List of unproduced films based on Marvel Comics imprints publications explained

See also: List of unproduced film projects based on Marvel Comics. This is a list of unproduced films based on comics published by Marvel at some point under one of their imprints. Several of these titles are creator owned and have since been published by other companies. Some of these productions were, or still are, in development hell. Films that have not provided significant production announcements within at least a year, would be considered in development limbo until further announcements are released.

CrossGen

Ruse

In January 2009, Siavash Farahani announced he has written a Ruse film script for Disney with Sam Raimi directing the project.Web site: IGN: Exclusive: Sam Raimi's Pulp Fiction. 2006-12-06. STAX. IGN. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090104013132/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/749/749557p1.html. 2009-01-04. Since then, there have been no further announcements.

Way of the Rat

In May 2011, Disney and CrossGen were developing a Way of the Rat film based on the comic book series of the same name.[1] Since then, there have been no further announcements.

Epic Comics

Alien Legion

In November 2009, Carl Potts Alien Legion screenplay was optioned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and The Walt Disney Company.[2] In 2010, Bruckheimer exercised the option, buying the screenplay and assigning Game of Thrones show runner David Benioff to do a rewrite. There have been no announcements since, ending up in development hell.

Crash Ryan

In March 2015, a film adaptation of Crash Ryan was announced to be in development, with Ryan Heppe producing.[3] Since then, there have been no further announcements.

Elfquest

In July 2008, Warner Bros. announced its intention to bring the Elfquest saga to the big screen, with Rawson Marshall Thurber serving as writer and director. The format (live action, CGI, or traditional animation) is yet unknown. However, it was confirmed on Elfquests official Facebook page that Warner Bros. ultimately canceled the project; the ostensible reason is that Warner Bros. didn't want the film competing with . In 2013, there were rumours of recapping the project on behalf of the producers of a fanmade trailer which appeared.[4] Since then, there have been no further announcements.

Animated Elfquest video series

In the early 1990s, an ad for a multi-volume animated adaptation of Elfquest appeared in the comic. A few issues later, the Pinis told readers they'd withdrawn from the deal, and that readers should ask for refunds. Those who didn't, eventually received a 50-minute VHS tape from Abby Lou Entertainment, copyright 1992. Covering the first volume of the book, it consists of color still images taken straight from the comic, some minor animation, and spoken dialogue.[5]

Icon Comics

Empress

A film adaptation of Empress was announced to be in development for Netflix in July 2018, as part of the first slate of films adapted from comics under Mark Millar's imprint Millarworld, with Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum producing, and Lindsey Beer writing the script.[6]

Incognito

In May 2010, Incognito was optioned for a film by 20th Century Fox, with Robert Schenkkan penciled in as the screenwriter.[7] The film was picked up by Columbia Pictures, with 10 Cloverfield Lane screenwriter Daniel Casey writing the script and Fede Álvarez directing.[8] Since then, there have been no further production announcements.

Kick-Ass 3

In April 2012, while Kick-Ass 2 was still in pre-production Mark Millar stated that a third film was also planned,[9] but in June 2013, he revealed that it was not confirmed and would be dependent on how successful the second film was.[10] Later the same month he further elaborated that if it went ahead, the third film would be the final installment: "Kick-Ass 3 is going to be the last one... I told Universal this and they asked me, ‘What does that mean?’ I said, ‘It means that this is where it all ends’. They said, ‘Do they all die at the end?’ I said, ‘Maybe’ – because this is a realistic superhero story... if someone doesn't have a bullet proof vest like Superman, and doesn't have Batman’s millions, then eventually he is going to turn around the wrong corner and get his head kicked in or get shot in the face. So Kick-Ass needs to reflect that. There has to be something dramatic at the end; he cannot do this for the rest of his life".[11] Moretz has shown interest in returning for a third installment and would also be interested in exploring Hit-Girl's dark side: "I want to see something we haven't seen yet. Now we've seen who Mindy is, now we've seen who Hit-Girl is, I think we need to meld the characters together and have Mindy become Hit-Girl and Hit-Girl become Mindy. Maybe her natural hair has a streak of purple in it, maybe she really does go kind of crazy and go a bit darker since she lost her father. I would only do the third one if it was logical. It needs to be a good script and a director, probably Matthew (Vaughn). The third film needs to fully wrap up the series and has to be a good note to end on".[12]

After the release of Kick-Ass 2, Millar stated that the third film is "in the pipeline".[13] While at a press junket for Godzilla in May 2014, Taylor-Johnson stated that he was still up for a third film but he was not contracted for it.[14] In the same month, Christopher Mintz-Plasse revealed he had not heard anything but expressed doubt that a third film would happen due to the second installment's disappointing box office performance.[15] In June, Chloë Grace Moretz echoed her co-stars' sentiments when asked about Kick-Ass 3, expressing the hope for the film. She also cited the second film's lower box office gross as the key obstacle to the third chapter being produced and suggested file sharing was a factor: "The hard thing is if fans want a third movie, they’ve got to go buy the ticket to go see the movie. It was like the second most pirated movie of the year, so if you want a movie to be made into a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth, go buy a ticket. Don't pirate it".[16] In June 2018, Matthew Vaughn announced his intention to set up Marv Studios, under which banner he will produce a reboot of the Kick-Ass series.[17]

Hit-Girl prequel

In August 2014, Chloë Grace Moretz reiterated her previous statements and said "sadly, I think I'm done with Hit-Girl".[18] In January 2015, Millar revealed to IGN that there was a planned Hit-Girl film with Gareth Evans directing but was cancelled.[19] In February, Matthew Vaughn, who directed the first film, spoke optimistically about a "Hit-Girl" prequel: "If that happens, I'm pretty sure I can persuade Aaron and Chloe to come back and finish the story of Kick-Ass".[20] [21] Vaughn reiterated this in June about working on a prequel on how Hit-Girl and Big Daddy became superheroes and plans to make Kick-Ass 3 after.[22] [23] Since then, talks of any prequel have ceased.

Nemesis

The rights to make a Nemesis film were optioned by 20th Century Fox. Tony Scott was set to direct it before his death, in conjunction with his Scott Free production company.[24] In August 2010, Joe Carnahan was working on the screenplay for the film.[25] Carnahan was confirmed as the director a few years later, writing the script with his brother Matthew Carnahan.[26] In December, Carnahan announced via Twitter that he was working on the screenplay for the film.[27] In October 2013, Mark Millar reportedly had seen the script for Nemesis and had given praise to Joe and Matthew's take on his comic book character, stating that the film would be "massive".[28] Millar later said that Carnahan's script was complete in February 2015, and that if did well at the box office, the film would start filming that year.[29] In August, Warner Bros acquired the rights to adapt the film.[30] In May 2021, Millar revealed that Emerald Fennell had written the latest draft of the screenplay.[31]

Powers

In 2001, Sony Pictures had optioned the comic series for a film production, commissioning a writers room.[32] After development seemed to have stalled, Sony shifted focus in creating a TV series based on the comic instead.

Superior

In April 2014, 20th Century Fox picked up the rights to a feature film based on the comic series Superior.[33] Fox hired Brandon and Phillip Murphy in early 2016 to write the film's script, Matthew Vaughn Tarquin Pack producing the film.[34] Mark Millar tweeted that he would like to see John Cena cast as Superior.[35]

Malibu Comics

Men in Black 4

Both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have said that they would "consider" appearing in a fourth Men in Black film.[36] Jones said it would be "easy to pick up where we left off. We know what we are doing, we know how to do it. It's just a hell of a lot of fun".[37] In July 2012, Columbia chief executive Doug Belgrad said: "We're very pleased with the financial performance of Men in Black 3, and we believe it is an ongoing franchise. We're going to do [another one], but we don't have clarity yet on how it should be done".[38] Director Barry Sonnenfeld said: "Will's kind of really smart, but as I said, kind of really annoying, too much energy. When he would get too rambunctious, I would tell him save that for Men in Black 4, Will is out and [his son] Jaden Smith is in … if we continue on this path, it won't be released until 2032 but it will be damn good". Will Smith said: "Jaden is already 13 years old, so he's at that mythological boys age, you knowit's time for his bro-mitzvah. So he's right at that place ... He's ready to test me so he can't come anywhere near my movies right now!"[39] In early 2013, Oren Uziel was writing a Men in Black 4 screenplay for Sony Pictures.[40] In September 2015, series producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald stated the series would be rebooted as a trilogy, most likely without the involvement of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.[41] As of 2024, no further developments regarding the sequel have been announced.

MIB 23

In December 2014, it was revealed that Sony was planning a crossover between Men in Black and Jump Street. The news was leaked after Sony's system was hacked[42] and then confirmed by the directors of the films, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller during an interview about it.[43] [44] James Bobin was announced as director in 2016.[45] In April, the film was announced and revealed to be titled, MIB 23.[46] However, development has since appeared to have ceased.[47] A spin-off of Men in Black 3 titled , starring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, included Emma Thompson as Agent O.[48] [49] It was released in June 2019.

Prime

In October 2002, Marvel Studios announced a movie deal for Prime with Universal Pictures, after securing the rights to The Hulk.[50] In 2003, Marvel released an earnings report listing a Prime film as "to be determined".[51] Since then, there have been no further development news.

Razorline

Ectokid

After the cancellation of Razorline, Clive Barker sold the film rights of his comic series Ectokid to Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures, in 2001.[52] [53] The film was set to have Barker, Don Murphy, and Nickelodeon's Albie Hecht and Julia Pistor as producers, Joe Daley as executive producer, and Karen Rosenfelt overseeing development at Paramount. Since then, there have been no further development news.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Arrant. Chris. CROSSGEN'S 'WAY OF THE RAT' COMIC BOOK SERIES TO BE ADAPTED?. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013752/http://www.mtv.com/news/2598711/way-of-the-rat-movie-crossgen/. dead. November 7, 2017. 2 May 2011. MTV.com. 8 November 2017.
  2. Web site: Marnell. Blair. 'ALIEN LEGION' MOVIE ADVANCES WITH DISNEY AND JERRY BRUCKHEIMER. https://web.archive.org/web/20170113115839/http://www.mtv.com/news/2595487/alien-legion-movie-advances-with-disney-and-jerry-bruckheimer/. dead. January 13, 2017. mtv.com. November 17, 2009. 11 January 2017.
  3. Web site: 'Crash Ryan' Comic Book Movie in Development . Dave . McNary . Variety . . March 15, 2015 . November 23, 2016.
  4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i2a7c68761043a405623185ae5f0c885e Elves gather at Warners
  5. Web site: Elfquesting for Animation – A History . Pini. Richard. September 30, 2004. March 28, 2019.
  6. Web site: 'Jupiter's Legacy' Series, 'Empress' Film Among Mark Millar's First Netflix Slate . Goldberg . Lesley . Kit . Borys . July 17, 2018 . . August 29, 2020.
  7. Web site: Mike. Fleming. Fox Goes 'Incognito' For New Twist On Superhero Genre. Deadline Hollywood. April 29, 2010. April 29, 2010.
  8. Web site: Chris. Cabin. 'Don't Breathe' Director & '10 Cloverfield Lane' Writer Pairing for Sony's 'Incognito' Adaptation. Collider. October 11, 2016. October 11, 2016.
  9. Web site: Helen . Cox . In Interview: 5 Minutes With Mark Millar . Newempressmagazine.com . 2012-04-26 . 2015-03-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150501201423/http://newempressmagazine.com/2012/04/in-interview-5-minutes-with-mark-millar/ . May 1, 2015 . dead .
  10. Web site: Armitage . Hugh . 'Kick-Ass 3' movie dependent on '2's success, says Mark Millar – Movies News . Digital Spy . 17 June 2013 . 18 August 2013.
  11. Web site: 'Kick-Ass 3' to Conclude the Series with a Major Death? . Screenrant . 28 June 2013 . 18 August 2013.
  12. News: Moretz: Bugatti for Kick-Ass 3? . The Belfast Telegraph . 18 August 2013.
  13. Web site: Kick-Ass 3 in the pipeline . Yahoo! . 30 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053546/http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/video/kick-ass-3-pipeline-133500204.html . 21 September 2013 . dead.
  14. Web site: Kick-Ass 3 & Godzilla vs Kick-Ass – Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston & Gareth Edwards Interview. Flicks And The City. 12 May 2014. YouTube.
  15. Web site: David . Crow . Exclusive: Christopher Mintz-Plasse Doubts There Will Be A Kick-Ass 3 . Denofgeek.us . 2014-05-05 . 2015-03-18 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092844/http://www.denofgeek.us/movies/kick-ass-3/235296/exclusive-christopher-mintz-plasse-doubts-there-will-be-a-kick-ass-3 . dead .
  16. Web site: Did Piracy Kill Kick-Ass 3? . Movies with Butter . 27 June 2014 . 29 August 2014.
  17. Web site: MATTHEW VAUGHN PLOTTING KICK-ASS REBOOT AND KINGSMAN UNIVERSE VIA NEW STUDIO . Jo Blo.com . June 8, 2018 . 11 June 2018.
  18. Web site: Chloë Grace Moretz: 'I'm done with playing Hit-Girl' . Digital Spy . August 25, 2014 . 25 August 2014.
  19. Web site: Mark Millar On The Hit-Girl Movie That Never Was. IGN. Tilly. Chris. 27 January 2015.
  20. Web site: Matthew Vaughn Talks 'Kick-Ass 3′ and 'Kingsman 2′ . Geek Outpost . 25 February 2015.
  21. Web site: MILLAR & ROMITA "KICK-ASS" UNTIL THE VERY END . CBR . August 8, 2014 . 8 August 2014.
  22. Web site: Matthew Vaughn Confirms Kick-Ass Prequel And Sequel Plans (Exclusive). Yahoo Movies. Bovingdon. Edward. 17 June 2015.
  23. Web site: Paclibar . Jenah . Kick-ass 3 news: Director Matthew Vaughn teases Kick-ass 3 and Hit Girl prequel; series creator Mark Millar reveals talks are informal . Vine Report . 24 June 2015 . 7 September 2015 . June 24, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150624043831/http://www.vinereport.com/article/kick.ass.3.news.director.matthew.vaughn.teases.kick.ass.3.and.hit.girl.prequel.series.creator.mark.millar.says.talks.are.not.official/1059.htm . dead .
  24. News: Mike Jr.. Fleming. Fox and Tony Scott Plot Movie Version of Millar & McNiven's 'Nemesis'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. August 6, 2010. August 6, 2010.
  25. Web site: Brian. Gallagher. Mark Millar's Nemesis Movie Isn't Happening Says Joe Carnahan. MovieWeb. January 6, 2012. January 12, 2012. December 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131218203448/http://www.movieweb.com/news/mark-millars-nemesis-movie-isnt-happening-says-joe-carnahan. dead.
  26. Web site: Phegley. Kiel. MILLARWORLD EXCLUSIVE: Spinning Off "Nemesis 2" & "Hit-Girl". Comic Book Resources. January 12, 2012. March 6, 2012.
  27. Web site: Carnahan. Joe. Joe Carnahan Teases His Adaptation Of Mark Millar's NEMESIS. Twitter. December 29, 2012. December 29, 2012.
  28. Web site: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Mark Millar Raving Over Carnahan Clan Adaptation Of 'Nemesis'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. October 4, 2013. October 4, 2013.
  29. Web site: Lealos. Shawn S.. Nemesis comic book movie possible if Kingsman does well. Renegade Cinema. February 9, 2015. February 9, 2015.
  30. Web site: MARK MILLAR'S VILLAIN-CENTRIC "NEMESIS" NO LONGER AT FOX, WARNER BROS TO ADAPT. The Tracking Board. Allen. Clark. August 10, 2015. February 9, 2016.
  31. Web site: 2021-05-18. Promising Young Woman's Emerald Fennell scripting Nemesis movie for Mark Millar. 2024-07-20. Flickering Myth. en-US.
  32. Web site: FX Greenlights Powers Pilot. July 19, 2011. February 25, 2011. Melrose, Kevin. Spinoff. July 24, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724222833/http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/02/25/fx-greenlights-powers-pilot/. dead.
  33. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/fox-picks-up-mark-millars-696124 Fox Picks Up Mark Millar's 'Superior' Comic Book (Exclusive)
  34. Web site: Movie Adaptation of Mark Millar Comic 'Superior' Finds Writers . Variety . McNary . Dave . January 6, 2016.
  35. Web site: Mark Millar Really Wants John Cena To Take On This Superhero Role. heroichollywood.com. Negroni. Jon. September 29, 2016.
  36. Web site: Men In Black's Will Smith 'doesn't want to be sequel guy' – BBC Newsbeat. 16 May 2012. bbc.co.uk.
  37. News: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones on 'MIB4' Possibility . May 17, 2012 . . May 25, 2012 . December 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211207091449/https://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/will-smith-tommy-lee-jones-on-mib4-possibility/ . dead .
  38. News: Columbia Chief on Marc Webb Directing 'Spider-Man 2': 'We'd Like Him Back But There Are Obstacles' (Q&A) . July 19, 2012 . . July 21, 2012 . Pamela . McClintock.
  39. News: Will Smith: 'Men in Black 4' with Son Jaden? . May 17, 2012 . . July 24, 2012 . December 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211207091449/https://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/will-smith-tommy-lee-jones-on-mib4-possibility/ . dead .
  40. Web site: Oren Uziel to Write 'Men in Black 4', '21 Jump Street' Sequel for Sony (Exclusive) . . Jeff . Sneider . May 3, 2013 . December 1, 2013.
  41. Web site: Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald on New 'Malala' Doc, Feminist Barbie and a Revived 'Men in Black' (Sans Will Smith) . The Hollywood Reporter . September 24, 2015 . March 3, 2016 . Siege . Tatiana.
  42. News: FRITZ. BEN. Sony Plans 'Men in Black' – 'Jump Street' Crossover. December 11, 2014. wsj.com. December 10, 2014.
  43. Web site: Converse. Simon. Eric Eisenberg. M.I.B./Jump Street crossover unofficially confirmed. Cinemablend. 2015-01-19. 2015-01-14.
  44. Web site: Report: 23 Jump Street will be a crossover with Men in Black. Polygon. Alexander. Julia. March 4, 2016.
  45. Web site: That 21 Jump Street-Men In Black Crossover Is Actually Happening. Charlie Jane. Anders. Gizmodo. March 4, 2016 .
  46. Web site: The 23 Jump Street/Men in Black crossover is real and it has a title. The Independent. April 13, 2016. 2016-04-16.
  47. Jonah Hill doesn't think '23 Jump Street'-'Men in Black' crossover will happen. 10 August 2016. Entertainment Weekly.
  48. News: Kit . Borys . Emma Thompson Joining 'Men in Black' Spinoff (Exclusive) . July 26, 2018 . The Hollywood Reporter . July 24, 2018.
  49. News: Kit. Borys. Tessa Thompson to Join Chris Hemsworth in 'Men in Black' Spinoff (Exclusive). May 23, 2018. The Hollywood Reporter. March 21, 2018.
  50. News: Worley. Rob. Comics2Film: Sub-Mariner, Prime. February 5, 2016. Comic Book Resources. October 9, 2002.
  51. Web site: Marvel Movies: The Next Wave. 4 March 2003. Comic Book Resources.
  52. Web site: Other Media . The Official Clive Barker Website.
  53. Book: Van Scott, Miriam . The Encyclopedia of Hell . 2015 . 29 . Macmillan . 9781466891197 .