The Boys introduces a darker and more cynical take on the superhero genre. It shows a superhero-dominated world's moral complexities, flaws, and underlying issues. This realistic take on the superheroes is one of the main reasons why The Boys has garnered so much attention.
Many superhero movies would be entertaining with The Boys’ style of direction. In this article, we will list some of our favourites that deserve a remake in The Boys' style.
The Punisher (2004)
The Punisher should be a top pick if we are talking about a more in-depth and darker look at superheroes. While The Punisher (2004) had its fair share of flaws, Thomas Jane’s (Frank Castle / The Punisher) phenomenal acting made it a worthwhile movie to watch.
For those unfamiliar, The Punisher follows the story of Frank Castle, an FBI agent who becomes the vigilante known as "The Punisher" after his family is brutally murdered. The Boys is known for gritty realism, complex characters, and unfiltered violence. All of these factors fit the narrative of The Punisher perfectly. The Punisher could heavily benefit from this type of direction. A satirical look at vigilantism, the unrelenting nature of Frank Castle, and the collateral damage and ethical dilemmas he faces on his quest for vengeance.
The X-Men Series
Much like The Boys, the X-Men series depicts a society of powered (known as mutants) and normal human beings. However, where these franchises differ is the dominant species of the two. The Boys shows a world dominated by superheroes often toying with the lives of normal individuals. Conversely, the X-Men shows a world where mutants are discriminated against and often persecuted.
These similarities are one of the main reasons why the X-Men would work so well with a darker and Rated-R style. A remake could delve deeper into themes of discrimination and racism faced by the mutants while also portraying the constant threat of persecution and the personal sacrifices they must make. Plus, we already have an example of why this style would succeed, and that is Logan. Logan was a box-office success, and one of the main reasons for its success was its gritty and violent approach.
Venom
Nothing could benefit more from a Boys’ style remake than an antihero story, and Venom is worth considering. While Venom received mixed reviews due to its lacklustre story, Tom Hardy’s brilliant performance made it a solid piece to watch. It’s evident that Venom is not your average good guy; he is ruthless, relentless, and often cruel when dealing with bad guys. This brutality is why Venom deserves a Boys’ style remake.
A remake could highlight Eddie's ethical dilemmas as he tries to control Venom’s violent tendencies. It would emphasise the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. It could also dive deeper into the complexities of a human-symbiote relationship and how that affects Eddie’s other relationships, specifically with Anne.
The Incredible Hulk
We all know how terrifying the Hulk can be when he is out of control. It can take the entire Avengers to bring a stop to his rage. A Rated-R remake like The Boys would make the Hulk a more terrifying and dangerous character to deal with.
It could also delve deeper into the psychological strains Banner faces because of the horror and fear of his transformation. A grittier approach could show the true brutality and power of the Hulk, making the action sequences more intense and impactful.
Hulk's threat to society could be emphasised with a more graphic remake.
Black Widow
Black Widow has not always received much attention in the Avengers movies. She is a solid character, but we never learn the true story behind her origin. That’s where the Black Widow movie filled in, highlighting the trauma and turmoil Natasha faced while growing up. The movie had mixed reviews, but it was a great final movie to send off the character. With that said, there can be some significant improvements.
This is where an R-rated type of direction could be helpful. A remake in this style could heavily benefit the character of Black Widow. It could go deeper into Natasha's relationships with her "family," exploring the complexities, the emotional scars, and unresolved conflicts. Plus, a grittier approach could show the true brutality of Natasha's combat skills, and the action sequences could be more intense and realistic.
A grittier approach could show the true brutality of Natasha's combat skills and the physical toll of her lifestyle. The action sequences could be more intense and realistic, highlighting the deadly nature of her abilities.
Ghost Rider
Released in 2007, Ghost Rider was one of the best movies of its time. This is mainly because of the phenomenal acting by Nicholas Cage, but also because of the story and drama the movie showcased. For those unfamiliar, Ghost Rider follows the story of a stunt motorcyclist who makes a pact with the devil to save his father's life. In return, he becomes the Ghost Rider, a bounty hunter of rogue demons.
There are many reasons why this movie would be better off with a Boy's-style remake: the brutality of Ghost Rider and his powers, the psychological impact of the curse on Johnny Blaze, and its effect on his existing relationships. Plus, with a more mature and realistic style of direction, the action sequences can become way better than before.