What do you consider the first "modern" superhero movie?

[Candy Kappa]

They really didn't show that the characters could carry their own movie, though. Howard was a flop, costing more then Return of the Jedi to make. And Nick Fury was unsuccessful as a pilot, and came the same year Blade was out. Blade on the other hand, that movie showed that a obscure character can hold their own movie.

And neither of the two are among the earliest superhero movies, just Howard there is over 30 titles, movies and serials included that precedes that movie. And Nick Fury the number have at least doubled, so as a whole both movies in general is pretty late Superhero titles.

That we got Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy is because Marvel Studios don't have X-Men and Spider-Man (hence why we're getting Inhumans as possible Mutant analogues).

[sdp]

Originally Posted by MsMarvelDuckie

True on both counts. However, both proved that even less well-known characters could carry a movie- a fact that helped lead to Ant-Man and GotG being made. Which might explain the Howard cameo at the end of GotG. Point is, they were among the earliest super hero movies, and deserve recognition for that if nothing else.

You're grasping at straws. The reason we got Ant-Man and GotG is because of Iron Man who was an unknown superhero to the general public and now is an A-Lister. Disney's decision to buy Marvel was because of this, not because Spider-Man or the X-Men but seeing how they could make this old unknwon character into a B.O. success in the present.

[Sumac]

Batman'89 with old Superman movie being precursor.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

They really didn't show that the characters could carry their own movie, though. Howard was a flop, costing more then Return of the Jedi to make. And Nick Fury was unsuccessful as a pilot, and came the same year Blade was out. Blade on the other hand, that movie showed that a obscure character can hold their own movie.

And neither of the two are among the earliest superhero movies, just Howard there is over 30 titles, movies and serials included that precedes that movie. And Nick Fury the number have at least doubled, so as a whole both movies in general is pretty late Superhero titles.

That we got Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy is because Marvel Studios don't have X-Men and Spider-Man (hence why we're getting Inhumans as possible Mutant analogues).

Hmm, thought Fury was a bit earlier than that- Maybe it was the fact that Hasselhoff was in it, and hadn't been big for a while. However, as low-budget as it was, it was no worse than some others that have been done before or since- namely Cat-Woman, Fan4stic (aka Floptastic 4) or the aforementioned Hulk/Thor movie from the Incredible Hulk series.

However, Howard, at least WAS one of the oldest superhero MOVIES (we're not talking about serials or cartoons- just full-length films, of which there were very FEW prior to the 80's, Mostly just Reeve's Superman films.) And was certainly expected to do much better at least initially. That it flopped was partly due to Lucasfilms' being heavily in debt at the time, not to mention having a rather large budget for the time- the duck suit alone cost 3 million $! But it has aged well for a campy film, has the honor of being the FIRST Marvel movie, and has also developed a cult following.

The fact that either of them even HAD movies at all is far more telling than how "big" or popular those movies turned out to be. You're forgetting the very relevant fact that these movies were made LONG before the time of superhero movies becoming "trendy" big-budget films. Oddly, in spite of getting several Golden Raspberries, Howard is still in print, is sold FAR more often than say- Elektra, and started the careers of several now-big names in Hollywood, like Holly Robinson- who went on to do 21 Jumpstreet. A number of future celebs also auditioned for it, among them Jay Leno, Martin Short, Kim Basinger, and Tori Amos. (Interestingly, Lea Thompson did all her own singing, and still has the guitar she used in the movie!) Not bad for a "flop", eh?

Hollywood has always been slow to catch on to new ideas that don't send box office sales through the roof. Comic book-based movies is one of them. Because from Superman to Blade there is a HUGE gap where there were only a scant handful of movies based on comic properties! (And lest we forget, I'm including others like The Crow in that number- which is another I'm surprised no one has mentioned!)

Originally Posted by sdp

You're grasping at straws. The reason we got Ant-Man and GotG is because of Iron Man who was an unknown superhero to the general public and now is an A-Lister. Disney's decision to buy Marvel was because of this, not because Spider-Man or the X-Men but seeing how they could make this old unknown character into a B.O. success in the present.

Unknown? I'm sorry, but as a superhero who has existed for well over 50 years (or more,) and is a founding member of the Avengers and one of Marvel's highest-selling heroes for DECADES, I would hardly call him unknown. Maybe to someone who knows NOTHING about comic books outside of Superman or Spider-Man, but any kid who has EVER picked up a Marvel comic has at least HEARD of him. And for the record, he was ALWAYS an A-lister. He's mentioned or advertised even in comics not featuring him, and appears frequently in other Marvel books. So no, he's NOT unknown by any means. And it's one of the reason his movie did so well. MANY fans and people who knew he was an Avenger were among the audiences for the Iron-Man movie. But to hear Hollywood talk, he'd never existed previously- but Hollywood has NO clue when it comes to comic book heroes. Iron-Man's success came right on the heels of Spider-Man and X-Men- both of which are Marvel comic properties; his success was mostly due to the FANS.

[NinjaPug]

Iron Man was a C-list character for Marvel prior to the 2008 movie. I think RDJ's portrayal of Stark is the main reason the character has turned into an A-lister. People love that guy now especially as Stark. Plus the 1st movie was really good.

[Candy Kappa]

Originally Posted by MsMarvelDuckie

However, Howard, at least WAS one of the oldest superhero MOVIES (we're not talking about serials or cartoons- just full-length films, of which there were very FEW prior to the 80's, Mostly just Reeve's Superman films.) And was certainly expected to do much better at least initially.

I never mentioned (or counted) cartoons. And if we're not counting the serials, we would still be in 30+ Superhero movie titles that came before Howard.

It's not the first Marvel movie, it's the first proper theatrical released movie since 1944 Captain America, since 1977 Spider-Man only had a limited theatrical run and 1990 Captain America was in development hell for years before they started shooting.

From 1978 Superman to 1994 The Crow there's 10+ superhero movies I can think off, so no not so few all things considered.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Krutch

Y'know, I kinda want to throw in Batman & Robin and maybe Catwoman as honorable mentions for important steps in the genre. They pretty much served as blueprints on how not to do superheroes.

They should have known not to make bad movies in the first place since what came before it wasn't awful though.

My view of those movies:

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

I never mentioned (or counted) cartoons. And if we're not counting the serials, we would still be in 30+ Superhero movie titles that came before Howard.

It's not the first Marvel movie, it's the first proper theatrical released movie since 1944 Captain America, since 1977 Spider-Man only had a limited theatrical run and 1990 Captain America was in development hell for years before they started shooting.

From 1978 Superman to 1994 The Crow there's 10+ superhero movies I can think off, so no not so few all things considered.

Can you actually name any though? Not made for TV or movies with "limited release" but ACTUAL theatrical release films? Cause I sure as heck can't, and I was alive and already into middle school by the mid 80's. I GREW UP with Robocop (not actually a "superhero", BTW) Star Wars trilogy, (and technically, those shouldn't even be mentioned, since they never had comics until well after they were made) even the Star Trek films- and for the record, if we want to include movies with comic books, why not just throw Logan's Run in there, too? See, just because there is a comic of a title, does NOT mean it should be included in a discussion of superhero comic book-based films. anything prior to Superman really does NOT count as "modern", and certainly has little impact on today's comic films, as it was too long ago to have influenced anything. And movies that were in development hell for years, never got released, or were only in limited release really do not count. So okay, maybe Nick might not, but since it was between Supes and Blade, it is still a "modern" comic hero movie. Seeing that the character has existed since the mid-40's.


"Iron Man was a C-list character for Marvel prior to the 2008 movie. I think RDJ's portrayal of Stark is the main reason the character has turned into an A-lister. People love that guy now especially as Stark. Plus the 1st movie was really good."

Sorry, but I beg to differ. As a former member (and Mod) on the Marvel boards, I can tell you FOR A FACT that Iron-Man was NEVER considered a "C-list" character. For one thing, he has long been one of their top-selling characters. He had his own entire board section, SEVERAL vs. threads, and was one of the most popular Avengers AND solo-characters even as early as 2001 (when I joined). So NO, he was not a C-lister, by ANY means.

In fact, his resemblance to the character was the primary reason RDJ was chosen for the role. Just as Jackson was picked because the Ultimate version of Fury was modeled after him. Those decisions were discussed almost ad nauseum on Marvel's boards at the time. In fact, the entire community was extremely excited about getting an Iron-Man movie- precisely BECAUSE he was very popular and well-known. It might surpise some of you to know that an animated Iron-Man movie was also released not long after that, and it sold relatively well- enough so that Dr. Strange soon followed.

[sdp]

We get it you're a fangirl but you're still wrong. Iron Man was a c-list hero until 2008 to the general audience. Of course to comic geeks he was an important hero but don't confuse the two audiences which we both already mentioned.

[shuriken]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

I never mentioned (or counted) cartoons. And if we're not counting the serials, we would still be in 30+ Superhero movie titles that came before Howard.

It's not the first Marvel movie, it's the first proper theatrical released movie since 1944 Captain America, since 1977 Spider-Man only had a limited theatrical run and 1990 Captain America was in development hell for years before they started shooting.

From 1978 Superman to 1994 The Crow there's 10+ superhero movies I can think off, so no not so few all things considered.

10+... OK lemme see
All four Superman movies
Howard the Duck (not really a superhero but meh)
Swamp Thing Returns
Rocketeer
Flash Gordon
The Punisher
The Shadow
Batman, Batman Returns
Guyver 1-2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1-3
The Crow

That's what...18 movies?
Crazy to think we have that many Superhero/comic movies in like the past 6 years

[Candy Kappa]

Duckie, are you asking me for names for theatrically released superhero movies between 1978 and 1994?

You know there's websites for that kind of stuff, right?

But, sure. There's Batman, Batman Returns, Supergirl, Swamp Thing, Return of Swamp Thing, Darkman, Hero at Large, The Rocketeer, Superman 2, 3 and 4, Condorman, Meteor Man and the Toxic Avenger trilogy.

Excluding movies that was released in 1994 being The Crow, The Shadow, The Mask and Blankman.

And The TMNT trilogy could be considered superhero type movies as well as Flash Gordon and Howard the Duck.

Of course, now we're going way off topic, since neither of them could be considered first "modern" superhero movie.

[THGhost]

Blade.

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Well that was fast. 3 posts in and this thread is already ruined. Amazing.

3? Try 2.

[Spike Spiegel]

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was released in '93. It's animated, sure, but it was still released theatrically.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

- X-men 2000. The first X-men film from 16 years ago, of a movie franchise that's still going today. After Batman and Robin killed superhero movies in 1997....it was only 3 years later that X-men revived it. Its also rather obvious the success of X-men eventually paved the way for Spiderman and the Marvel universe

Sadly, yes, I have to give it to Bryan Singer for kicking in the door on modern superhero movies with X1. Which is actually the only halfway decent X-Men movie he's ever made, IMHO.