Challenge of the Super Friends

With the supposed end of X-Men, Watchmen well on its way to reality, and rumblings of an Avengers movie, what about the big screen adaptation of the big daddy of all super-groups, the Justice League of America?

Warner is rumored to be all hot over the script and wants to start filming as soon as January with Road Warrior's George Miller at the helm. The problem lies with the future solo projects of the two superstar heroes who lead the group. If the JLA film is fast-tracked, it could push back Bryan Singer's Superman: The Man of Steel and the third Christopher Nolan Batman movie.

Then there is the question of the involvement of Brandon Routh and Christian Bale. Both are contracted for three films total, one of which could be an ensemble picture. Routh should be no problem, but Bale has publicly nixed the whole idea. Could the Caped Crusader be recast?

On the other hand, Ryan Reynolds has come out and said that he would love to don the red tights and yellow boots of super-speedster The Flash. He certainly has the look and cocky attitude the role calls for (for further proof, see this video of the above linked interview).

As for other "Armchair Casting" ideas, I'm still all over the idea of Evangeline Lilly as Wonder Woman, and her Lost co-star Josh Holloway is perfect for Green Arrow. Supposedly, Green Lantern will be the John Stewart incarnation, and who better then Taye Diggs? Paul Walker would look good all wet as Aquaman. Not sure if Hawkman is in the mix, but how about Jason Statham, who (if they stick to the original costume) would be pretty much bare-chested for the entire movie. I could handle that.

Let's hope Warner is able to work out all the kinks of this deal so we can see what is sure to be the ultimate superhero flick.

Links via IESB.net, Imdb.com, ObsessedWithFilm.com, MoviesBlog.MTV.com and Wikipedia.org.

"Race" Relations

If you were like me when I was a kid, you totally wanted to be Jonny Quest: living a life of adventure with your best pal Hadji, pet dog Bandit and your two gay dads.

OK, I didn't pick up on that gay subtext between Dr. Benton Quest and "government agent"/constant companion "Race" Bannon back then, but by the time "Race" was voted the "number one TV mom" by the Cartoon Network a few years ago, it was all pretty clear to everyone what was going on.

All you have to do is watch the opening credits to detect the sexual chemistry between the two - watch for what appears to be a furtive kiss from "Race" thrown in Dr. Quest's direction at about the 1:23 mark. Besides the jammin' theme music, I also dig the casual vibe the whole gang is groovin' on while riding along in that jet plane, as if they were merely driving to Sunday brunch in the family station wagon.

It is doubtful that the upcoming live action movie version of Jonny Quest will include any overt references to the secret love between BQ and "R"B, it being Warner's hope for the next family-friendly Harry Potter-type franchise. Knowing Hollywood, they'll probably give "Race" a girlfriend or even - gasp! - make him a woman! Perish the thought.

Which brings us to the next session of "Armchair Casting": Lord of the Rings' Sean Bean is sufficiently daddy-ish for Dr. Quest, and can't you totally see Oz's Christopher Meloni rockin' a white crew cut as "Race"? Hadji will likely be an unknown (well-versed in martial arts, I'm sure) as will Bandit. As for Jonny himself, how would Zac Efron look as a blonde?

In other retro-toon news:

• In the wake of Transformers comes Voltron.
• Speed Racer gets Christina Ricci as a girlfriend.
• And - could it be? Jason Statham as G.I. Joe? We are so there.

Click here to purchase Jonny Quest - The Complete First Seasonon DVD from Amazon.com.

Links via Imdb.com, YouTube.com, Variety.com, AfterEllen.com and Cinematical.com.

Hammer Time!

Something tells me that Robert Downey Jr. is not in that Iron Man armor (pictured). Isn't it ironic that, for the most part, they cast all these big stars in these superhero movies only to cover their faces with masks (Spider-Man), make-up (half the X-Men) or just CGI 'em (Hulk).

One superhero that doesn't wear a mask is Thor - although he does get to wear a little winged hat. Stardust director Matthew Vaughn has signed-up to direct the movie, which, you will be happy to know, will need a tall, muscle-bound, golden-haired hunk for the title role.

I can just see the casting notice now:

"WANTED: Built, blonde Norse God, no previous experience necessary. Must look good in long hair and a cape and not speak with a lisp (dialogue will include a lot of "thee's" and "tho's"). Please bring your complete measurements and a current headshot. Prop hammers will be provided."

Any guesses who will don the mantel of "The Mighty Thor"? How about ... Channing Tatum?

And in related superhero news, AfterElton.com wonders if Watchmen's gay hero will make it to the screen.

Links via Imdb.com, Wikipedia.com, Variety.com, MostBeautifulMan.com and AfterElton.com.

Priscilla, Queen of Broadway?

At first glance, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert may not appear to be the ideal choice for a stage musical. Sure, musical numbers abound in the film fave, but these are drag queens, so the songs are all lip-synced. And who wants to hear "I've Never Been to Me" sung by a dude in a dress?

Alas, the producers of the hit Australian stage version came up with the perfect answer: cast three "divas" to belt the disco classics. Add three fabulously coifed and coutured men to play our heroines Mitzi, Felicia and Bernadette (the roles originally played onscreen by Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp). Then have the boys lip sync to the live singing. It is a very theatrical conceit that works, if the big "I Will Survive" number (seen here on the Aussie version of Dancing With the Stars) is any indication.

Fans may also want to take a look-see at the official site of the production from down under, where you can play the "official" Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical game. Yes, I said game. You maneuver the big silver bus through the Outback, picking up stray stilettos and hormone pills (!) while avoiding wandering wombats and kangaroos. All the while, a medley of 70's hits is blaring in your ear, so you may want to turn down the speakers while your driving. I swear, it is the gayest game since "Mystery Date".

As would be expected, there is now talk that Priscilla may pack up her bus for Broadway, following in the footsteps of fellow Aussie export, The Boy from Oz, another musical gayer then most.

Which leads us to "Armchair Casting- Broadway Edition": what three Broadway "divos" do you see as the leads? I would say Gary Beach was born to play Bernadette. Beach has donned drag in The Producers and La Cage aux Folles, so why stop him now? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Click here to purchase The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Deserton DVD from Amazon.com.
Links via Imdb.com, YouTube.com, PriscillaTheMusical.com and Towleroad.com.

Let's Hear It for the Boy

When the cast of the new film version of Hairspray appeared on Oprah earlier this year, one of the producers (either Craig Zadan or Neil Meron, I can never tell which is which) said that they (controversially, it turns out) cast John Travolta because he was, as he put it, the "king of the modern movie musical" (even though he was technically only in one actual movie musical, Grease. Saturday Night Fever, even with all that dancing, does not count).

Well, it looks like Travolta may get a run for that title by one of his own Hairspray co-stars. Zac Efron (this month's most beautiful man), who plays dreamboat Link Larkin in the new film (opening this Friday, aren't you excited?!) as well as the BMOC of Disney's High School Musical franchise, has just been cast in a new, big-screen remake of the hit 1984 movie Footloose.

Now, I know there has been way too many remakes lately, particularly of movies from my generation's own teen-age years (do we really need a new Adventures in Babysitting?), but I actually don't mind this one for the reason that they are turning it into a full-fledged musical. Sure, the original Footloose had songs and all that dancing (like the original Hairspray), but (like Saturday Night Fever), it was not really a musical.

And although Footloose was turned into a Broadway musical (awfully, by all reports), this new movie will actually not be based on that. The exact particulars are unknown at this time, but one can assume that most if not all of the songs from the original movie will return, except now they will be sung onscreen by Zac and whoever else Kenny Ortega (the Newsies and HSM director, currently in negotiations to direct) decides to cast in the roles originally played by such actors as John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Lori Singer (gee, whatever happened to her?).

Which leads me to our very first session of "Armchair Casting": who would you cast in this musical remake of Footloose? Lithgow could actually reprise his role as the Bible-thumping Reverend (he did win a Tony for the musical version of Sweet Smell of Success); if not, maybe Victor Garber could do it. And I'm sure some rising pop starlet like Hayden Panettiere could easily play the rebellious Ariel. Add your ideas in the comment section below.

And one more thing: who wants to bet that the Walkman worn by Kevin Bacon in the original poster will be replaced by the now ever-present iPod? I smell product placement ...

Click the link above to purchase the Footloose poster from Amazon.com.
Links via MostBeautifulMan.com, LaughingPlace.com, Playbill.com, MovieWeb.com and Imdb.com.

Coming Soon: An Introduction

Amy Adams in Enchanted

News on upcoming movies, TV shows and DVDs to watch for, including the always fun game of "Armchair Casting".

Link via Imdb.com.