A few weeks ago I reported that Wonder Woman was rumored for a return to TV with a new look and feel, now I’m excited to learn that ABC is taking a serious look at a new Hulk Series and ABC Family is looking at a first launch for a live action version of Cloak and Dagger.
The Hulk was last seen on CBS from 1978-1982 and starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. That 70′s and 80′s version of the show drew decent crowds and formed a cult following from comic fans.
According to the Hollywood Reporter:
Hulk is one of two projects that are priorities at Marvel Television, Marvel Studio’s TV division, which has been operating under the radar since Jeph Loeb took the reins at the end of June.
The second hot property is “Cloak and Dagger,” which is being developed for ABC Family.
Both are in the early stages of development; Hulk has a “showrunner wanted” placard around its neck. ABC had no comment. Meanwhile, Loeb is meeting with writers to hear ideas for “Cloak and Dagger.”
Perhaps the move is a simple way for studios to recycle content from popular comic books, but more than likely their own failed attempts at original superhero programming (Heroes, Bionic Woman, Jake 2.0 and the list goes on) have led them to realize that using a formula that works from company’s who know how to produce memorable characters is a better way to go.
What do you think about the idea of a new Hulk live action series and the launch of a Cloak And Dagger live action TV show?
My Dad is stoked about the Hulk series. He loved the 70′s TV series. Hopefully this one will be even better. However, I am pessimistic. Marvel’s animation department continues to seem like they are light years behind DC. Bruce Timm’s collection of Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, and the JLA blew away the 90′s X-Men and Spiderman. Young Justice looks a decade ahead of the Avengers.
So now comes Cloak & Dagger and the Hulk. Can they live up to Smallville? Or the WonderWoman series currently in works? It just seems that DC has a much firmer grasp of television features than Marvel does. They also understand video games better (compare Batman Arkham Asylum to any Marvel title). And while I love the Iron Man movies, no Marvel films really equal the work done on Batman yet. The DC toys look cooler. And the DC comics, as a whole, are a better read.
So yea, you can paint me skeptical on this one.