2nd October, 2008
4 Super-Hero Show Ideas the CW Rejected Before Picking up its New Robin Series
Many comic book fans were surprised when the CW announced it is picking up a new series called "The Graysons" that chronicles the life of Dick Grayson (known on TV as "DJ") before he became Batman's sidekick Robin. Is Robin a compelling enough character to carry his own TV show? And just how much will the network have to change the Batman mythos in order to create a dramatic series that works in the year 2009?
As it turns out, those are easy challenges compared to the other unlikely comic book characters the CW was considering adapting. Dateline Hollywood has obtained an exclusive development report from the network containing the top four super-hero concepts it almost approved before picking up "The Graysons":
4. Beppo's Laboratory: This proposed series would have focused on the civilian life of Beppo, the Super Monkey. Bepp, of course, stowed away on Kal-El's spaceship as Krypton exploded and gained super powers on Earth. "What's it like for a monkey with super strength and heat vision who has to live as a test subject in a laboratory to hide his secret identity?" asks the series proposal. "Rather than showing another monkey's super feats, we'll focus exclusively on Beppo's efforts to live a normal life: His struggles to learn sign language, his uncertain romance with fellow captive monkey Lana Langur, and his efforts to hurl his own feces without using super strength, which might cause death upon impact." The writers proposed waiting until season five or six to introduce Streaky the Super Cat and Comet the Super Horse as supporting characters.
3. Sub-Heroes: Rather than focus on the powerful and revered Legion of Super-Heroes, DC Comics' teenage super-team from the 30th century, "Sub-Heroes" tells the tale of the kids who didn't quite make the cut. This dramatic take on the characters whose powers were judged completely useless by the Legion. How does Porcupine Pete, whose body is covered in razor sharp quills, handle his first sexual encounter? How does one of Double Header's heads react when the other admits that he is gay? Note: In order to make the characters more appealing, CW executives wanted the subs to work as models and alternative rock band members in order to pay the bills on their clubhouse.
2. Ego, the Living Planet: Network TV has brought us hundreds of doctors, lawyers, and police officers, but never a living planet. "Ego" details the loves, loneliness, and tribulations of the universe's only sentient planet. "Ego is constantly bugging Thor and the Fantastic Four and whoever else he can find, but all he really wants is somebody to care about him," the network's notes explain. CW executives were said to be high on Brian Dennehy or Kirstie Alley to play the part of Ego.
1. Lightning and the Panther: This series would have brought together trailblazing super-heroes Black Lighting and Black Panther, who come from the DC and Marvel universes respectively, as roommates! In a hilarious sitcom billed as "Smallville meets Sanford and Son," the two aging heroes run a junk shop together and reminisce about their days as the first Black super-heroes. The only these cantankerous coots agree on is that modern day African-American heroes who don't use "Black" in their code names have lost their sense of racial pride!
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7th August, 2008
Michael Caine in protective custody to avoid Batman curse
Actor Michael Caine is in an undisclosed location in protective custody, fearing he will be the next victim of the so-called Batman curse. First there was the tragic death of Heath Ledger. Then Christian Bale was involved in an assault. That was followed by Morgan Freeman's car crash and divorce. And last night, Maggie Gyllenhaal was booked on "Last Call with Carson Daly."
Caine, who plays Alfred the Butler in "The Dark Knight" is taking no chances. A security team consisting of 50 people now have the actor in protective custody. Caine is reportedly encased in a bubble-like, bullet-proof device to keep him completely safe. Caine is hoping the curse will dissipate soon as he's already agreed to appear in 68 movies this year.
Tags: batman, christian bale, curse, death, divorce, heath ledger, hollywood, maggie gyllenhaal, michael caine, morgan freeman, photos, style
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1st August, 2008
Christian Bale: I have dark moods and an obsessive streak
Christian Bale has revealed that he suffers from extreme mood swings.
The Batman actor, 34 – who was incarcerated in connection with a alleged assault on his mum and sister last week – admits he’s a very intense person.
‘Sometimes I’ll get into these strange, dark moods,’ he says.
‘They don’t last very long any more. Ever since my daughter was born, I’ve learned that it doesn’t make sense to be gloomy when you have such beauty and wonder in your life.’
Christian - who has 3-year-old Emmeline with wife Sibi - says he's lucky that his wife empathises.
‘My wife understands my occasionally obsessive streaks and she just laughs and tells me: “You’re crazy!” And I’ll just laugh right back,' he says.
Photo and Source Tags: batman, christian bale, hollywood, style, wife
Posted at 2:58 am | Comment (0)