Still in Los Angeles editing X-Men: First Class, writer/director/producer Matthew Vaughn recently revealed to Deadline that an unnamed (but major) Hollywood studio is hot on the idea of funding his next movie; a film about retired superheroes, called The Golden Age.
Clearly referring to the comic of the 1930s (where Superman and Batman made their first appearances), The Golden Age is to be based on an as yet unpublished series of comics by British comedian Jonathan Ross (a self-confessed comic-book-nerd, and husband of Vaughn’s writing partner Jane Goldman), about a number of elderly superheroes who share lodgings at the same retirement home, and are called back into action to help their grandchildren put things right, after their middle-aged parents managed to screw up the world.
Obviously keen to get the ball rolling, Vaughn has stated that he wishes to get several actors attached before a script has even been written, and has a number of very high profile names on his wish-list; including Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino), Jack Nicholson (The Departed), and Warren Beatty (Bonnie and Clyde); believing that film such as Red, and The Expendables, have shown that viewers are open to the idea of having older action heroes, and that he wishes take “these great star names” that are “mainly playing supporting roles, give them the lead, and let them have some fun.”
But despite being heavily involved with his last couple of comic based movies (X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass), Vaughn isn’t yet sure how involved he will be with The Golden Age; not stating whether or not Jane Goldman will be writing the script, saying he may hire other writers, and may simply take a producer credit and allow someone else to direct the movie.
As there’s still no script, no actors, and no director, we obviously don’t have a release date, or even a start date, for The Golden Age, however any movement is likely to intrigue fans of both comic books, and Vaughn; who can expect more announcements in the coming months, and possibly a word or two from those involved when Kapow! Comic Con rolls around this April.
