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Youngblood Movie Announced!!! Rob Liefeld and Brett Ratner Eye 2010 Release

Feb 10, 2009 Comics, Movies

A new Shaft will potentially be hitting the big screen in 2010.  Newsarama.com broke the news that Rob Liefeld’s creator owned Youngblood comic book series has been optioned by Brett Ratner to be made into a major motion picture.  This announcement has definitely polarized some comic fans as the typical Liefeld bashing has already begun in the comments section under the recently posted article at Newsarama.  Thankfully, there are Liefeld fans lending their support to help even out the discussion.  Liefeld himself has actually replied to a few users comments with solid responses that don’t resort to name calling or flat out speculation.  In fact, he has answered both his fans and critics with the same enthusiasm he applies to his work.  Liefeld’s enthusiastic art is “fun” and I hope this movie will follow suit.

Take a minute and actually imagine what a Youngblood movie could be like.  A Youngblood movie with an all-star cast and with a budget large enough ($150 million) to support the weight of itself.  The movie going public have come to embrace super heroes they know (X-Men, Spider-Man, Batman, etc.) as well as heroes they don’t (soon to be released Watchmen) so why not give Youngbloodtheir shot?  Yes, I understand that imagination may not be required if you remember the Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe version of “Youngblood” that was produced in 1986.  But I think it is safe to assume that Liefled and director Brett Ratner are going to utilize a bit more super heroics and a little less ice hockey melodrama with their vision…  

The Youngblood concept feels like it could have actually been developed for the big screen from the start.  The idea of a group of mismatched super heroes brought together to save the world (and sell T-shirts and coffee mugs… ) deserves to find its way to the multiplex during the summer months.  It’s like a combination of the X-Men and a reality show.  The Avengers meet Big Brother.  If sports celebrities can endorse products, why not a group of individuals who keep the earth safe?  After all, when was the last time the Boston Celtics saved the planet from an alien invasion?…  Youngblood can eat their Wheaties too!

Brett Ratner pairing with Rob Liefeld seems like the exact combination needed to get this project off the ground.  Both appear to share a similar approach to their work; they have FUN with it.  You get the feeling while reading an interview with either one of these guys that they “get it”.  They understand that their respective industries allow them be big kids who get paid to play with their toys all day.  They get it, they appreciate it, and they want to share their toys with us!  I say we let them.  If they are willing to produce a Youngblood movie, I’m more than willing to check it out and hopefully you are too.

Head over to Newsarama to get all the details on this potential blockbuster.  I’ll be here with my fingers crossed that this project continually moves forward with little to impede its progress.

Tags: badrock, brett ratner, Comics, image, rob liefeld, shaft, yougblood movie, youngblood