Sony has a new game plan and a new weapon to take on Disney’s superhero domination with Marvel – and it seems to have lot of weight this time. The name of the heavy weight is ‘Vin Diesel’ Bloodshot!
Vin Diesel is giving up his whole self to become the human-machine hybrid ‘Bloodshot’. He is the anti-hero in the upcoming Valiant Cinematic Universe (VCU) movie being made by Sony. Bloodshot is a 2020 American superhero film in which Vin Diesel plays Ray Garrison, a Marine. After he and his wife are murdered, Bloodshot is resurrected as a super-soldier by scientists.
When Garrison’s erased memories return, he sets out to exact revenge on the man responsible for his and his wife’s death. There are billion microscopic nanites that run through Bloodshot’s blood which heal his wounds quickly, as well as letting him interface with all electronics. Sony is banking on Bloodshot to counter Marvel with its own character cadre.
VCU to take on MCU
Bloodshot is one of the most popular characters from Valiant, a different superhero with unique characters that rival Marvel. If you combine Wolverine and the Punisher into one character, you essentially have Bloodshot.
Vin Diesel is not alone in the upcoming Bloodshot. Sam Heughan as Cpl. Harlan Shifflet, Guy Pearce as Dr. Emil Harting, Talulah Riley as Gina DeCarlo, Toby Kebbell as Axe, a computer hacker and villain and many more. Valiant’s Bloodshot will be released in theaters on February 21, 2020, and the trailer might come out in October.
Valiant Comics come to Silver Screen
Valiant Comics founded in 1989 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and Steven Massarsky. They are the American publisher of comic books.
Valiant Cinematic Universe was relaunched in 2012. It provided comics fans with a gritty, streamlined alternative to the mainstream universes of Marvel. In April 2015, Valiant, Sony Pictures, and Original Film announced a five-picture deal. Sony will be bring Valiant Comics’ superheroes to the big screen. The movie line will include Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot and Harbinger, as well as a shared crossover film called Harbinger Wars.
Master Plan: Harbinger Wars to take on Avengers
The Harbingers are a group of superpowered teenagers that are outcasts of society. The first one is introduced in the series of Peter Stancheck, a teenager on the run who discovers he has a full range of psionic powers – including telekinesis and teleportation.
Bloodshot and Harbinger won’t be the only Valiant characters on the big screen. As per Bob Layton, the co-founder of Valiant Comics, “X-O Manowar! Let’s face it, it’s: ‘Conan in a Can!’ If that won’t translate to film, I don’t know what will.”
How Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot will match Downey Jr.’s, Iron Man
The look of Vin Diesel is pretty unmistakable in Bloodshot – pale skin, black hair, red eyes. Vin Diesel posted the first image from the film on his Instagram account. In the post-Vin Diesel wrote, Ray Garrison is a central character in the Valiant Comic Universe… And for me personally, one of the most complex characters I have been fortunate enough to play. Hope to make you proud… #BLOODSHOT”
If Bloodshot hits the theater big time on the back of Vin Diesel’s following, it will naturally encourage the studio to produce sequels and spin-offs. Just like 2008’s IronMan that was known outside comic book readers. The success of that movie led to the mega-blockbuster the MCU franchise.
Sony’s master plan
Sony Pictures quietly and gradually has been hatching a superhero universe of its own. Recently, it took back Spiderman from Marvel universe. With Vin Diesel, Bloodshot will trigger VCU’s plan of action.
Valiant Entertainment has partnered with Sony to develop and create a shared movie universe starting with Bloodshot. Consequently, it will be called ‘Valiant Cinematic Universe’. Furthermore, Harbinger will be the first film in the franchise. The previously announced Bloodshot will now be the second installment.
A Valiant Effort
Valiant Comics has a devoted fan base from its superheroes apart from Bloodshot. Also, it is the third-largest collection of superheroes after Marvel and DC. Also, its characters are hardly household names the way Batman or Wolverine are. Valiant is one of the most successful comic book publishing companies in history. It has more than 81 million comics sold and a library of more than 2,000 distinct characters.
In today’s time, Hollywood superhero cinema is a battleground between the Marvel Universe and DC UNiverse. Thus, both companies have had varying degrees of success in their interconnected films. From last 2 years, Valiant is studying the playing field before confirming Bloodshot, “We’ve watched everyone very carefully. And our point of view, the best way to fight Marvel and DC is to not. We’re not going head-to-head,” Shamdasani says.
One Brick at a Time
“We’re not going to jump out of the gate and try to make this universe. We’re going one brick at a time. Everything we’re doing is just making the first as good as possible, and build from there,” she added.
Apart from Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot, Valiant has a large number of heroes and villains. Therefore, creating a universe that won’t be a problem for them. These characters may not be as well-known as Marvel or DC’s. But with the right resources, they can be successful on the big screen.
