Choosing A Doctor..,

Iconic characters are very delicate properties...

Casting the right actor to convey in body, mind and presence is essential to getting not only the character right, but the story as well.  Such is the case with characters that have rich histories like Doc Savage.  Although he is not as well known as Superman or Batman, he is as much of a cornerstone of Twentieth Century pop-culture.  He is not only as important albeit less known, he is the inspiration for those characters.  Parts of Superman come directly from this pulp hero (just as the Shadow has elements that went into Batman).

There are only so many actors that would be able to portray The Man of Bronze.  So I thought we'd look at a few (the few) that could play this character well, but also do justice to him.  So what does he look like?  Who is he really?  Here are several actors that Blue Sky believes would go along way toward creating a believable adaptation of one if the last century's first super heroes.

Chris Hemsworth - If you want to cast from the James Bama interpretation of the character them Hemsworth would fit the bill.  Yes, I know he is known for playing another famous pop-culture creation, but if Harrison Ford can be both Han Solo and Indiana Jones, then this actor can be both the God of Thunder and the Man of Bronze.

Armie Hammer - Another very good actor with the size (Hammer is actually taller than Hemsworth at 6'5" to Thor's 6'3") to play the character.  Hammer has shown that he can play a goodie two shoe before, let's just hope they don't make fun of the character like they did with Kimosabe.  But Black appears to understand Clark Savage Jr. and if Armie Hammer got the job he would have excellent direction.

Alexander Skarsgard - If you 're not going the James Bama route and focus in the classic 30's look then Skarsgard might fit the bill.  Maybe he doesn't display the hulking presence of those Sixties reprints, but he carries the intelligence and intensity needed to make the icon believable.

Joel Edgerton - A much lesser known actor, Edgerton would carry a smart presence reflecting the calm authority of a man trained to be a perfect man from childhood.  While not as well known as others, Shane Black may have to use some of his newfound power if he goes with a lesser name like Joel Edgerton.  But getting the right person for the role doesn't mean that this actor wouldn't make an interesting choice, and the right choice

These are by no means the only choices to play Doc Savage, but they are an example of how to cast the role.  Knowing who will play the pulp figure will give us a look into the world that Shane Black is working to create.  That world is buried in the pages of many adventures that have been going on since the early 30's.

I can't wait to visit it, and welcome it to a new century...

Hat Tip to Paul Malmont for his pulp perspectives.

Savage Past, Savage Future...

Shane Black moves forward with his/my dream project...

The director of the biggest box office hit of the year did an interview with IGN about the status of his next fim, the big screen, authentic, period themed "Doc Savage".  He goes on to discuss the problems of adapting a pulp character that makes Superman's goodness look gritty (think Raiders of the Lost Ark starring Clark Kent).  Add to this the problem of finding an actor able to carry the physique of this pulp icon and you can see the challenges that exists for this film,

But all films are a challenge; filming some movies are akin to going into battle with an army.   Star Wars was an extremely difficult shoot, any production that Stanley Kubrick mounted was a mental and physical challenge.  And the obsticles sometimes make the film better.

Black seems to have an honest take on the character and genuinely knows the material.  It's not like many productions that twist and contort a character until he's unrcognizable to the audience you're aiming for.  With his newfound clout, Shane Black is the perfect person to adapt this classic property.  He's a geek that's been made.  If anyone can make the film pulp fans have wanted, he fits the mold.

Now he has to find an actor who fits the mold...

Hat Tip to /Film.

Pulp Stars...

If you love sci-fi and pulp then Timothy Anderson should be on your dial...

We've posted some of his amazing work before when he did this to "Blade Runner" and other classic science fiction.  Now, he's taken the Star Wars trilogy and made prints of it that look like old pulp covers as well.  Take a look at his site where he has prints for sale.  I can't wait to see what he does next.

Maybe something on a long, lost Ark...

Pulp From The Vine...

Blue Sky isn't the only one that sees a resurgence in pulp influences on pop-culture...

The guys over at Comic Vine have posted an article entitled: "The Resurgence of Pulp in Comics" that could be a companion piece to our very own "The Geek Codex" article.  Check it out for a thoughtful look at the gravitation toward the archetype characters that helped build what became comic books.

And then influence radio, film and television...

The Geek Codex...

It's amazing how the past can sometimes take control of the present...

Or predict the future.  Because that's what happened between the 1930's to the 1950's.  Much of the literature or films of these decades greatly influenced what we go to the theaters to see, or what we turn on the television to watch.  Now, I'm talking specifically about a certain type of literature (pulp magazines & comics) and a certain kind of film (serials).

Don't think so?  Think again.

Imagine some of the biggest hits in the last two decades, or even three decades and what do you come up with?  Star Wars?  It's a Saturday morning serial, especially "The Empire Strikes Back", as it's a pure matinee picture.  Raiders of the Lost Ark?  It's cut from the mold of old serials like "Spy Smasher" or "Zorro's Black Whip" among others.  Even it has imitators like "The Mummy" that play into the serial/pulp vein of pictures.  What is Disney's big tent pole picture this summer?  "The Lone Ranger" which is based on pulp stories that turned into serials like "The Lone Ranger" and "The Lone Ranger Rides Again" to the classic television series.

And then there are the pulp stories like "Doc Savage" that is walking right out of a tattered, old pulp magazine.  There have been some abortive attempts like "The Shadow" which has the correct look, but the wrong feel for the character.  And there have been efforts to bring him back, specifically, Sam Raimi a few years back before he got "Spider-Man" off the ground.  Disney's own "John Carter of Mars", which sadly didn't connect properly with audiences, comes from the Edgar Rice Burroughs stories printed in these old pulps.  Most people like to make fun of this that have never read the novels, or they simply forget because of Burroughs more famous pulp creation: Tarzan.

And comic books seem to be the biggest beneficiary of this resurgence.  There have been bad attempts at this over the decades, but around the end of the last century we started getting films that tapped the right fan artery.  Part of this was because Suit in charge were beginning to be the generation that read these comics so the stories were more authentic, and second, the introduction of computer graphics made it possible to create believable worlds; something that wasn't achievable a decade earlier.  A film of the Justice League or Avengers a couple of decades ago would have looked horrible, but with the help of CG and a script by Joss Whedon, look at what can be achieved?  A Justice League picture right now sounds like a monster waiting to be unleashed, not a film to be humiliatingly tucked away in a vault.

But a great deal of what you see on the silver screen today has been born from the DNA of these mediums.  And we're beginning o see more and more of them.  Expect if Doc Savage succeeds for The Shadow to be quickly green lit into production.  Studio Suits will go mining the pages of dingy pulps looking for the next character that they can exploit.  Something like The Spider could be the next one to go, or a less known pulp hero like Operator 5 or Secret Agent X.  If Warner Bros. wants to get on the band wagon, all they have to do is look through their DC Comics characters for "Spy Smasher", a little character they bought from Whiz Comics years ago.  He's the star of an incredibly entertaining serial by the same name that is utterly dear to me.

Not everything will be a hit.  For every Star Wars, there is a "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" that doesn't perform.  Or a "Rocketeer" that disappoints.  But even that film has developed a growing following as it's gotten older.  It's aged like wine to the point where the Mouse is thinking of rebooting it for the next generation.  Everything old is new again, or can be.  If you were a fan of "The Clone Wars" then you might not know that you were watching a serial.  Everything about that show flows back to the old Flash Gordon serials, from the action to the opening exposition setting up what's to come.

Yes, pulp/serials/comics changed the world.  At least the one we pay money for a ticket to see.  They take us away from the boring, drab world we live in to take us to a world where good will win, and it will do so with style and presence.  It's a place where danger lurks around every corner, but fun pervades every bit of atmosphere.  Within this world we can escape the lives we live, to experience something missing from our day to day journeys.

Now sit back in your chair at that theater and watch these old tales live again...

From Iron Man To Man Of Bronze...

Artwork from The Pulp.net.

It looks like Christmas has come early...

For me, at least.  If you follow Blue Sky regularly you know I'm a big "Doc Savage" fan.  And I've wanted to see an adaptation of these classic pulp characters for what feels like eternity.  And now it's here.  Officially.

Shane Black signed on to direct and co-write this almost four years ago.  But the project stalled after a year of development.  But a blessing happened soon after that.  Within a year of that project being put on hold, Kevin Feige and his Marvel Suits were looking for a director to film the next Iron Man sequel.  And Black's name came up.

He fit the Marvel mode.  Someone that was talented, hungry and cheap.  That's how they get you.  But it's a hell of a job to take.  Super hero films are to this decade what the buddy films were to the 80's.  And Shane Black was the founder of those type of films.  I think he knew that this was a chance to show he could deliver a big hit.  And that would give the Suits over at Sony the testicular fortitude to green light what might be a $150-200 million dollar crap shoot.

And now we have "Iron Man 3" with it's boxoffice of $700+ million dollars.  Money makes the world go around.  And in the film business, money makes wheels move quickly.  It's the oil to the engine.  So today, The Wrap gave us the news that Sony has green lit the film (The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision also verifies).  And now Sony Pictures has issued the official press release:

WRITER/DIRECTOR SHANE BLACKTO MAKE DOC SAVAGEFOR SONY PICTURES AND ORIGINAL FILM 

 CULVER CITY, Calif., May 7, 2013 –Sony Pictures Entertainment has closed its deal with Shane Black to co-write and direct Doc Savage, and Black is eyeing it as his next film, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio.  Black co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, based on the hero of pulp novels, films, and comic books.  Neal H. Moritz is producing the project with Ori Marmur through his Original Film banner. Michael Usland will also serve as a producer on the film. Commenting on the announcement, Minghella said, “We couldn’t be more excited to be building a franchise from the ground up with Shane and this team.  Shane and Neal have a fantastic understanding of the character and a great take on the material and we can’t wait to get this production up and running.” One of the most popular characters of the pulps of the 1930s and 40s, Doc Savage was also popularized on radio, film and television. He is a scientist, physician, adventurer, inventor, explorer and researcher. He has been trained since birth to be nearly superhuman in every way, with outstanding strength, a photographic memory, and vast knowledge and intelligence. He uses his skills and powers to punish evil wherever in the world he finds it. Black most recently co-wrote and directed Iron Man 3 which has grossed more than $700 million since opening a little more than one week ago. He previously wrote and directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Sam Dickerman and Lauren Abrahams are overseeing the title for Columbia Pictures along with Minghella. Black is represented by David Greenblatt, WME and his attorney Alan Hergott.

So now we have to wait and hear who is cast in these parts.  Doc Savage is a particularly hard one, because he's supposed to be a perfect human specimen: physical and mental.  So they are going to need an actor that can convey the action, but also the depth.  Now, I know he's no thespian, but if Arnold Schwarzenegger had the physique of his body in "Predator", he'd look perfect with blonde hair and a tanned body.  Unfortunately, he doesn't.  So the casting call will have to go out and find someone else.

Some people have suggested Dwayne Johnson, whom I've enjoyed in films like "The Rundown" and a few others.  He has charisma, but I don't see him as Doc.  Of course, I'll trust Shane Black.  Did any of you see "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang" before?  I expect that he knows what he needs in an actor, and the box office of this Marvel film will go a long way toward giving him the creative freedom to do what he wants.  I'm so there.  The script is apparently a go.  So the film could start pre-production very soon.  That means we could be going back to the 30's/40's within a couple years.  That could be 2015.

There goes that year again...

What The Doctor Ordered...

Well, now that "Iron Man 3" is already an amazing blockbuster, it also introduces us to a very hot director...

Shane Black has been famous for almost three decades.  He got his start with the speck script, "Lethal Weapon" in the mid 80's, which launched his trademark wit and humor.  That decade would be filled with his films, and many knockoffs of his work.  He's been wanting to direct an adaptation of my favorite pulp hero since he starting writing screenplays.  We've been reporting about Shane Black's desire to make a Doc Savage film since he signed on to write/possibly direct the film a while ago.

Now, with the success of the third Iron Man film, he may have that chance.  Sony Pictures still holds the rights to the project and they're waiting for Black to finish his work on this film before he gets serious about turning his attention to the Man in Bronze.  And it looks like after years of development hell, the character is finally going to get a fair treatment on the screen (Making a film that has already grossed $300 million dollars before it even opens in America will give him quite a bit of clout.).

Everyone who reads Blue Sky knows that I love serials and my favorite film is "Raiders of the Lost Ark".  As well as I love all things pulp (Doc Savage, The Shadow, The Spider, Secret Agent X. etc.), and have been following Tinsel Town trying to make this since Arnold was lined up to play the character (Although, he was a little past his prime to play the character even when announced.).  Sadly, that project came and went, but the hope for a new film, one that is authentic to the time period and heroes, has always been kept alive.  Now, it looks like we may finally see Doc's adventures being given justice on the silver screen.

Just like the justice he delivered in those old, ripped and torn page adventures of long ago...

Out Of The Night...

I shall pretend to be a fancy debutant...







Ninety-Three years ago on this day the "mark" first appeared...

Author Johnston McCulley created a character that first showed up in All Story Weekly that captured the hearts of the magazines readers. Set in the Old West of southern California when it was under Mexican rule, "The Curse of Capistrano" told the story of a masked vigilante that fought the corrupt government and its oppression of the local people. All dressed in black, a flowing cape and mask were his image, but the mark that he left in his wake was his calling card.

Zorro was born on this day. In the 1950's when Walt was looking for material he could turn into live action shows for his television show, he decided to turn this character (whom had already been successful in film) into a weekly television series. Millions of children, young at heart or simply young, would turn in each week to see the adventures of hero that fought for justice and road off into the night. Happy Birthday, Don Diego de la Vega.

Now if Disney had only bought this character...

Shadowy Beginnings...

Who knows what what eeeeeeviiiilllll...




Eighty-Two years ago today, an iconic figure in radio/pulp fiction was born...

On the Detective Story Hour at the beginning of the Thirties, on this night a despondent, tired and pessimistic America tuned into their radios for a break from the harshness that the stock market crash had spent over the nation.

On tonights program, a new and exciting character would right the wrongs and deliver justice to a society that looked for hope. The mysterious Shadow would go on to create a sensation for young and old alike. He was a pre-superhero, before Superman and Batman, that did things the common man couldn't, but wanted to. And he offered a chance for the listener to escape the Great Depression, if only for a few hours.

Happy Birthday, Lamont Cranston...

First Tour Of Mars...

Walt Disney Pictures has released the teaser trailer for "John Carter" a day early...

And we have to remember that it's a teaser. It's meant to tease. And I think that it partially achieves its purpose. But it does give me hope that Andrew Stanton has gotten it right. I like various elements, but feel that the marketing campaign has got their hands full.




Like many people I've heard from, this is based on a classic that is a hundred years old (next year). But there are many things in this that are going to seem as though they are stolen from "Star Wars" or "Avatar." The opposite is true. But I think marketing are going to have to address this. From what I know, everyone associated with the screenplay viewed this as a labor of love. I'm going to cross my fingers and put my confidence in them to faithful put my and other geek/fanboy's dreams on the screen to Barsoom.



Come March, I can't wait to make the journey...

ROCKETEER$...

The More, the better...





No sooner had I mentioned that I'd like to see a sequel/reboot than a jewel was found...

Joe Johnston did an interview with Film Journal and mentioned that he'd love to do a sequel to "The Rocketeer." Now, he didn't mention a reboot so I take it he's talking about a continuation and not a reinterpretation. If you've seen some of the Q&A from the 20th Anniversary screening of the film at the El Capitan, then you saw Billy Campbell still looks pretty good. I don't know if I'd buy him being only a few years older though.

I wouldn't want to see a film with this character set in the 50's. That's a little too far from the material, but maybe they could get away with early 40's? Have Cliff Secord on some secret mission in the waning days of World War 2. It could/would be an interesting thing to see. Maybe they can get Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely to write the script based on their work on "Captain America" and then get Joss Whedon to do a polish on the dialog. Maybe? That would be oh, so cool.

And then, if I could just get Disney to adapt "Crimson Skies" too…

Pulp Fiction...

Really, I wonder how true this is...

Really?

For those that haven't heard, there's a rumor that Quentin Tarantino is going to direct the new film adaptation of the pulp classic character, "The Shadow." If it's true, then I really don't know what to say. Tarantino's take on the character would certainly be interesting for sure. He knows the gritty crime drama pretty well, but can he translate the character without having his muffled mouth spout f-bombs or refer to his favorite TV show? Which would be totally out of character for Lamont Cranston, just so ya know. Still, he might be able to bring about a version that is faithful, yet reachable to a modern audience, like "Sherlock Holmes" was. I'll be looking to see how this develops. Will the man that wrote and directed "Pulp Fiction" actually now tackle pulp fiction?

Only the Shadow knows...

Sequel To The Past...

Pulp Noir...


From time to time you'll see articles of my love of pulps and serials on the site...

I love all things "Shadow," "Spider" and "Savage." Especially Savage, Doc Savage. I've read many a pulp and have always wanted to see them adapted faithfully and correctly to the silver screen. I was greatly looking forward to the Arnold Schwarzenegger film back in the 90's, even though "Arnuuld" was about five years past the age he should have played it (Predator era look). Then there was word that Sam Raimi was going to direct a remake of "The Shadow" which would have been interesting. That came and went without making so much as a thud or a whimper. Then, earlier this year it was announced that Shane Black was making an attempt at bringing the Man of Bronze back. And knowing Black is a big Doc fan, that's good news. Hopefully the powers that be will greenlight this and we'll get a film that will show audiences what others and myself already know. That Doc is the next Indiana Jones waiting to be, that already was, but most never knew about. We will see.

But in the meantime, a wonderfully fun book I read a few years ago, Paul Malmont's "The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril" is getting a sequel. Now if you've never heard of this book, then shame on you. Go get it, it's a really good read, filled with interesting characters, pulpy plots and a well crafted storyline that fits into today's sensibilities, all while set in the past of 1937. And it's populated with real people, that actually existed. It's a fictional "what if?" story involving some of the great pulp fiction writers and it handles each of them with loving care, even though it doesn't have to. Walter Gibson (Shadow creator), Lester Dent (Doc Savage creator), H.P. Lovecraft (At the Mountains of Madness and other horrific masterpieces), L. Ron Hubbard and others. Each character is a three dimensional person, not a caricature or cartoon, but real and filled with the feelings and heartaches we all experience. A wonderful read.

His sequel, which will hopefully be out later this year, is called "The Astounding, The Amazing and the Unknown." Set in 1943, it follows the further adventures of these men as well as several other new, real life authors on a new adventure that is every bit what the title says. I look forward to hearing that publish date so I can go out and enjoy sitting back and reading this continuation of characters that I, and he, love(d). If you read the original, keep an eye out for when this comes out. If you haven't read the original, you're missing a truly great read.

Also, of note. If you liked this one and would like to read something in the same area of work, may I suggest Glen David Gold's "Carter beats the Devil." Hollywood has tried before to make this into a film, and is currently taking another stab at it. Hopefully stories like these will get made and we can rely on less strip mining of 80's/90's television and movies for worthy film projects. I can dream, can't I?

Time will tell...

Black Bronze...

The next man, the post-modern man...


Man of science, both mental and physical...

You know I love me some pulp...

I reported last year on Ain't It Cool News' story of Shane Black writing a script adaptation of pulp hero Doc Savage with Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry. Now comes news from Variety that he'll direct the film as well. And knowing Black's love of the character is like mine, him setting it as a period film is wondrous. Now if they'll just find the right actor I'll be floating around on Cloud 10.

Cloud 9 is way, way down there...

Sam Knows Evil...

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men...

Sam Raimi, that's who. This rumor has been surculating for years. It's been known that he was going to/wanting to make a new version of "The Shadow" but up until now it's been assumed that he would simply produce the film. Now comes word (and a script review) from IESB that this indeed could be Sam's next directing gig and it could be made through Sony.

I love serials and I love old pulp fiction, which is in itself a variation on those serials. I adore the Shadow, but Doc Savage is my all time fave. Still, I have a framed poster on my wall of a classic Shadow tale known as "The Grove of Doom." Sam is someone that I'd trust with this king of project. He knows the material and understands how it can be adapted proper and faithful. I await more info.

I'm standing by with my secret decoder ring...

Shane's Savage Tales...

According to Ain't It Cool News, Shane Black is writing a screenplay for Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman that involves my favorite pulp literature figure...

If you are a regular reader of Blue Sky you know that I love old serials and pulp magazines. Heck, if you go to my Twitter page you can pretty much understand that. But I've always enjoyed reading these dime store novels and listening to the 30's radio programs or Saturday morning serials. I've got endless stories of The Spider, The Shadow or The Avenger. Even Conan or Solomon Kane, which I just finisher reading are great pulp figures. But they're not my favorite.

Doc Savage is.

Clark Savage Jr. is a character I've known about since I was a teen, but didn't get around to reading till a decade later. I've seen the cheesy 70's movie that was made about him and shudder when remembering it. That was kind of like watching that Captain America television movie made in that decade as well. Taking a classic archetype character and throwing away all that is good and creating a campy version of what you think people will want. He's always been a figure of missed opportunity. Handled right, this could be something along the lines of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Handled wrongly, it could come off like "The Mummy 3" film, or worse, the Russell Mulcahy version of "The Shadow," which got the look right, but the tone and feel exactly the opposite.

About a decade ago, there were plans to make a big budget film version of it that sounded spot on, for the most part. Frank Darabont and Chuck Russell were producing it with a script by David Leslie Johnson for Arnold Schwarzenegger to star as the Man of Bronze. Although Arnold was about ten years older than what he should be to play this (if it'd been made around the time he did "Predator" he would have looked spot on), he was still a good fit for the roll, although not exactly what Lester Dent had in mind when he created the adventurer. Alas, that was not to be. The script came in and was apparently budgeted at a level of something James Cameron would create. Understandable, since the world Doc Savage's in involves action on an epic scope most of the time. So the studio got cold feet and it languished in that wonderful place called Development Hell.

Until now...

Shane Black is writing the new adaption of the character. And it sounds like he's being faithful to the character with no modernizing him, no updating him, no messing with the mythology of his existence. Sounds great to me. But when it's done, I have no idea who to cast for him. Doc Savage, like Indiana Jones, is a character that belongs where his story is cast: the 30's. Thankfully it sounds like Black is going to keep true to the times and feel. I look forward to hearing more about this. Especially who they wind up having direct it. That will be a critical decision just as choosing Black as writer. The project has many obstacles to overcome even after these, but should this come together It'll be on my radar for the next couple of years. Hopefully it won't fade away like the last, aborted attempt.

And I keep wondering who's going to fill the Doc's shoes since Arnold is too old and too busy to play the part...