Lex Luthor A Good Guy???
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - There are always bad guys in comic books - rogues and evil geniuses out for world domination. In DC Comics' slate of "New 52" titles, there's about to be nothing but villains as the universe finds itself under assault and protected by an unlikely hero: Lex Luthor. Yes, that's no typo; the notoriously evil Lex Luthor.
The first issue of the seven-issue miniseries will be out Wednesday. WWJ Entertainment Reporter Terri Lee asked WWJ's resident superhero aficionado, Tony Ortiz, aka Tony O, what he thinks of the idea.
"I think it's a pretty good idea because what's going to happen is the heroes are going to be probably shunted off to another Earth where the crime syndicate of America who are coming over to take over our Earth -- that's where they're from -- so they're probably going to be off Earth, so that means you need somebody to step up and protect the Earth, and why not Lex Luthor," Ortiz said.
"He's part of the villains that are still going to be left behind, so they're going to take up arms and try to run the Earth. Here's the question: when the heroes return, will they actually give back the Earth? It'll be a lot of fun to watch and it'll be a lot of fun to read, but, yeah Lex Luthor as a hero, it's unusual, but it works for this miniseries."
But, I wanted to know, will fans accept Lex Luthor in this new role?
"I think they're going to be a little put off by it at first, but when they see that there's a bigger threat out there; that the crime syndicate is going to be a bigger threat than the regular villains, I think people will adjust to it. Look, in strange times, you have strange heroes."
WHAT ABOUT BEN AFFLECK AS BATMAN???
With so much buzz surrounding Ben Affleck's casting as the caped crusader -- and plenty of fans sounding off against it -- one can't help but wonder what Ortiz thinks of Affleck preparing to don Batman's tights?
"I feel it's going to be fine," Ortiz said. "I like Ben Affleck. I think he's a good actor. I think he's improved as an actor over the years, and I think he'll make a good Batman. The key to it, though, is going to be the script. If the script isn't any good, it doesn't matter if I'm playing Batman. No one's going to watch it. You need to have a good script; you need to have a great script for a movie like this, and I think Ben Affleck - if you get a good script - will be just fine as Batman."
The new Batman - Superman movie is scheduled to go into production in early 2014 and it'll be filmed in Michigan, which has granted producers $35 million in incentives. Henry Cavill will star as Superman, with Affleck - despite the criticism - taking on the role of Batman.
When the movie wraps and the press screening is held, you can bet I'll be in the audience. So, rest assured, I'll let you know in advance if you should spend your hard-earned money on a ticket.
WAITING FOR "THE FLASH"
One of Terri's favorite comic book heroes has always been "The Flash." Any chance we may see him on the big screen? Here's Tony O's take:
"There was the old TV series in the 90s with The Flash, which was a great TV series," Ortiz said. "It would be fun to see superpowers like super speed on the Big Screen; I just don't know yet if the world is ready for a Flash movie. I don't know if you can make it interesting yet. But if Batman-Superman works, you could see other DC heroes like The Flash, Aquaman, Wonderman. I think that would open up the door for those guys to eventually show up."
Until then, we're anxiously awaiting Batman - Superman.
Listen to Terri's interview with Tony here:
Talking Comics with Tony Ortiz
Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee
Follow Tony on Twitter @ajortiz3
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