by The Matt
Daredevil
Number of Film-Adaptation Attempts Thus Far: 1 (2?)
The number of attempts made to bring Marvel’s blind lawyer to audiences not used to frequenting comic book stores depends on your point of view. Sure, most people are aware of Ben Affleck’s 2003 turn as the titular character, but fewer might remember a little-known 1989 television movie titled The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk, which was a continuation of the beloved 1970s Bill Bixby series.
Which still doesn’t explain why that guy is wearing my grandmother’s pantyhose over his head.
The less said about this version of DD, the better. Unfortunately scheduled to be released in the wake of the Spider-Man juggernaut, Affleck’s Daredevil had its budget pumped up a notch because comic book movies became, you know, profitable and stuff. Sadly, no amount of money could save a movie hampered by a script cobbled together with bits and pieces of Daredevil’s greatest hits. The movie was burdened with way too many characters gathered from DD’s nearly 40-year history including his arch-nemesis, The Kingpin; his top adversary, Bullseye; his long-time love, Elektra and mashes all of these disparate elements together hoping to get something watchable out of it. It failed miserably.
Well, almost…
Outlook For The Future: Positive
The period when Marvel used to rent out its properties to any studio willing to churn out a flick is long gone. With the success of the Marvel cinematic universe (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Avengers) under its belt, Marvel has begun to reclaim its franchises. Fox, which brought us the Affleck movie, once considered rebooting the franchise with director Joe Carnahan at the helm. Carnahan even went as far as producing a two-minute sizzle reel showcasing a more 70s, hard-boiled take on the red-suited superhero, which failed to get the project off the ground.
Fox is now ready to let the rights revert the Marvel. Considering Marvel’s successes in adapting their own properties, this can only be a good thing.
Your faithful gamma-irradiated reviewer,
TheMatt!
And don’t forget to check out Dredd 3D, opening on September 21!
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