Get Excited About the Future: Early Future Quest #1 Review

Future Quest #1 is the opening salvo in DC Comics’ revamp of several classic Hanna-Barbera properties. We’re due to see strange new versions of the Flintstones (evidently moved from Bedrock to Uncanny Valley), Scooby-Doo, and a Mad Max-like take on Wacky Races. The Future Quest title seemed both the safest bet, putting action heroes in an action comic, and the most ambitious, since there are potentially dozens of heroes and villains to incorporate from the various franchises involved, which include Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, The Herculoids, Frankenstein Jr., The Galaxy Trio, The Impossibles, Birdman, and Mighty Mightor.

It’s a Birdman movie! No, not that Birdman.

Michael Keaton has been a little quiet in recent years but that’s all about to change with not only the Robocop but also a dark comedy called Birdman. Now I say it isn’t the Birdman of Hanna-Barbara fame, but no one really knows. All we have to go off if the logline so far…

[quote]A washed up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he prepares to mount a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim past glory.[/quote]

Could the “iconic superhero” be the Birdman? Could he even be Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law? Unlikely, but how awesome would that be? What we do know is Michael Keaton plays the lead role of Riggan Thomson, washed up actor. Surrounding him is a host of talented actors including Edward Norton (who also took a turn as a superhero back in the day), Naomi Watts, Zach Galifinakis, and Emma Stone. While the casting is impressive, the man behind the camera ain’t too shabby himself.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has a resume that speaks for itself. His 2006 film, Babel, which he wrote and directed, same as Birdman, was nominated for two Oscars as well as winning a host of various festival and awards show prizes, not the least of which was a Best Picture Golden Globe. While he himself wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for 2003’s 21 Grams, two of the actors (Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro) were so he’s no stranger to winning.

Could Birdman be the Academy Award winning vehicle that has alluded Michael Keaton for so many years? Granted he hasn’t made a career out of “Oscar worthy” films but there have been plenty of times he could have been given a nod, Batman or Beetlejuice come to mind. Given Iñárritu’s proclivity for directing award winners, there’s a good chance we might see Mr. Mom up on stage come awards season.

Even though Birdman is listed as in post-production, there hasn’t been a lot seen of this movie. As a matter of fact there is just a few pictures of filming that have only been published in the last few weeks. Hopefully as they move further along the production process we’ll get a better glimpse of Birdman and find out just exactly who we’re dealing with.

Birdman does not yet have a firm release date, but is expected sometime in 2014.