With the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con looming, there has been a string of releases of photos and images of concept art related to some upcoming and highly anticipated films. There will always be some percentage of fans who don’t like the direction chosen for a movie version of the costume of their favorite comic book superhero, but lately there’s been some higher than average backlash.
Recently released set and promotional pictures for Thor have generated seemingly higher percentages of negative than positive comments. Among the response have been those that say the outfits look “cheesy,” much hatred for the leather pants, mocking of Anthony Hopkins “golden eyepatch,” suits looking to much like plastic, etc.
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Then we had the image of Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern that appeared on the cover of Entertainment Weekly… On that one we had plenty of knee-jerk reactions (admittedly, at first, even from yours truly). My first thought was that he looked like he came from the “Bodies” exhibit that’s traveling the country. There were also references to Gray’s Anatomy and (not sure where this one came from) that he looks like a giant green penis (folks have some, uh, vivid imaginations I guess).
Here’s the thing – you can’t judge how a costume will come a across in a film based on promotional still images. Promotional pictures are lit and shot for presentation that is very different from that for film. Promo pics are usually brightly lit, clean, and crisp. Sometimes they’re shot in a photo studio and not on set, and even for those shot on set, the lighting and visual effects aren’t as they will be in the final film, nor do we have the benefit of any context for the images we’re looking at.
Now that’s not to say that there haven’t been instances of costumes that look terrible in the final product, but to jump the gun and state that a movie will be terrible because costumes don’t look great in a promo pic is a bit silly.
When the concept art for both Thor and Captain America surfaced, there were immediate complaints about both (albeit far fewer for Cap’s movie costume). Some people thought that Cap’s costume looked too “bright” for the battlefield.
Yesterday some concept art banners were released for both films, which you can see here:
Here’s a close up of that Captain America costume (granted this isn’t a scene from the movie, but it’s a much more movie-like representation of it in action):
So does that still look like it’s not a fit for the battlefield? Again, here’s a comparison of the “squeaky clean” concept art and a look at it more as it will appear in the film:
Here’s a closer look at Loki and Thor fighting it out from the recent banner concept art:
Does a good (or bad) pre-movie look at a costume = a good (or bad) movie? I don’t think you can make a definitive correlation – but I would certainly wait until at least seeing your favorite superhero’s costume being worn by the actor playing him in action (at least in a trailer) before making any judgments.
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Good article and good points. I remember being on edge with the GI Joe uniforms but the only one I was concerned with was Snake Eyes and they pulled it off rather well I thought. As for the GL, I stated earlier that I think it is pretty sweet. It’s a good look and not concerned there is not any black. Again looks like the Ion version which I love. Captain America…perfect Ultimate look from the Avengers animated flick. It fits the time period and that’s what it going to matter for now. The new suit I am sure will come in the Avengers movie after they thaw him out of ice. As for Thor, well bueno. I like the look. Personally, of all the Thor looks, I am a fan of the Ultimate look with the sleeveless armor tank. It took me a little bit to get used to the Thor look in Hulk VS. Thor.
Overall, the costumes have me super syked and I think the movies are going to be beyond well done and I think we have Iron Man and Dark Knight to thank for that.
LOL He does look like a big throbbing love muscle!
Besides that at least Capt’s and Thors costumes look like the books.
GL does not! not even close, it looks more like a detachable side kick for the hulk “Say hello to My little green friend” Or more like “Hulk Penis Smash”
The Gl’s suit is supposed to be a suit not exposed musculature!
hey a fellow Dresden fan wassup
Has anyone seen this..I hadn’t
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=media&img=27785&id=thor.htm
I should have read the other post first!! YIKES!!
Regardless of what you think of any promotional images, the idea that you SHOULDN’T judge them is utterly ridiculous. A movie company releases a set photo/concept art/photoshopped whatever, am I supposed to look at that as if it’s something that could radically change by the time the movie’s released? I refuse to curb my opinion on something under that presumption. The pictures are out there, we should all assume they’re either finalized or being put out specifically to gauge fan reaction.
That said, I love the Captain America costume, I’m not fond of the Green Lantern one, and I think Thor’s outfit is completely half-assed. BUT, this doesn’t diminish my eagerness to see all 3 movies.
Geof,
Have you ever been on a movie or TV set? You’d be amazed out how cheesy and “plastic” things look when you’re actually looking at them live. I think often times photos convey this look and don’t give a sense of how things will look in the finished film.
Vic
Unless Shumacher is attached, I think we can relax a bit.
Amen
Shumacher definitely fouled Batman to a degree only Liberace could appreciate…
His gay flamboyance is what killed the Batman franchise pre Nolan.
Teets? That’s so freaken west hollywood,,,
Ahhh that’s his name! I mangled my previous thought earlier somewhere in this thread when I said as long as the costumers arent Burtonesque I’ll deal with it……..I meant Shumacherized! That’s the guy. Now how could I possibly get those two confused?
a lot of people call him shoemaker for some reason lol
A promotional picture is used to sell a movie to the public.THAT BEING SAID WHY DO THEY ALWAYS CHANGE THE HEROES SUIT,THE STANDARD ANSWER IS ,WE HAD TO INTERPATE AND PUT OUR SPIN ON IT TO MAKE IT REALISTIC.SORRY AS A WHOLE THEY ALWAYS SCREW IT UP,WHERE IS THORS HELMET?AND I SAID IT BEFORE CAP LOOKS STUPID .WHAT HAPPENE TO MY WINGS ? I WANT MY WINGS!
Wings.NO WAY!!! ..I love the new costume.But wings? Looks so Mickey mouse campy..Wings would make him look like total Ass clown !
Looks like Micky mouse???? Oh c’mon. If theres word about Capt. having two different costumes in his solo film, why not have one be the traditional one with wings on the mask? Having Captain America without the wings would be like Superman without his cape or Batman as seen on Batman Beyond with no cape. Ive seen the 90′s film and the wings looked ok in that film so im sure they could make the wings look good in this film aswell. I hope they dont give him a gun like in the comics now, thats not the Captain America i grew up with and wanna see on film, especially in a team up film.
I agree with Vic, the images that we are seeing are just promo and pre-production stuff. Yes we can have an opinion of it but should that make us want to see the movie or not? No, BECAUSE it’s just the promo stuff. As I believe, just wait till we see a trailer or a full on 5 minute clip. After all Christopher Nolan hardly released ANY image of Heath Ledger as Joker before Dark Knight was released and look how well that turned out. Just keep calm people and wait! I believe we will get the good stuff when they’re ready to give it!
I wasn’t really interested in Thor but from what I’ve seen so far it looks pretty good.
The casting choices look terrific!
Lol,,, IntelliQ,,,
One’s a screaming flamer and the other is married to the Red Queen,,,
^
Go team Burton!
^
Damn he pays the hetro price every day with that chick from Fight Club,,,
I think the unfair critical behavior is just a characteristic of the times we live in. Everyone is stressed and on edge, one way or another. So to feel better, or simply to vent unspecified rage, people just lash out at anything that’s convenient. Posting snarky and insulting comments online is super easy. There’s really very little thought in the process, and it’s especially tempting since there are no consequences for lashing out.
Ever wonder why movie makers don’t seem to take “fan” comments seriously? That’s why.
Caps costume looks a bit like farmer Browns overalls recycled. Still there’s something pleasing about them. Funky red suspenders. Booyah!
I think the suspenders are deceiving some to think they’re not functional. They look like they’re suppose to allow a person to easily buckle equipment to. Perhaps even make it easier to doff a parachute once he hits the ground which, since he has mega-strength, he would hit the ground running, pull a cord and the chute would drop off the suit. I think some stuff is also being attempted to bring the “rule of cool,” lord I hate that, to bear on the whole enterprise to amp up the excitement. Cap is still a pretty ordinary superhero compared to Iron Man, Thor, or Hulk. They need to establish very quickly that despite this guy just looking a little different, he’s extraordinary beyond looks. Seeing that many dislike the method of “exposition,” show don’t tell, they are attempting to do that. It needs to be done very quickly, you only have maybe 120 minutes to tell the whole story, so expect surprises. If I was doing it Evans would probably hate me by the end of the shoot, because every move he makes would be choreographed. No wasted movement. A super soldier has no indecision his movements are always fluid, his thinking is unconflicted. His confidence, while cool is unwavering. That has to be put on screen, expect situations to showcase it. Tank in his way? Cap doesn’t hesitate to figure out how to take it out, he’s steps ahead of you or me. He just does it as the Nike commercials always tell us. I can imagine him using that line. Scene: A Lieutenant and Sargent are arguing how to take a position Cap comes up asks what’s the problem they lay it out for him, and they say well what do you do? He Say’s; Well, “You Just Do It.” Que the dramatic music. Then he just does something amazingly cool and takes the position. Platoon is bringing up the rear. Lieutenant and Sargent with s**t eating grins on their faces, one looks at the other and Say’s “Just Do IT!” I believe that’s the kind of movie it will be. It almost has to be…
I still think that the problem with these costumes is that what fans want to see represented in these films is an untarnished representation of the comic on screen. Don’t change it. Film the freaking comics. That simple.
A film adaptation is never going to be exactly like it is in the comics. You know why, the clue is in the word ‘adaptation’ similar to the word ‘interpretation’, this is a different vision from different people.
If you care so much about Thor not wearing a helmet, or GL’s suit not having enough black to green ratio, or Captain America’s helmet not having wings on the top, you need to go outside and have a serious word with yourselves.
Are these very small changes actually going to stop anyone from going to see these films? Not a snowballs chance in hell.
I will admit to not liking the Captain America costume, but I dont like the character so, you know. Thor looks cool, with regard to armour, it will matter what lighting effects are used on it for a start.
I love the GL costume, it stays true to the original while giving it a fresh update that will work well on screen.
Watchmen was PRETTY damn close
The only comic book movie to be exact was Sin City, the panels are quite literaly up there on the screen.
Watchmen was close and it suffered for it.
Your right “Watchmen” compromised very little. It’s what a hard core fan would expect. It had an ‘R’ rating pulled no punches on the adult material and critically has very little that could be said about its trueness to the source. By the same token, kids under 17 couldn’t get in to see it without a guardian. The characters aren’t well known. Allot of people were surely turned off by the ironic antihero behavior of the heroes and seriously dark tone of the story. Watchmen wasn’t fun or escapism. Watchmen was a reality check. This is what it’s really like to have these kinds of people in the world. Most regular folk don’t go for that, but despite all that its world wide cume was profitable. I think 25 years down the road, as today most of these movies will be made fun of as being less than ideal. “Watchmen” won’t be one of them.
For every dollar spent on production these are the ratios of payback.
Sin City 2.14 ratio rated R
Hellboy 1.50 ratio rated pg-13
Watchmen 1.42 ratio rated R
Superman 5.45 ratio rated PG
Hellboy is a good example of a lukewarm property. It was popular with its fan base it had the right rating to bring in the demographic and had a good balance of action, humor, serious tone, and romance. Just not enough people like it…
From memory 300 was also quite close to frame for frame and everyone liked that no?
I actually liked Watchmen, it could’ve arguably been better but I still enjoyed it as a movie.
i think the GL suit looks good except for the maks which could have been slightly longer(over the whole nose). i dont know wtf you guys are freaking out about, i mean would you prefer to see him in black and green tights yelling jimminy jelickers throughout the whole movie ?
its good that they took an organic approach to the suit, it will fit well along side nolan’s batman costume, if the chose to make a JLA movie.
thors suit looks somewhat decent and capt looks great.
guess the real verdict will come when we see trailers of the 3 movies.
meh… I never paid to watch the Xmen after the first. Part of the reasoning was the costumes. YES I expect you to run around in yellow spandex. At least once.
And where does it say in the movie titles that it is an adaptation/interpretation?
Bryan Singer
adapting
Marvels X-Men
by Fox
All we have to do is look at Ironman and to another degree Batman. At the very least these costumes in question now (GL, Thor, Cap) pay homage to what was.
Thats all I ask when it comes to the story, costume and “look” of the movie. Respect it. Some of the studios do not even do that an d or make a piss poor attmept at it… Dolph anyone?
Because if you are making someone elses material into a movie, wether it be a book or comic, it is always going to be that film makers interpretation of the original source material.
It was Bryan Singers X Men. And did you really want to see them in yellow spandex, do you think anyone other than the die hard fans would have expected that? X Men is a case in point, in many ways it is responsible for the abundance of super hero/ comic book adaptations we have now, if it hadnt appealed to the wider audience (who just would have laughed at the bright coloured costumes) then there might not be The Dark Knight or Iron Man.
Unless of course you stay true to the source material and or use it?
As for the spandex… I said at least once. Not for the whole film etc. However either way it would not have bothered me.
I dont go into these movies thinking oooo it could be “real”. I go into these movies to see the heroes I grew up with and still (occasionally) read today. If it works in the books why doesnt it work in film? Are you telling me that the proliferation of the comic character in cartoons, lunch boxes, underwear, hats, theme park rides etc all wearing their colored costumes would not have been expected?
While it did “work” I dont think it would have made a difference. I mean look at Magneto… He dressed almost (90% or better?) like his comic counterpart and was deserving of his own movie. It is all about the writing, directing, acting.
We accepted Spiderman and Superman in their original (bright colored) outfits/costumes. Why not everyone else?
Yes Bryan Singers vision of the Xmen started it all off but look at them now. Floundering around making no sense now to the die hard fans and quite a mockery to the wider audience.
Maybe if he didn’t use so much of what he thought the Xmen should be and did what they were it could have been so much more.
You said it ” It is all about the writing, directing, acting”
Are small costume discrepancies really worth complaining about?
As for staying true to the source material, well yeah thet should do that, but doesnt there have to be some creative leway for the film makers?
There are so many varations of all of these characters, both costumes and personality, it is very difficult to say which one is right or wrong.
Personally I have nothing against using colour for the characters, if Superman didnt have a bright blue and red costume it would be strange, but can you really picture what the X-Men would have looked like if they had been modelled on their comic counterparts-people just would have laughed and said there is no way I’m watching that sort of rubbish.
I also dont go into these movies hoping they will be realistic, thats one of the many reasons I’m not hugely fond of TDK because it took the realism too far and ceased being comic book like, it was just a noir thriller that happened to have Batman in it.
Singer just needs to stay away from comics and comic book movies, period
To some people I guess so. Especially when you combine it with other leeway’s the film makers take with the properties. For example as you pointed out with Batman.
Add to the fact of “Nolans Vision” of Batman with a major costume change (no his costume is not that far from the books) then what would have happened? What im saying is Batman looked like Batman Acted Like Batman and was portrayed as Batman. Everything else to include supporting characters etc were changed.
So I guess you could say it depends how much the film as dictated by whomever is in charge goes offtrack to include stuff like costumes, names, origins, demeanor etc.
I mean I was stoked when I saw the MK I. Then the unpainted MK IV (?). Had they not added the yellow and gold I would have still be happy with the movie as everything else still said Ironman within the movie within reason.
I think fudging with the costume is no big deal unless it is part of a complete fudging of the mythos. Like Singers Xmen. It adds to the dissapoinment?
For me, I just can’t let a costume ruin my appreciation of the film if everything else; writing, acting, directing is great. I’m not a fan of the Superman Returns costume, the S is too small and the cape is a weird brown colour. But it doesnt stop me from enjoying the film.
I concur as stated in my last post:
“I think fudging with the costume is no big deal unless it is part of a complete fudging of the mythos. Like Singers Xmen. It adds to the disappointment?”
So had Singer tried and or attmepted stay true to everything else (instead of his vision) I probably would have enjoyed Xmen more.
I at least expected his mask. I don’t care how purty the girls think he is. It is like Spideys mask or Bat’s cape and cowl. Wolvie always spent time without it but when it was battle time the hood goes down and the claws pop out. His X-Force costume is awesome. 99
@ bob
You know bob, i never knew why they couldn’t have Wolverine wear a hooded mask with his costume ever since i seen the first X-men film. I even concept art of Wolverine with the mask and what i saw, the mask i thought would look good. I thought maybe they feared people would think Jackman would look like Batman with the mask or something with most of his costume being black and all,lol. If they do reboot the X-men franchise, hopfully they dont make the X-men uniforms look like each other in black & hopfully Wolverine would will a mask, atleast through part or half of the movie.
The way I see it …
… We get GL, Cap and Thor next year …
… Win! Win! Win!
I think Thor’s costume looks great. Loki’s costume is probably the best, now that they released a pic of him with his horned-helmet on. Odin is the one that bugs me a little, his costume looks awkward on him. As for Captain America, I wish they would release a pic of Red Skull.
So far, I have no issues with Cap. It’s pretty much just cookie-cutter work, but my main concern is Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Somehow I just don’t get the impression that he can fully embrace the role so that it seems authentic. Then there is his height. He’s nowhere near as tall as Thor should be. I hope they do some 3D hobbit trickery in reverse to solve that problem
Alexander Skarsgård is still the best pick for that role. Too bad it didn’t turn out that way 
He HAS the build, height and ethnicity of a viking warrior god. In the last episode of True Blood he played a viking prince (before he was turned about 1000 AD) and it looked so natural to him. I got really depressed thinking about it lol.
Oh yeah, as far as the costumes go, Thor’s gotta lose the sleeves, then it won’t look like a geeky sci-fi space suit.
Skarsgard is 6’4, Hemsworth is 6′ 2 – 6’3. Not a massive difference really and still taller than most. How tall do you want Thor to be?
Having said that, Skarsgard was my first choice too but you play the hand you’re dealt…
An article that is important. Great. At least fans will have some kind of sensibility
“For all of your questions to be answered: READ MY POST I POSTED 3 HOURS AGO, so stop your whiny bitching. this is exactly why vic wrote this article, to shut people like you up, so please just read my post.”
“would you prefer they get the costume designer from the 13th warrior mongoose?”
“the iconic viking theme??????????????? thats not iconic, thats current! the original thor by jack kirby was more futuristic and sleak, not furry and medieval. so the plasticky look, which only applies to one pic thats been released, all the other pics of them dont look that way, is true to the original source.”
@jmack and Anthony……yeah I read your post and disagreed with it, go figure. I also didn’t think you were allowed to personally attack others so calling my words “whiny bitching” is really unwarranted and uncalled for. I have just as much right to post my opinions as you do without being attacked and belittled.
As to the notion that Branagh is somehow going back to the original Jack Kirby concept that is complete BS for a number of reasons:
- Why is Thor not sleeveless as in the original? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jim083.jpg but instead matches the new version shown here numerous times? http://marshianchronicles.com/?cat=29
and even THEN they only borrowed the sleeves? Why no chainmail pants, leather wrappings and cloth/leather tabard? If they are going to run with a concept, whether it’s the original Thor, Ultimate Thor or whatever they should try to use the entire costume, not just parts imho. I think he would have looked great if they had copied the new look in its entirety.
- Why is Heimdall a black guy? You seemed to kind of bypass this little fact. Seems Branagh isn’t staying with anyone’s original vision but instead seems to be doing whatever in the hell he wants. Granted Heimdall is not a major character it still is not correct.
and YES furry and medieval. You can have a “sleek” more modern look while still keeping more Viking/rustic elements. If they are going to go with the more modern, chainmail sleeved Thor look they need to be consistent with the other cast. Have you seen the “newer” Odin from the matching sleeved Thor comics? While this http://michaelmay.us/09blog/11/1113_odin.jpg would have been preferred, I would have been fine with http://www.comicrelated.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t1932.html or http://www.comicvine.com/odin/29-3507/
So yes, whomever made the decision to go with the plastic plate armor and leather pants look wasn’t following any “official” version that I know of, Jack Kirby or otherwise.
I was on Bozo once. He looked horrible in real life (1979-ish). So did Ned.
Now that I think about it, everything looked small including the bleachers the audience sat on.
Hey Vic,
is there a way to get copies of the concept art? I love both of those pictures.
Imagine a world where they didn’t give a rat’s @$$ about making comic book based movies…all these great arguments and commentary would be non existant. I just dig the fact that I’m still alive to see ANYONE making an effort to bring my favorite characters to life! I’ll reserve judgement of the finished product(s) till I have viewed the films.
Great, great article Vic!!! EXCELSIOR!!!
So MK what your saying is that we are witty! Thanks we know.
Funny tho how you lash out at those who lash out at something that is wrong, then proceed to say that you are somehow better because you don’t lash out.
Que Alanis
isn’t ironic dontcha think
Hey, Jimmy Love. Hello to you, too. You prove my point. You’d never be that rude to me in person, right? In person, we’d have a polite discussion.
A lot of people on here are saying sensible, constructive things, but some are not. You all be the judges of yourselves. I won’t reply again.
Personally, I think both costumes look great and match my subliminal perception of the characters, so I have no complaints. However, we know that changes happen on the way to the screen. I could go with either the fantasy-perfect look or the gritty look. I’m not hard to please. I just like to see the movies made well. Right with you there, nowhereman.
“and even THEN they only borrowed the sleeves? Why no chain mail pants, leather wrappings and cloth/leather tabard? If they are going to run with a concept, whether it’s the original Thor, Ultimate Thor or whatever they should try to use the entire costume, not just parts imho. I think he would have looked great if they had copied the new look in its entirety.”
In principle that is the right thing to do Mongoose, however this is sort of a compromise between the two. The chain mail is protection for his arms, true if your injured in the arms in any way you might not be able to wield your weapon in defense or offense. They’re acknowledging the need for protection below the belt using leather but also acknowledging the character’s skill and perhaps the idea that honor has a certain place, You don’t strike an opponent on purpose below the belt! Maybe that’s the kind of world that’s being portrayed? The old English and French codes of honor as portrayed in Sir Thomas Malory’s book “Le Morte D’Arthur,” this is Branagh after all, might be considered first among many standards of proper coda and conduct. Something to watch for in the movie. These rules of honor, men at the time, mid-fifteenth century, lived and died for, they were not taken lightly nor dismissed frivolously. Now imagine as a human in the 21st century, Thor is going to have to adapt his mindset. These are all tests in life and the life lessons learned. That’s my thinking on it anyway…
I doubt the sleeves on the costume are for protection..he’s Thor and almost invulnerable…a little armour on the arms will not protect him from much of anything he will encounter.It’s probably just to make the costume’s look work. I don’t get why people get upset about the costumes..I am still going to see Thor even though I don’t like a portion of the costume..I am willing to bet money that they tried the shiny chainmail type pants on his legs and it probably looked tacky so this costume is probably the best translation for the different looks Thor has had sinc3e his debut.. A super-hero film about characters I loved growing up (even if I dislike the costume) is still better than no film at all..
“I doubt the sleeves on the costume are for protection..he’s Thor and almost invulnerable…”
I’m kind of lost on the logic of having clothes period then greenknight, because if your invulnerable to injury then clothes become a hindrance not an asset. Look how Dr. Manhattan was portrayed. He was invulnerable so why not the same outlook for someone like Thor? Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t Marvel’s Thor still consume the Fruit of Idunn to continue to live forever? All the abilities are relative in the Marvel pantheon and since mysticism, magic and the like are involved perhaps that protects and is part of the armor as well. Thor after all wears a belt of strength!
One impression is that this whole costume is a compromise from how Thor was originally drawn wearing what always seemed to me to be blue tights, like you would find customarily in the 15 century . Since Marvel built allot of Thor on Arthurian legend rather than Norse mythology this seems consistent with what is noted in many references. So the leathers are suppose to stand in for the long time leggings we’ve seen throughout the years colored in. http://www.comics-db.com/comic-book/1051794-Journey_Into_Mystery_83.html
I understand some hate that may be fans have a right to, they’re buying this stuff as much as any consumer of interest. All I’m saying is that historically, and I would think keeping with this stories logic, it’s not that out of the ordinary.
I unsubscribed to this thread an hour ago and just got an alert in my email inbox that a new comment was just posted, lol. Hopefully it’s just a yahoo delay. Will email you Vic if it keeps happening…..
Cap’s suit was always explained as needing to be those colors so that he was a rallying symbol on the battlefield and to purposely draw fire towards himself rather than the G.I.s that were charging alongside him who did not have a super shield to block the bullets.