Box Office Blast for Summer 2008
Comic Book Superheroes Will Be Fixture on the Big Screen Next Summer
Films based on comic book characters have a history of success at the box office and the summer of 2008 will see the release of several films hoping to cash in.
Some films being released are sequels in established franchises while others, if successful, will possibly spawn franchises of their own. Here is a list of the superheroes coming to a theater near you summer 2008.
Iron Man (Scheduled US Release Date: May 2, 2008; Marvel Comics)
Director: Jon Favreau
Robert Downey stars as Tony Stark, an industrialist who designs weapons for the United States government. While testing one of his weapons in Vietnam he is badly injured and captured by the enemy, who forces him to design weapons for them. Instead, Stark builds himself a body of armor to not only save his life but also allow him to escape capture. With his newfound superhero strength, Stark battles crime as the Armored Avenger, Iron Man. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges.
The Incredible Hulk (Scheduled US Release Date June 13, 2008; Marvel Comics)
Director: Louis Leterrier
Edward Norton stars as Bruce Banner, a nuclear physicist who, due to a freak lab accident, transforms into a powerful green monster when under emotional stress. Following director Ang Lee's The Hulk (2003) starring Eric Bana, this installment finds Banner seeking to understand his condition and find a cure for it, all while on the run from the Russian Government. The film also stars Liv Tyler and William Hurt.
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army(Scheduled US Release Date July 11, 2008; Dark Horse Comics)
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Ron Perlman reprises his role as Hellboy, a demon summoned to Earth by the Nazis to aid them during World War II that decides instead to battle evil as a hero. This sequel finds Hellboy defending Earth, his new home, from a hostile takeover by the opposing mythical forces of Hell, his old home. The film also sees the return of actors Selma Blair and Doug Jones from the original Hellboy (2004).
The Dark Knight (Scheduled US Release Date July 18, 2008; DC Comics)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christian Bale will again don the cape and cowl in this sequel to Batman Begins (2005). In this film, Batman will be called upon to save Gotham City from the maniacal clutches of The Joker, played by Heath Ledger. Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine will all return to reprise their roles, and Aaron Eckhart will star as Harvey Dent, the district attorney who eventually becomes the villainous Two-Face.
The Punisher: War Zone (Scheduled US Release Date TBA 2008; Marvel Comics)
Director: Lexi Alexander
Ray Stevenson will star as a former Marine and FBI agent who, after the murder of his family, transforms into The Punisher, a vigilante anti-hero. Although it follows the 2004 film The Punisher, it will reportedly have no relation to it and will attempt to become its own franchise. Actors Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane had both previously played the lead role.
It seems like no one can quite get enough of the superhero film genre as next year will also see the release of Airplane! and Scary Movie 3 director David Zucker's Superhero!, a parody of the genre.
