How a graphic, violent, R-rated superhero movie created the modern DC
By Jonathan Klotz | Published: 2025-11-03 16:59:00 | Source: GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
Written by Jonathan Klotz | Published
Long before James Gunn became the architect of the DC Universe, and before he turned a talking raccoon and a walking tree, he worked with Truma Entertainment, a legendary studio responsible for low-brow schlock work, including Toxic cruciferous. It’s no surprise, then, that his first superhero film was in 2010 excellenthas more in common with Toxie than Star-Lord. A black comedy that would get anyone who screened it in a studio today to be thrown out of the building and banned for life, Gunn’s first superhero film is for fans of grindhouse and 70s exploitation cinema and anyone who enjoyed it. slid.
Pitch black comedy
excellent It is a darker and more violent version of kick ass. There are no superheroes to be found, and by the time the credits roll, there are no heroes in the story either. Instead, the film follows short-lived cook Frank Darboe (Rainn Wilson), a man with a dull life without direction or meaning, who is left by his wife, Sarah (Liv Tyler), when she relapses into drug abuse and becomes enslaved by Jack (Kevin Bacon), a local drug dealer. Until one day God himself (Rob Zombie) comes to Frank and takes on the identity of Crimson Bolt to fight crime and get his wife back.
Frank is joined by Libby (Elliot Page before his transfer), a comic book store clerk who becomes obsessed with Frank’s quest for revenge, and joins him as Bolty. The pair are clearly deeply damaged and operating under a shared delusion that they may be a match for Jack and his trained criminal henchmen. The result is a bloody battle that leaves everyone alive, severely damaged and traumatized by the experience, giving James Gunn one last chance to get his freak out before he becomes part of Disney.
Cast excellent Full of the usual suspects, including Nathan Fillion as the Bible Man, Michael Rooker as an underling, Sean Gunn as another underling, Steve Agee as one of Libby’s co-workers, and Linda Cardellini as one of Frank’s few friends. It’s a testament to Gunn that even his low-budget films are packed with talent. In the amount of 2.5 million dollars excellent It was made with less money than was spent on the Rocket Raccoon cartoon.
The black comedy was, of course, a complete flop, failing to recoup even $1 million during its limited theatrical run. It has since become profitable after more than a decade on DVD and streaming. at that time, excellent It was considered a fraud kick assThis is the claim of Mark Millar, the writer of the original text kick ass comedian, was publicly shot down, stating that he had a lot of respect for Gunn and enjoyed the film.
From Tromaville to Disneyland
excellent It’s disturbingly violent and would be difficult viewing today, but it also bridges the gap between Gunn’s work with Troma and his work with Marvel. Despite the completely different tone, it helped him get noticed by Disney when they wanted to bring the C-Guardians of the Galaxy roster into the MCU. If it weren’t for Rainn Wilson brutally hitting a man in the head with a wrench, Superman It will never be made.
James Gunn has been on the run from his life in Hollywood, and it seems he can do no wrong, but all of this success has only come within the past decade. Don’t forget that with all this corporate success and mainstream success, he’s still the guy who wrote Tromeo and Juliet and Belco experience. If you want to see how far Gunn was willing to go in front of the camera, you can check this out excellent Today, but be careful, it is not for children at all, this is intended for patients.
excellent Now streaming for free on Pluto TV.
(Tags for translation) Black Comedy
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