I’m a copycat. Sorry Khan. I just couldn’t resist. Martian Manhunter is just so interesting, and incredibly deserving of a movie. Without further ado, I present to you, the Top Ten Things Needed for DC's Cinematic Martian Manhunter.
#1
Set the movie on Mars
Set the film in space. This was a mistake the Green Lantern movie made, but it cannot be made for Martian Manhunter. Granted, the movie could easily work on Earth, with flashbacks, but I digress. I, personally would like to see the Martian Manhunter film set on Mars, with huge conflicts. I’ll get to those later.
#2
Make him the Captain America of the League
I don’t mean ‘put John in Cap’s role’. No, I mean: Make John lost and confused in his place, and the one who has lost everything he’s ever known. Also, we have to see this transition. When the Avengers starts, Cap has been around our world for about a year. We don’t see him get used to this world, how it works, or anything. If Manhunter is in a Justice League movie, make him the Captain America. But above all else, show his getting used to our world.
#3
White Martians vs. Green Martians
The White Martians were part of a civil war on Mars, but did not ‘destroy’ the planet. I think that they would be a great part of a war on Mars that does ‘destroy’ the planet, even if it didn’t happen in the comics. They are savages, and it wouldn’t be much of a stretch or too big a change. Only hardcore fans would notice anything.
#4
Give a valid reason as to why humans can’t find Martian civilization
This is a must. Whoever makes this movie cannot ignore the fact that we have sent rovers and satellites to and near Mars. How did we not find the Martians? Did we? Has the government been keeping it from us? Could Amanda Waller or Agent Faraday be responsible? Is there an advanced cloaking technology? Even if it’s one line of dialogue, someone needs to address why humans haven’t found the Martians. That is all.
#5
Bring in all-out war
I want blood. I want war. A Martian Manhunter movie needs this. It needs to have violence, tension, destruction, and death. That is, if it’s set on Mars. We need a war movie. We need Saving Private Ryan. We need to see family’s being butchered and slaughtered. This will add to Manhunter’s character. Have him be helpless to mass murder. Show him see these people dying, or even having to kill some.
#6
Show his family, friends, and relationships
Before the war, or even during the war, show Manhunter’s relationships. He has a mother, a father, a brother, a wife, and a daughter. Show him with these people. Let him be a normal human being, with feelings and emotions. Or... a normal Martian. Whatever. But we need these relationships developed so we can see his pain when they all die. Develop his character with their deaths by developing his relationships with them. The audience will feel pain, along with Manhunter.
#7
Ma’alefa’ak
Manhunter’s sadistic brother. He was the driving force for the Green Martians destruction in the comics. Make him the main villain. I know it’s cheap and cliche to have the family member be a traitor, but have him be a traitor. It develops Manhunter and Ma’alefa’ak. Give him a reason (not money), and show Manhunter’s pain. Also, if you’re going to go the alien invasion route for Justice League, bring back Ma’alefa’ak.
#8
Shape-shifting
This is one of Manhunter’s defining powers. All Martians have this power. How cool would it be to see Manhunter go from a humanoid to an Alien-esque creature? Pretty awesome, right? Battles using these forms would be cool, and major CGI would be needed. I’m thinking Avatar, Avengers, and Lord of the Rings type.
#9
Show that Manhunter has lost everything
This comes for a Justice League movie, and the climax of Manhunter’s own movie. Show him angry. Show him sad. Show him desperate. Let us see it in his dialogue. Have it be as if he’s doing everything to keep from going insane. It has to be emotional. If the writers of Manhunter’s movie screw this key point up, the whole character is destroyed.
#10
A Chance for Revenge
As I said before, if they’re going the alien invasion route for Justice League, include Ma’alefa’ak. And have him square off one on one with Martian Manhunter. it has to be epic, it has to be emotional, and it has to end with him at Manhunter’s feet. Show what Manhunter is going through. Let us see and hear that he wants revenge and blood. Then have him walk away. Without a word. Let the scene speak for itself. And for the love of god don’t play any sappy, emotional music. No music. Silence. And that would be sheer beauty.
That’s it. Thanks for reading. If you didn’t read, post that gif. I’d love to know you didn’t read.
Also, here’s a poll:
WHAT SHOULD THE MARTIAN MANHUNTER MOVIE'S TITLE BE?
Until next time,
Comiccow6