John Woo directing a new He-Man movie?? (1 Viewer)

[Sean Laughter]

Article at SuperHeroHype

It seems like there's a new John Woo rumour every month. Who knows if any of these are true or will pan out. Personally, I'm not adverse to another - hopefully better - He-Man flick, but I have to do the inevitable questioning of why? Is there really a demand for this thing, or is it a post-LOTR push kind of deal.

In any case, as generally mediocre as the first one was, it's still a favorite of my childhood and Frank Langella absolutely nailed the more sinister, and less camply Skeletor than the cartoon's portrayed. I actually would like to see him back.

 

[Shawn_KE]

Well HeMan had a new toyline come out along with a comic and some new cartoons. So I guess another movie is on the list.

Can't be any worse than the last movie.

 

[Kristian]

Yeah, and they all seem to involve popular 1980s properties (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Metroid, Spy Hunter, etc.). So far, none of these projects have materialized, so I wouldn't hold my breath for a He-Man movie.

 

[MarcusUdeh]

It most certainly could.:frowning:

 

[Travis Hedger]

I don't see how being worse could be possible.

 

[hanson mat]

I used to love HeMan as a kid~ lol.

 

[Kristian]

And just when it was starting to look like He-Man would actually happen (with rumors popping up about Nicolas Cage as Skeletor), here comes news of yet another John Woo project:

John Woo to direct "Le Cercle Rouge" remake

The article says that he's preparing to do Spy Hunter and will follow that up with The War of the Red Cliff before starting work on this movie. I think it's safe to say we won't be seeing a new He-Man movie anytime soon.

 

[DavidPla]

VERY positive script review for the upcoming Grayskull: The Masters of the Universe ...

Grayskull: Masters of the Universe Script Review - Movie News - Latest Movie Reviews and trailers

 

[Ruz-El]

I'd be curious to see this, just because I was hooked on the old cartoon in the 80's

As far as John Woo, I don't think he's made a great film since coming to America (FACE/OFF being the exception), and I can see some of these being production credits. There seems to be a lot of "John Woo Presents..." stuff that comes out. I have no idea what, if any, involvement he has with these.

 

[DavidPla]

I don't think Woo is involved anymore. Apparently though there's a big, big, big director they're pursuing for the project.

 

[TerryRL]

WB's new 'He-Man' movie now has a director...

WB, Joel Silver shaping He-Man film - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

WB, Joel Silver shaping He-Man film
John Stevenson to direct live action 'Masters'
By MICHAEL FLEMING

Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver set "Kung Fu Panda" co-director John Stevenson to make his live action directing debut on "Masters of the Universe," a re-imagining of the signature Mattel toy line.
He-Man is a brawny prince who transforms into a warrior who becomes the last hope for a magical land called Eternia, which is being ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor.

Silver is producing through his Silver Pictures banner. Mattel's Barry Waldo will be executive producer.

WB acquired the property in 2007, and Justin Marks wrote the first draft of the script based on a story he developed with Neil Ellice. .

The Mattel property became iconic by way of the 1980s cartoon series "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe," and the property was previously turned into a campy flop by Cannon Films in 1987, with Dolph Lungdren as He-Man and "Frost/Nixon" star Frank Langella as the villainous Skeletor.

The film project is a big priority for Mattel, which licenses a high-end line of He-Man toys that are popular with hardcore collectors. Hollywood has become a magnet for branded toy-line properties, as DreamWorks and Paramount ready a June 26 release for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and Paramount preps for an Aug. 7 release on "G.I. Joe," both of which began as toy lines that became hit animated series.

Stevenson said the first film came to mind when he was asked to consider the job, and the impression wasn't a good one. He changed his mind when he went to Mattel headquarters and was shown into a secret lair that contained the visuals created by the toymaker staff.

"There was this locked bunker that you had to be escorted into," Stevenson said. "It was filled with art, some generated by the Mattel artists, and I looked around, and said, 'I get it.' We started formulating a specific vision for costumes, creatures, architecture, and the creation of a mythology and look for a whole world we'll create."

Waldo said that Stevenson's vision to elevate the material matched with Mattel's desire to see He-Man become a big studio film. Mattel has also brought its "Hot Wheels" film to WB and Silver.

"John had such passion that we found ourselves trying to running to catch up with his vision," Waldo said.

Stevenson has also worked on "Shrek" and "Shrek 2," "Madagascar," and "James and the Giant Peach," and began his career working for Jim Henson on projects that included "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth."

CAA reps Stevenson and Mattel.

 

[Steve_Tk]

I was hoping John Woo had been run out of the business.

 

[Ron-P]

No kidding, he is by far one of the worst directors...ever. Glad he's not doing this film.