We recently learned that the latest episode of The Vampire Diaries drew in the lowest ratings the show has ever seen, but could this have any implication on season seven?
I must admit, I was shocked when I heard the numbers, and there is no doubt they must be worrying to the show-runners. After all, this was the episode where so many troubling storylines were tied up.
It was heavily teased that Bonnie was going to return, and anyone following the show knew it was going to be Sheriff Forbes' funeral and the chance to see what happened with the long-awaited Steroline, so why did nobody care?
Bonnie and Damon reunite
I really don't have the answer to this question. To me the community seems more engaged than ever about season six, but will ratings like these affect the future of the show?
So, this is my last Suicide Squad profile post, so i thought I'd make it a bit different, by doing Harley Quinn and The Joker and the same time, because they're a couple. A slightly dysfunctional couple, but a couple all the same. I will be reviewing each character, then commenting on their relationship, how I think it will work in the movie, and my hopes for them in the movie. Sound good? Ok...
Harley Quinn
Real Name: Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel
Alias: Harley Quinn
Age: mid to Late 20's to mid 30's
Appearance: Dresses similarly to a court jester. Depicted a lot of the time in a more alluring manner. Not at all intimidating. White makeup, red lips, black mask/smudged eyeliner.
Supernatural Abilities: Immunity to most poisons (due to Injections from Poison Ivy), Trained psychiatrist, Gymnast, Enhanced agility, strength, intelligence. Martial artist. Also complete disregard for human life, apart from the Joker's.
Equipment: Often depicted using a sledgehammer or a baseball bat. Also uses guns.
She's completely and utterly devoted to The Joker. You could say that she is his biggest fan. She's in love with him deeply, and will do anything to be with him. Merciless to anyone who tries to kill him.
Harley Quinn has never been portrayed in a live-action movie as of yet, so Suicide Squad will be the character's first appearance on screen. The character first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in the early 90's. She is now a fan-favourite.
Badass.
And now, the main event....
The Joker
Real Name: ???
Alias: The Joker
Age: 30's
Appearance: Green hair, bleached white skin, bright red lips, eyeliner. Like a demented clown. Purple suit, green under clothes(?). Bow tie, Flower on his lapel (depending on which version of the character).
Supernatural Abilities: None. Genius-level intellect, expert chemist and engineer. Also skilled in hand to hand combat.
Equipment: Various. Poison, bombs, gas, guns, acid, etc. Whatever gets the job done, or whatever he can get his hands on.
He is completely crazy, yet is also a genius. Batman's greatest and most iconic villain, he is said to be the exact opposite of Batman. He has no problem with killing people, however many are needed to get the job done. His relationship with Harley Quinn is often abusive, however he does have a deep seated affection for her. The Joker's origin has been told and retold, but they generally follow the same story: The Red Hood was a villain Batman was pursuing. Red Hood falls into a vat of acid. Red Hood "dies". The acid bleaches his skin white, turns his hair green, and his lips red. Thus, The Joker is born.
SMIIIIIIILE
The main misconception, I feel, about this character, is that he wants to kill Batman, which, of course, he doesn't. He says Batman is way too much fun, and that he would have no one if Batman weren't around.
Harley Quinn may not have made her big screen debut yet, but The Joker has been depicted frequently in live action. He was first depicted in the 1960's by Cesar Ramero, then again in the 1989 movie, Batman , portrayed by Jack Nicholson. His latest portrayal is considered to be iconic, and was performed by Heath Ledger (RIP), in the 2008 Batman movie The Dark Knight. In this movie, The Joker is portrayed as being an agent of anarchy and chaos, performing acts of crime because he enjoys it, and wants to "watch the world burn".
Heath Ledger's Joker. An iconic performance.
The next Joker in Suicide Squad will be portrayed by Jared Leto, with Harley Quinn being portrayed by Margot Robbie.
My hopes for these two characters in the movie.
If rumours are true, the script will mainly focus on Will Smith's Deadshot andMargot Robbie's Harley Quinn, however this will also be (and I certainly hope there is) a constant "Joker overtone" to the movie. This I genuinely hope for, as I think it would add a certain intensity to the whole movie, especially if there were constant references to The Joker, finally ending with a Joker jailbreak. If the plotline is done properly, I expect to see each character get a chance to shine.
A poisonous relationship.
I also hope that The Joker and Harley's relationship is either explored in this movie, or if it is set up in this movie. I certainly hope for the latter, as The Joker could be broken out of prison by them all, because one of them other than Harley has been told to do so. This would also provide an excellent way to introduce Deathstroke as the one who needs their help to break out The Joker, as he had a business deal with him. We'll also get to see Deathstroke in action if that happens, as well as a bunch of villains working together, and pulling off an amazing jailbreak. I personally think this would be best, as then we'd have The Joker and Harley meeting for the first time, as well giving the audience a relationship that will follow through almost all the DC movies that contain The Joker, or Harley.
A poisonous relationship?
So, that's the Joker and Harley. We'll just have to wait and see what DC do with the characters, and also see if Jared Leto will provide a performance to match Heath Ledger's. And, as usual, if DC have confidence in these actors, then so should we.
So, to conclude all these Suicide Squad Profile posts (which took a lot of my time to make, thanks for reading them if you did), I believe that with these characters and an excellent script, DC could make an excellent Suicide Squad movie. There is, as always, a slight issue with the actors, mainly fan complaints, however I can't wait to see the actors portray their own versions of each character, because with writing all these articles, I really want to see them in a proper, guns blazing, heist/jailbreak movie. And it's going to be AWESOME.
Remove Tom Hardy, and that's your cast.
So, to summarise the cast:
The Joker: Jared Leto
Harley Quinn: Margot Robbie
The Enchantress: Cara Delevingne
(Captain) Boomerang: Jai Courteney
Deadshot: Will Smith
Deathstroke: Joe Mangianello (rumoured) (my preferred candidate)
Rick Flag: No one confirmed as of yet (Tom Hardy passed the role)
Amanda Waller: Viola Davis
Suicide Squad is slated for the release date of August 5th, 2016 (USA).
(Point of Information: The reason I have not done an article on Rick Flag is because I don't see him as particularly villainous, he is a government agent after all)
I really hope you enjoyed reading all these articles I've put so much time into. Thanks for reading them.
A two-minute trailer for Game of Thrones fifth season has leaked online. Enjoy rewinding and pausing furiously in an attempt to see what's going on. With the show deviating more and more from the books, even the readers of the series will be speculating as to what will go down this season. Some things that we can clearly make out:
Cersei is searching for Tyrion, who seems to be embracing his Darkest Timeline self-- complete with black, scraggly beard and bottle.
Littlefinger has his hands all over Sansa. For the love of the Seven, please don't let this relationship cross the line this season. Honestly, I swear, if they go there... Sansa, do avenge your family and get rid of this creep in the process.
Sandy scenes of Dorne are glimpsed, including Oberyn's lover Ellaria.
Speaking of which, Jaime is striding through a very Dornish-looking palace in a very Dornish-looking outfit. Could he be conducting some negotiations or damage control down south this season?
Margarey and Tommen appear to tie the knot. How does one plan their third wedding in a matter of a few years without it seeming tired?
Things are happening at the Wall. Wildlings are marching. There's a pyre. Melisandre seems to be influencing things.
Jorah is in a dusty death match of sorts.
Olenna makes threats.
Gold masked men are featured prominently, most likely to do with Mereneese turmoil.
Is that Bronn slide-and-slicing at that Dornish-looking fellow on the horse? Maybe he'll accompany Jaime to Dorne?
Taller Arya picks up a sword outside a large door.
An Arryn army, or at least guard, seems to be on the move, what are Littlefinger and Sansa up to?
Varys alludes to Tyrion helping Dany regain the throne. Will we finally see two of the most awesome characters on the series meet?
Missendei and Grey Worm seem to be getting intimate.
Dany and gang find themselves in the midst of a skirmish in the fighting pit.
It was one of the biggest winter finale shocks of 2014. The death of Oliver Queen. Much talked about in fan forums and geek websites and speculated by one and all.
But come mid-season premiere, we were all thrown into a pit of disappointment to not be risen again. In a logical world, he is dead as coal. And he ain’t blowin’ hot.
But that isn't the case as the producers decided.
How did that happen you ask? How did Oliver Queen return from the dead? How did he survive a Scimitar violating through his lower chest? How did he survive an easy 100 feet fall onto hard rock in harsh winter? How did Sarah die with three arrows and a small fall onto a car but Oliver survived? How?
I love the show but it is preposterous for a show to claim that they are being grounded and realistic and show a man come back to life by literally nothing but herbs. Herbs! Give us these magic herbs and we will cure the world.
O I get it. That was Cannabis. Its all a hallucination.
Over the winter break, after the shocking 9th episode, we all speculated…and specifically we all comic geeks were hell bent on on one theory; that when the show returns and consequently so does The Arrow, we will see him scuba dive in the Lazarus Pit. After all, that is the only realistic (in comic terms) explanation to his non-zombified neo-arrow toting-Jesus Christ return from the grave without a tombstone.
But he is healed now. With herbs and pencillin. Yeah, we are supposed to buy that. Herbs and Pencillin and a woman in the cabin are enough to bring back a man to life; something not even the greatest surgeons in the world can accomplish.
And he comes back to life just like that. Oliver Queen is not dead! Oliver Queen's flashbacks are back! Oliver Queen will be returning to Starling City to kick some ass! Everyone is glad!
No. Not us fans.
We have been made fools. This hurts the intellect. And the source material. Instead of taking us to the Lazarus Pit, we are given this absolute bummer: Oliver Queen survives and is walking within a day. No worries. It was just a 100 meter fall on hard rock with a pierced chest in a snow storm. Its all possible.
This causes brain damage.
Let me know the levels of your nerdrage in the comments, I do need company to vent till I can vent no more. Sigh.
A long time ago in a galaxy not so far, far away we have pen, paper, pencils, paint and imagination. Now we have digital art and pens, paper and paints are strokes of clicks, but one thing remains the same and irreplaceable: the power of imagination. Imagination is the powerful light saber of art. The force that is strong that tells the most interesting stories and most moving images.
A group of artists from an illustration company called Red Ape have imagined what the Death Star would look like if it were actually a Zombie Station. What I saw them do is remarkable.
Zombie Anakin
Giv'em the laaazy eye, Anakin!
Zombie Maul
Looks like Darth Maul just needs a few stitches, otherwise he's the same!
Zombie Han
Nooo! He's even been stuck with his own lightsaber!
Trawling through the internet, you can find many examples of fantastic fan art creations. I stumbled upon user 'rabnud,' who has put together a cool compilation of realistic drawings of our most recognizable animated characters. Created by various awesome artists, from Popeye to Patrick Star, these images are much more detailed than their animated counterparts and look super realistic!
Check them out! What do you think?
1 - Patrick Star
This version of Sponge Bob's best buddy Patrick is quite grotesque. Look at the double chin... he's clearly a fan of the ice cream just like his animated counterpart.
2 - Popeye The Sailor
Popeye's realistic skin is disturbingly too wrinkled... He looks pretty grubby too!
3 - Fred Flinstone
Not bad. The eyes look great.
4 - Charlie Brown
Our lovable loser in the zig-zagged t-shirt.
5 - Brock
The artist who re-imagined Brock definitely deserves the boulder-badge...
6 - Peter Griffin
As a realistic drawing, that famous double chin takes up most of the screen.
7 - Teletubbies
Teletubbies as baby mutants. Nice.
So, what do YOU think of this different approach to our favorite animated characters?
Marvel has their Avengers, but even the Earths Mightiest heroes cant stand the test of time...wait...
I mean the actors... Whoops should have clarified! Now that thats all cleared up...
Robert Downey Jr himself turns 50 this year! Thats right! Iron-Man is 50! Its a big deal!
It is though. Theres only so many more years our heroes of today can, or will want to, keep portraying the heroes they are now. Marvel needs to tap a younger audience with younger actors. Think of the Harry Potter franchise. Im the same age as the main characters, and feel as if I grew up with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Marvel needs to utilize that idea. Using younger actors and having them grow into the characters who will one day mantle the responsibility of being our cinematic super heroes is one sure fire way to hook in an audience for the next 10-15 years. Its perfect timing to start setting it up now with actors who are around 5-10 years old or so, and I think Marvel already figured this out.
The Young Avengers are already being set up. With the new Ant-Man trailer just dropping yesterday, we got a little sneak peak at another youngster in the MCU with potential to grow into a super hero. When I say grow, I mean like...GROW!
Meet Stature. Her real name is Cassandra (Cassie) Lang, daughter of Ant-Man AKA Scott Lang. Making a first appearance in the trailer, she just entered our MCU as Paul Rudd's daughter in the new Ant-Man movie coming in July. Her powers primarily include altering her size, weight, and strength.
Abby Ryder Fortson plays Cassie Lang in Ant-Man
Cassie's origins arent so glamourous. As a young child, Cassie suffered from a congenital heart defect. To save her life, her father, Scott Lang, stole Henry Pym's Ant-Man equipment and Pym Particles, which he uses to rescue Doctor Sondheim, the only doctor able to cure Cassie's condition, from Cross Technological Enterprises. Cassie's eventually cured, and her father becomes a superhero. Cassie admires her father and wants to be like him, and eventually exposes herself to Pym Particles, which results in her gaining her powers.
Iron Lad
Another Young Avenger candidate is Iron Lad. One quick problem. Iron Lads origins tie in with the Fantastic Four. He is an adolescent version of Kang the Conqueror, armed with a bio-metal suit that responds to mental commands. He is named after the father of Reed Richards, and his armor is modeled after Tony Starks Iron Man. Due to Marvel not holding the rights to the Fantastic Four, they'd have to create a whole different character to be able to use Iron Lad. OH WAIT THEY TOTALLY DID!
Ty Simpkins plays Harley Keener in Iron Man 3
Harley Keener, played by Ty Simpkins, became aware of an intruder in his garage one night and, armed with a potato gun, accosted the man. The intruder turned out to be Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. Iron Man 3 created the character Harley Keener solely for this movie. He doesn't have a past in the comic books. However, not every kid gets a garage filled with Stark tech as a Christmas present.
Its a stretch, but I've definitely seen crazier things. Who's to say this young boy cant grow into Iron Lad, the Young Avenger who based his armor off of Iron Man himself. His origins are also similar to Tony's, considering that his father left at a young age and he seems to be very intelligent.
Also, check out the colors of the car. Crimson red and silver-gray! Just like the suit Iron Lad eventually builds. Tony once upon a time came up with his red and yellow color scheme based off a cars colors, so I wouldn't be surprised if in ten years or so Harley Keener does the same with his car.
This next ones a big stretch, as we've barely seen much of this character. However he is the son of Deathlok, and a big fan of The Avengers as we saw onAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Ajani Wrightser is Ace Peterson in Agents of SHIELD
Ajani Wrightser portrays Ace Peterson, son of Mike Peterson. In Agents of SHIELD, Ace's father was taken from him and turned into a villain we know as Deathlok. Forced to live a life of villainous activities, Mike eventually escapes the grasps of his enemies and frees his son from them. However his actions still make him a fugitive. Mike goes off and attempts to search for a way to redeem his actions and one day reunite himself with his son.
Most of what we know of Ace is based off his father. Imagine being a young boy and your hero is your father, and then your father becomes a super villain. You believe in your heart that he isn't, and he proves to you that he still loves you and can still be a good person. You would want to be able to prove his innocence. Ace might grow up wanting to do just that, at any cost.
In the comics, a young boy named Eli Bradley claims to have gained his powers from his grandfather. His grandfather being Isaiah Bradley, the black Captain America. Isaiah had received his powers as part of an early Super Soldier Serum experiment tested on African-American men in an attempt reproduce the formula lost after being used to turn Steve Rogers into Captain America.
Eli claimed to have gained superpowers through an emergency blood transfusion from his grandfather, but this was untrue. He later gained his powers artificially with Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH), an illegal street drug that causes brief periods of superhuman abilities. He lies about it so the group wouldn't know about his addiction to MGH.
Considering MGH is out of the question because Marvel cant use anything "Mutant" (or rather simply say the word mutant), it is possible that, his father being Deathlok and all, Ace could get his hands on some Centipede tech and use it on himself. This would grant himself super strength, and also be concealable.
Considering Ace Peterson isn't Eli Bradley, this might make comic-book fans angry. However a long shot it is, it still is a possibility.
We've yet to see any sign of Wiccan or Hulkling. Wiccans real name is William (Billy) Kaplan. Billy had trouble with bullies in school due to his sexuality and fanboyness. Once while sitting in front of Avengers Mansion, he briefly met the Scarlet Witch, his favorite Avenger. She gave him some words of encouragement and told him that he "could take care of himself". Billy took her advice and stood up to his bully. Unfortunately, Billy's electrokinetic powers emerged for the first time and nearly killed the boy. Billy eventually joined the Young Avengers, and, styling himself after Thor, adopted the super-hero identity of the Asgardian. Later he changed the name to Wiccan.
Hulklings real name is Dorrek VIII. "Thats a weird name" you might be saying to yourself. During the Kree-Skrull War, the Super-Skrull kidnapped Captain Marvel, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch and presented them to the Skrull Emperor. While being imprisoned, Captain Marvel and the Emperor's daughter, Princess Anelle, had a brief affair and she conceived a child. Fearing for his safety, Anelle sent the child away with her nursemaid immediately after his birth. The shapeshifting servant took the child to Earth to be raise by his father, but after arriving on Earth she learned Captain Marvel had died. Deciding to raise the child as her own, she posed as a single mother working in real estate and named the child Theodore "Teddy" Rufus Altman. Teddy joined the Young Avengers and adopted the super-hero identity of the Hulkling, considering he was very strong and was green is his main form. He began dating his teammate Wiccan.
Vision in the movies appears to be Iron Mans helpful AI, JARVIS, once given its own body. Considering JARVIS is a program, it wouldn't be hard to believe that he couldn't build himself a younger looking body and use that. Vision is also a major part of the forming of the Young Avengers, having made the list of possible candidates to form the team if need be.
Ted Allpress as a younger Loki in Thor
Young Loki is probably the most fun option. Ted Allpress plays the younger version of Tom Hiddleston's Loki, in Thor 2011. In the comics Loki is eventually killed. After being reborn, Loki became a child completely, although he retained most of his former bad traits and habits such as lying, cheating and using tricks and manipulating people to achieve his goals. However, unlike his elder-self, he is a lot more gullible and, according to Ikol, has a lot more heart, using his tricks and schemes with good intentions and pretending to be "evil" because that's what his former enemies and allies expect from him.
This makes him a perfect candidate to join the Young Avengers. Loki's wild popularity because of Tom Hiddleston will undoubtably make the audience cringe at the characters death if it were to occur in the films. Considering Thor 3 is titled RAGNAROK, meaning the death of all the gods, Loki dying is very possible. I can imagine the massive sigh of relief that the audience will emit when seeing Loki back on screen (even as a child), having returned somehow in Young Avengers.
There are more Young Avengers who have potential to be moved from the comics to the big screen. If Marvel realizes the potential of these characters and young actors, they could truly make something amazing happen!
