X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn has been outspoken on the issue of superhero movie overkill, but that’s not stopping him from signing on to adapt another comic book property by Mark Millar, called Superior. [FirstShowing]
Hewing closer to the origins of something like Shazam! rather than genetic mutations or radioactive spider-bites, Superior is about a young boy diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who has a wish granted and becomes a superhero.
The boy with MS gains the powers of his favorite TV superhero, and not only fights bad guys, but “also ends war in the Middle East, feeds starving children and rescues endangered people from natural disasters.” It’s certainly a noble concept, and Millar has been working with The National MS Society, with the character becoming a symbol of inspiration to many who are afflicted with the disease. Says the creator:
“I wanted to write about a superhero with a disability and I chose MS because it’s something that touched one of my school-friends growing up. I’m acutely aware of the unexpected way the disease can strike anyone and the enormous difficulties it can cause. Superhero stories are essentially wish-fulfilment fantasies and nothing seemed more powerful to me than a little boy with a magic wish not only wanting to walk again, but to fly.”
The concept is interesting, and while Vaughn brought a nasty edge to Millar‘s Kick-Ass (which I thought was entertaining but overrated), expect a more sensitive treatment of the MS theme. With this story’s basis, a lighter approach is probably the best course of action.
What do you think of this concept? Would this be a good direction for a superhero movie?