At one point, George Miller was in talks to take Justice League America down the all-CGI route a la Beowulf, and now Marvel’s dream-team flick, The Avengers, might be headed in that direction as well according to screenwriter Zak Penn (X-Men 2 and 3, The Incredible Hulk). Of course, this whole uber-caped enchilada depends on the success of this summer’s Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, as both Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are key players. Director Jon Favreau has previously stated his interest in directing a live-action version that would team up Robert Downey Jr. and Ed Norton. Penn says that all-CGI talks have definitely happened…
“Absolutely. It’s not only something I’ve considered doing, but there’s been the discussion about The Avengers doing some sort of next level,” Penn told Collider. Whatever the next iteration of computer animation is after this, the next step after Beowulf, is something we would definitely conisder for that.”
“And I actually think it’s worth considering for a lot of movies, I think it’s amazing. It has a tremendous amount of potential. And I love animated movies, and I’ve produced animated movies, and I wrote the original story for Antz. It would definitely interest me.”
This comment wouldn’t necessarily put the kibosh on Downey Jr. and Norton reprising their roles, as motion capture would heavily play into the film it seems. Also, Beowulf was spectacular in 3D, so it’s only a matter of time before a massive comic book film heads in that direction, and if Avatar does well next year, the gates are open. Penn also told Collider that a Young X-Men film is still a definite possibility and will depend on the performance of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Interesting. Back to the The Avengers: no surprise, it’s still a ways away Penn tells IESB…
“The Avengers is a project in the future,” says Penn, “That’s the best way to put it until Iron Man and The Hulk come out. I haven’t talked to Marvel about it in awhile because I think that the best way to do it is to put together a movie that uses all the characters and so they probably want to see how the movies do and figure that out first.”
Personally, I want to see Matthew Vaughn’s take on Thor, which we haven’t heard much about in quite a while, more than an Avengers film. But teaming The Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Antman and a slew of others together for a royal rumble is not exactly boring, you know?
Discuss: Should The Avengers be live-action or more like Beowulf on crack?
via First Showing
March 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
personally, im not a huge fan of the cgi “animated” film thing. dunno why, but to me it just seems like the coward’s way out.
regardless, if it was a good enough storyline, i guess i would watch it in cgi (i love the avengers and they will always be that bit better than the jla, i might add) but, frankly, i’d want to see the avengers assemble in live action, and i would want to see it with already established actors in the lead roles. it’d just be cool to establsh a main marvel movie universe on the silver screen.
(just so long as they dont do flashback sequences or origin storys within the film, cos that would royally suck….)
quick note: would anyone else like to see this film as an introduction to captain america, and then see them do a spin-off/prequel later? have him thaw out specifically for the main event?
March 6th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I am personally all up for full-cg movies, but all comes back to “how it is done”. and this HOW is a really big issue since this is pretty much why most of the people don’t appreciate full-cg movies.
I believe it’s actually a better way in regards of visual storytelling and probably the only way to bring all the original actors of the cast of the superhero team altogether (I am talking about JLA too).
back to the “HOW” question I said, I believe going ultra-realistic way (aka Beuwolf, Polar Express) is not the way neither Pixar-cartooni look (Even Monster House). There’s a sweet spot in between that everyone is missing… something between 95% realistic aka Beuwolf (which somehow is still in the uncanny valley) and 50-60% realistic which would be Incredibles.
Has anyone seen Advent Children? Has anyone seen Blur studios cinematics of Marvel games???(although Blur cinematics are really weak storytelling-wise and again they are too realistic for the point)
I dunno, but me, personally would really appreciate them and would love to see them on the big screen (specially if they have a good story to tell).
March 6th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
If it can look much better then the Marvel Ultimate Alliance in game movies did, (and those were pretty good if you recall seeing Galactus and the Watcher) I would be all for it as well. Especially in 3D. I mean having the Captain’s shield fly at you or Thor summoning lightning all around you would be pretty badass. The possibilities are endless. Repulsor blasts, Hulk’s debris etc etc.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
CGI is the best way to do costumed superhero movies imo. Batman was done well and Ironman looks like it will be awesome but those are also unique characters in the way that they have a more real appeal about them anyway. Can you really see a live action movie with an actor talking as cheesy as Thor does and take it seriously, wearing the winged helmet and all?
March 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
im always gonna be a fan of live action. especially for this story. with the right cast & crew this could become the biggest comic book movie franchise ever, becasue it crosses into so many stories. all they need to do is go over the comics, start from the beginning and find the best possible thread that would translate to film - it could easily be a trilogy or more - easily. they have the oportunity to surpass miller’s JLA, which could have been great, except for the fatal casting decisions. for this scope of a project, my vote is the real deal, no cg.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Marvel as usual running their own properties into the ground. They did it on paper and they’re doing it on film.
Way to go dudes!
March 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Thanks for the info
March 6th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Comics2film.com had a script review for Thor last week.
http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=31371
March 6th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
don’t forget about edgar wright’s antman.
the major problem i could see potentially with an avengers movie is that with the ironman, hulk, antman and thor having four different sets of directors and writers (correct me if i’m wrong) how it would incorporate the tones and directions of the four prequels.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:04 am
@eli: The script review of Thor sounds really great. I’m more excited about that movie if it will ever ever be made. Neither JLA nor Avengers appeals to me that much. At least not at the moment. I’d rather prefer to see everybody in their individual movies first.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’m a mother of 2 young boys and they LOVE Superhero movies..
If an Avengers movie is made, I have no doubts it will be a HUGE box office seller. I think its worth planning and waiting to get it right.. It would be absolutely awesome to see 4 or 5 comic strip HEROS on the big screen..
The Hulk is a huge success and we just watched Iron Man and LOVED IT!
So, We will be anxiously awaiting a SuperHero movie with all of those characters! They can all save the Earth … just like in the comic strips! Absolutely GREAT Idea!!
May 5th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I think an Avengers movie sounds like a good idea and I would much rather it was live action that CGI, which tends to look a bit rubbish.(Compare the CGI Hulk to the live action characters in X-Men and Fantastic Four and wince.)Thawing out Captain America is a good idea for a plot but I’m confused as to why everyone thinks the Hulk should be included(except for the fact there’s already a Hulk movie on the way)-he was only a member very briefly in the comics.By ideal line-up would be Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Ant Man, Wasp, Hawkeye, Vision and Scarlet Witch.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Michael Billinghurst is spot on with his lineup. And let them fight Ultron. lol
May 10th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
i’m sure the CG would be fine. But don’t want another avengers cartoon. I liked Final Fantasy spirits within, but for the Avenger who are my favorite group I need something more. I need it to be real. The scraping metal against grinding stone of Iron Man was far better then anything that you could have in a fully CG film. I need to see my heroes in “real life” and in live action my imagination would allow be to believe that, where as CG would be another story.
May 16th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
all CGI = bad idea. i can’t stand those ridiculous final fantasy movies and garbage like that. the CGI that was used in Iron Man was seamless - you don’t even notice its role in the movie because its mixed with real costumes and used sparingly. marvel needs to go this route with thor, captain america, and avengers - anything else will just be another cartoon.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
The idea of the movie sounds amazing, but only if you keep Robert Downey Jr. and Ed Norton. And the all-CGI concept is HORRIBLE. People enjoy the new superhero movies because it brings the comics/cartoons to reality, and gives the viewer a sense that the action is real.
May 18th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I just don’t get the point of an all GCI take. If the director can find a real reason to use it, like to help the story or for visual style (frank miller comes to mind) it i will be behind it.
really, some great things could be done visually and artistically with CGI that have never been explored.
basically, my point is this, I hope they don’t decide to go CGI just for the fact that they can, they must think about if they should.
personally, i would hate to see an all CGI movie. the point of the superhero movie is to bring these characters out of cartoon land, and into the real world. CGI directly contradicts this point.
——————-
and as for characters, writers need to look at, not only what characters would be good in a movie, but which ones would be good together, and which would have a story worth telling.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
If they did an Avengers movie 100% CGI, taking it the next step beyond what Beowulf did, used all of the same actors and made the characters look like the actors, and did it in 3D, then the movie would beat Titanic, I promise.
You would have the fanbase of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor all interested, plus the fangirls of each characters respective actor all interested, the entire male demographic of all ages.
Nobody would miss a film event like The Avengers, all of their favorite characters from comic book films from the last couple of years together in one huge film, and in 3D!
It would literally be one of the biggest film events of all time, and I think with the actors and special effects that would be required to get it done, all CGI is the only way to do it for any sort of reasonable price.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:54 am
I hope its all Live action and not CGI, mind you they could do alot more with CGI.
The problem is can they always get the same actors all the time?
If they ever introduced Spiderman or Hulk they would need that actor to star in it, or i would be very upset.
Start making Single Super Hero Movies, and force the actors into a Avengers Movie for a latter date. (And hope they dont die, poor Heath)
We need a new Captain American Single movie to build character base. Then take all the Marvel Movies from the last 5 years and make this the biggest movie of all time. Cap, Thor, Antman, Spidy, Hulk, Mr.Fantastic, Ironman, Warmachine.
Just do it right plzzzz ill wait 5 more years for this movie if its done right
AVENGERS SAVE EARTH
Cant wait
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I’m a huge fan of CGI. But I’m also a huge fan of Marvel Comics, and I’ve waited over 20 yrs. to see these made into live action movies. Sorry guys, but just like when the comics upgraded the graphics. Go CGI on these, and I might just have to leave the Marvel Universe.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I’d also like to second Dan’s comment about doing it right, even if it takes another 5yrs. to do it. Keep in mind most of the Marvel fanbase has been waiting a while. We’ll wait for greatness. Nuff Said!
June 10th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I think an all CGI movie would ruin the whole idea for making an avengers movie. If it would be comparable to beowulf then I say save the movie idea for a more capable person. Parts of beowulf were comparable to shrek and that is sad!
Iron man was a great success but if it had been CGI I would not have paid the 8 bucks to see it.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND EVERYTHING HOLY KEEP THESE MOVIE RIGHTS IN THE LIVE ACTION CATAGORY AND STOP MAKING MVOIES FOR THE SAKE OF MAKING MOVIES!!!
Adults and animation still don’t mix the way they should.. a pg or pg13 animated movie would lack all of the good qualities that animation has to offer.. such as the beheadings and torrents of blood oozing from giant wounds.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:16 am
it needs to be live action, if you start a hero movie in Live action and then do the prequel a CGI its not smart, plus i dont like to watch full cgi movies. I didnt even go see BEOwulf or w/e it is. I would rather see ED Norton and Robert Downey Jr. on the big screen together with whoever is going to play Captain America(which i highly anticipate) fighting some super villain!
And if they make THE AVENGERS in cgi i will not pay to see it like i have paid for every other superhero movie
June 14th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
ya know i can’t believe i am hearing all these nay says and downgrades about what we actually have here going on now with the technology we have to make the comics we all have ( or some) have grown up reading now coming to life. CGI is a huge help even in movies you don’t even realize that have it. There are things Humands just cannot do in real life people, get a reality check. think about it, Hulk is huge not tiny, no human could ever be his size and pass that off in the real. it just wouldn’t work.Marvel or dc superhero characters are not real so why should they try to pass off that thats what they should be? they( the filmakers) are giving you their motion creations of what your imaginations would have wanted to see in a “realistic’ vision. If ironman suit was real then how could you even film his aerobatic flight scenes? with what camera? what human you know can toss cars and pound pavement and make it ripple like water? none thats what. Learn to at least appreciate the gifts that we have been getting cause believe me, you can’t do any better. I grew up reading the comics and i used to wish they made movies about them and now i am a father and my kids and i get to see what i loved to read in comic and now its on screen and kicking butt! keep it up Marvel , you are doing the damn thang!
June 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
To orlando warren
Are you even paying attention? No one has said they shouldn’t use ANY CGI–that wouldn’t even be possible. As you pointed out, you can’t have the Hulk or Iron Man without it. What people have been complaining about is the idea of making the entire movie in CGI like Beowulf. And they’re right to protest. That is an awful idea. Why do I want to go to a movie to see CGI versions of Edward Norton and Robert Downey Jr. talking to one another? What makes these movies great, and what several others have pointed out, is that they bring these comics into “real life” (as much as you can anyway). Making the movie all CGI would be a mistake, it’d be no better than a cartoon. Those types of movies are fine for kids movies like Finding Nemo, but for a serious movie? C’mon, buddy.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
You have got to be kidding. Please do not make another Beowuf/Final Fantasy type movie. Not to say those movies were bad…well maybe the later but real live w/ CGI is far more engageing and make you feel more like this is a movie than a amped up cartoon. I mean, I love the cartoons and the comics but the CGI mix with live action makes it easier to suspend my belief and become more emersed in the film. Take Jurasic Park for instance when we first saw the dinosaurs you believed it. I want to believe the Avengers can be real and feel like a part of the team.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
PLEASE DONT DO THE CGI CRAP>>>> PLEEAASSSEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep it live actioced…it is wayyy better that way IM BEGGING
June 18th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I love comics and i am a die hard fan,but that animated crap won’t work…we have to be more realistic..e.g The Iron movie..you did not see that see that 3d thing and the movie was a huge success..so please NO 3D!!!
June 19th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Just to add my little piece of mind, all-CGI sounds bad. The big deal with all this super-hero-to-big-screen is the actual actors mixed with cool effects and 3Ds where needed. As was somehow mentioned before by someone at this thread, all-CGI is the “easy way” to do things. It will still be a must-see in my book, but labeling the film as “fully animated” automatically narrows its audience, since not all people like animated films.
By the way, thanx for the info!
June 19th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’m a huge comic fan, and I’ve prefered DC over Marvel so far but I got to admit Marvel has surpassed DC making better movies.
Upcoming Avengers movie will be great, with well established characters (and actors) I have nothing but high expectations on it.
JLA movie on the other hand has started with the wrong foot from the very begining…casting actors on his 20s? Come on! The people behind Warner should realize that if they are unable (or unwilling) to use the same actors casted on their standalone movies the movie will fail, an alternative would be a CGI movie though, and it’s not a bad idea if you come to think of it, it will be full of action, they could use a Christopher Reeve-like model for Superman.
Check out this CGI model of Chris Reeve’s Superman:
http://www.pixolator.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=47800
June 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
i personnaly loved iron man and the new hulk and i dont think that the avengers should be animated like ants. that is ridicoulus if they can make the hulk seem real they should be able to make thor and captain america look real they did it for star wars and superman and that was with old technology imagine the posssibilities here
June 20th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I really liked the Beowulf movie in 3D, but I don’t think going 3D for BIG movies like The Avengers or Justice League would be the right move. It would be good to make a few superhero movies in 3D for the younger generation, but “Why try to fix something if its not broken?” I have always liked the superhero stories, regardless of Marvel or DC, and even though I’m older now I really like seeing my favorite characters on the Big Screen. I loved going to the theater to watch movies like X-men Trilogy, Spider-man Trilogy, Iron-Man, Batman, etc. And here’s to hoping I will get to see the new movies, sequels, prequels, etc.
P.S. I like watching ALL the superhero movies on the Big Screen regardless of Origins, Sequels, or Prequels. I really hate hearing all the complaining about “Running the superhero theme into the ground”. As long as they keep making the movies I’m going to watch them, and so will all the TRUE fans. Thanks.
June 21st, 2008 at 2:02 am
Live action much better, please no full cgi, it may look great but it’s no good for the emotional character drivin scenes which are essential.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:25 am
A live action version would be much better providing you get the right actors. The thing that makes an all CGI movie good, is that you can get tremendous character actors who are great in a role, but wouldn’t fit the physical appearance of the character. Look at Beowulf, the actor who portrayed him is a great performer, but physically he would be relegated to a side kick to Beowulf. CGI allowed a great actor to perform in a role that he wouldn’t have gotten in a live action flick.
For superhero movies, especially ones based on characters already done in live action, all CGI doesn’t work. Here we have Norton and Downey already created in their roles. Why go through the trouble of making them completely digital. Iron Man flying around…digital, The Hulf bashing through a building…digital, but Bruce Banner and Tony Stark as digital will take away from what they’ve already done and return comic books to the page.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
nothing wrong with CGI, live action would be better….but CGI CANNOT be motion captured and look realistic, unless it is edited through keyframe animation techniques….Beowulf had the ugliest animation I have ever seen. It was hurky jerky and made for an absolutely awful experience….Please, live action, or, at least, take plenty of time on keyframing the animation
June 26th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
i just went to see hulk and at the end my buddy pointed out to me that was the actor from ironman well im a comic book fan my shelf and i put 2and2 together and when i read this i was like u have to use anima for the hulk but 3d come on man your bringing it to far man
June 28th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I think animation deserves serious consideration given its ability to display all the characters powers and vibrant costumes. I disagree that comics movies should be created to appear as if they exist in our universe.
I watch comic movies to see if movie is similar to my imagination. Generally, I use the images of the artists rather than envision them as real-life beings. The recent TMNT movie was not a bad use of CGI.
The medium aside it’s going to come down to the quality of the story and casting. The people involved should have an idea of whether live-action or animation will best represent their story after it has been written. The bottom line is story telling and visuals are just part of the story. I wouldn’t limit myself to only live-action or animation if it doesn’t create the best story.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Although I am a fan of CGI, Beowulf, Final Fantasy. After the success of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman 3, I think live action is the way to go if it is done like the three mentioned. I have alway been a big fan of the X-Men series, but Iron Man ant The Hulk were much better movies. Seein the new trend going so well I do not know why to change.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:59 am
My dear GOD!!!!!!! Why would anyone want to make the horrible decision to make the movie in CGI????? Marvel is making SO MUCH HYPE about this movie now and everyone is expecting great things from it. Marvel will lose more then half of those people wanting to see the movie. Only people that would see it would be the die hard fans, it would be a major fail if marvel does this. I’m disappointed they even thought about this…