JayT

I seem to recall a really long discussion here where many people thought it was okay to cut out the multibillion dollar corporation out because they are already successful enough. I thought it was a little silly and childish but if I recall more than one person agreed and defended it.

I also asked if you were a board member and had listed it over here. Still stand by that as MyComiCShop, Metropolis and others have the same circumstances I don't recall giving anyone a hard time about it or being judgmental, like I said it comes with the territory, and fairly common practice, and everyone will have a different or even fluid stance.

Not saying it's the case there but that happens all the time whether to to take an off ebay sale or offer, or because something was sold at another venue, or hell maybe the seller decided they wanted to keep the item, or they realize that they simply mistook that they had something in stock, or grossly misrepresented the item on accident. It's definitely not rare and happens on a weekly basis at least on just the items I watch, and if you see previous threads around here, I'm pretty sure you will find people admitting to asking sellers to end auctions early and thinking it's a smart and prudent measure. Personally, I don't need anything bad enough to do that but it happens a lot I expect (though I have made queries if something is available in bulk). I was asked to sell a piece of art a couple of weeks ago offline to a Joe collector and I just politely told him I recognize the platform ebay gives me, and I'm more than willing to pay them for it - but to each their own. I've definitely lost opportunities for sales (though I don't sell a lot) and tons of purchases being on both end. I think all of us probably follow a niche vice we have that is heatedly competitive by a few people and see auctions ended early all the time. File it under standard operating procedure from my observations when buying comics or art on ebay.

If it's good, it absolutely should be made. If it sucks, then no, it shouldn't have been made. but we won't know for a while. I hope it is good. I would love to see this possibly pave the road to the Thrawn Trilogy with younger Luke and Leia. A Boba Fett back story movie could be interesting as well. I still want to see Boba disintegrate someone. I think we will learn a bit about the nature of Thrawn in the new canon from his appearances in Rebels next season and the new (and now only) Zahn canon book. I think it's safe to assume that the Thrawn trilogy, at least how we know it, is no longer relevant in the new universe/timeline though I'm eager to see a new take, because it's the only one we are getting. Thrawn is my fave character in Star Wars so I hope the new Thrawn doesn't disappoint. Regarding cash grabs, every movie put out with even a marginally large budget is a cash grab. Han Solo or Star Wars is no different than any other movie in that regard, though I will admit given a choice I'd rather not see films including new casting of old characters at the forefront - I don't need a young Han Solo movie, though I'm open for my mind to be changed. I do think Kenobi is a possibility just because Ewan is oddly the correct age and game, but I'm honestly not even really interested in that, I'd rather have new stuff, and The Force Awakens really showed they can introduce new cast really well IMHO. Minor characters are fine, that new Mon Mothma is chilling, and I actually have a lot of faith in Lucasfilm's castings, I just tend to like new stuff, though I have to admit Rogue One looks pretty amazing. There's been a lot of talk about reshoots and stuff, but everything I've actually seen looks good. There;s a several films I want to see this year, but I think that has to be the top one, so in that respect, I think they've correctly judged demand.

A black man in white face makeup!? This sounds like some Short Circuit Part 2 ish right here! Tomorrow we riot! Can't be worse than The Crow: Wicked Prayer. That one has a 0% on RT. They only can go up now. Also, if they have Jessica Brown Findlay in the cast they are doing something somewhat right. Sybil!

I listen to a lot of podcasts, I'm pretty amusical in general. Right now catching up Skeptics Guide to the universe as I pack.

You can compare Suicide Squad to whatever you like. But the similarity of the comparison was what I was pointing out as not lining up. Transformers had some form of animated production from 1985 to present, to include Transformers: Armada that was launched from Japan in 2002. So where you and I may assume Transformers had become close to a dead universe franchise, it was always there in some form even outside of comic books. Even right before the first 2007 CGI/live movie. They were just out of sight/out of mind for those not fanatical over Transformers. Why do you think they used Peter Cullen as the voice actor of Optimus Prime? Because there are so many folks that instantly recognize that voice. They were not going to use Cullen at first, but it made sense to, because really who cares? Nobody remembers a second of dialogue in these films. I'm trying to say this in a way that makes sense. Yes, Transformers, much like many properties existed in some form for years after its prime, like many of the properties I mentioned already, but for a lack of a better term if wasn't hot on the street. Nobody knows what Armada is, and hell most people don't even know about anything post-G1, even though some of that stuff (in Japan) is even better IMHO. We can't act like Transformers was Star Wars, or even a step below, and remember Hasbro BOMBED both the animated films (it and G.I. Joe) , and shelved everything - the animated movie LOST money, even though I view it as a classic and have fond memories of it. Not many people cared about Transformers, in the same way that I'm a G.I. Joe fan and I don't view Renegades or Resolute or IDW printing G.I. Joe comics as markers that this is a hot brand people care about. It would be like if a blockbuster Joe movie came out all of the sudden, and I used Renegades as an example that this was a brand people cared about. No, like most things, it merely existed. Given the same thought process, why isn't G.I. Joe gigantic and a billion dollar franchise? Transformers is a worldwide brand again because of those movies. And as much mess as Bay gets, he made this thing into a monster again. Actually, you are wrong about the Transformers not being popular only because of the movies. There were 2 cartoons just prior to the movie (Armada and Energon) and the toys were selling extremely well. I know, because I have a son who was born in 1998 and was at the prime age to be interested in the toys when those lines launched. I also remember some of those toys being extremely difficult to find around Christmas because they were selling out at stores. Hasbro was very smart to launch the movies when they did, because the toyline was doing very, very well for them with kids. Guys, I'm not saying that it didn't exist or was absent from the world but the idea that Transformers was a giant property is not true. Was it a nice IP to have? Certainly. Was it profitable? Of course. But it wasn't this huge thing in the world anymore. Energon's toyline was a NOTORIOUS flop. They discontinued it almost immediately and Armada had notorious production and scheduling issues as a show and both were not viewed as successes. Guys, I'm a collector and fan of TF and Joe, I'm telling you these couldn't be found at the time because they stopped making them. Hasbro stopped making them because there was no demand - it didn't even last a year before they just stopped making them. I'm not saying no children didn't dig it but the idea that these were hot is simply not true, I can find people who bought Sigma Six toys too, but it wasn't hot. It wasn't until the movies came out when they released the Transformers Movie Deluxe Figures, and then it was ON again big time and since then, I mean obviously TF is a giant at the box office. Transformers were most assuredly not dominating any shelf space prior to these films or the run-up to them (apart from their obvious prime time during the G1 days). All that said, none of this has to do with my original point, TF movies make billions and have terrible critical opinion on them.

The massive Transformers fanbase that overwhelmed Michael Bay with Cullen's recommendation. 'Transformers' Fans Wanted Peter Cullen — Not Clooney — To Voice Optimus Prime But I do agree. Transformers is not Star Wars. Yeah like I said, they were not going to use him. People who go "berserk" are fringe extremist fans, you can find those for things like Black Mask or this week's crazy people thing, Steven Universe fans. Normal movie goers don't care about stuff like that, not to a tune of a billion at the box office. Obviously if you go to a con panel you are dealing with the upper crust of fanatics. That's what people do, as we can see with weekly twitter tirades by fans over everything. If he wasn't cast, the movie would not have flopped, it didn't matter.

It's a good call. You WANT The Rock on the marketing trail for your shared franchises.

Guardians is a better comparison (and a better film IMHO), and I wasn't comparing SS with TF, I was merely stating that films don't need critics to be blockbusters. TF is panned, will be panned, and will make a billion worldwide in its sleep. Much like the DC films of late, there is some foresight being used assuming a negative critical outlook. It's a pretty indisputable fact. They are panned, they make a ton.

You can compare Suicide Squad to whatever you like. But the similarity of the comparison was what I was pointing out as not lining up. Transformers had some form of animated production from 1985 to present, to include Transformers: Armada that was launched from Japan in 2002. So where you and I may assume Transformers had become close to a dead universe franchise, it was always there in some form even outside of comic books. Even right before the first 2007 CGI/live movie. They were just out of sight/out of mind for those not fanatical over Transformers. Why do you think they used Peter Cullen as the voice actor of Optimus Prime? Because there are so many folks that instantly recognize that voice. They were not going to use Cullen at first, but it made sense to, because really who cares? Nobody remembers a second of dialogue in these films. I'm trying to say this in a way that makes sense. Yes, Transformers, much like many properties existed in some form for years after its prime, like many of the properties I mentioned already, but for a lack of a better term if wasn't hot on the street. Nobody knows what Armada is, and hell most people don't even know about anything post-G1, even though some of that stuff (in Japan) is even better IMHO. We can't act like Transformers was Star Wars, or even a step below, and remember Hasbro BOMBED both the animated films (it and G.I. Joe) , and shelved everything - the animated movie LOST money, even though I view it as a classic and have fond memories of it. Not many people cared about Transformers, in the same way that I'm a G.I. Joe fan and I don't view Renegades or Resolute or IDW printing G.I. Joe comics as markers that this is a hot brand people care about. It would be like if a blockbuster Joe movie came out all of the sudden, and I used Renegades as an example that this was a brand people cared about. No, like most things, it merely existed. Given the same thought process, why isn't G.I. Joe gigantic and a billion dollar franchise? Transformers is a worldwide brand again because of those movies. And as much mess as Bay gets, he made this thing into a monster again.

I thought JayT was comparing Suicide Squad to Transformers? There goes that pesky goal post moving again. I also mentioned, and I think the angle he's tackling is that Suicide Squad has/had a lot going for it in terms or marketing a blockbuster film. You tell me Batman and Joker are going ito be in a movie with Will Smith and hot Margot Robbie, debuting a very popular Deadpoolish next-gen type of character, that's not nothing to sneeze at, especially when considering that DC/WB cuts really great trailers (minus the Doomsday drop IMHO). I didn't mention Guardians in that context but I will agree if taken on their own Suicide Squad had more going for in its parts than Guardians pre-release, excluding the elephant in the room, that I think many underestimated at the tie, was the tremendous goodwill Marvel had catered with movie goers, not just fans of the comics with their other films. For that reason, it's why I mentioned that I think it would have been even bigger than it is already is if BvS performed to expectations. I do think Suicide Squad doing well makes people even more open to Wonder Woman, though admittedly I think that's a project that will have built in good will, and that trailer is kind of badass. I was sold on Gal from jump but I couldn't have imagined that the trailer would look that good, IMHO beyond expectations. I think people forget that pre-release people were making fun of Guaridans, "talking tree and a raccoon" etc etc. As an aside, it's up there among my favorite super hero films, thought it was fantastic.

Viola Davis. Fantastic.

You are forgetting about the Generation 1 80's animated TV series that put this brand on the map. It was not only massive in the USA, but also Japan and the UK. Which helped expand awareness of these toys that Hasbro created after seeing designs from other Japanese companies. I wouldn't assume decades of fan buildup is equal to a year or less of movie marketing. Two vastly distinct brands, with Transformers having a built-in strong foundation. I'm not forgetting about G1 TF, I was a huge fan, but that franchise was dead or at least belonging to another generation. TF is big again because Bay made billion dollar films, that yes, certainly covets international fandom and got them. It was certainly a popular brand at one point, but entering the 2000s it was just and old franchise much in the way something like He-Man, G.I. Joe, Carebears. etc was or is. It was like G.I. Joe is now, to a lesser degree admittedly, where old middle aged men were buying overpriced toys and attending conventions. I'm Japanese, I'm well aware of Transformers penetration in Japan, but it certainly was not something in demand before those films came back, it had been replaced, as many things are, as the one thing about the Japanese is that they seem to be able to create new things for the next generation of kid. Even Macross was still more relevant pre-films in Japan. I'm not at all arguing that Transformers wasn't once popular, it certainly was but the difference between Transformers and others '80s properties right now is that Bay made movies people came out to see and were incredible financial successes even if that old core doesn't really like the new movies (much in the way Trek is IMHO).

This isn't Transformers, with a worldwide recognized toy brand. This is some throwaway group of characters that only 'fanboys' could appreciate. I get what you are saying but don't know about that. Sure, nobody knows what Suicide Squad is but Transformers is a worldwide recognized brand *again* because of the films. While that franchise pre-films, was definitely a lot stronger than say G.I. Joe was, Transformers was basically just a popular franchise from the 80s that were still selling boutique high price collectible toys for awhile, even amidst very minor other projects were occurring during the meantime. Suicide Squad was marketed really well, the trailers were all impressive and has one of the biggest studios in the world marketing it as a blockbuster that stars Will Smith and has Batman in it. If there were any hinderances to it, it would probably be the less that expected turnout for BvS because I think if BSs was that billion + movie with even midling reviews, Suicide Squad might have been even bigger (even bigger than it is now, which is really impressive on its own IMHO) given that Batman is in it.

I don't know if it's shocking, Transformers always does that.

I think this can be a pretty great updated property, the new cartoon was pretty awesome, but McG is not someone I want helming it so I'm apprehensive. For years, there have been rumored fantastic scripts for new Masters of the Universe floating around too.

I thought Beyond was a fine fun film, and for the record I've taken some enjoyment out of all of the new Trek films, and that first one is REALLY fun and kind of a revelation for me because I find the original cast shows and films to be really boring and in many cases just badly made films, thought I respect that there is a base that likes it from their childhood - nothing else was on. I actually think the problem is, and obviously this is from the outside looking in, is that Paramount took the opposite trackthat they should have in marketing because Into Darkness was a successful film both critically and commercially, but for some reason the narrative was a negative one about old fans not thinking it's "real Trek". My opinion has always been who cares? That base isn't big enough anymore in terms of Blockbuster opening day support. They were so scared to market Khan in that 2nd movie, even with an ultra fan favorite actor in place, because of the irrelevant old base. They had a lot of good will IMHO after that first film (which is a BLAST imho). I just think there is a big difference in what "real Trek" is, whatever that is, and it's place is on TV - though I've always considered DS9 by far the best Trek, which isn't a fave of a lot of people, though in my mind is indisputably the best written of the shows. I think they have a great cast in place, and they've been blessed by being able to have two really solid directors to restart the movie franchise and htey should just own it, because these 3 movies are just fine IMHO, good sits at the movies.

Donnie Yen is playing the blind character. They are both Chinese actors.

Maybe...But... It's also an August movie, the biggest August start ever, not the March blockbuster opening weekend of BVS. It's doing this in a month that only GOTG had ever really conquered as a massive opening. It's almost doubled the #3 August opening ever. Blockbusters just don't happen in August. And it has $75 million less budget than BVS. This movie is a winning hit already. Why are we as comic fans surprised that Harley Quinn and Deadpool have the two biggest breakout movies of the year? A whole generation of younger people have grown up reading stuff like Deathnote and playing games like Arkham Asylum - they don't want Batman Adventures. They want sick, crude, demented violence and perverse humor. I can't even imagine what's next. If that's the case, they would have walked away disappointed from Suicide Squad :shrug: My chief criticism about the movie was that it was boring - it started out fine, but quickly devolved into a cookie-cutter save-the-world plot with a c-level villain. Agree, third act not so good, which is something it has in common with a lot of even good superhero movies.

Yes. This film will give fans the back story of how it all happened. I've been guessing that the chick from Rogue One is one of the Bothans than Mon Mothma was referring to at the end of Episode IV. Or maybe she's not a Bothan at all, whatever race the Bothans are that she was referring to. I think that quote was from Return of the Jedi (not Episode IV) referring to the second Death Star, but I could be mistaken. You are correct. Also, while I don't think their definitive present canon look is canon, originally Bothans don't look human. I liked the first teaser better but still a boss trailer.

The only way I can see a buyer wanting to do (beyond simply being a bit aggressive) that is if they they think maybe they got too good of a deal on the missing book in question, and they feel some kind of way that perhaps that specific book they were looking forward to having at said deal was the one that didn't make it to them, whether they think it was purposeful or not. I agree in situations like this you chalk it up to mess happens, but I could see myself thinking the above, even while I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. Recently I won a bunch of comics related prints, a lot, in an auction, for really cheap and all of the sudden the seller "misplaced them" after I contacted them several times because they were taking their time shipping the item, even though they still had multiple lots of said item still listed as higher BINS, and would go to list hundreds more for a bigger price later. I'm positive they just didn't want to sell me the items at the auction price.

Starting to play No Man's Sky. I'm not really an avid gamer but waiting for this one for awhile.

Always up for new Trek (personally I think DS9 is by far the best Trek has ever been, and I really can't stomach the original series at all - think it's awful), but even though the price is negligible I'm not going to subscribe to CBS All Access to watch it. I'm not sure if it isn't already but a lot of us already overpay for cable, which CBS is included on, where we have on-demand options. Not saying I never will, but they have to come up with some other shows that interest me (and honestly even a stalwart like HBO is in this predictament because unless Westworld is great, their post-Game of Thrones line-up isn't looking so hot to me). Reminds a bit like of Powers. I have a PS4 and already was a playstation subscriber, but I can't imagine why anyone who wasn't already would sign up for it to watch Powers (not to mention the pilot was unwatchable IMHO) When it hits a streaming service I have (netflix, amazon, hulu, HBO Go, whatever) I'm sure I will binge it.

I think what shouldn't be lost in the series of events is that amidst all of the above mentioned delays, Christoper Nolan dropped one of the biggest movies of all time, that happened to feature a Batman, and we shouldn't underestimate the stroke both Nolan and Bale had after that within WB. If Nolan and marketing (which is a POWERFUL and well funded mechanism in the movie business) decided another project convoluted matters as it pertained to another surefire billion dollar movie forthcoming, and a future in the Nolan-business later for WB, they would have deaded and already troublesome production, no problem. In hindsight they made the right choice, because those Nolan films are money makers, and remember the word was WB was throwing crazy money at Bale and Nolan to remain involved, but they turned it down, though Nolan did stay to offer his name as a producer later. Regarding director choices, someone mentioned Whedon and Favreau, two directors who weren't really known for spectacle, I'd like to see an Alex Garland or Denis Villeneuve get a shot at a big film, if not