deep-seated issues that gave his bookish character some very real and tangible depth. Plus, his powers seemed plausible and very cool. I will be sad to see Tobey leave the role, but he stuck it out for three movies and I am sure he’s ready to move on. We are definitely looking forward to Spider-Man 3.
Gyllanhaal as Spider-Man, maybe. Christian Bale as Batman, absolutely. The Batman role which was mistreated by Val Kilmer and George Clooney (Michael Keaton was okay) is now back to where it should be. Batman, like Spider-Man is a superhero born of vengence and hatred. There has to be a real intensity and focus to play that kind of hero, Christian Bale is perfect as Batman. Interestingly, Jake’s sister Maggie Gyllenhaal is set to replace Katie Holmes’s role as DA Rachel Dawes in the new Batman: The Dark Knight.
Superhero replacement siblings? Hmmm…maybe they could bring back The Wonder Twins. Unite!!
Yes, I have become a comic book geek, but compared to the real world a-holes in Hollywood, believing in superheroes just doesn’t seem that dumb anymore.
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Hey tough guy, Superman is DC not Marvel
Comment by Iman — March 14, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Never said he was. And I may be a tough chick, but I am no tough guy!
Comment by dmdo1016 — March 14, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
have you seen 300 yet? how could you leave that booty out of your new comic, excuse me, graphic novel mania?
Comment by Amrita — March 14, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Well, I haven’t seen it yet, BUT….we will probably see it this weekend. I was going for the straight up comic book thing. We love all that mythical stuff. I assume you’ve seen it Amrita? You like?
Comment by dmdo1016 — March 14, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
I’m stuck in my little hometown where nothing releases on time so I havent seen it on the big screen
but the internet is my friend so yes, I LIKE 
You know who doesnt? Iran. Who wants to be in that company?
Comment by Amrita — March 15, 2007 @ 12:17 am
Yeah, I saw some stories about that. Good lord, get over it. That crap happened a LONG time ago. Only paranoid and insecure people are still that hung up on stuff.
The Jewish people have been characterized as Jesus-killers for centuries, and they have certainly managed to move on and up.
Comment by dmdo1016 — March 15, 2007 @ 7:55 am