CW's 'The Flash' Can Not Get Here Quick Enough

Being that I'm an open comic book fan I occasionally get the question every fan boy gets, "Who's you're favorite superhero?"  For any true believer it's a loaded question.  I personally kind of have a Top 5 list, with the 5th spot always rotating depending on my mood and who's writing what at that present time.  I really liked Green Lantern when Geoff Johns was writing the book, and nobody does Captain America better than Ed Brubaker.  As for my other four spots,  everyone knows I'm a rabid X-Men and Superman fan.  And because I'm a swimmer I've also always had an affinity for Aquaman.  But my 4th spot goes to The Flash.  

I've kind of always assumed my love of The Flash came from the idea that I've always been compared to him.  I was the kind of kid who couldn't sit still, even in my sleep. During my teenage years I was always rushing from one thing to the next, and in my later years of college my nickname was "Impulse".  You'll have to ask my friends Albert and Andrew about that one.  I also remember watching The Flash TV series back in the 90's starring John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen and Mark Hamill as The Trickster.

Growing up in the 1990's Wally West was The Flash so I never really knew Barry Allen.  In 2009, writer Geoff Johns brought back Barry in Flash: Rebirth (or technically Final Crisis) after a 20-year absence from comics.  Again, I never knew Barry, but I immediately grew fond of him.  Of course it's hard not to love any character Johns writes.  This last year Barry Allen appeared on an episode of Arrow and now he's getting his own spin-off on The CW this Fall.  A little over a week ago an extended trailer for the series was released, and I can't stop watching it!

The show will star Grant Gustin, who I had never seen in anything before his appearance on Arrow.  His 2-episode arc made me like Gustin as Barry, but the extended trailer has me excited to see him play The Flash.  John Wesley Shipp is even making an appearance as Barry's dad!  In Barry's origin story his father is framed for his mother's murder and Barry spends his life trying to prove his dad's innocence, which puts him in the Central City crime lab when he is struck by lightning.  

Gustin will be surrounded by an array of supporting cast.  Catlin Snow, Cisco Ramon, and Eddie Thawne are all characters appearing in the series, and all end up becoming villains in the comic books.  Relative unknown, Candice Patton, will play Iris West, Barry's future wife in the comics.  However, it appears in the series they're just friends(for now). But, if you follow The New 52(ugh) then he and Iris are just friends(for now).  Tom Cavanagh and Jesse L. Martin are the veterans who I believe will compliment this young ensemble nicely.

What really gets me excited about this series is how much it feels like The Flash.  It appears that they got the origin right; which I hope they don't give away the twist too soon in the series.  The special effects look cool, and the poses we see in the extended trailer look like they jumped right out of the comic books.  Finally, I like Grant Gustin.  Barry has this high sense of morality that makes him seem a little naive and I think Gustin plays it perfectly.  

Being that I've read quite a few Flash comic books I'm excited for where this show can go.  Eventually, Barry's friends could become his enemies, his best friend could become his wife, and SPOILER, he'll learn that his mother's death could be his fault!  But I'm getting a head of myself.  I hope they hold out that last one until at least the season 2 finale.

Now, remember, The Flash is also a spin-off of Arrow, and we can already see from the extended trailer Oliver Queen shows up for a visit, which probably won't be his last.  Given my disappointment with how Warner Bros is handling the DC cinematic universe I'm more hopeful for it's television universe.  I know their is no possibility of Barry showing up in Gotham on Fox, but if Hal Jordan popped up in Arrow or The Flash I may just have a nerd-gasm. And if you ask my friend Albert we're both praying hard for a Tom Welling visit.

If I were running The CW I would do a special airing of The Flash about a month or so before the actual Fall premiere just to get the buzz going.  But, until then, it looks like I'll just have to watch this trailer a couple dozen more times and hope that at some point we see Barry's costume pop out of his ring! Now that would definitely make me have a nerd-gasm!

Re-Casting X-Men

In a few days audiences around the world will be watching X-Men: Days of Future Past in hopes that it reinvigorates the X-Men franchise.  DOFP is a collaboration with the cast from previous X-Men films that started the series, and actors of the more recent X-Men: First Class.  Director Bryan Singer says this film will right the wrongs in the franchise(mainly those created in X3) and Singer has already signed on to direct the sequel, X-Men: Apocalypse.  Hugh Jackman believes Apocalypse will be his last X-Men film before he hands off the role of Wolverine to someone else after almost twenty years of playing the character!

Since I'm such a big X-Men fan I've also been a huge advocate against some the original X-Men (female) casting choices.  However, the First Class crew was great and the younger X-members like Iceman, Rogue, and Kitty are good enough actors to play their parts at least a few more times.  But if Jackman is out for this next era of X-Men films I say the entire original team should be re-cast.  And I've assembled a squad that would be great together!

SCOTT PORTER AS SCOTT SUMMERS/CYCLOPS

I was a fan of James Marsden as Cyclops and I hope the rumors of him making an appearance in Days of Future Past are true.  Cyclops came off horribly in previous X-Men films, basically just there as "the jealous boyfriend" when Slim is so much more.  Just ask any X-Men comic book reader.  Cyclops is the X-Men!

If another actor has to step in and fill Marsden's shoes I feel that Scott Porter is one who can fill them nicely.  He's got the good guy role down with parts in Friday Night Lights and Speed Racer.  He can play a leader, and has the All-American look to him. I believes he'd mesh well the the other actors I've chosen and would look pretty cool with a red visor.

EMILY BLUNT AS JEAN GREY/MARVEL GIRL/THE PHOENIX

In an X-Men movie I think the casting of Jean Grey is waaaaay more important than the casting of Cyclops or even Wolverine.  She's the object of both their affection.  An actress who plays Jean has to make it seem like she'd be good with either of the those two heroes.  Famke Janssen was a HORRIBLE casting in my opinion.  She had no quality that said, "the girl next door," which is what Jean Grey is.

It's all in Emily Blunt's face.  She has a sweet face, but also probably has a scowl that could destroy an entire solar system!  Her role in The Adjustment Bureau made me believe she can act, and her role in The Five-Year Engagement made me believe she can be likable. I'm curious to see how her new film, Edge of Tomorrow, will be.  But it's got Tom Cruise in it and looks like a rip-off of Source Code so I'm gonna skip it; no offense Ms. Blunt. 

TOM HARDY AS LOGAN/WOLVERINE

Hugh Jackman first popped onto the screen as Wolverine in 2000.  Days of Future Past will be Jackman's seventh time playing the character in fourteen years!  It's a cinematic record, and hard to imagine anyone else playing the role.  

I think Jackman as Wolverine was one of the best superhero/comic book castings ever!  The only tiny issue I had was Jackman's height.  He is 6 '1 while Logan is barely 5 '8.  Tom Hardy is 5 '9.  This is closer to Wolverine's actual height.  Hardy is now one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood with his roles in films like Warrior and The Dark Knight Rises.  There is no denying his talent and toughness.  I would give this casting six claws up!

YAYA ALAFIA AS ORORO MONROE/STORM

When I first heard Days of Future Past was in production my hope was that Hallie Berry was not going to reprise her role as Storm.  There were reports of her disagreements with Bryan Singer on the first few X-Men films and her demand for a bigger part in X3 or she wouldn't be in the film.  I think her role as Storm has been one of the worst in superhero/comic book films!  Storm is one of the strongest female characters in fiction.  At one point she defeated Cyclops in battle for leadership of the X-Men.  And Berry can't even hold down a decent African accent for one film.

My first thought in Storm's re-casting was the Oscar winning actress, Lupita Nyong'o.  However, once I thought of the other re-casts I chose I didn't think Lupita fit with the other actors.  Yaya Alafia has had a lot of small roles in good films like The Kids Are Alright and The Butler.  She's no doubt got the look to play Storm, and from her small roles has proven she's got the talent.  I think it's time to let this actress light up.

ALEXANDER SKARSGARD AS VICTOR CREDD/SABERTOOTH

I thought Liev Schreiber played Sabertooth quite well in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  However, it was a horrible film that no one should ever watch....ever. Meanwhile, Tyler Mane in the original X-Men movie came off more as just an enforcer with no brains.  If the two performances were combined it would make a character that I believe would rival Magneto as a villian, or even Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight!

Alexander Skarsgard is most known for his role as Eric in HBO's True Blood, and it's that character that makes me believe he can do a very good Sabertooth.  He may have to beef up a little but when I imagine him and Tom Hardy not only facing off, but trading dialogue, it makes me a little excited.  I think Skarsgard would make Sabertooth actually memorable for once.

Star Wars Episode VII: My Fantasy Plot

After months of rumors, speculation, and flat out lies the cast of the new Star Wars film has been announced!  As no surprise to anyone, the original cast from Episodes IV-VI are all returning, with the exception of Billy Dee Williams(so far).  Along with them is a slew of actors, most of which aren't anyone on the Hollywood A-List.  This has some fans excited since the original Star Wars film back in 1977 was filled with unknowns like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.  

Now that the main cast has been announced another array of speculation has begun as to who these new actors will play and what the plot of the film will be.  We now know that the infamous Expanded Universe that continued the Star Wars story after Return of the Jedi will not be the basis of Episode VII.  But it's been said that they may cherry-pick certain ideas from the EU into this new Star Wars canon.  Every uber Star Wars fan has their own thoughts and ideas as to how they hope this cast comes together in a film.  And here is mine.

Max von Sydow as The Imperial Commander
It'll be 30 years since the events of Return of the Jedi.  I'm sure the Empire didn't just give up after the death of the Emperor and the destruction of the second Death Star.  I'm sure it still took several years of fighting before peace was given a chance.  And while the "New Republic" won out, I'm sure their were some compromises.  Everyone seems to think that Sydow will play an old Sith Lord, but I think that just seems to obvious.  I see him more as the liaison of the once mighty Empire.  He could be this man who actually believed the Empire was the best form of government.  He has a strong sense of duty, and is now proud to be representing the old regime in this new era.  I also wouldn't be surprised though if he has a hidden agenda, perhaps working with some Sith Lords to cause unrest in the Republic making the galaxy wish for the days of the ordered Empire.

Adam Driver as The Sith Lord
Let's just all face the facts.  Adam Driver will be a bad guy.  He just looks creepy.  I've only really seen him in the HBO show Girls and even in that show he was just weird.  I see Driver playing the Darth Maul-type character.  He could be the Sith that everyone sees carrying out his master's plans, and even the one holding secret meetings with Sydow's character.  It also wouldn't surprise me if Driver's character does the non-Darth Maul route and survives past the first film; eventually becoming the master!

Andy Serkis as The Sith Master
I'm of the strong opinion that Serkis should have gotten some kind of Oscar for his role as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  He was phenomenal in that film!  Serkis has become synonymous with body acting so everyone assumes he'll be doing the same in Episode VII.  Some think he'll be the "New Jar Jar" and play the comic relief.  I personally think it' d be nice if Serkis would actually play Jar Jar Binks!  He could totally redeem the character and maybe make him not look so bad in Episode I if we then know where the character was going to end up.

However, I don't think they'd waste a great talent like Andy Serkis on just some funny character who will sell toys.  I see Serkis playing a more pivotal role; The Sith Master.  Much like Darth Sidious was in Episodes I-III, he'd be the man behind the curtain pulling all the strings.  But because it's Serkis he wouldn't be human. I say they make the big bad some kind of weird/scary alien.  I think this would be a terrific use of Serkis and he can bring out a much better performance than we got from Ian McDiarmid. A blind man could have seen Palpatine was up to no good for Christ sakes!  

Oscar Isaac as The Bounty Hunter
I've seen Driver and Robin Hood, but the only thing I really remember seeing Oscar Isaac in is Sucker Punch, which makes me sad.  I've heard that people are seeing him as the new Han Solo character.  Isaac could be the anti-hero who is rebellious and out for himself, but of course later learns the value of friendship and fighting for a cause.  I think this would be a good idea, but let's make him more edgy.  A trailer for the current The Old Republic computer game saw a cowboy smuggler with a lot of attitude.  I think this type of character would be great for Isaac, only a little more ruthless.  Perhaps Isaac is hired to kill Luke or Leia and ends up joining their side?  Then he spends the other films fighting his own nature, and we never quite know if he'll return to his old ways.

Domhnall Gleeson as The Ben Skywalker
In the Expanded Universe Luke Skywalker marries a woman named Mara Jade, who just happens to be a redhead.  So when I saw Gleeson was going to be in the film my first thought was that he'd play Luke's son; Ben Skywalker.  I remember Gleeson from playing Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, but it was his starring role in About Time that made me excited to see him on the Episode VII roster.  I thought About Time was wonderful little movie and Gleeson did a superb job as the lead.

With that being said, I think Luke Skywalker is going to die in Episode VII.  Let's think about it.  Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn, the mentor, dies.  In Episode IV, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mentor, dies.  I think Episode VII will continue that trend.  Of course Mark Hamill will become a ghost like Obi-Wan did and still be in the rest of the trilogy, but in a heroes journey the mentor always dies.  I think this tale will be no different.  Plus, this will affect every character; including his son.  In the Expanded Universe, after the death of his brother, Jacen Solo turns to the Dark Side.  But what if, it's Luke's son that turns after his father's death?  It wouldn't be a big leap to imagine another Skywalker turning to the Dark Side.  I can see Driver's character being a secret Sith who helps sway Gleeson to the Dark Side as well.  And finally, cast Julianne Moore as Mara Jade. Mark Hamill can thank me later.

John Boyega as The Jedi Hero
Admit it.  As soon as you heard Boyega's name you thought, "Lando's son."  I'm not going to call you racist; I'm just saying it's too obvious.  I can see him being a descendant of Mace Windu though.  Speaking of, I would also like to see Mace Windu back.  I mean, come on, we never saw Mace actually die.  And you're going to tell me the second most powerful Jedi in the galaxy couldn't survive a little fall?

I plan on seeing Attack of Block before I see Episode VII, but I've heard nothing but good things about this actor.  I see him as Luke's star pupil.  The guy who is a hero through and through, and because he's is so beloved by Luke this could be another trigger for Gleeson to go dark.  Boyega could even be the one thought to take-over the "New Jedi Order" when Luke passes on, and this would make his son a little pissed. 

Daisy Ridley as The Jaina Solo
This young woman has become the talk of the cast!  Not only is she the only new female actress announced in this ensemble, but she's also the most unknown actor in the bunch.  This leads me to believe she might have the biggest part in the upcoming trilogy.  Many have already mentioned her resemblance to Carrie Fisher, which of course screams Jaina Solo; Leia's daughter in the Expanded Universe.  In the EU Jaina ended up killing her twin brother Jacen because he turned to the Dark Side.  But instead of her brother, what if she faced off against someone like her brother?  Perhaps her cousin?

Also, being the new female of the group, I can also see her the center of a love triangle.  In A New Hope you never knew if Leia was going to end up with the smuggler, Han, or the hero, Luke.  Of course George Lucas settled that debate when Leia was revealed as Luke's sister.  I can see Isacc and Boyega's characters fighting over Ridley.  But instead of Ridley ending up with the bad boy she goes for the good guy.  Perhaps with the help of Boyega they are able to turn Gleeson's character back from the Dark Side of the Force.

Another reason I can see Ridley being a child of Han and Leia is that if you look at the current Star Wars: Legacy comic book, specifically the first issue's cover, the main character, Ania, is a descendant of Han and Leia, and looks so much like Daisy Ridley.  She just has the Solo look to her. Having an even stronger woman than what Leia is can only help bring in more female viewers to go see Star Wars: Episode VII.

My Favorite Comic Book Film Chemistry

This weekend I, like many others in this country, went to go see The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in theaters.  I'm not a big Spider-Man fan, and I really didn't like The Amazing Spider-Man as compared to the previous Sam Raimi films.  As far as rating AS2 I give it a C-.  It had a lot of flaws in it, but the most redeeming quality was the love story between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy.  The real-life actors are actually dating and you can see the chemistry between them on screen that really helped with their performances.

This got me thinking about on-screen chemistry.  I think it can make or break a film, specifically in the superhero/comic book genre.  I couldn't think of many couples that are good, but the ones that did worked seemed to sizzle on screen.  And some of them aren't even love interests.

5) Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone  (The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2)

Like I mentioned above, these two saved The Amazing Spider-Man 2 from being a complete waste of time and talent. The scenes between them seemed very genuine.  If I didn't know that they were already a real-life couple I would definitely be on board for them hooking up.

Not to spoil anything, but if you've seen the movie or read the Spider-Man comics you know Peter and Gwen's relationship does not end well.  I knew from Gwen's graduation speech at the beginning of the film she was not going to make it out alive.  The whole film built to that moment and when it came Garfield's performance was the best I've ever seen him.  You felt his sadness and felt like he didn't have to dig too deep to imagine the pain of losing his Emma Stone.  Without their chemistry in the 3rd film I don't know how the franchise will thrive.

4) James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class)

It takes a lot of skill for actors to try and portray a life-long friendship.  Especially one that is as complicated as Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr.  But it might be even harder to portray that friendship at the beginning; knowing how it'll end.  McAvoy and Fassbender are already good actors, but together they are great.  

My favorite scenes in First Class were the moments when it was just the two of them.  Their yin and yang view points played perfectly on-screen.  I've never been more interested in watching two people play chess.  I'm can't wait for that chemistry to continue in the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past.

3) Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Solider)

Every once and a while you get a bromance that you know will last a lifetime, or at least 3 or 4 films until the actors contracts are up.  Evans and Mackie just seem to click from the film's first scene.  I even choose this relationship over Evans and Scarlett Johansson's, and those two have worked on multiple films together.  

In the film, both of their characters had lost their wing man, and by the end they each knew, along with the audience, that they had found a new one.  Both Steve and Sam have a strong sense of duty and bravery.  These guys are like two peas in a pod, and it plays off perfectly thanks to the actors playing them.  I can't wait for a third Captain America film to see Cap and Falcon back in action together!

2) Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen (X-Men, X2, & X3)

I'm not sure how well these two knew each other before they signed on to play mortal enemies/best friends in X-Men, but ever since their real-life bromance has become legendary.  From their first scene on-screen together back in 2000 you could feel the energy between them.  They're both classically trained actors and it takes such an actor to play characters worthy of Shakespeare. 

Now you can see them all over social media hanging out.  It makes me wish I could hang out with them too.  Professionally, they been in several plays together and they're both coming back to reprise their roles as Xavier and Magneto in X-Men: Days of Future Past.  I think this is a bromance will stand the test of time.

 1) Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man 1, 2, & 3)

Downey as Tony Stark is one of the greatest casting choices in the history of film!  He makes the audience love that character and steals every scene he is in.  This can make it difficult to find a good counter-part to Stark, but when the people at Marvel Studio saw Downey and Paltrow test screen together they must have shed tears of joy.   

Pepper Potts never let's Tony get away with anything and always has a come-back to combat Tony's boyish charms.  Their rapore is thee highlight of the Iron Man franchise, and their one scene together in The Avengers is one my favorites.  These two definitely need to work together again soon.