Marvel Searches for Next Big Thing

Comic book conglomerate is looking for writers to script ideas for lesser-known characters

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

Comic book nerds everywhere are excited over the recent news that Marvel Entertainment is searching for talent to step forward with script ideas for film adaptations of some of the more than 5,000 heroes and villains the company owns rights to.

Scriptwriters are encouraged to come forward with any concepts for Marvel's library of comic book characters, many of which are extremely obscure. Some of the lesser known characters that Marvel are contemplating for a feature film include Doctor Strange, Vision, Black Panther, Cable, Nighthawk, and Iron Fist.

Whatever hero/ villain is chosen as the next big screen blockbuster, it will join an elite list of A-class Marvel franchises, including Spider-Man, X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, and their latest recruit, last year's Iron Man.

Some of the other comic series that have been adapted to film have seen less enthusiastic box office numbers and critical praise, including Daredevil (2003), The Fantastic Four (2005), and Ghost Rider (2007). Marvel is currently in the production phase for several upcoming comic flicks, such as The First Avenger: Captain America, Thor, The Avengers, and sequels to Iron Man and Spider-Man, though these films are not part of the script search.

Iron Man was one of the reasons why Marvel sparked a look back at its dusty catalogue of characters, grossing almost $582 million in worldwide ticket sales, despite being a less popular persona.

Marvel is asking potential writers to take on specific pitches for either future character developments or franchises already produced, and is offering as much as $100,000 for a one-year salary. Some of the writers who penned Marvel material prior are not eligible to submit work, including Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Zak Penn, and Justin Theroux.

Marvel's Spider-Man and X-Men trilogies have earned more than $3.63 billion combined in worldwide box office ticket sales alone.

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Bad Robot Gets A New Deal

In July 2006, J. J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions signed a deal with Paramount Pictures. Bad Robot and Paramount Pictures have announced an extension of its agreement to run through 2013.

"Today's announcement is meaningful to me in many ways," said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO, Paramount Pictures Corporation. "Bad Robot was one of the first deals we made to help rebuild the studio. J.J. has since become part of the fabric of Paramount and we look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration for many years to come."

"Bad Robot has had an incredibly fun and productive collaboration with Paramount," added Abrams. "We are all so grateful for their amazing support and creative team, and feel like we're just getting started. We are thrilled that we get to stay right where we are."

The first collaboration between Bad Robot and Paramount was the 2008 release, Cloverfield. It holds the record for highest grossing January opening weekend at $40M, and went on to gross $170M worldwide. Next up is the highly anticipated Star Trek (May 8). which is also directed and produced by Abrams. Production has also been slated to start in June for Morning Glory, starring Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams. Before signing the first deal, Abrams directed Mission Impossible III for Paramount.

American Jesus

Comics creator Mark Millar is becoming a big name in Hollywood. Wanted was a hit film, Kick-Ass sounds like it could be and now American Jesus will be brought to the big screen.

The story follows a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he's the returned Jesus Christ. He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk and perhaps even raise the dead. How will he deal with the destiny to lead the world in a conflict thousands of years in the making?

Originally a 3 issue miniseries, Millar is now stating it will be 9 issues total. But a trilogy of 3 issue arcs. The first arc, titled "Chosen" is just released back into print this week. The second installment will be released sometime in the fall.

Matthew Vaughan who is directing Kick-Ass is eyeing "American Jesus" for his directing feature. Vaughan's film studio Marv Films and his partner Kris Thykier will finance the film independently in the same manner as Kick-Ass.

The Three Stooges--The Movie?!

Comic kings are looking to introduce a new generation to the legendary 'Three Stooges"

The Farrelly Brothers (Dumb & Dumber, There's Something About Mary) are in the closing stages of casting for their next comedy feature, a rehashing of "The Three Stooges" franchise.

MGM has apparently signed two-time Oscar-winner Sean Penn to play "Larry," and are still in talks with Benicio Del Toro as "Moe," and Jim Carrey as "Curly." Carrey is even said to be in the process of putting on an extra 40 pounds to match Curly's plump dimensions.

Bobby & Peter Farrelly--who also co-wrote the screenplay--have been trying to get this project off the ground since the '90s, failing to come through with Columbia and then Warner Bros., before getting the green light from MGM.

Mary Parent, chairman of the Worldwide Motion Picture Group, was instrumental in getting the film underway, purchasing the "Stooges" scripts from Warner, and brockering a deal with C3 Entertainment, who owned the rights to the franchise.

The original "three stooges" were an American comedy and vaudeville act made up of slapstick comics Larry Fine, and brothers Moe and Shemp Howard. The latter of whom was later replaced by another brother, Curly. Their legendary act began in 1925 and continued for several decades, but came to an end when Larry was left paralyzed following a stroke in 1970.

Production on the film, which is not a biopic, is set for fall, with a release date sometime next year.

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