Thursday 12 February 2015

SILVER LININGS COLUMN-How 'Amazing' Is Spider-Man Suiting Up For Marvel's Cinematic Web?

Web Re-Design.

(Contains 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' SPOILERS)

Marvellous news from Marvel this week. After months of rumours and years of Stark Tower toppled Easter Eggs near OSCORP buildings (how sweet that would have been), Spider-Man is officially a part of Marvel. Marvel's cinematic universe that is, as the original comic-book 'Amazing Fantasy' hero and Stan Lee's favourite finally joins the official franchise family and film he's always belonged too. Sony and Marvel have finally come to an agreement that will split Peter Parker's rent between the two family companies. More importantly meaning your friendly, neighbourhood Spider-Man will be able to assemble with The Avengers for their 'Age Of Ultron' follow-up. Making the 'Infinity War' parts something that could epically suit up the next generation of superheroes in the 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' too. Everything will especially be awesome in the Chris Pratt recharged phase 2 to 3, if along comes a new Marvel house spider to the 'Captain America-Civil War' film that's already gaining more hype and buzz then this years Avenger film, thanks to the appearance of Iron Man and '42' and 'Get On Up' star Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther character. Now Marvel just need their rights to the 'X-Men' and 'Fantastic Four' (although this Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan one looks actually incredible) franchises for one, definitive assemble. Still right now, taking the web reigns of one of all of comic-books most popular heroes sticks it even more to D.C. Maybe its time for Batman and Superman to stop fighting and form this Justice League already. Assemble this with this years 'Ant-Man', the forthcoming 'Deadpool', 'Dr. Strange', 'Inhumans' and 'Captain Marvel' movies, plus the 'Agent Carter' and 'Daredevil' T.V. spots and you have a roster and a schedule that's going to keep every cinema jam-packed and popping like corn condiments for the next decade of box office dominance.

Excited? who isn't, besides Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne? There are so many movie and moments to look forward to from this classic, comic-book catalogue and after turning a talking racoon and tree into a box-office smash anything is possible. We haven't even begun to talk about the hotly anticipated Loki, cliff-hanger face off in the next 'Thor' movie either. This film will have to wait for its fall place however as Spider-Man's solo outing will open the curtains on theatres in the Summer of 2018. That may be a long time to wait, but this franchise has been rebooted twice over the last ten years already. From Tobey Maguire's timid trilogy to Andrew Garfield's truly 'Amazing' turn that's sequel joined 'Guardians', 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' and 'The Winter Soldier' last year in arguably Marvel movies greatest 12 months...with a Disney 'Big Hero 6' bonus. Which brings us to our next point. Now Spidey is set for another spin (re)cylce (lets hope he doesn't leave his "American flag" in with the washing again), what happens to Garfield? Judging from this reboot and some leaked Sony e-mails during 'The Interview' process, the kid is done. At 31 he's going to be a high-schooler edging towards 40 by the time the next solo film comes out, but then again the baby faced kid could still make it look like he's just been held back a few years. Still, seemingly frozen out of this new process, if Marvel let Andrew go it'll be a real shame. He was an upgrade from Maguire in this by the comic-book look of another origin story, but if we are heading for another reboot repeat of a younger Parker do we really have to see his Uncle die again (although Martin Sheen was brilliant as Ben)? I mean you think he would have learned from the previous two times not to let that robber walk.

Running with this last reboot there are more casualties than Garfield and we aren't talking about the brilliant Emma Stone, who almost got resurrected and recast as M.J. of all people...no not Michael Jordan, but yes Petey's love interest Mary Jane. I know on-and off, off-screen couple Garfield and Stone have movie matrimony chemistry, but this is ridiculous. Lets not even get started on the deleted scenes from the second film of 'Divergent' and 'Fault In Our Stars' megastar Shaline Woodley as M.J...which would have furthered her and this franchise even more. Despite 'TASM2' receiving mixed reviews and fan reception this superior sequel featured a wealth of talent. Now losing the likes of the enigmatic Dane DeHann as the angst-conflicted Harry Osborne/Green Goblin or the magnificent mothering of legend Sally Field's Aunt Mae seems like such a waste. Just like if Jamie Foxx's epic Electro character could be recharged (that lights out Times Square battle shone like neon nights) like the stampeding of Paul Giamatti's Rhino. The third part of this trilogy looks dead in the Alligator sewers, along with that 'Sinister Six' villain movie that looked set to revolutionise comic book genres and traditional, good versus evil cinema. Even 'The Theory Of Everything', Oscar nominated star Felicity Jones had a cameo as Felicia Hardy, who would have eventually become the Black Cat villain, which again seems like another Shaline, star-studded waste for this young franchise of youthful stars of now and tomorrow. Yesterdays film was full of ideas. From the aforementioned great, like 'Whiplash' star J.K. Simmons reprising his role as J. Jonah Jameson, with maybe even more anger, to the downright bizarre resurrection of Parker and Osborne fathers (did you see that head in the box? We aren't talking about 'Se7en') and the plain crazy, like the Aunt Mae origin story...maybe O.K. for a Sunday matinee movie. Now there's an idea! Still, all these ideas now seem to be left on the cutting room floor as our web-slinger will have a new take, maybe taken up by the rumoured likes of young stars Josh Hutcherson or Logan Lerman...both of these pint-sized guys may make Spider-Man look like that baby Spidey off than Evian commercial. Although just like any comic-book incarnation, this 'Amazing Spider-Man' will always remain in the coral of comic-book libraries, it's a real, let down shame we wont see more. Still as Garfield is left in the bathtub Marvel are about to unleash an 'Ultimate' Spider-Man that can finally crawl with The Avengers. It's a big sacrifice that's going to make everybody happy and left wanting to catch a spider. Better get your magazines and coffee cups! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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