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HOW TO MAKE THE NEW PUNISHER MOVIE A SUCCESS |
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With Marvel Studios announcing they have retained the rights to The Punisher film franchise, many have openly asked: Just how will Marvel be able to create a successful Punisher movie after 3 failed attempts?
Yet just as Stan Lee would say, “Fear not true believers!” Listed below are the elements and the personnel needed to make a film deserving of The Punisher’s story.
Enjoy! |
THE TONE, THE STORY, THE VIOLENCE |
All three Punisher films were undone by varied faults in its approach to the story of Frank Castle’s war against crime.
The 1989 original starred a visually perfect Dolph Lundgren, but was marred by wooden performances, and a tacky quality in its set design and choreography.
A 2004 reboot saw Thomas Jane dye his hair black and deliver a memorable turn as a man whose grief is outdone by his penchant for violence, yet cartoonish side characters and a move from the characters natural inhabitant of New York City to Miami took away the gritty feel it was supposed to exude.
Finally came Punisher: War Zone, which starred a perfectly cast Ray Stevenson, whose performance was undercut by terrible villainous turns by Dominic West and Dough Hutchison, and laughable over the top violence that couldn’t decide whether it wanted to shock or annoy its audience.
With Marvel calling the shots, the factors must come into consideration if they want one of their token characters to succeed on the big screen:
- The movie has to be set in New York City. After all, Central Park is the place where Castle’s family is slain by the mob, and where else to declare war on crime then in the “City That Never Sleeps”, the urban jungle of NYC?
- If it is an origin story, time needs to be spent on Castle and his family. They need to show him as a family man, who loves his wives his kids. In short, the audience needs to feel for his lose and share his anger.
- Castle’s Catholicism must come into play. Not only will it provide an interesting contradiction in the two philosophies in which the character adheres to, but in the mention of Castle’s studying as a Catholic priest in his pre-Marines year, it will provide good character development that will make this vigilante stand out from the crowd.
- The violence needs to be brutal and realistic, but not in the overtly gratuitous manner which War Zone employed. Since it is a comic book movie, some room for the fantastical can be allotted, yet not at the expense of the films tone.
- Finally, The Punisher needs to couple the emotional with the engrossing. The best revenge pictures are those which managed to entertain while holding a strong emotional core. Uma Thurman reeked vengeance with much style in Kill Bill, yet never wavering was the loss of her unborn daughter. Stallone tore a police force a part in First Blood, but it was his devastating monologue at the films conclusion that will always be remembered.
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CASTING THE PUNISHER |
Three actors have delivered three different portrayals of Frank Castle. Who will be next? Here are some suggestions:
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is no stranger to gun totting comic book characters. Watchmen saw him in nutter vigilante mode as The Comedian, while in The Losers he played the leader of a Special Forces team at war with the CIA. His ability to brood, mixed with deft action chops, and eyes that can play dead to the world, will lend themselves exceptionally to a portrayal of Frank Castle.
Assuming he is not cast as Clark Kent / Superman in The Man of Steel, the star of TVs Mad Men Jon Hamm could lend his considerable talents to a role which would tap into his dark side and see him delve into the action genre with a bang. Hamm’s dark features, chiselled jaw, and powerful frame suits the part perfectly.
The star of OZ and Law & Order: SVU has played ex-Marines who suffer from Catholic guilt before. What Chris Meloni hasn’t done is find that big screen role which could properly utilise his powerful physical presence and emotional range, qualities that would make his Punisher ideal.
Punisher: War Zone was a God-awful movie. However, Ray Stevenson played one hell of a Frank Castle, deserving of another shot in the Punisher garb. Stevenson expressed his desire to have another go as The Punisher, and if utilised correctly it could be that one shot to put him in the big time.
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THE FILMMAKERS |
WRITTEN BY
GARTH ENNIS
DIRECTED BY
NEIL MARSHALL
Many point to Garth Ennis’ take on Frank Castle through the Punisher: MAX comic book series is seen as a highlight, so why not enlist his services as a screenwriter? Pairing up nicely with him would be English filmmaker Neil Marshall, whose ability to make tension filled, bloody entertainers is right up Punisher's alley.
SCENARIO #2: THE FRENCH CONNECTION |
WRITTEN BY
LUC BESSON & ROBERT MARK KAMEN
DIRECTED BY
PIERRE MOREL
The grouping of Besson / Kaman / Morel took the revenge thriller to exciting new heights in Taken. Bring that same emotion and intensity to The Punisher, and a winner of a comic book movie could be achieved.
SCENARIO #3: SLY’S THE WORD |
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
SYLVESTER STALLONE
With Stallone leaning towards staying behind the lens full time, The Punisher would be the perfect post Expendables project for the action legend to lend his skills to. After all, the tale of an ex-Vet who dispenses revenge upon an unsuspecting enemy is something of a specialty for Stallone. Rumours were abound that he was working on a remake of Death Wish. Perhaps this vigilante tale would be better suited.
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