Hey Now!
Welcome to the first BOF Mailbag for December of 2018!
Why the first? Well, y’all know I love to do mailbags for U.S. holidays, so expect another one for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Now, on to your questions!
Would you rather continue to see live action DC movies or an animated cinematic universe similar in style to the Arkham game cinematic trailers? It not only would be awesome, but it would be an entirely different animal compared to what Marvel is doing. #BatmanOnFilmMailbag
— Joe Butera (@jbutera83) December 4, 2018
JETT SAYS: Dude!
I said years ago that a mo-cap/computer-animated Justice League film was the way to go!
Imagine a JL film that looks like an Alex Ross piece of work come to life!
I’ve always thought that it was a way for WB to have their DC on film cake and eat it too.
In other words, keep true live-action DC solo films separate from an “animated” JL on film universe. It would’ve been cutting edge, bold, and something damn different.
But alas, they didn’t listen to me…but it ain’t too late, maybe?
What is the state of DC movies? (I don’t know what to call it now.)
JETT SAYS: Well, for one thing, let me get a pet peeve off of my back: IT WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY CALLED THE “DCEU!”
A writer made up the name and outlets (including this one) ran with it as being the “official” one.
The said writer came clean that he just made it up (though he never said it was the official label per Warner Bros.), but outlets are STILL using it!
And it was a dumb banner for DC on film anyway!
Sorry, rant over. On to your question…
The state of DC on film is that they are going to make DC movies that are essentially standalone, and are moving away (in dead-ass sprint) from the BvS/JUSTICE LEAGUE universe…except for Gal Gadot and the WONDER WOMAN franchise.
Will you ever binge watch GOTHAM? Their take on Hugo Strange is not the worst thing on that show.
JETT SAYS: HA! I don’t know…maybe. It’s kinda up there with Batman things I’ll never watch again like BATMAN RETURNS, BvS, and JUSTICE LEAGUE.
@BATMANONFILM Hey Jett, if you had to choose to bring back either Tim Burton or Joel Schumacher to make a standalone Batman film where they had total creative control who would you pick? #BatmanOnFilmMailbag
— James Armstrong (@Jamzarm) December 4, 2018
JETT SAYS: Wow, this is a tough one. Can I go with neither?
I guess I’d go with Schumacher only because I’d be more interested in seeing his BATMAN UNCHAINED than Burton’s BATMAN 3.
Has Mr. Uslan ever shared the course contents from the course he taught on comics? Does he still teach it? I’d love to follow along if he does.
JETT SAYS: We’ve never really discussed it to be honest…at least nothing specific. He did teach an online course on the history of comics with Stan Lee a few years ago, and it looks like it is still available.
Do you think THE LONG HALLOWEEN will get the animated movie treatment at some point?
JETT SAYS: I’m not sure because it’s a really long story, no pun intended. Perhaps you take the premise of TLH and do something a bit more original with as a film adaptation… as they did with GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT. I’m sure it’s been discussed.
Is the world ready for a Black Batman?
JETT SAYS: Yes, it is, absolutely.
Personally, would I prefer Bruce Wayne be a white man? Yes, mainly because that’s what he’s been since his inception in 1939.
Also, as a White man — and I have no problem admitting this because I’m going to be honest — I identify more with a White Bruce Wayne.
With all that said, I wouldn’t be upset at all if a talented Black Actor was cast as the lead in a Batman film.
Oh yeah, Stan Lee already gave us an African American Batman…
Hi Jett! I’ve been with you since the beginning. I was a 14-year-old freshman in high school when I found “JettD60’s” back in 1998, and now I’m a college grad and married with 2 kids! Now that BOF’s 20th anniversary is coming to an end, what’s your favorite memento from your run?
JETT SAYS: Wow, thank you for being with me for all these years! I absolutely love it when I hear from the “Original BOF’ers.” Just means the world to me, really. (And if you’re in that group, please, shoot me an email as it would be great to hear from y’all!) Anyway…
I don’t know if all of this counts as a memento, but the thank you letter I got from Chris Nolan and being able to call Michael Uslan a friend are my top two “BOF Things.”
The Nolan letter means the world to me because it showed that Mr. Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas, respected me and BOF.
Michael Uslan was and is my Batman on film hero. To be able to earn his friendship and respect is…just…wow.
I also want to say that meeting Rick Shew and bringing him onboard BOF is very important to me as he’s become very important to me personally. Hell, he’s like a brother to me and one of my best friends.
I’ve said it several times before here at BOF, but without Rick Shew, BOF would’ve ended 3+ years ago.
I don’t say it enough, but I will here…Rick, THANK YOU.
@BATMANONFILM #BatmanOnFilmMailbag If AQUAMAN has a good story, good performances / dialogues / visual effects etc, but also has Batffleck / Superman / WW cameos, and hints at a JL2 film, will you grade it poorly just for those “sins” ?
— Apostolos Kyriazis (@Tolismann) December 4, 2018
JETT SAYS: If AQUAMAN is a good film, I’ll say it. If it’s a bad film, I’ll say it.
And for the record, I’m pulling for it to be good and do well at the box office.
As far as your hypothetical, it’s hard to answer because none of that is happening in the film — it’s simply an “Aquaman movie.” Wan wanted to make a standalone Aquaman film his way and not a commercial for other DC movies. Regardless, if that stuff was included, I’d still call it as I see it and none of that would influence me in terms of the film’s quality.
However, I will say it would be a mistake at this point for WB to want any of that included in AQUAMAN for what should be very obvious reasons.
What are WB’s plans regarding the casting of the DCU characters? We have a bunch of characters that are still being portrayed by the “original actors” like Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Margot Robbie and a couple of supporting roles. But some of the biggest DC characters are being recast if we must believe all of the latest rumors and news items. Like Cavill and Affleck. Even Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, and J.K. Simmons. So basically there is a “hybrid” DCU? I’m confused as hell as to what the future of DC on film will become. Any thoughts on that?
JETT SAYS: It’s easy and I’ll end your confusion with this answer, sir…
They are soft-rebooting DC on film by way of keeping what works (Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman), moving on from/conveniently forgetting what didn’t (BvS, JUSTICE LEAGUE), and focusing on making solo DC films with strong and talented filmmakers.
They are not building towards some big team-up movie (i.e. JUSTICE LEAGUE 2), so continuity — and ALL that entails — really doesn’t matter going forward.
Simply put, they’re “Amnesia’ing It.”
Any updates on Henry Cavill and the DCEU?
JETT SAYS: Nothing new on Cavill other than it looks like WB isn’t planning for any Superman films in the near future and it looks like his run as the Man of Steel is over…which sucks.
If I’ve said/written about it once, I’ve said/written about it a million times: Cavill’s Superman was F’ed the moment the decision was made to make what became BATMAN v SUPERMAN and not a proper, true Superman film as a sequel to MAN OF STEEL.
Have I ever said that I borderline LOVE MAN OF STEEL?
Hi Jett, how are you? I have a question. What is your favorite Batman Blu-ray collection so far?
JETT SAYS: Hello Tan, I’m doing very well sir, thanks!
My favorite Batman box set on Blu-ray is my THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. That’s not only because I love the TRILOGY, but because of whom sent it to me. – Bill “Jett” Ramey