What I want to See from Marvel's 'Civil War' Storyline

I couldn't sleep at all last night, and no it's not my usual restlessness. Just before hitting the sack word came down that Robert Downey Jr. was joining Marvel's Captain America 3, which is a big deal but not half as big as the rest of the story. The storyline would apparently be the kick off to Civil War, based on the controversial 2006-2007 miniseries by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. So why was it so polarizing? Well, pretty much everything Millar does turns out that way, but in this case it was justified.

Civil War begins with a team that has not been seen in the cinematic universe yet: the New Warriors. One of my favorite teams from the '90s, they're basically made up of B-list characters like Speedball, Night Thrasher, Justice, and Nova...yes, the Nova everyone wanted in Guardians of the Galaxy. An incident during one of their missions ends with the villain Nitro blowing up an entire city, killing millions. The government decided to institute the Superhero Registration Act, which demands superheroes to register with the government, reveal their civilian identities to the public, and become deputized agents if they want to stay in action. Captain America gathered up a group of like-minded heroes to fight against the Act, while Tony Stark fights to enforce it. They came to blows, a war erupts, and basically Stark becomes the most hated man amongst the superhero community. Yes, Stark is portrayed as the "bad" guy, although there are points to be made on both sides of the argument.

It's a huge story, one that would require Marvel make some severe changes bringing it to the big screen simply because there aren't enough characters available. The X-men played a key role, so did Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. So assuming Captain America 3 will indeed begin the Civil War, here are a few things I'm hoping to see play out. And keep in mind, this would have to unfold over the course of multiple movies, that's how big Civil War is.

1. The Return of Spider-Man
Okay, this one's a long shot and more of a personal hope than anything else, but recent rumors have suggested Marvel and Sony could work out a deal allowing Spider-Man to be part of the shared universe. Peter Parker had an integral role in Civil War; in fact he was something like the moral compass at the center of it. He began on the side of Iron Man and the Registration Act, but as the government's tactics became more brutal he would switch to Cap's side.  It's possible we could see another character step in to fill that role but it would be more effective with Spider-Man, who everybody knows and respects.

2. The Death of Captain America
We've been saying it for awhile and others have noticed it, too, but the Captain America movies are conveniently populated by all the characters who have a role in The Death of Captain America storyline. That story was the tragic finale to the Civil War, with Cap assassinated and the Winter Soldier taking over the mantle. It's a crucial piece to the puzzle, and when I think about recent stories suggesting Captain America may not be factoring much into future films, it leads me to think his demise is right around the corner. This would be the time to do it.

3. Ragnarok
Tony Stark did some truly loathsome sh*t during Civil War, and one of those involved cloning his missing buddy, Thor.  Stark used Thor's DNA to create an all-powerful clone named Ragnarok, and he proceeded to tear apart Cap's team, even going so far as to kill the superhero Goliath, a former Avenger and friend of Hank Pym aka Ant-Man. If Raganarok appears in the films it would likely be in a similar way. We could see Chris Hemsworth's Thor too busy on Asgard to join up with his Avengers pals, and Stark comes up with Ragnarok as a solution. Whatever the case, the presence of Ragnarok is a good way to show just how twisted Stark's idea of right and wrong has become.

4. The Introduction of Blade, Ghost Rider, and Punisher
One thing about Civil War is that it includes a ton of characters, practically the entire Marvel Universe is involved. There simply aren't enough characters right now for Marvel to make this look like a huge "war", and one way to help fill out the ranks is bringing in popular characters like Blade, Ghost Rider, and the Punisher. Marvel recently gained their film rights back and this would be an easy way to work them in, possibly leading to future solo movies in the process. This one actually leads directly to my next hope.

5. Iron Man and Captain America Lead Separate Avengers Teams

With Cap and Iron Man on opposing sides of the Registration Act, both men began leading their own teams of Avengers. Cap's "New Avengers" (which included Luke Cage and Hawkeye) mostly worked underground and in secret to avoid confrontation with Iron Man's government-sanctioned "Mighty Avengers". With Doctor Strange and Ant-Man being introduced in the next couple of years, it stands to reason they'll be joining some Avengers team, probably one led by Iron Man. This may also be a good way to bring the Netflix TV series characters: Luke Cage, Daredevil, Iron Fist, and Jessica Jones.

6.  Tony Stark: Director of SHIELD
One of the strongest repercussions of Civil War had Tony Stark taking over as the director of SHIELD. With the spy organization in shambles and Nick Fury presumed dead (we know better), now would be the perfect time for a move like this. It would also allow for Downey Jr. to make limited appearances in the films, and whether he appears on the show or not it may have a ratings impact on Agents of SHIELD. We saw the boost it got from being tied in to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and the same could happen again.

So those are just a few things I'm hoping for, and some of them seem feasible. If I thought harder about it I'd probably include more wishful things, like movies for the Thunderbolts and New Warriors, the introduction of Moon Knight (he needs a film now!), and more. I'm genuinely excited to see where Marvel goes with this, and given their track record I have every reason to believe they can pull off Civil War in the epic fashion it deserves.

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Wesley Snipes Rumored to Return for 'Blade' Sequel at Marvel

Looks like it may be "open season on all suckheads" once again Wesley Snipes and Blade. Just a few weeks ago Snipes was talking about his desire to suit up as the daywalking vampire killer Blade for a fourth Blade movie, and given how the character is back in Marvel hands after New Line Cinema worked wonders with the original trilogy, fans have been eager for it, too. But while Kevin Feige hasn't exactly expressed an eagerness to bring Blade into the cinematic universe, a new rumor has surfaced saying the movie is in the works. The report comes from the New York Daily News' rumor-mongering section, so take it with the requisite amount of salt...

"Confidenti@l has learned Wesley Snipes is set to reprise his lead role in “Blade,” the 1998 vampire thriller that made more than $130 million and generated two sequels.

Sources close to Snipes tells us the 52-year-old actor’s comeback after being released from prison in April 2013 (after serving two and a half years for tax evasion) is “looking good” and that he’ll make $3 million from this film, plus a cut of the profits. Let’s hope he remembers to pay Uncle Sam this time."

What's interesting is they call it a sequel, but that can't be true unless Marvel has worked something out with New Line who still own the rights to those movies. If this is indeed happening then it's most likely a total reboot of the character, allowing the half-vamp/half-human Blade to be introduced to a whole new audience minus any baggage. Those who loved Snipes' performance, and I am one who believes it was the role he was born to play (that and Nino Brown), will always make that mental connection with the older movies.

So is there any truth to this? Or is it a lot of ice skating uphill? Considering all of the interviews Kevin Feige does somebody is bound to ask him sooner or later.

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Wesley Snipes is Hoping for 'Blade 4'; Talks 'Blade' Influences on 'The Avengers'

Whatever one thinks about Wesley Snipes after all his legal troubles, there's no denying the impact he's had on action movies. That's a large part of the reason Sly Stallone dialed him up to be a part of The Expendables 3, and as something of a Snipes super fan I'm happy to see him back. But I'm even happier that Snipes took time to talk with MTV about the influence his Blade movies have had on today's crop of superhero movies, and also his desire to do Blade 4.

As we know, Marvel regained the rights to Blade some time ago, and there have been some rumblings of bringing the vaunted "Daywalker" back in some fashion. When asked about it, Snipes seemed open to it, and rightly noted just how influential the Blade movies were on The Avengers and literally every other comic book movie we're seeing now.

Snipes: "I'd be open to it. I think we've got some stones left unturned and there's some latitude left for us to build on and I'd love to get back in the suit again and do some things I've learned how to do now that I didn't know how to do then. I think we're better at making that kind of a film now. Some of the things we did in the early parts of the franchise were experimental and now they've become customary in a lot of the 'Avengers' films and other comic book adaptations."

Blade pre-dates the first X-men movie by a solid two years and Iron Man by a decade, and the success of it was how they were able to turn a D-list character into a box office champ. That was also during a time when vampires weren't quite the crazy they are now, so at least in my mind the Blade films are some of the most successful of the genre. But if a Blade 4 were going to happen, what would Snipes want to see in it?

Snipes:  "Blade chasing the Twilight kids around? Hey man, there's always a possibility, and I'm open to it. There have been rumors around that we may explore the opportunity, so give me one more shot! I've gotten a little bit better, and I think we can add a little flavor to it."

Let's make that happen, Marvel. 

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The Rank 'n File: Trav's Top 5 Favorite Vampires

I don't know when or what it was that made me love vampires so much, but I've always had a soft spot for any movie or TV show that had even a hint of their icy hearts and pale skin. From Interview with the Vampire to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the soulless creatures with a taste for human blood have always appealed to me. Lately, though, I'm less and less enthused when I see any new project involving my beloved vamps. Vampires are suddenly cool and hip. They don't kill people anymore. They'd rather stand around(sometimes in broad daylight! Aaargh!) and stare longingly at the mopey chick across the classroom. Screw that shit, man. I like my vampires as chilling, brutal killers. Or at the very least highly manipulative scumbags.

And before you ask, no I did NOT include Eddie Murphy's Vampire in Brooklyn.

5. Marlowe -30 Days of Night

The crucial moment in this film for me comes when the leader of the vampires, Marlowe, descends on a poor helpless woman who cries out for God to help her. His calm, measured, reply probably killed her worse than the vicious attack that soon followed: "No God."

4. Eli -Let the Right One In


As far as vampire movies go, Let the Right One in is a strange bird. It's as much of a love story than anything else, between a lonesome boy and the mysterious Eli, a vampire trapped forever at the age of 12. They form a unique relationship that's not quite love, but maybe not quite friendship, either. She protects him, and he in turn provides her companionship. With an American remake already in the works, I'm sure people will get a chance to see this story told after a fashion, but my suggestion is that you go rent the original. The first is always best.

3. Max Schreck- Shadow of the Vampire

I watched this movie twice before I realized Willem Dafoe was even in it. That's how much he encompasses the character of Max Schreck, a real vampire hiding in plain sight on the set of F.W. Murnau's 1922 film, Noferatu. Of course this is a fictionalized account. A "What If" scenario that envisions reknowned theater actor Schreck as a real blood sucker, but it sure as hell had me convinced. When Schreck, who had most of the actors thinking he was just really into his role, goes into a tale about his origins as a vampire then calmly bites the head off a bat, it's one of the creepiest scenes ever. If you ever..and I mean ever...run into anyone who thinks Willem Dafoe can't act, calmly show them this movie and tell them to shove it up their arse.

2. Vlad Dracula- Bram Stoker's Dracula

Say what you want about how cheesy this movie can be(and it certainly is), there's no denying how gorgeous it is. Nor is there any denying the power of Gary Oldman's performance as the undead King himself. You can't play a commanding figure like Dracula without charisma to match, and Oldman has it in spades. Whether he's walking cheerfully down the streets with his top hat, lusting with his concubines, or agonizing over his lost love(played wonderfully by Winona Ryder), Oldman is simply captivating in every way. Plus his battle with Van Helsing(Anthony Hopkins) was far more impressive than anything Hugh Jackman ever gave us.

1. Blade-

"Some muthafuckas always tryin' to ice skate up hill". Those iconic words will live forever in the pantheon of cheesy Snipe-isms. That bit of dialogue would be enough to earn him the top spot here on this list, but the fact that he's the baddest ass of all vampire badasses is the clincher. He's the one guy I'd pay to see drive a stake through all of my other faves' hearts and turn them into dust. Blade's trademark dry wit, "How do you think we fund this operation? We ain't the March of Dimes", and assortment of crazy weapons helped solidify Wesley Snipes as the top action star in Hollywood. The Blade character, though, would continue to pull me in even after Snipes left the role. Yes, I'm one of those few who loved the Blade tv series. So sue me. Or better yet, suck it!

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