Comic Book Characters Reign at the Box Office
At least six major motion pictures based on comic book heroes will be released in the next two years as more and more Hollywood looks to comic books for storylines.
"The Fantastic Four," starring Jessica Alba, Joan Gruffudd, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis and Julian McMahon, will hit theatres near the July 4th weekend. The story revolves around four astronauts who develop special powers after exposure to radiation while in space.
Twentieth Century Fox plans to release "X-men 3" in the summer of 2006. Hugh Jackman, Ian Mckellan and Patrick Stewart have agreed to return. There is no word as to whether Halle Berry will reprise her role. The storyline has yet to be released.
"Spider-Man 3" is due in theatres May 2007. Thomas Haden Church, nominated for and Academy Award Best Supporting Actor in "Sideways," is set to play Spider-Man's arch foe Sandman.
An untitled Superman movie, starring 25-year-old newcomer Brandon Routh, is scheduled for release in the summer of 2006. Both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety have run stories suggesting "Blue Crush" star Kate Bosworth will play Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey will play Lex Luthor.
Lastly, Warner Brothers is working on "Wonder Woman" for a 2007 release. According the Britain's Daily Star, Sarah Michelle Geller is the top choice to play the Amazon princess.