BOF MAILBAG: May 2019 #1

By
Bill "Jett" Ramey
-
2217

Welcome to the first BOF Mailbag for May 2019!

Thanks for all the questions via Twitter, Facebook, and email…keep ’em coming.

Now, on with the mailbag! – Bill “Jett” Ramey

JETT SAYS: You know what?  I agree with you.

In fact, I called SHAZAM! — and a movie that I was very excited for and gave a good review — a “borderline flop” and got a lot of sh*t for saying it.

Look, SHAZAM! made money — mainly due to its modest budget — but it was not a runaway hit at all.  While I was being a little hyperbolic with my “borderline flop” description, this film has to be considered a bit of a box office disappointment.  I don’t know if it had to hit $500 million-plus, but I’ve got to figure Warner Bros./New Line expected more than it made.

Sadly, I simply don’t think people were all that interested in the movie.  I don’t buy the excuses such as it had a bad opening date and the studio marketed it better.

Since it came up earlier, I’d like to know: why do you think that BATMAN: HUSH is overrated?

JETT SAYS: Overrated doesn’t mean that I think it’s bad.  I simply do not believe it’s a classic Batman comic book story.  It’s overstuffed and not all that compelling of a story overall.  It’s OK — the Batman/Catwoman stuff is the best part of it — but it’s not “classic” level like THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, THE LONG HALLOWEEN, YEAR ONE and others.

JETT SAYS: I’m quite sure we’ll see the new Batmobile in action. As far as what will inspire its design, I have no idea. Probably something original, but still “The Batmobile.”

Do you think there could still be a chance Henry Cavill could play Superman again if a director came along and pitched a good MAN OF STEEL sequel? Or do you think Cavill is done?

Henry Cavill as Superman in MAN OF STEEL (2013)

JETT SAYS: I say this with a heavy heart, but I think Henry Cavill’s run ended with JUSTICE LEAGUE.

I reckon the next time we see a live-action Superman film, it’ll be a reboot with a new actor in the title role.

WB F’ed up the chance for a good MOS sequel by making BATMAN v SUPERMAN instead of MAN OF STEEL 2. *pissed off emoji*

JETT SAYS: Like now?

No.

The chance for that to happen — which was a real thing — ended over 20 years ago.

As far as MP saying she’d be “open to it” (which I’ve never personally been aware of her saying), comes from some reporter asking her at a junket or red carpet and that was her off the cuff reply.

And frankly, I was never keen on a Catwoman film with her back in the day.  While her performance in BATMAN RETURNS was very good, the film is garbage and the depiction of Selina Kyle/Catwoman was WAY off in terms of the Batman mythos.

Were you ever a fan of He-Man in any form?

JETT SAYS: I was not.  I was in high school when He-Man debuted, so that was after “my time,” if you will.

JETT SAYS: I’ll put it this way…

NOT Morrison!


The mailbag continues after the jump!
 

2 questions. You have read the script for JOKER. Would you agree with the current rumors that the movie will most likely be very divisive among fans?  Also, I would love to see a theatrically released animated Batman movie. We haven’t had one since MASK OF THE PHANTASM. Maybe even an animated Batman movie series, maybe even a revisit to the world of BTAS with Conroy and Hamill. What are your thoughts on a theatrically released Batman flick somewhere down the line?

JETT SAYS: I’m not going to comment on JOKER other than to say that I have read the script and it’ll be interesting how audiences react to it.

As far as your second question, did you forget about the theatrically-released THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE sir?

So there has been a Batman film released in theaters since MOTP — not counting movies like THE KILLING JOKE and BATMAN: RETURN OF THE CAPED CRUSADERS that got theatrical releases; albeit very short ones.

But yes, I’d like to see an original animated Batman film on the big screen again.

JETT SAYS: From what I understand there are other writers assisting.

What’s your favorite Batman ear length from film and comics?

JETT SAYS: I’m not a stickler when it comes to the length of the ears on Batman’s cowl in any medium.  I can say that I’m not a fan of super-long ears ala Kelly Jones.

JETT SAYS: This is tough because I have a lot of Batman moments/scenes I love from the film.  But if I had to choose 1, it would be the ending of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.

 

As far as my least favorite, I tend to focus on the good, not the bad sir.

JETT SAYS: I have not heard anything about that other than online scuttlebutt. I don’t see why it would be set in the 1990s — which was sorta a benign decade if you will.  The 1970s or 1940s I could see, but the 90s?

Hey Bill, I know from the previous BOF Mailbags that Christopher Nolan himself sent you a letter after the release of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES and it is one of your most beloved possessions. Do you mind showing what he exactly wrote on it? Also, I want to see Nolan’s handwriting too.

JETT SAYS: Here you go…

Hi Jett, I have a question that I am very curious to hear from you. If the upcoming WATCHMEN TV series is a success, will Warner Bros. and HBO start planning to do a Batman live action TV series?

JETT SAYS: Very doubtful.  Just wrote about that topic here. >>> “Is A Live-Action Batman TV Series Finally a Possibility?”

JETT SAYS: It certainly isn’t out the realm of possibility!

Bill, what are the chances of Catwoman being in Reeves’ film. Also how good do you think BIRDS OF PREY will do?

JETT SAYS: Catwoman?  There’s some industry buzz that she might be in it.  I know there’s a “female lead,” but I have no idea who it might be.

As far as BIRDS OF PREY, I don’t think it’ll be a blockbuster due to its smaller budget and release date.  But I think it’ll do well mainly because of Margot Robbie and her Harley Quinn.

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