Unpleasant new chapter in the Chronicle of Josh Trank

Folks it's time to talk about Josh Trank.

I've been resisting the urge to sound off about Trank for a while, especially with regards to his role directing the new Fantastic Four film. But news is new's and last nights reveal that the Chronicle director had stepped down from one of the upcoming Star Wars anthology films certainly adds credence to rumours circulating about Fantastic Four.

So in case you missed it Trank, who first hit the scene with found footage superhero film Chronicle, was in the midst of developing a spin-off to the new Star Wars Trilogy. The 'Anthology' films are set to begin next year with 'Rogue One' directed by Garreth Edwards. However after failing to appear at the Anthology panel at this years Star Wars Celebration (citing illness) Trank released the following statement:

"After a year of having the incredible honour of developing with the wonderful and talented people at Lucasfilm, I’m making a personal decision to move forward on a different path. I’ve put a tremendous amount of thought into this, and I know deep down in my heart that I want to pursue some original creative opportunities."

So yeah, Trank is out, having ostensibly walked from what must have been a dream project. This feels like a climax to something bad that's been brewing for a while, mostly on the set of Fantastic Four. Trank was hired to direct Fox's latest attempt at an FF film shortly after the release of Chronicle.

Trank's debut feature released to critical acclaim.

For a while it seemed like the best possible move Fox could have made. Everyone was riding high on the acclaim Chronicle had received and the film geek bubble were desperate to see what Trank did next. Then the story and casting details started to emerge; fans were confused and irate at the cast's average age skewing younger. With particular regards to the still relatively young Miles Teller cast as the mature, level-headed group leader Reed Richards (and also sadly about Michael B. Jordan cast as the traditionally white Johnny Storm). The explanation that this was to bring the film more in line with Marvel's Ultimate imprint from which it is looking to adapt. However the fact that Ultimate Marvel is not particularly well-liked among comic book fans meant this did nothing to stem the criticism.

Then the actual rumours started around the films production.Trank has been said to be "indecisive and uncommunicative" according to unconfirmed sources in The Hollywood Reporter. Much of the dialogue seems to suggest Trank was unaccustomed to working with a big-scale blockbuster production. Seasoned writer and producer Simon Kinberg was brought on the overhaul the script and tensions between Kinberg and Trank are suspected. The only thing known for certain is that the final film did require substantial re-shoots, exacerbated by the cast's conflicting schedules.

Now I generally don't want to give too much credit to rumour and speculation. Trank is clearly a talented director, Chronicle is proof enough of that. Was Fantastic Four just too big of a production to step into right after? Maybe. I will admit the trailers are giving hints of structural problems but that's nothing to go on. Right now the situation seems to be 50/50: Fantastic Four will either be yet another disappointing comic book movie or it could be something legitimately weird and unique as is being teased.

The main take-back is that it must really suck to be Josh Trank at the moment. Film geeks and comic book fans alike are lining up to crap on his film before it's even been released. The production clearly hasn't been plain sailing and to cap it all off he's having to walk from every sci-fi fans dream, whatever the reason. If Fantastic Four tanks as badly as some fanboys are hoping it will a talented man's career might be over before it's even really begun.

Why So Cynical? First Image of Jared Leto's Joker & other news.

Wow, it's been a while. As always real life commitments got in the way of movie-watching/blogging for the last few months. So much so that it's actually been a while since I got out to the cinema. Plan is to see The Falling next bank holiday but in all likelihood Avengers: Age of Ultron will be rearing it's Hulk-sized head soon enough. In the meantime here's a few news stories of note:

Michelle MacLaren leaves Wonder Woman: This sucks, here's hoping Patty Jenkins can make it work.

Trailers dropped for Ant-Man, Fantastic Four, Star Wars etc: Confession I have not actually watched the new Star Wars trailer, trying to stay in the dark. As for the others Batman v Superman is 50/50, Fantastic Four looks as problematic as ever, Ant Man? Two words: Train set!

Fast & Furious 7 made a bunch of money: in other news water is wet.

Riz Ahmed rumoured for Rogue One: Good on Riz, he rocked in Four Lions and Nightcrawler, he'll probably rock here too.

First image of Jered Leto as Suicide Squad's Joker revealed:

O...kay?

So several hours ago David Ayer, director of Suicide Squad, posted the above image on Instagram for the Anniversary of the Joker's first appearance 75 years ago. It shows Jared Leto in full make-up as the latest incarnation of the classic Batman villain here imagined as a tattooed 90s Nu Metal fan in the throes of lunancy he is often characterised for.

It's an interesting incarnation to say the least. Closer in appearance to say Victor Zsaz than the purple-suited psychopath. In terms of personality he really just seems to be the Heath Ledger incarnation turned up to eleven. The fits of lunacy which Ledger used to break the incredible tension he generated now seems to be the default state for the character. Not sure if this is an improvement.

Eh it's different and whether it's working or not Warner Brothers has been bending over backwards to differentiate it's DC properties. Both from previous version and the little-known other series of comic book films that have been wiping the floor with them. It does kinda suck that Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn will probably just be a cheap variation on the above but for now we wait and see.