In case you didn’t know, we are having a meeting next week. By "we" I mean those inexorably drawn to all things geektabulous and by "meeting" I mean the San Diego Comic-Con. In case you didn’t know, part 2: Entertainment Weekly is stepping up to the plate in a big way this year. Not only do we have our first-ever Comic-Con preview issue on stands now, not only will we be live-blogging the bejeezus out of the Con (right here on PopWatch!), but we’re hosting three (count ‘em, three!) panels at the show. The "Entertainment Weekly Presents: The Visionaries" series. (Spiffy, right?)
The first, on Thursday, is for comic creators — and we’ve got Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, Matt Fraction, Mike Mignola, Robert Kirkman, Colleen Doran, and John Cassaday on that one. The second, on Friday, is for TV showrunners — featuring Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, Josh Schwartz, Bryan Fuller, and Josh Friedman.
The final panel… well, that’s my cross to bear. And I need your help! Grab a buddy and follow me over the jump to find out how you can render aid.
Okay, so the last panel is for filmmakers. We’ve got Kevin Smith, Zack Snyder, Judd Apatow, and Frank Miller. And I’m moderating it. In Hall Frakking H. (For those who’ve never been, Hall H is the biggest conference room in the convention center. It holds something like 425,000 people. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but it’s massive.) ((My track record for this sort of thing is 1-1. And I only lost the one because I called Lucy Lawless a man.)) (((Yes, I am a tool.)))
As for how you can help: Give me questions. I’m gonna sift through whatever shows up in the comments and ask the two best questions to this awesome assemblage of filmmaking wizardry. And I’ll read out the name of the PopWatchers who submitted the "winning" questions. So make with it. Do my job for me!
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Which do you think is more responsible for inhibiting new readers to come to comics – continuity or distribution?
Are you worried that someone else will screw up your material on the big screen? How much of a hand do you like to have in film adaptations? (And by the way, a special hello to Kevin Smith, who has an honorary degree from my alma mater, Illinois Wesleyan University.)
For Kevin Smith:
Will you ever return to the world of Clerks?
Do you think that Hollywood’s embrace of geek culture is here to stay, or do you think the pendulum will eventually swing back the other way, making it more difficult for films that have that sort of geek pedigree to be made? Also, do you believe that the increased focus by Hollywood on comic books, graphic novels and other outside the mainstream sources are beneficial or ultimately damaging to the source material?
How do you make a film that’s based in “geek culture” (comics, graphic novels) appeal to the masses?
For Frank Miller: 1) How do you feel Nolan using some of Batman: Year One in the movies? 2) Are you ever coming back to writing comics (‘Martha Washington Dies’ felt like a rush job)?
For all: Do you have any comments for the Q & A EW did with Alan Moore?
For Frank Miller: How did it feel to see 300 on the big screen? While you were involved with “Sin City”, did you feel as if you were putting your “baby” in someone else’s hands? Also, will “Ronin” ever make it to the big screen?
For Kevin Smith: Is there any chance you’ll bring Jay and Silent Bob back? How about a Bluntman and Chronic movie?
For
For all part 2: While Hollywood does seem to finaLly start to ‘get it’ with comics, old habits die hard. Case in point: the “Green Hornet Movie” with Seth Rogen and insiders dismissing Oscar talk for Dark Knight because it’s a ‘Comic Book movie’. Discuss.
For Kevin Smith: You had high praise for both Iron Man and The Dark Knight. As a director yourself, ‘are there any superhero properties that you would like to tackle on the big screen?
For Zach Snyder: Your Dawn of the Dead is probably one of the best horror movie remakes. Will you be going back to that genre?
For Frank Miller: Your early experiences with Hollywood didn’t go too well (RoboCop 2 and 3). If you could, would you revisit that character?
For Judd Apatow: Your name seems to be attached to every other comedy that gets released. How do you keep from burning out? Will you slow down?
For everyone: It seems like comic books are the new screenplays for Hollywood. Do you think writers now have that in mind when they publish a new title?
All of you have very vocal fanbases. How much importance do you give to negative reactions from fans on the internet or at cons?
For all (well, maybe not Judd Apatow): Anybody interested in making a good Doc Savage movie?
Do you sense a reluctance in Hollywood to make a Captain America movie because it might not be well received, therefore not-as-profitable, overseas where America’s standing has diminshed with the actions of the Bush Administration?
Also — once “Watchmen” is a rousing success, will comics of a similar mood, such as “The Authority” or Garth Ennis’ “The Boys”, find favorable support by movie makers?
This is for all the panel members, even Judd Apatow who technically has not been involved with a comic book movie yet (Green Hornet!?)
After a movie like the Dark Knight, which was exceptionally done and had fantastic acting in it, when do you foresee in the future the Academy..yes the Acadamy Awards…begin to recognize “comic book” movies for awards other than special effects? In other words, besides the buzz on Heath Ledger’s performance and possible Supporting Actor, which would be a huge step, when will we see a “comic book” movie with a Best Movie nomination?
What’s your favourite crappy superhero movie?
Last one, promise. For all: With the immense success of Dr. Horrible, do you have a notion to try this yourself (the web mini-series, not musical. You’ll never find another NPH)?
All
Can any one of helpout with a Superman reboot?
Thanks
For Judd Apatow (an important question avoided by many interviewers):
Have there ever been plans or are there any plans to write a sequel to the cult classic ‘Heavyweights’, with Ben Stiller returning to his iconic role of Tony Perkis?
For Kevin Smith:
You did some minor voicing on the 2007 CGI Ninja Turtles movie. What’s your opinion on the rumours of a new LIVE ACTION Turtles movie being on the horizon?
Zack Snyder:
You worked on Michael Jordan’s “Playground” video in the early 90s. What do you think of Michael returning to battle in a Space Jam II?
Frank Miller:
You spent some time working on Robocop vs. Terminator stories back in the 90s. Would you think the battle would be worth bringing to the silver screen?
Carlton Cuse:
How would you feel about a Nash Bridges reunion movie?
Josh Schwartz:
How do you think The O.C. would hold up against a Saved by the Bell reunion season?
Bryan Fuller:
You were able to work with the legendary and reclusive Paul ‘Pee Wee Herman’ Reubens on Pushing Daisies. What do you think of his two anticipated movie projects he has in the works for Pee Wee’s return? Did he confide any details in you?
Questions for Josh Friedman about Sarah Connor Chronicles
1. Has James Cameron spoke to you about the Sarah Connor Chronicles? His opinion?
2. Could we see Robert Patrick return as the T-1000 on the show?
3. Was Earl Boen asked to reprise his role as Dr. Silberman when his character was to appear in the show?
4. Has Michael Biehn been contacted to play a Kyle Reese role at any time?
5. Would you consider having composer Brad Fiedel provide his epic soundtrack abilities to some big moments during Season 2?
6. Was Linda Hamilton ever considered for the title role or was Lena the first option?
7. Do you think Terminator: Salvation needs an Arnold appearance in some capacity?
Geek films, including most of yours, aren’t very well-known for their diversity, in terms of ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation – the protagonists are almost invariably straight white dudes. Do you agree that this is an important issue and, if so, how do you plan on addressing it?
*As an aside, what’s up with the EW panels only featuring 1 woman? Are there really such few women in the geek world?
Could someone please wrestle the Wonder Woman movie away from Goldberg and get the dang movie made? Now that Batman has been such as huge success, it’s time to hit it with Wondy, Green Lantern, Flash and the Justice League movies!
For Kevin: If Harley were to ever go into the film business, would you prefer she becomes a director like Sofia Coppola or an actress like Bryce Dallas Howard?
For Judd: What did you think of “Juno” and Diablo Cody? And how do you respond to the sexist allegations that many of your critics (Katherine Heigl included) have taken you to task for with your movies?
Have Judd address the whole sexist thing – especially since funnymen can be “schlubby”: see Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, but there is never “schlubby” women. Why do the women always have to be size 0-2? What about girls who are size 4? 6? 8? They don’t stand a chance? And also, what is his take on “redefining” the romcom. Are you making romcoms or just movies you yourself would want to see?
Also to all: Why can’t there be a buddy film based on a male and female where they DON’T end up together. Why can’t they ever just be friends?
Since you’re at comic-con, go for a comics related question:
Even the most popular comics sell less than 300,000 copies. That’s a far less circulation than TV and film, yet many of today’s most talented and popular filmmakers grew up and were influinced by comics. Are comics being sold short/ undervalued as entertainment in pop culture of today?
Since you’re at comic-con, go for a comics related question:
Selling 300,000 issues of a comic would be an absolute smash in today’s marketplace. Meanwhile 300,000 viewers of a TV show on NBC would get it cancelled before the first commercial break.
Far fewer future filmmakers read comics than watch TV and film, yet many of today’s most talented and popular filmmakers grew up and were influinced by comics. Are comics (the printed page, not big time blockbusters) being sold short/ undervalued as entertainment in pop culture of today?
Why do you think it is that we see more successful female heroes on TV (i.e. Buffy, Dark Angel, Alias, etc.) than on the big screen?
What is the reason that movies based on comic book characters are popular, yet that doesn’t necessarly translate into increased sales of those comic books?Where do you see the future of comic books going?
General question:
How personel do you take the film and television critics opinions. Do they matter more than the feedback you get from the public?
“The Dark Knight” has just broken pretty much every box office record in history and it is getting amazing reviews, and some critics are pointing towards an oscar nomination not only for Heath Ledger, but also for bet picture as well. Do you think that this film is truly the turning point for comic book adaptations or do you think comic books movies have always been this good, it just took a more serious movie adaptation to realize it?
Question for Frank Miller
What advice would you have for a college sophomore majoring in cartooning?