Movie Rumors from 1990: A Glimpse into the Pit of Development Hell PART III

Welcome to Part III of our look back at the Movie Rumors from 1990. Prepare to find out which characters Marvel Comics had intended to give the big screen (and in one case, small screen) treatment to...

Japan's Spider-Man, as seen in his '70s TV show

To begin with, what director hasn't been attached to working on Spider-Man? Back in the '80s it was Albert Pyun (read our interview with him) who was going to direct the wall-crawler, and then James Cameron was brought onboard in the '90s. But between Pyun and Cameron there was Stephen Herek, who had previously directed Critters (1986) and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989). 

It goes without saying that Spidey fans wouldn't be seeing their web-swinging hero in theaters during X-Mas '90.

The Sub-Mariner might seem like an odd choice for Marvel to consider back in 1990. Though, in retrospect, Marvel had been trying to get Namor onto the screen for quite a while. Back in the '50s an attempt was made for a live-action Sub-Mariner television show starring Richard Egan. 

Richard Egan...almost the Sub-Mariner.

The series never moved into production. Marvel tried again to get Sub-Mariner on TV in the '70s but the show was scrapped before a pilot episode could be made.

The Prince of Atlantis made many animated appearances but a live-action incarnation has been ever-illusive. The last mention of a Sub-Mariner film was made in 2006, which had a screenwriter and director brought on to the project. Considering it's now 2012, one would assume that the film is dead-in-the-water.

Thor's appearance in the '90s Fantastic Four animated series.

The '90s would allow Thor a few cameo appearances in The Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk animated series', but he wouldn't receive his own show. Even so, the '90s marked a host of popular Marvel characters trying their luck at animation, including Spider-Man, X-Men, and even The Silver Surfer. 

Check out Shadowland Magazine #1 for the details about the '90s Captain America cartoon that almost happened!

To be continued!

Be here in a week for more 1990 movie rumors!