Movies Hollywood Should Make

If only I had $50 or 100 million lying around (or knew a bunch of folks that did), the fun I would have! There are quite a few movies I would love to see Hollywood make - movies that, for the life of me, I can't understand why they haven't been made already!

I'm sure that, somewhere in the deep recesses of "Development Hell" (as the industry affectionately calls the graveyard of unmade scripts, perpetually delayed projects, and would-be movie ideas) there are reasons for these films not being made. But, frankly, I don't care about the reasons. I just want the films made.

So, here they are:

Superman with Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum

I saw the Superman movie with Brandon Routh. I thought he did an admirable job. I have no complaints, but I don't like constantly changing actors for the same character. Why can't Hollywood just take the hit series Smallville to the next level - and make a Superman movie with Tom Welling.

Star Trek TV series have gone to the Big Screen. The X-Files went to the Big Screen. Why not Smallville? And why not keep the same actors? Tom Welling may not be the best actor in the world, but now in his sixth season, he owns the youthful, pre-Superman Clark Kent role. So, let him take that role to the next level.

And don't get me started with Lex Luthor. There is simply no one who has ever played that part better than Michael Rosenbaum. He is, by far, the best Lex Luthor have to grace the screen - Big or Small. So, let him take his Lex Luthor to the Big Screen!

Justice League

Smallville has been inching its way toward a full-fledged launch of the Justice League, but has stopped short thus far. Yes, I know that Oliver and his friends are off to different parts of the globe, but I'm talking about an appearance on the Big Screen or at least a regular series on the small one.

A Justice League movie would do quite well in the theaters. Can you imagine Superman, Aquaman, the Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and however many others we can get joining forces to take on the forces of evil - all in a Big Screen and Big Budget extravaganza? I salivate at the thought of it!

The Lone Ranger

I know that westerns aren't that hot right now. But I think we're getting ready for a return (of at least some degree). There's a lot that Hollywood could do with The Lone Ranger - a lot that would appeal even to a modern audience.

First, there's the potential for a lot of action in The Lone Ranger. I can just see the gunfights, the fistfights, the horse chases, and on and on.

Second, the real key to making the film a success is the Tonto character. Tonto gives the scriptwriters a chance to showcase the tensions between increasing white settlement (some would say "encroachment") of the West and the Native American tribes who were displaced. This should be done, however, not in a superficial, politically correct sense, but rather handled in a careful, nuanced, and realistic manner.

Third, give the Lone Ranger a love interest. Maybe Tonto's sister or daughter.

There's a lot that can be done with this classic character. Hollyood shouldn't consign him to history.

George Washington

Come on, Hollywood! George Washington was perhaps the single greatest real-life action hero in American history - and not one Big Screen movie has been made about him. Yes, he's appeared in some movies. And, yes, a couple small-screen efforts have featured him. But he deserves better than that.

Of course, I say this, but please don't make the George Washington script currently circulating in "Development Hell." It spends more time dragging the Founding Fathers through a guilt-driven, politically correct meat-grinder over slavery and other such offenses than anything else. It's the kind of script that makes Howard Zinn proud, but that is hardly to the script's credit.

I certainly don't think a movie should ignore or sugar-coat Washington's sin of slavery. But the man deserves to be known and remembered for much, much more than that. Nor is it accurate to portray him as a self-serving, greedy opportunist to just happened to stumble into making the Revolution a semi-worthy cause. Again, he deserves better than that.

But, at this point, he's got virtually nothing! Anyone who knows anything about George Washington - a man who exposed himself to personal danger more than any other Founding Father and more than any other national leader who would become President - has to wonder why Hollywood hasn't done something with the Father of our Country.

Magnum, P.I. with Tom Selleck

It was one of the best TV series of the 1980s and it deserves to be brought back - if not as a Big Screen movie then at least as a TV special. And if you're going to bring it back, bring back the actor who made the part famous.

I know Tom Selleck is older than most action stars, but come on, Hollywood! We've gotten a little ridiculous with youth. I have no problem with young people starring in movies, but give me a break! It's like an actor or actress in their fifties or sixties is no longer worthy of being the Big Star. Only a supporting character.

Hollywood can still appeal to younger audiences by giving Magnum a younger sidekick. They don't need to take the part away from the seasoned and proven Tom Selleck.

Well, there you have it. My wish list for Hollywood. I'm not going to hold my breath, but one can always hope.