Making Movies: Cage

[Local Hero]

Please use this thread for discussions related to the Marvel franchise movie Cage.

[Local Hero]

Reported: 23 March 2004
Source: ComicsContinuum


John Singleton, director of the Luke Cage movie, told The Continuum that an announcement regarding the lead actor should be made soon.

"I got a couple of people in mind, but it's premature to say," Singleton told The Continuum after the Spider-Man 2 panel last weekend at Wizard World Los Angeles. "It's going to be announced in probably a week or so who's going to be Cage."

The film is set up at Sony, where Singleton and Marvel Studios; Avi Arad first worked to develop the character some nine years ago.

The script is written by Ben Ramsey.

"It's dope. It's dope," Singleton said. "We're working on a new draft and we should be casting really soon."

Singleton told The Continuum the villain will be Diamondback, the original Hero for Hire comics villain who framed him and had him sent to prison.

"And I'm trying to get in some of the other characters, like Chemistro, and maybe the Wrecking Crew or some of the obscure Marvel villains," Singleton said.

Singleton confirmed that Cage will be using his trademark "Sweet Christmas" line in the film.

"When I read the script, I bust out laughing when he said that," Singleton said. "But he can't wear the yellow shirt and he can't have the chains -- I'm not having that. And it's not like the Richard Corben one, either. "I'm doing the movie for one reason, to have him break out of Seagate Prison with his bare hands," Singleton said, laughing.

Singleton said he hopes to get production started by late summer for a 2005 release.

"It's a fun movie. It's hip. It's so cool," Singleton said. "Imagine if 50 Cent got super-powers."

[GlennWalker]

I am so psyched. Ben Ramsey is one of the most gifted and talented screenwriters out there today.

Glenn Walker

[The Truth]

No no NOOOOOOOO!

Why are they doing this to me? I really want to see a Cage movie, I really really do, but not like this. Not Like Thiiissss. The first thing about this that really puts me off is the director saying "Its dope." That right there tells me this film, while it may indeed come out rather good, is going to go in the wrong direction. It sounds to much like it's going to have the Heroes for Hire Cage instead of the Marvel MAX Cage. And if you're going to do a movie about this character, basing it around the MAX version of him truely is the way to go.

I can understand he wants to do the prison break scene and use Diamondback and I'm all for that, but having him say "Sweet Christmas", classic line or not, just doesn't sit well with me. I'm getting the feeling this film is going to try a bit to hard to be funny, and I'm not saying that's a bad thing or that it(the film) won't be good, but I'd much rather not see Cage in a comedic light.

It just doesn't suit the spirit of the character.

In my opinion at any rate.

[GlennWalker]

I have faith. Singleton and Ramsey are a dream team to do a Luke Cage film. They are among the best Hollywood can offer. They are, it should be noted from interviews I've seen, huge fans of the 1970s Power Man series. And as for "It's dope," well... unfortunately that's the way John Singleton talks. ;-)

Glenn Walker

[The Truth]

But that's just it. I don't want to see "Power Man"....I wanna see Cage. Skullcap wearing, gold teeth sportin', name on the chain havin' Cage. And like I said...its not that I doubt they can put forth a quality movie, I'm just concerned they'll put forth the wrong incarnation of a potentially great character.

[GlennWalker]

Wish I could comment fairly but I can't. Never read the Max version.

Glenn Walker

[Local Hero]

I think this little tidbit is gonna have Truth calling for some brothers to get medieval on someone's nether regions...

First Script Review - Warning Possible Spoilers

[The Truth]

Arrrgh! He's trying to mix the two!! You can't mix Powerman with MAX Cage! You just can't!

The basic story set-up is all fine and good. I have no problem with the way the story is set up or even with the way he's trying to portray the story itself. My problem remains with the way I think the character's going to end up coming across. And now that I've read that part about his "cosutme".....eck.

Here's to hoping there's a rewrite of his costume design sometime soon.

[Local Hero]

Yup, I agree about the costume, although it might be nod to the origins of the character if say after he broke out of prison the only clothes he could find in his size were blue jeans and a yellow shirt. I think I could live with that. (and let's face it, it's always nice when the movie makers throw in these tidbits for fans ) he could then find something more suitable when he gets himself settled.

[SLVRSR4]

Believe me, Truth, if there is anyone out there that feels your pain, it is me. The two Versions are mutually exclusive. They are apples and oranges in my eyes. I have been a Luke Cage fan for quite some time now. I have read both versions of the character, and though their is a special place in my heart for the original "SWEET CHRISTMAS" version, the MAX Cage has much more potential to be a MOVIE character in todays movies. The only place the old Yellow Shirt Cage would have had in a movie would have been in a Marvel movie made about 15 years ago, and as we all know, those movies sucked.

Not to anger you further, but I've also heard RUMORS of a possible lead actor. Brace yourself and prepare to cringe when I say that Vin Diesel WANTS to play Cage. Now, I've gotten into this argument with some people on a different site, but VIN DIESEL ISN'T EVEN BLACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Their argument was that he had SOME black background to him, but I quickly countered with "HE CANNOT BE JUST PARTLY BLACK. WE NEED ALL OR NOTHING FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHARACTER." I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that would be good for the role, but HE ISN'T IT! alright, I think I'm done ranting now.