Mark Millar Is Taking Over Comic Book Films
Wanted 2 has been greenlit by Universal with director Timur Bekmambetov possibly returning along with James McAvoy as Wesley. James is proving himself as a box office draw after the success of X-Men First Class. I'm just glad they didn't try to resurrect Angelina Jolie's character which the studio had been asking for. Loved the original but I'm glad there aren't anymore training/origin scenes, it will be all badass action sequences. Michael Brandt and Derek Haas are currently writing the script. They've confirmed they'll be ditching the loom aspect and it will be a direct sequel.
Kick Ass 2/Hit Girl/Balls To The Wall, the sequel to the wildly popular Kick Ass is still in the works. It's been confirmed by Millar that Matthew Vaughn won't return to direct. However, the cast have voiced their intentions to reprise their roles such as Chloe Mortez (Hit Girl). I'm not sure what title they'll eventually go with but it's expected to feature Kick Ass, Hit Girl and Motherfucker (Red Mist). In first film they allude to more heroes springing up. In the comic Balls To The Wall there are competing groups of masked heroes and villains.
Nemesis is another play on classic comic book archetypes with the premise "What if Batman was the Joker?". Basically what if Batman will all his wealth, fighting skills and advanced intelligence ended up a villain instead of a hero. The comic's villain spends a small amount of time once a year dedicated to toying with and the best detectives in the world. Eventually killing them one by one. This is a 20th Century Fox project with Tony Scott attached to direct. Scott is best known for some great films that include Top Gun, Man On Fire, The Hunger, The Last Boy Scout and True Romance. Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp were names that Millar had been throwing around. Pitt doesn't seem out of the question since he's worked with Tony Scott twice before. Along with the fact Brad produced Kick Ass with his production company Plan B. Matthew Micheal Carnahan the brother of director Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) is writing the script.
Superior is a mix of Last Action Hero, Big and Superman rolled into one high concept blockbuster. It focuses on a young boy multiple sclerosis who is granted his wish to become his favorite superhero by aliens. Matthew Vaughn has bought the rights to make the comic into a film. I assume with the intentions to direct along with contributing to the script with writing partner Jane Goldman. The only issue here is that 20th Century Fox is likely pressuring Vaughn to quickly move forward with a sequel to X-Men First Class with a summer 2013 release date. Jon Hamm has been rumored/wanted for the lead role.
Supercrooks focuses on a group of super villains who decide that America isn't for them since there are too many super heroes ruining their crimes. They end up heading to Europe which is apparently superhero free. Its expected to be a similar process as Kick Ass as the comics will be released around the same time as the film will be in production. Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo confirmed he wouldn't be involved with the script which has already been written. Nacho is known for his smaller science fiction films Timecrimes and the upcoming Extraterrestrial. Millar pitched him the film's concept as similar to The Godfather. As the movie would be from the villains' perspective with super heroes as background players.