Original superheroes?

[Richmond Weems]

Re: Original superheroes?

In box office, maybe. Culturally Robocop's had much more impact, spawning sequels, TV shows, comic books, classic quotes & pretty much becoming a pop icon. In that context the other 2 don't even come close.

Even including Hancock and Incredibles, I'd still say there's a lack of success with new superheroes. My question still stands... any educated guesses as to why?

'Cause most superhero movies suck?

I think you're limiting the discussion to guys and gals in masks and capes.

Quite frankly, Hollywood's always been in love with the superhero, and most superhero flicks are quite successful:

DIRTY HARRY
SALT
DIE HARD
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
WHERE EAGLES DARE
ROCKY
PREDATOR

These are off the top of my head, and don't even include the private eye genre, and any others I'm not thinking of.

Those guys in those movies ARE superheroes.

[Optimus]

Re: Original superheroes?

The Matrix (sort of)

[Lester]

Re: Original superheroes?

'Cause most superhero movies suck?

I think you're limiting the discussion to guys and gals in masks and capes.

Quite frankly, Hollywood's always been in love with the superhero, and most superhero flicks are quite successful:

DIRTY HARRY
SALT
DIE HARD
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
WHERE EAGLES DARE
ROCKY
PREDATOR

These are off the top of my head, and don't even include the private eye genre, and any others I'm not thinking of.

Those guys in those movies ARE superheroes.

John McClane wasn't a superhero in the original Die Hard, he was supposed to be the every man... but going by the DH5 trailer he seems to have more powers than Superman now.

Are we really calling Robocop a superhero in the traditional sense?

[Archduke]

Re: Original superheroes?

Meteorman. Remember that one guys? Not based off anything to my knowledge.

[Fortean]

An Original Superhero...

...that first appeared in a film and was relatively successful, (for its target audience):

THE TOXIC AVENGER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27E4Qfj7iEY (YouTube trailer)

(I haven't watched this film, yet, and avoid the Troma cult.)

Is it just that no one's created a compelling enough character yet, or that studios won't throw the necessary funds behind an unproven hero, or something else entirely Hollywood's keeping secret from me?

Hollywood loves comic books. Some important people in Hollywood may have trouble reading anything more sophisticated than comic books. It's far easier, (and much cheaper), to produce a comic book than a "superhero" film, (with any expectation of financial success). Hollywood doesn't want to read a spec screenplay, when a story that has been published as a comic book is available. A young male audience with limited reading skills could create enough buzz to "greenlight" that project. The brass brads holding together a spec screenplay may not be shiny enough to distract the attention of the Hollywood elite away from their comic books.

An animated children's TV series spin-off, Toxic Crusaders, featured Toxie as the leader of a team of mutated superheroes who fought against evil alien polluters. The cartoon series was short-lived and it was quickly cancelled. New Line Cinema had planned a live action movie based on the cartoon, but the deal fell through.

[Madbandit]

Re: Original superheroes?

The Matrix (sort of)

Andy and Lana (nee Larry) Wachowski were going to make it a comic book. They had conceptual art by Steve Skroce (Spider-Man). When they showed it to friend/producer Joel Silver, he told them to screw the comic book angle and told them to make it into a film.