Ant-Man & Aquaman: How one film can benefit from the other

I discuss how the Ant-Man film can open up more hopes for an Aquaman film, should it be successful.

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By Nick Salinski - 10/25/2012

Let's get this out of the way, I hate both characters. I find them pointless, I don't think the movies will be all that great. I thought the storyboard footage based from the comic con footage was pretty good and gave me a wince of hope. But, it's not enough to convince me. Unless Marvel can really nail Ant-Man, he's going to be a one hit wonder and will never see a sequel and might be considered the worst cbm. Well, can't say worst cause Green Lantern and Catwoman are pretty high on that list. Anyways, could a successful Ant-Man film bring new life into a possible Aquaman film? I believe so. Here is what I think would have to be done.

Stick to the most popular character of that hero.

Ant-Man should have Hank Pym as the central character and hero. Stick to him as Ant-Man, don't go with another. For Aquaman, stick to Arthur Curry (although I've heard there are other Aquamen). This should be the most logical step. Go with the character that people are familiar with. Especially if they're not a well known or a well liked character.

Timing the release

Actually, this could be where DC can learn from Marvel's mistakes. Ant-Man is being released EXACTLY two weeks before The Hunger Games finale. Unless they can make Ant-Man look REALLY good, this will be a flop. DC, make Aquaman a summer blockbuster. Want to know a way to help make it work?

A different breed of hero

Each superhero film has a certain style and feel right? Ant-Man is going to feel silly but also with a technical type of feel to it. Similar to Iron Man but not as complex. Aquaman may seem tricky, but the answer is right in front of our noses. AVATAR! That is 95 percent CGI. Instead of on another planet, just make him underwater. I mean, have scenes where he is on land but also take a note or two from Avatar when having underwater sequences. They act different and they fight different.

Turn off names

Ant-Man, Aquaman. Admit it, those are turn off names. We can't change them. This is where film makers have to be smart. Ant-Man can prove that even with a turn off name, it can still be cool and successful. Ant-Man can change sizes. Sure, on paper it sounds really weak. But, the footage from comic con has proven it can look and be really cool. Aquaman needs to do the same thing. But, Aquaman is going to be a harder sell considering that he has been the butt of the joke of superheroes for decades now.

Director of choice

Edgar Wright is set to helm Ant-Man. Do I think it's a good move? Eh. I never cared much for Edgar Wright's films. He can make an entertaining movie, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World proved that. But, I still don't think he's all that great. Then again, I guess that's why he is a perfect canidate for the character. Plus, he has a real passion for the character. He's been helping, trying to get this project off the ground for how many years now? He must believe that it can be something. You need that sort of dedicated director for Aquaman.

Villain of choice

If the heroes themselves are going to be a tough sell, imagine what selling the villain is going to be like. You need a good villain for the films. Obviously we don't know the villain for Ant-Man. So, I'm going to improvise. For Ant-Man, we have to use a villain that isn't Ultron. Ultron is too early for Ant-Man and makes more sense to use as an Avengers villain. Let's go with Egghead. In the traditional sense of villains for the origin story of a character, you need a villain that knows the protagonist personally. Egghead fits the bill. Again, he's going to be harder to sell. But then again, didn't Green Lantern use a similar villain? Hector Hammond? Well, they look alike. At least to me. Aquaman needs a similar villain. Ocean Master would be a good choice of villain. He has personal ties with Aquaman and he posseses a challenge for the hero as well as a possible interesting story.

Overall: The films can be successful, the problem they have is selling the heroes, villains and the release dates. If they can tackle these problems in a smart manner, they should do just fine.

What do you think? Comment below.

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28 Comments

	DrDoom - 10/25/2012, 8:59 AM Login to report abuse I'm a Marvel fan, and I would infinitely prefer an Aquaman movie to an Ant-Man movie. Aquaman is the badass goddamn king of the sea, commander of an army of ocean beasts. Ant-Man can change size and control an army of goddamn ants.
	Preston - 10/25/2012, 9:23 AM Login to report abuse The perfect director for Aquaman is Wolfgang Petersen . 1). Poseidon (2006) 2). Troy (2004) 3). The Perfect Storm (2000) 4). Das Boot (1981) The guy knows water.
	BlueMex - 10/25/2012, 9:41 AM Login to report abuse Very good i agree with everything you said. I would definetly see a Aquaman movie
	sKeemAn - 10/25/2012, 9:49 AM Login to report abuse I think Aquaman would be the better of the two. The scenic views of the ocean. The different animals you can use. Except for a good villain Aquaman wins. i believe Marvel is doing an Antman film to bring in Ultron. He will be the villain of choice for Phase 3.
	Rohit9876 - 10/25/2012, 10:24 AM Login to report abuse lets get this thing in mind..whether what everyone thinks...i trust Marvel. if one can make Iron man look realistic in movies than Ant-Man is a piece of cake..remember how in IM2 he dons that suitcase suit and Airborne suit in Avengers.those are unimaginable things to do on silver screen, So action scenes involving Ant-man gonna be fun to watch..marvel will do it.
	DrDoom - 10/25/2012, 12:20 PM Login to report abuse @Pux That too. Aquaman has a much better archenemy in Black Manta than Ant-Man does in Egghead.
	RedHood13 - 10/25/2012, 2:34 PM Login to report abuse For Aquaman go with the New 52 version. He goes B.A every issue. Especially when he is first introduced in the JLA comics.
	Crossbones - 10/25/2012, 2:43 PM Login to report abuse @RedHood13: I may hate the character but I was thinking the same thing, go with the New 52
	DeadHubris - 10/25/2012, 4:31 PM Login to report abuse Does this Mean Keith David as Black Manta?
	Tainted87 - 10/25/2012, 7:32 PM Login to report abuse I can't help with disagree with this article. Characters don't need a gigantic fanbase to lead movies, or ANY fanbase for that matter. Consider Looper. Inception. Avatar (Cameron). While the characters in the movies share similarities with other ones from classic and modern literature, as well as films - audiences had NO previous commitment to them before entering the movie theater. I mean Jesus, if that's how you saw it, there would be NOTHING original, and no one would go see movies unless they were based off of a popular novel, comic book, or tv show. You are very narrow-minded to look at these characters as flops to begin with. That you actually say you HATE the two is just ridiculous.
	RedSkull667 - 10/25/2012, 8:02 PM Login to report abuse Ant Man's archenemy is Ultron. WTF is this article about?
	RedSkull667 - 10/25/2012, 8:03 PM Login to report abuse And stop talking like a Box Office Analyst. Many believed that Avengers wont be a Match against Dark Shadows but it outdid a Johnny Depp movie.
	Tainted87 - 10/25/2012, 8:15 PM Login to report abuse You know, I'm not even done here. You put Aquaman and Ant-Man together in the same regard, even though they have [frick] ALL in common, simply because they have an ability to signal/control select creatures. Aquaman is a KING of the sovereign nation Atlantis, while commanding the seas which make up 72% of the planet's surface. Hank Pym is a scientist who gets lost in his own work, developed a formula to shrink or grow himself and others to miniscule or gigantic proportions, and as a gimmick, utilized ants early in his career. Note how Hank went from Ant-Man, to Giant Man, to Goliath, to Yellowjacket. Ants have nothing to do with who he is. Ant-man's size changing abilities and technology makes him one of the most powerful of the Avengers - far more than Captain America. I feel like a broken record here, but I'm going to repeat myself anyway. Hank can carry an arsenal in his pocket. He can carry a building shrunk to the size of a LEGO piece, and drop it on someone he doesn't like. He can smuggle equipment, people in fact. Whole armies. He has a vast amount of potential for motivation if you think about it, when his work ends up the way it is. Immigration. Smuggling. Security. Espionage. Transportation. Why don't you compare Namor to Aquaman? Why not the Atom to Ant-Man? Because you don't believe in research, and have no problem looking like a fool.
	Crossbones - 10/25/2012, 8:20 PM Login to report abuse @RedSkull667: His more well known villain (that I am aware of) is Ultron but he's more of an Avengers villain. Also, I don't meant to talk like one. Plus, I knew with the success that The Avengers was having, Dark Shadows wasn't going to stand a chance. I like Johnny Depp as an actor, but never cared for alot of his movies. @Tainted87: I never said they needed a large fanbase to lead a movie. I'm just saying that it would be complicated to bring them to the big screen because they would be tough sells. In my mind they would be flops. Ant-Man is due to mainly it's competition and the fact that I just can't see it being a good movie. Aquaman, I just have never had any sort of respect for him. Probably never will. Also, I'm pretty sure nothing is original anymore. Most movies these days are adaptations, reboots or remakes. Well, I can't say nothing is original. But there aren't alot of original movies anymore that are good, I should say. How is it ridiculous that I hate the characters of Ant-Man and Aquaman? I can only think of one thing to like about Ant-Man and that is he created Ultron. There is nothing about Aquaman that I like nor I think is redeemable for his character. Therefore, I hate both characters. They aren't very good, their stories are uninteresting and I find them pointless. I don't mean to come off as an arogant prick but it's just my opinion.
	Crossbones - 10/25/2012, 8:22 PM Login to report abuse Also @tainted87: I didn't compare them. At least not intentionally, I was just trying to say how Aquaman could benefit from Ant-Man and could come closer to being greenlit. Again, I put them in the article in that fashion because I, once again, believe that they won't be good and that they will be flops. I might be wrong about the flop part but I'm sure they will be bad.
	CPBuff22 - 10/25/2012, 9:23 PM Login to report abuse Didn't Keven Costner already play Aquaman? Oh wait no that was Water World. Meh same thing.
	Wallymelon - 10/25/2012, 10:25 PM Login to report abuse you clearly don't know a good story from a bad one. edgar wright is a greatafilmgmaker, ant man is a great story with a great character. ant man is a strong but whimsical character that honestly no one but edgar wright could portray succesfully. @tainted87 said it right. i would honestly reconsider your perception of ant man and edgar wright. watch shaun of the dead and watch attack the block and rewatch scott pilgrim. he makes movies with heart, soul, action, and comedy.
	fangz - 10/26/2012, 4:25 AM Login to report abuse @tainted87 - right on with that response. the only common thing about Antman and Aquaman, is that it's become some kind of cheap, lazy and groundless joke that either of them exist at all. it's really just laziness and meme mentality. like 'here's this superhero who can be as small as ant...! ha haha' which is so ridiculous. it's like second grade sandbox debates about whether Hulk could kick Thor's ass or not. i'm not saying anyone has to love Antman, just that making him out to be some guy who shrinks in order to fight u is idiotic. just read the comics, that's not what he's about. in fact, what powers any super hero has, ends up being a pretty minor as far as determining their popularity in the long run. look at Dazzler vs Wolverine. Dazzler doesn't suck becuz all's she can do is turn music into light. it's becuz she doesn't mean nothing as a character. the two things might be related, but Wolverine fills a certain persona perfectly for people. his past and how it makes him relate to others and whatever larger problems he has becuz of it all is what makes him resonate. not that the claws and being able to stitch your torso back to your legs isn't cool, but it's more than his powers that have made him last. and not to say Antman has that kind of depth, but if u are gonna dismiss him, do it for proper reasons. go read more old Avengers, it's pretty obvious how many different ways someone could spin a great Antman film, especially someone like Edgar Wright. i don't know DC, but i don't see anything ridiculous about Aquaman either. i really don't know what he's about, but the cheap jokes about him seem to come from the same place. u could make any superhero sound idiotic by just describing their powers. i think that's really missing the point to comic books.
	Crossbones - 10/26/2012, 10:13 AM Login to report abuse @Pux: I have no intention to read something I have no interest in
	TheNightmare - 10/26/2012, 1:09 PM Login to report abuse lol everyone calm down I like Antman a lot I've been reading the old avengers and love his character. But not everyone has to like what I do. Don't worry so much about what author thinks about Antman. He is trying to give us his best opinion how an Antman/Aquaman movie will work and benefit each other. Attacking him for what he likes is not going to solve it just wait for the movie if it is a good movie he may change his mind about the character. Same for Aquaman give it time for Aquaman to change everyone's mind. It is not going to happen fast since he has been a joke for years. My very last remark is this if you still don't like what the writer said continue, but if it is just about his dislike of a character. Than look at yourself there has to be at least one character you don't like. I mean I don't like tons of superheros reading the avengers right now I don't like the Scarlet Witch. Maybe she will grow on me but right now she feels out of place with the avengers.
	nerdman81 - 10/26/2012, 3:23 PM Login to report abuse NOPE! Aquaman is the BIGGEST tool in the DC stable! Who the hell wants to go watch a movie about a guy who talks to fish? The movie would have some spectacular budget that wouldn't even be recouped in...ever! Plus if it COULD be done right, it sure as hell wouldn't be WB who pulls it off! If Marvel made a Namor movie, it would work because they give a rat's ass. Knowing he could never carry his own film, Marvel wouldn't be stupid enough to try. This is an awful idea.
	Crossbones - 10/26/2012, 6:50 PM Login to report abuse @Pux: For me, it's the name and the ability to talk to fish that turn me away from the character. I am sure he has other powers that make him cool, it's just the main two I have a problem with. I've never cared much for DC, and I will admit that Aquaman is part of the reason I steered clear. I respect anyone who likes DC, I just personally don't care much for them.
	nerdman81 - 10/27/2012, 9:48 AM Login to report abuse @Pux Yes I have read Aquaman, and nothing I have EVER seen about him is interesting! He was, is, and always will be a lame character. Sorry you have such a hardon for awful charactes.
	Crossbones - 10/27/2012, 1:48 PM Login to report abuse @Pux: I look at Aquaman fans like I look at fans of the Cleveland Browns. I respect them because they are dedicated and loyal to the butt of the joke. But, I pity them because (in this case with Aquaman) they waste their time with a pointless character. I honestly don't see how he works in a superhero team that works above water most of the time. Yes, I know I can be ignorant. Sorry for not liking a character that you might as well say has a cult following because I find him to be crap. Also, him commanding fish is about as bad as talking to them. It's not a cool superpower at all in my opinion. The New 52 Aquaman looks cool and the pictures of him in New 52 in battle are cool. But, that doesn't help the character redeem himself.
	nerdman81 - 10/27/2012, 2:46 PM Login to report abuse The only thing that "power" could ever be useful for on dry land would be so that you don't get bored at the dentist's office. There's ALWAYS a huge fish tank at the dentist!
	DrDoom - 10/27/2012, 3:48 PM Login to report abuse Aquaman is so much cooler than Ant-Man.
	fangz - 10/28/2012, 10:58 PM Login to report abuse @TheNightmare - i don't see any responses saying that the author of the article has to like Antman or Aquaman. and personally, i don't care whether they do or not. and my comment wasn't to try to win them over. i just thought the author was absolutely wrong. and wrong in a type of way that i'm sick of hearing. this way of writing off either character, i think is cheap, lazy, misthought, smug and a rip off of actually having any opinion. so, with me, it's all about the oblivious certainty used as the tone for the article. like some kind of shorthand argument. ok, so Aquaman and Antman are ridiculous, but look at compared to who? compared to Batman? cuz god knows Batman isn't ridiculous. or Wolverine? no, he's not ridiculous at all. no Wolverine can wake up and look himself in the mirror any day and keep a straight face. i'm not trying to say that comic books are stupid or that people can't find Antman or Aquaman to be boring as hell and never want to look further into either of them. it's just the smug tone used about it that made me say anything. and it's that tone that makes it so no attention was paid to what the author was actually talking about. so basically, it's simple...you can disagree with what a person says and point out why but that doesn't mean that you're saying they have to agree with you. and it doesn't mean that you are trying to convince them of anything either.
	CoulsonLives - 10/29/2012, 4:05 AM Login to report abuse Ant-man can shrink Aquaman to the size of plankton... Out of Water... Aquaman can only use the water surrounging him... But Ant=Man can squash things when he's Giant man.

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