Holy frak, this is fantastic news for Brian and for us all!

*Breathes deeply and mutters to self "Must not get too excited prior to the film actually being written, optioned, cast, shot, post-produced, promoted, released and and then shown for real on the screen in a cinema near me."*

missb | May 22, 10:24 CET

Funny: everyone was always talking about the likely forthcoming adaptation of Y: The Last Man, but I didn't see this one coming. Crept up all quiet. Like a fish.

SoddingNancyTribe | May 22, 10:29 CET

Well, since it's still far far away from anything actually happening, there's plenty of time for them to slot Y in there too.

cabri | May 22, 11:08 CET

Nice metaphor, SNT, that was deep (lousy pun, unfortunately, intended).
*crickets*
Although fish aren't always silent--if a herring fells a tree in the forest, it's quite loud.
[/off topic]

That's awesome for BKV; I've liked pretty much all I've seen of him. I still think that Y: The Last Man would be a good movie. But yay! I think that this movie, if done well, should do some good things for the franchise, and the writers.
All of a sudden, I really want Ellen Page to be someone, even if I can't think of a good fit. And the Purple One should cameo. Maybe to say something about She-Hulk's boobs.

BandofBuggered | May 22, 11:09 CET

This is very cool! I think 'Runaways' has great movie potential, if done right. Which it probably will be, if they stick to BKV's script.

Also: I still feel like Y should be a tv show, not a movie.

GVH | May 22, 11:22 CET

I seem to recall BKV mentioning at Y The Last Party that New Line was looking to make a trilogy. So while not quite a tv show, definitely better than a single movie.

danregal | May 22, 11:26 CET

I'm just waiting for someone to start the rumor that Joss is going to direct it.

dark_tyler | May 22, 11:34 CET

BoB: Although fish aren't always silent--if a herring fells a tree in the forest, it's quite loud.

But first you must get another shrubbery!
Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoop-boing-goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv.
(Ni!)

Back on topic, while it doesn't have the brand recognition of other Marvel titles, it is probably best suited for a movie adaptation. The books are part of the Marvel U, but are enough to the side that they can exist in their own environment (like a movie).

OneTeV | May 22, 11:42 CET

I've recently become a big fan of Brian K. Vaughn. I absolutely loved Y: The Last Man, and have also heard the rumors of a trilogy. I'm reading EX Machina (hence my name) right now, and have finished Pride. I guess I should get started on Runaways.

EX | May 22, 11:59 CET

Oh man, that's so cool! I wish I had actually been keeping up with the comics now...

nicetomeatyou | May 22, 12:17 CET

Y would *need* to be a trilogy, at the very least. Whereas Runaways could have a great origin movie - and then have however many follow-ups audiences wanted.

crossoverman | May 22, 12:27 CET

Exactly, crossoverman. I can totally see Runaways working as an origin movie, because the first comic story arc is just spot-on. In many ways - however much I loved what came after (and this is as good a time as any to mention, I'm not up to date - haven't even gotten to Joss' run yet) - that first story arc was pure genius, both nailing the premise, sketching the characters in an efficient way, and doing a brilliant job of combining the drama and the humor in a jossian way. As long as they just adapt that (or, if BKV has a better plan: that's also fine by me), it'll be safe going.

But while Y has a really cinematic opening (and some great action set-pieces), the pacing is just very different from a movie and the characters probably need more time to breath. I'm sure it can be done, and I'm as excited about the trilogy as the next fanboy, but it seems a much less natural fit to me. Y reads like a television series (and a great, joss-like, television series at that), while Runaways seems much more suited to that wide-screen cinematic approach.

But, either way: BKV at the movies? I'm in. Next to Whedon, Minear and Sorkin, he's definitely my favorite writer. Here's hoping he'll end up collaborating with Joss on a television or movie project in the future. Their styles are really a much too natural fit to not try it.

GVH | May 22, 12:46 CET

Odd, I was just thinking about this the other day! Very exciting, I hope they cast older actors to play the teens though, like late-teens/early twenties.

Vortigun | May 22, 12:52 CET

I wonder if it will tie in with the rest of the new Marvel movies that are coming out.

Simon | May 22, 12:55 CET

The best way to tell Y IMO would be as a cable show which, like 'Babylon 5', had a definite end point. It's very much a long form story I reckon (could the end possibly be as poignantly perfect if we'd only spent 4 or 5 hours with the characters ?).

'Runaways' though, much as I hate the word, has 'franchise' written all over it. Young cast, opportunities for some great cameos from other actors/Marvel characters, open-ended story, an (admittedly small) installed fan-base but without all the continuity and sheer historical weight to potentially bog the story down and put off new viewers. Lot of pluses.

Saje | May 22, 12:58 CET

Yep, this is true for most of the events in the series. Still though, I haven't gotten round to the final issues yet (I'm reading Y in trades), so please, no plotspoilers for Y[1].

[1]this is, of course, pre emptive, seeing as nobody's mentioned plot spoilers yet :)

GVH | May 22, 13:24 CET

Oh cool! A couple of my old comic friends worked on Runaways during BKV's run. *giddy* I think the first run would make a great movie, and there's franchise potential.

Very slightly related: my two old friends--CB Cebulski, who edited Runaways and Takeshi Miyazawa who drew a couple of issues plus writter J Torres--did a FANTASTIC book called Sidekicks. Not very well-known, and not many issues, but totally worth seeking out if anyone here likes stories about butt-kicking young girls.

Dizzy | May 22, 13:27 CET

oooh, this is exciting! Runaways will make such a great movie! And I can see it becoming pretty popular too, what with the combination of superpowers and (high quality) teen drama, so maybe we'll be seeing a lot more from our Brian in the future! Cinematically, I mean.



Good question, Simon, I was thinking that myself. It would be very easy to relocate it in its own verse, but what with The Avengers movie and all, maybe if they're thinking 'franchise' we could get later movies with cameos. Don't really know which idea I prefer...

Gil-Martin | May 22, 13:39 CET

I'm very excited, especially since Vaughan will be writing the script himself. His scripts for Lost have been brilliant.

I assume the film will cover the story of the first volume.

As I mentioned over on another site, does anybody else think that Joss would make the perfect director for this movie?

mgmn | May 22, 13:41 CET

That is an excellent idea! I can't believe that never even crossed my mind... I know he's said he was a bit tired of playing with other people's toys and wanted to get back to creating more of his own stuff, but could he really resist?

My excitement is also based on the script being a BKV original. Means that we don't have to worry about someone messing it up! As long as they get a good director...

Gil-Martin | May 22, 13:45 CET

As I mentioned over on another site, Joss needs to finish Goners first! :P

cabri | May 22, 13:53 CET

Runaways movie with script by BKV? Ice cream. Runaways movie directed by Joss? Hot fudge.

Dizzy | May 22, 13:55 CET

The Joss-to-direct campaign starts HERE.

daylight | May 22, 13:57 CET

... so please, no plotspoilers for Y

My lips are sealed GVH. Well, my fingers are ;).

(i've also read the entire thing in trades but I just couldn't wait this time - and got too scared of spoilers - so I picked up the last 6 singles)

I wonder if it will tie in with the rest of the new Marvel movies that are coming out.

Have any super-hero films ever tied into any others ? I ask because it seems such a natural thing to do (e.g. have, as I mentioned, cameos by other characters) given the massive and persistent nature of the Marvel and DC mainline continuities but I can't remember it happening. I think that's probably something that comics can do that films, with their legal issues and scheduling issues for actors etc. just can't.

Saje | May 22, 14:01 CET

Second and thirded on the Joss for Presi- I mean director idea......my puppy voted too, hence the thirded :D

This COULD be awesome. Although its a big could. If BKV wrote and Joss directed though, that "could" has the potential to become non existant. Its not like the mans up to much these days anyway, im sure he has plenty of spare time......

shpedoinkel | May 22, 14:07 CET

Have any super-hero films ever tied into any others?

Well there has been much talk of an Avengers movie, and in the lead up to it Marvel are planning lots of little cameos, just to show that all these characters live in the same world. Robert Downey Jnr has a small cameo in 'The Incredible Hulk', apparently.
So by the time 'Runaways' comes out, there will be something of a precedent.

[ edited by Gil-Martin on 2008-05-22 11:09 ]

[ edited by Gil-Martin on 2008-05-22 11:09 ]

Gil-Martin | May 22, 14:08 CET

Have any super-hero films ever tied into any others?

Up until now not really, but it looks as if Marvel now with their own studio are trying to change that and go the shared universe route. With the last scene in Iron Man, word of a Downey jr. cameo in Hulk, a Thor cameo in Iron Man 2 and the Avengers film it seems that all the marvel stuff will be tied in together.

mgmn | May 22, 14:25 CET

The Marvel franchise is certainly out doing the DC franchise. I'm so looking forward to the Justice League Movie and the Dark Knight will undoubtedly be brilliant, but there just really isn't a competition right now.

EX | May 22, 15:00 CET

This is pretty cool, but I must say I'm a tad worried, simply because of the age of the kids. I love Runaways (and everything else BKV has done) but I'm terrified that this may turn into another Sky High or Zoom kind of movie. Teens with super powers could end up being just that, as opposed to complex characters with real issues and the unfortunate(ish) burden of having evil parents and the capabilities to stop them. There's organized crime, murder, kids fighting the law, and *gasp* lesbians!

It would lose so much substance as a kid's movie, but it might be difficult to get adults to see a movie about teenagers who aren't just trying to screw baked goods.

InevitableTraitor | May 22, 15:08 CET

Nice!!!
Is still way too early to be too excited, but I'm already thinking about the cast...

The cameos can be cool, but it has to be justified. If they start to throw all this characters just 'for fun', it might ruin it

maxsummers | May 22, 15:08 CET

I'm not too surprised by this, considering that's how must of their comic books run. Many Marvel comic characters make cameos in other character's titles, so now with their own studio, I feel it's likely Marvel will start running things the same way on the big-screen.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this announcement!! I remember thinking a couple months back about how nice a "Runaways" movie would be, but that it would never happen. It's nice to have renewed faith in an entertainment company!

Now if only Joss had his own corporation, we'd be in business!!

Connor Angel Chase | May 22, 15:09 CET

Well yeah, characters appearing in each other's comics has happened for decades in both Marvel and DC titles. But Marvel Studios has been around since the early 90s so my point is more wondering why it's taken this long for them to start capitalising on one of the key strengths of comics - the idea that what we're seeing is just part of a larger, interconnected, persistent universe(s).

It's as if they had to build a film universe first, before they could start weaving other characters in. Which makes sense when you consider how few of the audience will know the comics.

(and I assume the "last scene" of 'Ironman' referred to is the post-credits coda ? Really must watch that again and stay right to the very end this time)

Saje | May 22, 15:32 CET

Very exciting news! I am skeptical about film adaptations of comic books I love, but with Vaughan behind the writing reigns I have all the faith in the world.

Ummm... I guess that could be considered another bad pun...

Buffy the Slayer Layer | May 22, 15:43 CET

Saje Marvel Studios has been around since the 90's but they only made the decision to independently produce films in 2005. Iron Man is the first film they have produced by themselves.

The last scene I mentioned is the post credit coda Where we are introduced to Nick Fury who informs Stark that there are other Superheroes out there and mentions the Avenger initiative

mgmn | May 22, 15:45 CET

I am with InevitableTraitor in that I hope that the writers maintain the actual characters they have built up over the past few years and do not dump the lesbianism, etc. And the kids with bad parents, etc. This could be a risky move, but one I am interested in hearing about. Better not mess with Carolina or Molly, is all I have to say! :-)

Dana5140 | May 22, 15:48 CET

So... we know BKV will be writting, we're going to get Joss to direct... how about we tackle casting? (I vote no on Dakota Fanning as Molly. That's my casting input thus far.)

Dizzy | May 22, 16:00 CET

Well, it wouldn't be the same without Morgan Freeman.

... but they only made the decision to independently produce films in 2005. Iron Man is the first film they have produced by themselves.

Aha ! That would seem to answer my question, cheers mgmn ;).

(not looked at the invisitext because i'd rather see whatever it is in context)

Saje | May 22, 16:11 CET

How many adults actually still go to the big multiplexes and see blockbuster movies, though? I ask, because here in The Netherlands, the audience at the big movie theaters for the big movies, are filled with teenagers. The only time I see more adults than teenagers, is when I go to more independent movies or big movies in smaller movie theaters.

So why not make a quality movie that directly markets the most important portion of the movie going audience, anyway? Marketing it as a teen movie, doesn't mean it has to lose the intricacies of the original. Especially not with BKV on scripting duties.

(also, thnx Saje)

GVH | May 22, 16:13 CET

If Joss could direct, we'd get a slam dunk perfect Runaways movie, or at least as close as it could be done in movie form. In terms of tie ins with the other Marvel properties, while the series was always meant to be regular teens in the Marvel universe, I think it'd be best if they kept all the superhero stuff on the DL while promoting the movie and just went with the premise of mysterious and probably evil parents doing secret things unbeknownst to their seemingly ordinary kids. Play it just like the comic except a bit faster, and maybe cut out a few small things (like the vampire).

archon | May 22, 16:27 CET

I think that the great thing about superhero movies in general is that they manage a synthesis of popular entertainment and intelligent issue-engaged movie making - much like Joss does. Runaways can have action and romance and comedy and special effects and all the other things that go into a blockbuster and still engage with the characters and issues on the level that the comic did. Much like the first two spider-man and x-men movies (personally, I wasn't a fan of the third chapter in either franchise, but I know there are plenty of people who were!). So I reckon we can get a movie that plays to the 'teen movie' crowd, and one that will satisfy arthouse frequenting adults. In fact, thats kind of what I would expect.

Gil-Martin | May 22, 16:33 CET

One post to get Morgan Freeman mentioned! Yay Saje!

If the movie has action, snark, and likeable characters (and it should), it'll find an large audience. I'm less worried about teen lesbians than I am about the ending of the first run, which is pretty dark. It's not a Hollywood happy ending. In a movie where kids are the central characters, I don't know how well the fact they all become orphans by the end will accepted. But it better not be changed!

Dizzy | May 22, 16:34 CET

Dizzy, my daughter got Sidekicks from the library a while back & really liked it. Plus I second your "no" vote on Dakota Fanning.

Actually, it seems like the kids would almost have to be currently-unknowns. If this movie is coming out 4 years from now, and the teens are going to be played by 20-yr-olds...well, I don't know of any actors that young. Or maybe I'm just not watching the right shows. And for Molly, they need to do an exhaustive world-wide search for the perfect girl. :)

jcs | May 22, 16:50 CET

Oh! This is awesome news!! 'Runaways' is probably my favourite comic book, I bought the first trade last year, and had bought the rest and was up to date within weeks! Written by Vaughn too!! I totally back the campaign to get Joss to direct!!

My one concern however is how they are going to deal with Karolina (the character I most relate to). Big screen productions have a tendency to dicard any homosexuality from source material. However if BKV is scripting hopefully we won't have to worry about such things!

[ edited by Kaytiana on 2008-05-22 13:57 ]

Kaytiana | May 22, 16:57 CET

Oh cool! Glad she liked it. It's a great book that deserved wider attention, but it was being published by CB's fledgling company, Fanboy Entertainment (best name for a comic company, ever), and as I remember, running the company was an uphill climb for CB. After about two years, he gave up on Fanboy and joined Marvel. Sad for Sidekicks (and me as I had fun working with CB and Fanboy), but he and Marvel brought us Runaways, so I can't be too sad. :)

I honestly don't think Karolina's sexuality will be changed. It isn't much of an issue in the first run, anyway. It would be nice if it's handled in a matter-of-fact way. These days, is it really such a big deal if a character is gay? I honestly don't know. I don't think it is, but I tend to find my entertainment on the fringe, where homosexuality is usually a non-issue.

Dizzy | May 22, 17:22 CET

Making a big deal out of it is almost as insulting as changing Karolina's sexuality. It needs to be a non-issue mainly because it is a non-issue (or should be).

Vortigun | May 22, 17:46 CET

Oh yeah. I forgot about casting. IMO, aside from plot and character changes, casting is definitly one of the biggest things that can deminish power and appeal of a big screen adaption of a pre-loved story. My initial excitment has kinda turned to a nasty, cold-sweat inducing, dready, gulp of fear in the pit of my stomach. Gee, isn't that just a pleasant description to share with people. I always forget all the many, many ways movie adaptions have to potential to go completely wrong.
Sigh.

shpedoinkel | May 22, 18:31 CET

They should just introduce Xavin earlier as a diversion. She's gay? Who cares-- this person keeps shape-shifting! It's weird! Also s/he's green!

Sunfire | May 22, 18:32 CET

And as we all know, it's not easy being green.

Saje | May 22, 18:38 CET

Or an alien from a war-torn planet. Or a Super Skrull in training who screws up in front of kids who laugh.

But it's so fun to watch.

Sunfire | May 22, 18:58 CET

Terrific news, because it's a great setup and I like what the article said about these being characters for our time, not "updates" of superheroes from the '60s.

BandofBuggered, you're right that we need Ellen Page in this. Karolina?

Kaytiana, I did the same thing: hopped aboard with the trade hardcovers and read them non-stop. Superb writing by Vaughn -- whose "No Future for You" arc on Season 8 really captures Faith. (I'm saving the Joss continuation of Runaways for a rainy week next winter.)

doghouse | May 22, 19:03 CET

Best new ever! This year! Joss+BKV Team Up=Super duper fantasticastic awesomeness!

marvelknight616 | May 22, 19:34 CET

note to self - buy marvel stock!

whiterabbit | May 22, 20:13 CET

Huh. Didn't see that coming. This has the potential to be really good, if they get the right people involved. Brian being in the mix is already one step in the right direction.

Nolan | May 22, 20:15 CET

Yep, definitely not Dakota.
Dakota is a little... weird. I think. Molly should be a newcomer... As jcs said, they need a world-wide search for the perfect girl.

But for Karolina, I think Blake Lively would be perfect.

EDIT: Hey! Maybe Daniel Dae Kim as Mr. Minoru ?!

[ edited by maxsummers on 2008-05-22 17:26 ]

maxsummers | May 22, 20:21 CET

Who will Michael Muhney play?

Dizzy | May 22, 20:32 CET

I'd love big-screen animation for this so we wouldn't have to think about casting likenesses and so the crazyness happening on screen could be bought into that much easier (plus I just think it makes more sense to go from art-on-page to art-on-screen, I only understand the fuss over live action when it comes to adaptations of some novels) but...the average movie-goer just isn't as open to seeing animated dramas, so it isn't marketable (yet? I say hopefully?). They'll go see parodies like Shrek as long as they're computer animated, and Runaways can get a little satirical, so hmmm, maybe if they upped the humor they could get teens and adults to go see a 2D cartoon...

In case they end up going with the Runaways-takes-place-in-the-Marvel-Universe angle (and I don't know why they would avoid it or pretend otherwise, seeing as it's one of the book's most popular conceits and despite my initial hesitation about potential crossovers messing up Vaughan's stories before I picked up that first issue way back when, I actually found the references and cameos to be kinda fun)...do you really want Ellen Page in this as a repeat-actor ? She's Kitty Pryde in the X-Men films now (unless they switch the actor for that role for a fourth time). If the X-folks make cameos (they've already been in Runaways, at least, Wolverine has), it'd probably be best not to double or triple-cast actors (aside from Stan Lee). This isn't the Jossverse, heh.

Saje, your mileage may vary and all that, but do you really consider crossovers/multi-title universes to be one of comics' biggest strengths ? More often than not, IMO, in my experience so far, they just lead to big messes. And they often don't gel too well together, what with more than a few writers being forced to coalesce their visions into one story. Sure, there've been some quality epics...but you can do epic in just one book.

Now I'm gonna contradict that and say that I've been cautiously looking forward to the day when they at least more clearly acknowledge that the Marvel movie superheroes all exist in the same world (I think the DC Animated Universe/Justice League has softened me to crossovers somewhat, at least on TV & film). If they can pull it off without making it completely stupid. I think there've been some references, in either Spider-Man 2, 3, or Daredevil, where either one of the villains or J. Jonah Jameson makes a reference to there being other superfreaks in the world aside from the titular hero. And of course X-Men already has a whole world aware of mutants, so it's easy to go from there. Can't remember if there were any mentions in the first Fantastic Four (haven't seen the second).

Y I was originally hoping would die a quick death in movie development hell and be resurrected as an HBO series. It makes sense, for a 60-issue series that seemingly needs the room to breath. But after thinking about how a different (and albeit compressed) take on the story might entertain, I've become more open to a film (or a trilogy, though in case it doesn't do well I kinda worry about that option and getting the rest of the on-screen story). I dunno why so many of us get all worked up about things not being adapted faithfully to screen (as long as they aren't dumbed down changes). We've already experienced something amazing on the page, in a book or comic, so who cares if things look a little different or play out altered on screen. Less predictable that way, gives the original audience something new to see, as long as the spirit of the source material is there.

I might be kinda sick for thinking this, but I wish Disney would option Pride of Baghdad and animate it like The Lion King, only with a slightly more mature look and maintaining those sepia tones from the comic. It was just depressing reading it (great a comic as it was), but I think on the big screen it could be a good tear-jerker (it'd get laughs too, before all that unpleasantness at the end).

Edited to add: thoughts about the optioning of Pride of Baghdad just reminded me that I really wanted to see We3 animated too. I guess I'm a sucker for emotionally traumatizing animals-in-peril tales.

[ edited by Kris on 2008-05-22 18:23 ]

Kris | May 22, 21:17 CET

I'm... rather apprehensive. If this movie sucks, there will be significant hell to pay for Marvel. If it ever actually comes out.

randomfire | May 22, 21:27 CET

Can Joss direct? Pretty please?

cfeuille | May 22, 21:32 CET

What we need to do is grow some JossClones©. One to write comics, one to write movies, one to direct movies, one to make web musicals, a few dozen to staff a Joss TV network, and one speak in nothing but Iambic Pentameter©.

To be serious about casting... I hope they go with unknowns for the kids. Seriously talented unknowns. The adults can be stars, but the kids should all be newcomers.

Dizzy | May 22, 21:51 CET

I vote for Percy Daggs III (Wallace from Veronica Mars) for Alex.
This is pretty exciting. Hope they can pull it off.

Wax Lion | May 22, 22:03 CET

I've actually only read the first run (heh) of Runaways, but it's hard not to see the movie potential there.

Agreeing with Dizzy that unknowns for the kids and an all-star cast for the parents would be pretty cool.

Lady Brick | May 22, 22:18 CET

Yeah Percy Daggs could play Alex, good call (he even looks a bit like him with the same sort of heart shaped face).

Saje, your mileage may vary and all that, but do you really consider crossovers/multi-title universes to be one of comics' biggest strengths ?

Nope, not really Kris. S'why I said "the idea that what we're seeing is just part of a larger, interconnected, persistent universe(s)." rather than "crossovers" ;).

Crossovers and cameos are just symptoms of what i'm talking about which is probably better thought of as something like "persistent continuity" - the options that come from having such a large narrative space to play in. Or in other words I agree with you completely (but only after you contradict yourself ;).

Saje | May 22, 22:23 CET

I love that idea!
Runaways would make a great movie.

BKV writes the script,Joss directs and we have a huge hit.

I do want to see a Y:The Last Man, but like someone pointed out, given its long and complicated story,it would work as a tv show too.

okelay | May 22, 22:31 CET

This should be interesting. I like Percy Daggs for Alex. :)

For Molly, I think someone should invest in the technology to regress Jewel Staite to the appropriate age. :)

swanjun | May 22, 22:36 CET

I really hope this goes through and goes through well. It'll be exciting to see a Marvel movie that's well done and has multi-racial and queer characters. Of course we all want the Boss involved!

JCapra | May 22, 22:43 CET

Oh hey! Percy Daggs as Alex--that could work.

Dizzy | May 22, 22:55 CET

I would say this is perfect material for Spielberg to direct. He has an instinct for blockbusters (latest film notwithstanding) and is one of the few directors who can get good performances out of children. Also is completely different to anything he's done and thats usually when Spielberg is at his best.

Failing that Alfonso Cuaron has proven that he can make films that are child friendly and entertaining with depth (Harry Potter, Little Princess) and deal with complex teenage issues (Y Tu Mama Tambien). I'm sorry but I don't see Joss Whedon directing this, his stint on Runaways is a bit subpar in all honesty.

As long as they don't cast Shia 'I have to appear in every film ever' LaBeouf, I'm happy.

[ edited by Dave B on 2008-05-22 19:59 ]

Dave B | May 22, 22:57 CET

Chris Lowell would've made a good Chase, but I reckon he's too old now.

swanjun | May 22, 23:05 CET

I'm with Dave B on Shia; I'm with everyone who said no Dakota Fanning.
But what about that girl, Dakota Blue Richards, who was Lyra in The Golden Compass? I was pretty impressed by the kid.
Oh, now I really, really want the kid who was in Love Actually to be someone. Maybe Chase? He's actually the *right* age, so he might be too young.

I disagree about Alfonso Cuaron directing it. I absolutely hated what he did to Harry Potter 3. 'Twas abysmal. Too stylistic, if you ask me. I like more straightforward directing with a subtle style, a'la' Joss or Spielberg. I think that Chris Colombus, on the other hand, is too squeaky-clean.
...Oh, dear God, please not Tim Burton.

BandofBuggered | May 22, 23:09 CET

Yeah!! Molly is definitely a mini-Kaylee!

...

Who said Dakota Blue Richards... yeah, maybe.

And Percy Daggs really could work.

What about Blabe Lively for Karolina? No one agrees?

[ edited by maxsummers on 2008-05-22 20:16 ]

maxsummers | May 22, 23:13 CET

I agree with Percy Daggs as Alex.

patxshand | May 22, 23:19 CET

I always thought Runaways would make a good TV series or film, so this is awesome news. Can't wait to see it.

electricspacegirl | May 22, 23:22 CET

Abigail Breslin would work well for Molly. I would suggest Mia Wasikowska for Karolina. Well, I would suggest Mia Wasikowska for just about anything, but still. She'd be perfect.

Dana5140 | May 22, 23:26 CET

Ooh! I'm on board with Abigail Breslin. Although, then I would be singing "Superfreak" on my way to and from the theater.

I think that Blake Lively *might* be good, but I can't really see her in a superhero-type role. There's just a really trendy, "normal" beautiful girl vibe to her. I just don't see it fitting.

BandofBuggered | May 22, 23:36 CET

I could totally see Molly as played by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), and I think they would have no trouble finding some amazing young actors and actresses to fill this cast! Oh I see Dana5140 and BandoBuggered have already hit on Abigail.

[ edited by embers on 2008-05-22 20:53 ]

embers | May 22, 23:51 CET

I actually thought of Abigail Breslin for Molly... but while I love her, I don't think she's quite right. She could pull it off, I'm sure, but I'm more onboard with a young Jewel type.

Dizzy | May 23, 00:01 CET

Abigail Breslin's a great idea, but I think she might be too old by the time this gets going. It's usually easier for a 20-something to play a teen than for a 15-yr-old to play an 11 yr-old.

jcs | May 23, 00:17 CET

Too bad it's not 10 years ago...MT could have done this instead of Harriet the Spy (which I enjoyed as a 10 year-old).
...On the other hand, 10 years ago, they might have considered the Olsen twins, as well.

I hope they don't give the role to Dakota Fanning's lil' sis. Won't she be the right age?
Abigail Breslin might be one of those people who stays young-looking longer. Maybe she can do that for us. We's good people!

All this speculation is probably moot, though. As stated earlier (I'm too lazy to credit whoever said it), it's probably going to result in a worldwide search for the perfect kid.

BandofBuggered | May 23, 00:46 CET

Speculation, moot? Never!

jcs | May 23, 00:57 CET

We need this casting speculation. Think of all we lost when Wonder Woman was taken away. ;)

Dizzy | May 23, 01:13 CET

Okay, so maybe this speculation is entirely pointy.

Yeah, Wonder Woman was a sad loss. I still set aside at least a few minutes in my week to weep.
Oh goodness, I think the melodrama has gone too far. Especially since the weeping is usually caused by the final 10 minutes of Ghost Whisperer.

Okay, what about the kid who was just in Sweeney Todd? He will be old enough by then, right? Why am I so obsessed with adorable little children with adorable British accents?

Since we're voting on people we really, really don't want, I wish to add to my list already consisting of the Fanning progeny, the Olsen twins, Tim Burton, and Alfonso Cuaron...Please, please, please don't use the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, or any other child from either the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon.

BandofBuggered | May 23, 01:47 CET

I thought that too Dana5140! Well actually I thought, what talented young actors are there out there? And, because 'In Treatment' has been my new obsession of late (God how I love HBO) I immediately thought of Mia. Then I had to figure out what role she would play, and Karolina fit!

Any ideas for Gert? Difficult part to cast - it would be really easy to play badly. If we had a time machine, a Ghost World-esque Thora Birch would be awesome...

Whose working on the time machine?!

Gil-Martin | May 23, 03:04 CET

Agreed, BoB. Harry Potter 3 was hailed by critics as the best Harry Potter movie yet, but I feel the movie just never got enough room to breathe and be itself. It felt like it zapped the sheer fun and sense of joy out of the source material, in some misguided attemt to make it 'darker'. Also: the original scene-switches (focuss on a butterfly as it flies over the grounds, etc.) felt out of place and the decission to keep out the great original theme was misguided at least.

That's not to say I don't like Cuarón. His 'Children of Men' was pure, brilliant, movie gold (with some of the best scènes I've ever seen, incredible, mind-blowing one-take shots and an amazingly realised, believable future world). It's still my favorite movie of the past few years - but his style simply did not work on Potter. At all. So it probably won't work on something like Runaways either.

Fortunately, Mike Newell then came around and delivered a movie that was both fun and intense and dark to show the world that it could be done. Don't think they'll make a better Potter-movie any time soon.

So... what's this Newell guy doing these days? ;)

GVH | May 23, 04:37 CET

You're all heretics - HP 3 was frickin' frackin' wonderful. It was the only HP film so far to be as magical as the source material. The others were, IMHO, coloring-by-numbers. Cuaron actually had a vision and it was beautiful. (Not to say that the script couldn't have been improved and so on, but I do love that movie.)

SoddingNancyTribe | May 23, 06:32 CET

See, I would pick Abigail Breslin for Gert before any of the other girls, but not even that much for her. I feel like all the good kid movies recently have been really british. Not actually a problem though.

Who wants to see our favorite operative playing Mr. Wilder? Mostly just cause I love him in everything and want to see more of his action movie and funny sides.

What about some of the Sky High kids? I could see Kelly Vitz as a Nico.

[ edited by JCapra on 2008-05-23 06:34 ]

[ edited by JCapra on 2008-05-23 06:35 ]

JCapra | May 23, 09:28 CET

My favorite young actress right now is Disney's Selena Gomez, currently on The Wizards of Waverley Place where she clearly outshines the rest of the cast. She's 15 right now, seems she'd be the perfect age for this movie -- if she can get out from under Disney's thumb. (She was also my choice for Goners' Mia. Ah well.)

cabri | May 23, 09:59 CET

Heh, SNT, to each their own. Of course, you have the international movie press on your side, so maybe we really are heretics ;).



Agreed for the first two movies (although, the first time we see the main hall: movie gold) ánd for the final one, which was fine, but nothing special. I, however, feel that Newell hit the exact right tone in HP4. It was the only movie that switched from drama, to action, to romance, to laugh-out-loud-funny moments in the same way the books do and convinced in all of them. And I do love my genre mash-ups.

GVH | May 23, 14:17 CET

I think Alfonso Cuarón would be good for this kind of project.
PoA is still my fave HP movie.OotP is the second. GoF I dindn't particularly like. except for the Barty Crouch scenes. I do enjoy Mike Newell's comedies. but the movie I found just ok. though the book isn't my fave either so I'm biased.
I know the story in PoA is very confusing, but I still think that it is a great movie. And so is Little Princes and Y tu Mama tambien. I haven't seen Children of Men yet, but I'm sure it's good.

I wouldn't like Spielberg.He'd change it too much. Sure,he could turn it into a blockbuster. but look at War of the Worlds. well done and all but incredibly boring. it has no spirit, no essence.

That's the last thing I'd want for Runaways.

Casting.Percy Daggs? Absolutely. How about Ellen Page as Gertrude? She'd have to put on some weight and be dressed up but I think she could pull it off. This need some thinking. but I love imaginary castings.

okelay | May 24, 00:37 CET

If Joss directed Runaways, he would still be "playing with other people's toys", but some of the later models from this toy series were crafted by him. :)

Plus while I imagine this will get a decent budget, I don't think that Runaways would end up being a huge tentpole movie for Marvel, meaning Marvel are more likely to give Joss leeway to do his own thing with Brian (who's not just writing but is also co-producer). Plus as Joss already has a good working relationship with Marvel, it would likely be quite different from working with one of the major studios.

Also just to clarify what's happening with Marvel Studios, any of the existing characters such as X-men, Spider-Man or Fantastic Four unfortunately won't be appearing in the new Marvel movies because other studios (Fox and Sony in this case) hold onto the movie rights to those characters. Iron Man is the first movie that Marvel Studios independently funded, with the Incredibly Hulk being the second movie. Universal gave up the rights the Hulk after the last one in 2003 did so poorly at the box office and so Marvel got the rights back, although Universal is still distributing the movie. So these and future movies will be produced completely by Marvel and so characters from one movie can have cameos or guest roles in other Marvel controlled movies.

Matt_Fabb | May 24, 17:44 CET

Looks like the URL has changed - here's the new correct link. Apparently it's the result of a site redesign.

Tada!

ShamelessSingingRennie | May 27, 09:13 CET

Thanks Rennie - changed the link to match the new address.

Can't believe no one noticed/mentioned my Chicken Run reference at the top of the thread . . .

SoddingNancyTribe | May 27, 09:41 CET

I totally agree, and I when I said I was worried about it being left out I didn't mean that I wanted a huge deal to be made of it, I love the fact that it is just matter-of-fact within the comics. However because it is just matter of fact gives more reason for them to just casually discard it. It would be a major issue for me if they were to change it.

Also, love the suggestion of Ellen Page (although she has already been included in Marvel movies). However I am not sure whether physically she actually would fit any of the roles.

Kaytiana | May 28, 00:27 CET

I haven't read all of this, but I would just like to throw out that I have always thought Runaways should be a television show, not a movie.

nathanieletc | May 28, 17:41 CET

Percy Daggs as of five years ago for Alex. But he's too old now. Get out the time machine!

daylight | May 31, 00:30 CET