From the Comics to the Movies

Right now, the state of comics on film can be best summed up in the immortal words of poet and rocker Axl Rose: "Where do we go now?"

There's the big X-Men movie coming out this summer, and a handful of other projects in various states of development, including films on the Hulk, Doctor Strange and (gasp!) Damage Control. In the DC camp, both Superman and Batman have film franchises that are on hold until Warner Brothers decides where to take these cash cow properties. There's some decent comics cartoons, and even a live-action series featuring the adventures of the Tick in production.

Should that X-Men movie explode with success this summer, Hollywood will be looking to make more comics movies happen. Here's a short list of five properties they might want to look to next in stoking the flames of comics on film, with some notes on who to approach for the projects.

Daredevil

Kevin Smith has done some wildly successful work in writing this title in the past, and he'd be the perfect man to bring the Man Without Fear to the big screen. One rumored casting choice had Matt Damon pegged for the lead, and that'd be fine as well. You've got two big names attached to a comic book project, one with huge geek cred (Smith) and another with huge babe appeal (Damon), and they're both talented enough to make a decent movie. What's not to love?

The Fantastic Four

I know Chris Columbus was rumored to be attached to this at one time. BAD IDEA. I'd go instead with Robert Zemeckis. This film requires the kind of manic, fun energy that made the Back to the Future films such classics. Hell, get his BTTF partner Bob Gale involved and make it a bonafide reunion. Casting…how about Gabriel Byrne as Reed Richards and Gwyneth Paltrow as Sue Richards? They both always seem up for slumming in big-budget action and Zemeckis would make it GOOD big-budget action. Could be tons of fun.

Green Lantern

Another Kevin Smith project, this time as a screenwriter. His draft is allegedly fantastic, so take it and run with it as far as you can go. With the proper build, Tom Hanks might make a good Hal Jordan. He's pulled off the test pilot/astronaut gig plenty of times in the past. Plus, the hero doesn't need to be buff like Superman. He's got a magic ring, fer chrissakes. As for the director's chair, I'd fill that puppy with a Nicholas Meyer. He directed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and knows how to do smart sci-fi with plenty of action.

Madman

Mike Allred's quirky and tender superhero saga would make an equally quirky and tender film, but only in the right hands. Robin Williams, for example, is rumored for the titular role but would be a tremendously bad idea. Who would be a good idea? No clue, but Robert Rodriguez would have a lot of fun directing this and would do a neat job.

Starman

This title just conjures film images in my mind. Maybe it's the more modern bent, or maybe it's Jack Knight's own obsession with film and pop culture in general. Given those obsessions, I'd peg Jack as a great pick for the kind of comics character that could easily translate into a more "reality" based film translation. He doesn't even have a costume, just that neat trenchcoat, the goggles and the staff. His father's history as the Starman could be quickly established through dialogue or even a few brief flashbacks, and the Mist could be employed as the villain, giving you not only a neat backstory to explore in future prequel films but a sexy lady in the role of bad-ass heroine, which should drive the fanboys mad with ecstacy. On top of all that, the Shade would make for a fascinating film character, perhaps as portrayed by Ian Holm. My director picks? Danny Boyle or Quentin Tarantino. No joke. And Ben Affleck or Vince Vaughn would make excellent Starmen.