I think the first 6 are extremely adaptable.

That - as all these things - is going to succeed or fail on the strength of their Lyra actress (and later on the actor they find for Will). Can they bring in the Stranger Things casting director please?

I would never say that Harry Potter should be a limit of a "quality literature" scale. But I'd argue that in the genre of "fantasy stories aimed at children" they're massively popular for a reason. I'd argue for a 9 out of 10 rating, within the category.

LWW is the most pedestrian adaptation possible. I thought I liked faithfulness in my literary adaptations, but I read the Narnia series so much as a kid that I was mostly just bored watching it play out on screen in such an obvious way. There was zero diversion, and it was all done so blandly that even the reasonable…

Nicole Kidman said (admittedly maybe to save face among a certain group of her fans) that she didn't think Golden Compass was particularly anti-religion, and that she wouldn't have made it if it was.

It's neat - but I'm with you, I think it should be restricted to use in flashbacks as much as possible.

I don't really see a problem with using aging actors while they can still do the stunts. With a few exceptions, these are superhumans - so long as the actors are up for it, let them age. It's more a case of when they are too old to WANT to be doing stunt heavy action films. Or when they get so bored that the paycheck…

Yeah - just have Evans "pass on his shield" to someone with superstrength. That's fine by me.

My biggest real concern is a deal to link the X-Men and Marvel universes. I think that would bring the whole thing crashing down. Not least because of the total lack of acknowledgement of either in the other.

Oh I know it IS, I'm just saying I ignore it.

I'm aware it IS part of the MCU - I just ignore it. General Ross isn't such a major thread in Civil War that he can't be handwaved as a new character.

I don't see reboot as the most likely path for one of these universes. Well not the Marvel one anyway. I guess DC may decide to start over with a whole new team, if they have a few more critical failures.

"The obvious answer is recasting, something audiences have proven amenable to."

I think the mass of history helps Marvel movies to feel weightier and more emotional than they might otherwise be. Which helps them to feel like better movies. I think the big back catalogue helps to support these movies more than it will ever bring them down. Watching one of the weaker entries still feels like…

Julia Roberts did her 'global megastar' thing and then gave up acting for a few years. Yes she's back now but I never got the impression Roberts' lack of work was down to lack of offers. Maybe I'm wrong.

This is why the UK's 15 rating is a good thing. As long as we have to have a ratings system.

Serenity was good though. Although not exactly a huge box office success.

Oh no doubt. Depends how precious you are about your little darling hearing 'fuck'.

Weird flashback to Angel where Wesley used the word as though it was the standard UK-English translation of detective, even though it's a pretty obscure term both sides of the pond. Lazy writing sticks in your head.

Aww Jennifer Garner. I feel sad every time I see her in an advert for another family friendly comedy. She was supposed to be the next Julia Roberts. Those first two seasons of Alias were just amazing.