It's official. Comic fans have invaded Hollywood! If you don’t believe us, feast your super-vision on these caped crusaders heading your way...
"Blade II"
What's the story? The sequel to 1998's vampire superhero flick, with the half-human, half-vampire Blade still injecting himself with garlic to avoid joining the ranks of the undead while he battles the forces of darkness.
Talent: Guillermo Del Toro ("Cronos", "Mimic", "The Devil's Backbone") directs and Wesley Snipes stars. Expect lots of high-kicking, neck-biting, wooden-stake-wielding martial arts action.
ETA: 29th March 2002
"Spider-Man"
What's the story? Peter Parker (aka you know who) battles his archenemy the Green Goblin.
Talent: Sam "The Evil Dead" Raimi is directing, Tobey Maguire's been tightening his stomach muscles to play the lead and Willem Dafoe's hamming it up as the Green Goblin. If the web-slinging trailer's anything to go by it could well be the movie of the summer.
ETA: June 2002
"Daredevil"
What's the story? Blinded in a freak radioactive accident, Matt Murdock's other senses are heightened, allowing him to become acrobatic crime fighter Daredevil.
Talent: Swingers star Jon Favreau (once Monica's other half in Friends) has just signed up for a supporting part. Cuba Gooding Jr wanted the title role, but was passed over in favour of Ben Affleck.
ETA: Production scheduled for March 2002 with a mid-2003 release looking likely.
"³έΒ²"
What's the story? After the success of the original "X-Men", a sequel was inevitable. The mutant superheroes return to battle the evil Brotherhood.
Talent: Most of the original cast and crew are returning and fans are promised some surprise appearances by characters from the huge X-Men universe.
ETA: Filming begins in May 2002 with a summer 2003 release date planned.
"The Hulk"
What's the story? Dr Bruce Banner is the kind of man you don't want to upset. One parking ticket too many and he turns green with rage. Fortunately all that pent up tension comes in useful as he tracks down three evil super-mutants.
Talent: No less than Ang Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") is signed up to direct, so this might end up rivalling "Spider-Man". Eric Bana, Nick Nolte, and Jennifer Connelly will add a touch of class to the proceedings and "Don't make me angry!" is going to be the catchphrase of next year.
ETA: Summer 2003.
Heard on the rumour mill: Sandra Bullock as Wonder Woman, Buffy creator Joss Whedon directing "Iron Man", Ashley Judd purring through "Catwoman", a brand new "Superman" movie, and Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") directing "Batman: Year One" with a script by comic genius Frank Miller.
