DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Welcome everyone to the second instalment of DC World Director’s Chair. This time it’s DC World writer James Stone in the hot seat and he will be telling us about his love for all things DC and his Cinema experiences.
Before we get started if you would like to be involved and have a go then please get in touch with me on Twitter and send a message to @thefilmbloke. I look forward to hearing from you.
It’s always better to see a film on the big screen, how often do you get to the cinema and what is your snack of choice?
Nowhere near as much as I would like because you’re right, you can’t beat the big screen experience, especially now my local has recliner seats. On average I probably go every 2-3 weeks. A big drink of Coke and peanut m&ms are my favourite.
Outside of Comic Book films what other films and franchises do you love?
In terms of franchises Terminator, Aliens, Fast and Furious, Star Wars and Star Trek. I also love comedy movies, the Kevin Smith View Askewniverse, most movies with Seth Rogan, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart.
It’s fair to say that critics weren’t blown away by Justice League but since then the likes of Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Shazam have all helped to get the DCEU back on track. What are your thoughts on the DCEU so far?
When Zak Snyder left and we had the trouble with Justice League I was very concerned with how the DCEU would pan out considering a huge amount of it was based around Snyders vision. Let’s not forget he gave us Jason Mamoa as Aquaman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. I have been pleasantly surprised to see each DC movie carve out its own identity and not need to be tied to ongoing movie continuity. There was a period of almost trying to copy the Marvel universe but I think Walter Hamada and the echelons of Warner Bros made the right decision in promoting film maker lead movies rather strict formula based episodes.
Have you seen Birds of Prey and if so what did you think of it?
I absolutely loved it and I really didn’t think I would. The marketing was a mess for this movie as I went into it really unsure what to expect, but not in a good way. I liked Harley Quinn in Suicide squad, but only in small doses so was worried how she would be as the lead. I am pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised at how funny, entertaining and graphic it was.
With Wonder Woman 84, Suicide Squad 2, The Batman and possibly the Flash movie all in the works how excited are you for the future of DC cinema?
I think the last time I was this excited for a line up of DC films was prior to the Nolan trilogy. WW84 trailer looks class and anything set in the 80’s with a banging soundtrack is on to a winner with me. James Gunn is a writer/director I have admired since Slither and Guardians of the Galaxy 1&2 are in my top 3 Marvel movies of all time. I can’t wait to see what he delivers. Batman is my main man so I will always be excited for a Batman movie but I know Robert Pattinson will prove doubters wrong and Matt Reeves proved with the Planet of the Apes he can create big epic stories with plenty of spectacle.
Henry Cavill’s Superman almost seems to be the forgotten man of DC. The fans definitely want him back. What are your thoughts on a Man of Steel 2?
I’m indifferent towards Superman movies. I would always pick a Superman comic over a movie, but I’m the opposite with Batman. It’s inevitable we will get another Superman movie at some point, but I don’t think it will be Man of Steel 2 unfortunately. However I can’t think of anyone else I would rather see in the red and blue than Henry Cavill, so. Fingers crossed it does happen.
A simple one now… Keaton, Bale or Affleck and why?
For me its Affleck and for the simple reason he gave me the best representation of Batman from the comics. Dark Knight Returns was the book which hooked me on comic books when I was younger. My favourite Batman artist is the British artist Jock and with both Jock and Frank Millar they depict Bruce Wayne/Batman as this huge, bulk of a man who you believe can overpower any adversary. Ben Affleck is the only portrayal on screen that comes close to matching that presence and that’s why he is my favourite. Just read Batman Black Mirror and tell me that’s not Affleck.
Now it’s time to take your seat in the Directors Chair…
Warner Brothers approach you with a huge budget of $300million to make a film that fits in with Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Shazam but which DC character are you making your movie about and how will the film play out?
There are so many movies you could make but not many that would require that size budget. A $300 million movie would need a big name in the title so I would to go with a new Justice League movie. But, I would probably go to space and finally introduce Darkseid to the DC universe with a Justice League Odyssey movie. A part Darkseid origin story and the beginning of his desire for the anti-life equation. I think my JLO line up would be Cyborg, Jessica Cruz Green Lantern, Starfire and Orion.
Of course your film is a huge success and WB want more, only this time it’s a much lower budget and they want a film that will fit easily in to the world of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. Which Hero or Villains are you going for and what happens?
You could make a great Constantine movie on a low budget. Go into the dark, gritty, graphic and scary underbelly of the underworld and I think an adaption of the Hell blazer series Hard Times from Brian Azzarello would make an incredible movie. John Constantine is sent to prison and to survive has to work his way through the American prison system but as with all Constantine stories not all is what it seems. This is a very dark, graphic story with some social and racial elements that would raise a few eyebrows in today’s world.
Your second film cleans up at awards season and now Marvel want to be involved and they offer you any of their characters to put in a DC film. Who are you bringing over and what team up or face off would we see with our DC favourites?
I would go back to my original movie and make Justice League Odyssey 2 with the introduction of the Silver Surfer and Galactus along the story line of Darkseid vs Galactus The Hunger. This story sees Galactus tries to devour Apokolips and Darkseid tries to defend it. Silver Surfer would team up with JLO in stopping them both.
