The Strange Legacy of Hancock

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Back in 2008, Hancock was Will Smith and director Peter Berg's attempt to create a superhero of their own, outside the Marvel or DC machines. And the film, also starring Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman, was actually a hit! So why does it feel so forgotten today? In this video I dig into the film's troubled production and what I think doomed the movie.
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Special thanks to Andrew Elliott (Stalli111: / stalli111 ) for editing this video!

[@captainmidnight]

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[@Dgisonline_1234]

Sure

[@theCarbonFreeze]

Hell no

[@kaymarzo5507]

Yes

[@ribshubmathur5859]

Yes. I would like see something like the boys where heros exists. And how does the world evolve differently because of it. It would be great for world building.

[@doctorsixes8371]

I personally relate to the movie too well, but no. I think it's perfectly wrapped up and resolves his arch.

[@panelsandbars1529]

I once read an article where someone said that Hancock could’ve been what Deadpool ended up being if the studio had just been brave enough to go all out. I think it’s true. Such a shame.

[@rockon609]

In what kind of ways?

[@panelsandbars1529]

@@rockon609 Anti-hero, dark humor than usual for a super-hero summer blockbuster

[@rockon609]

@@panelsandbars1529 yes and I hope for more anti-hero stuff in the future. Wolverine is great but less of an anti-hero, deadpool awesome as well but even when there’s tons of action it’s still a comedy. Hancock just didn’t really know where it wanted to be. Venom the anti-hero but not really. I hope more movies lean into the anti-hero thing a lot more.

[@TM2086]

How you doing bro, Hancock was actually the last film I bought from Woolworths before it shut down. It definitely suffers from being confused in its tone but is still a film I'll watch when it comes on.

[@TM2086]

I think a sequel might have worked to fix it but looks like that's out of the question now.

[@Nelson_Swamp]

The first half of "Hancock" is absolutely brilliant. And then...it just becomes a whole different movie.

[@fidelluz2942]

exactly. the ending was like the director forgot what movie they were doing

[@puellamservumaddominum6180]

Villians sucked. Guys with shotguns?

[@MechaG]

Literally

[@mikearchibald744]

The bad point came when Therons character punches him through the wall. Then she says 'you can't tell anybody I can do that'. That was just SO stupid that it signalled even worse to come, but the movie can't decide if its a comedy, sci fi, or a simple super hero movie. I think they still had "Mystery Men" in mind because it looked and played a lot like that. But it turns out people take super hero movies very seriously, at least til Thor Ragnorak came along. But to my mind its still better plot wise than most marvel and dc movies.

[@carstenhilbert5472]

I loved the second half too. Learning about his lonelyness, his doubt about his worth if nobody is coming back for him very touching. Relatable even.

[@mattysheehan9786]

I LOVE when he starts trying to be good and he’s telling everyone “good job!”

[@MrInterpriser]

Yes

[@jamesrimes2870]

Just like Homelander ^^

[@darkherostar]

@@jamesrimes2870 NO, You're the REAL Heroes!

[@judeannethecandorchannel2153]

😄😄😄

[@jaystarr6571]

Good job.

[@shadowpheonix787]

Hancock makes me think the movie was an attempt to put a whole season of a super hero show into one movie. It deserves another shot, honestly.

[@gamecokben]

I think "shows that should've been movies" and "movies that should've been shows" is a trap that Hollywood still can't quite master

[@projekttaku1]

@@gamecokben yeah.

[@backtoklondike]

And Hancock was made during the time when TV-shows didn't have the prestige they have today. Breaking bad just started it's first season and Game of thrones was still 3 years away. An original high concept superhero show like that would've never been passed through. And even if it did, the budget would've been limiting for what they wanted to do. Today though with shows like the Boys being around, HBO or Netflix would've easily greenlight Hancock and even let it be aimed at adults. And also given that western animated shows, that aren't comedies, started to be critically and commercially profitable, even more so.

[@Limeyvip]

i think the biggest shock i got from this video is that hancock and iron man came out in the same year

[@CitizenKen1]

The Dark Knight and even The Incredible Hulk was also that same year!

[@adnannaemaz1989]

Wasn’t Ironman 2007

[@prathapkutty7407]

@@CitizenKen1 a great year for superhero movies.

[@jamoblair7245]

@@adnannaemaz1989 nope

[@jhonshephard921]

@@prathapkutty7407 that said, I love the modern evolution of superheroes to Invincible/The Boys and shows that discuss serious stuff like Wandavision and Falcon and The Winter soldier.

[@DarkKnightofAnime]

Hancock felt like one of those so bizarre you couldn’t help but love it kind of movies despite its flaws

[@ohyeahitsthatoneguy]

Definitely, it's pretty watchable and the pacing isn't too bad

[@roderick8167]

I highly agree with this

[@Etticos.]

The first half is pretty good but it loses it all in the second half.

[@John-Doe-Yo]

WHAT FLAWS?! HANCOCK IS PERFECT.

[@DarkKnightofAnime]

@@John-Doe-Yo well as the guy above you said the pacing and story do get a little wonky in its second half I think if they had stuck with the idea of him just being a homeless superhero it would’ve worked better

[@Tardis]

The first half of Handcock was amazing. They created a fantastic character and concept. IMHO the second half of the movie seemed to tear apart the fun and adventure they'd just established. It really, really could have been a fantastic film.

[@lwdrd]

I agree but disagree, where is that character supposed to go though? How do you give character progression to some drunk invincible asshole?

[@29wanya]

For me i liked everything, now if they didnt make the decision on making both mary and hancock lovers was just outta no where. If they would of been like 'oh we used to enemies' or 'we just knew of each other' like sorta deal.

[@paynetoni5198]

I was a teenager when I saw Hancock and I remember rolling my eyes when I realized it turned into some mushy romance that didn't even become a love story. I found myself more interested in the stories she was telling him in the hospital, "they" kept coming for us. It had me like, who were they? Was it like the Paladins in Jumper? Then in the end I was wondering, what would happen when she's ready to die? After out living her husband and son. I would watch over Hancock just to hear the hospital stories and then change it.

[@kjk7611]

I always assumed THEY were White ppl whom were trying to lynch Hancock as Hancock & Mary were violating anti-miscegenation statutes. In the 1920s.

[@paynetoni5198]

@@kjk7611 omg hahaha you're right!

[@kjk7611]

@@paynetoni5198 Thk you.🙂

[@GenerationWest]

The thing is, Hancock actually had a lot good ideas going for it, and all of it I really like. The drunk jerk hero rehabilitating his life and image, a friend making sure he succeeds, another super powered being close to him, the whole species of godlike beings existing, and their weakness to an extent too, but not altogether. There were so many ideas in this, but some that just Never had a explanation, like, why is Hancock's symbol the eagle, cause flight? Freedom? So Charlize Theron's powerset also has weather manipulation? Yet never focuses on it. I actually wanted a sequel to flesh out these ideas, and it looked like there was gonna be one at the time, then... Nothing, which is a shame, someone should revisit this premise.

[@theirishpotato6588]

Hi there.

[@GreekDudeYiannis]

Kinda reminds me of Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire. So many good ideas, good actors, and good things going for it, but was trying to do way too much in 90 minutes. Either give it a full 2-2.5 hours, or separate it into two 1.5 hour movies to give everything a chance to breathe.

[@Kuzaki1530]

I always thought the bad weather was a byproduct of when they butted heads. 🤔 Kind of like gods destabilizing their surroundings when they clashed. I would’ve liked an explanation tho.

[@FDALl-ms5kg]

Some say hes an angel who lost his wings and others say hes zeus and shes hera I believe the latter is the truth. An eagle is one of zeus symbols

[@Kuzaki1530]

@@FDALl-ms5kg 😮 I like that explanation for the eagle. It gives credit to why being butthead comes naturally to him.🤔 In this scenario, it makes sense they don’t end up together.

[@jarredmorris9749]

this movie really does have like 11 different tones

[@vincevvn]

It really doesn’t but okay

[@scottstapp6763]

@@vincevvn it’s exaggeration but ok

[@Smurfis]

When the Woman comes out as a hero too then hating the names they call each other is because they used to call each other those names and the emotion is brought out

[@yanii6665]

Thousandth like 😭 very satisfying

[@stoptfg295]

I remember really loving Hancock and being confused as to why it is viewed so critically. Rewatching it made me realize how much I had forgotten. Sure as hell weren't angels in the version I remember enjoying. We really didn't need to know why or how Hancock was a superhero, but the origin story is such a trope of the genre (even in 08) that they felt like they had to. If the last 40 minutes had been more of a character origin story rather than a superpower origin story I think we'd remember Hancock as one of Smith's best roles.

[@arnoldfreeman2885]

I hated it back then too, but you’re right about this potentially being Smith’s best movie. I didn’t grow up watching him, so this was one of my first times watching something he led, and I was blown way for the first half hour or so. I thought he more than lived up to the hype. I thought it was so bizarre that this charming character establishes in the beginning now had to be “cleaned up”. It just made the evolution of the character so boring. Then the twist happened. Then I wanted to leave the theater.

[@Mapleaple]

The kid that told handcock to get the bad guys shops at our store. Great guy ! He's very close with his mother and still lives with his parents to support them.

[@diewaarheid9431]

What? Atticus Shaffer? That is soo cool! I Loved him as Brick in The Middle! I loved that show generally. Much more grounded view of family life than what we foreigners normally see about US lives. I'd wager...

[@carternorton2682]

Hancock was one of those movies that if you gave it some polish and released it today it would fit in really well with the likes of the boys and invincible that twist the superhero genre

[@nova_zar]

The "Wow superheroes are jerks" trope is now the new normal

[@ribshubmathur5859]

Yes

[@Darthvader468]

I don't think Invincible falls under the same cathegory, yeah Omniman is evil but the rest of the heroes are actually heroes

[@Lightning_Lance]

@@Darthvader468 That may be true, but part of that genre is also to show how much the superheroes screw up and the consequences when they do. Invincible definitely fits in that.

[@JustKrin]

@@nova_zar it's so weird how what was supposed to be be fresh is now a trope. Like when the Jupiter Legacy trailer came and everyone called it Netflix's The Boys, like every superhero show that isn't from Marvel is just a deconstruction

[@thwipkid]

Hancock is the movie that made me go “oh, super heroes can be jerks.... I kinda like it!”

[@MatanVil]

And now it's all the rage, with only Invincible bitch-slapping that consept in the face (a thing that that was already part of the reconstruction it was in the comics)

[@rockon609]

In a lot of ways I hope fore way more anti-hero protagonists in the future for superhero movies. Wolverine and Hancock and even Deadpool in film hold anti-hero qualities, but it’s less of a grey area.

[@speedy01247]

@@rockon609 you'll like mid comics invincible. (Probably, unless you hate the environmentalist terrorist dinosaur he teams up with)

[@AldoApachi-]

sweet summer child, I knew about punisher since 10 years old :ddd

[@thwipkid]

@@AldoApachi- I knew about Punisher and other mean (around this time I was like 6 years old so heroes like punisher i called “mean” heroes) heroes, I just never really liked any, Hancock as a kid was just the right balance of mean and funny for me to love him

[@mechajay3358]

Watching Hancock, it feels like watching two different movies in one.

[@Larry]

7:01 movies with massive tonal shifts? I'd say definitely the Adam Sandler movie, Click is one. That was out around the same time too!

[@josephsua7246]

I hate the tone shift. Because it made me wish the movie was a drama as a whole. Despite the premise lol

[@stephengrigg5988]

Yep, dumb toilet humor contrasted by scenes that made me cry and the knowledge that sandler could be an oscar winner if he just committed

[@zk0rned]

Click made me cry and I can count the movies I've cried on one hand despite watching hundreds of movie including so called sad ones

[@mombosibes107]

Distric 9 was also a movie with huge tonal shifts released one year later. It's a mockumentary in The Office style, some commentaries about racism and segregation, a sci fi action adventure and a love story. There's nothing wrong with mixing the genres, but you have to do it well, something that this movie lacks a little. It's not a bad movie, but not a franchise starter.

[@ERatiu]

I just watched Click for the first time because of this comment.

[@Gardetrace]

Hancock really should have been 2 separate movies, one about a reformed superhero, the other about his origins. Charlize Theron pushing him through the wall would have been a perfect "holy shit" moment to end the first movie and build intrigue for the second one.

[@DonkeyBoyVids]

I agree but in 2008 that sort of sequel baiting wasn't as common as it is in the Marvel post-credits world of today. Maybe if it were like a series, and that was the end of the season, I think it would've worked great.

[@rottensquid]

Problem is, a scene like that is good because it gets your mind racing, wondering what's going on. But when you find out that the explanation makes no sense, or is paper thin or doesn't mean much, the "holy shit" moment is rendered hollow.

[@Gardetrace]

@@rottensquid This is why having an entire second movie to flesh it out could have made the idea work as opposed to shoving it into the second half of one movie.

[@rottensquid]

@@Gardetrace See, I think it would be better to just remake the film with both halves integrated into a single story, instead of two completely different half-movies. If the world-building of the second half had been alluded to with hints and clues earlier on, it would have come off as a mystery revealed rather than like the movie suddenly changed its mind what it was. The problem wasn't that they didn't have enough time to tell the story. The problem was that they didn't structure the story properly. It was separated into two barely connected plot lines, when it should have been one story combining the two plot lines into a single arc.

[@cookieface80]

I hate sequel baiting bullshit like that, just tell a complete story in one movie.

[@DBraeges]

One of the main problems with Hancock, which you touched on, is that it’s essentially two movies smooshed together awkwardly. It feels like they came up with two solid ideas, with the drunk hero movie being the first and the immortals stuff being the intended sequel, but couldn’t quite get them to work separately, so they just bolted them together and hoped for the best. If they had gone all in and made the two halves separate films, both would have been much better.

[@yaswante4105]

seriously imagine near the very end of the movie after he's been rehabilitated and saves everyone she tells Hancock who they really are and then it just cuts to black there wldve been so much hype for the sequel

[@JumbleJammyJokes]

Couldn’t agree more. The first half feels much stronger (probably because the trailers focussed more on it), so it was difficult to latch onto the second half despite the ideas being intriguing enough

[@DeLawrence97]

To me it seemed like it was written by 5 different people who never knew what the other ones were doing, so when the time came to assemble the pieces, instead of them fitting with one another, they were stapled together and a lot of holes remained in the big picture. Isolated though, each part had potential, the drunk super hero with no regard for collateral damage, his rehabilitation, the immortals' history, whoever hunted them. Cool ideas, not explored enough and just put in a blender in the same movie.

[@bozitrapboy]

@@yaswante4105 YES! it would have been amazing man :(

[@rmsgrey]

It's still better than Elektra, which had at least three different movies competing for the screen...

[@futurepastnull11]

Can't wait for the sequel in 2023: Handslap

[@beejj6190]

From memory: The first two thirds were one of the greatest superhero movies ever made (esp. effects wise). That last third really dropped the ball, IMO.

Hancock felt like two movies smashed together. And I mean it literally, to the point where you can see when one ends and the other starts. Hancock being a jerk, meeting the PR guy, going to prision, starting rehab, and finally having a classic superhero moment where he saves the day and everybody cheers feels like the first movie, while him being a succesful superhero celebrity but alone and unaware of his past until he finally meets another one like him and the truth about who he is feels like that should be the sequel to the first half of the movie.

[@BomberDX97]

You're exactly right

[@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075]

agreed

[@Gagieboy]

Holy shit, you're right 🤯

[@dennisyoungblood349]

My favorite part in this movie is after he saves Ray, and that lady is like, "I can smell alcohol on you" and he said, "Cuz I've been drinking b*tch" lmao

[@OdysseyTag]

Handcock for me is definitely an underappreciated gem. I remember seeing the first trailer of it when it was about to come out and thinking "wow, I've never seen a superhero movie like this". Always gotta give praise to films which subvert the genre - and it did so in a mostly campy and entertaining way.

[@aldiascholarofthefirstsin1051]

It becomes garbage very fast tho

[@projekttaku1]

trash tho.

[@TommyLyles]

This should've been two movies, Movie #1 introduction save Ray who help him develop from angry a**hole to likable super hero. End on a somber note of "yeah, I can be a good person... but I'm still here alone - and it sucks. Movie #2, introduce Charlize's character - Hancock goes from "Damn, I'm not alone" to "we can save the world/or we both get weaker and we become nobody/ies". There's the duality of the super hero tale. To be or not to be. Curious that this review doesn't touch on the difficulty of integrating (sorry for the pun) a mixed-race couple into 80/100/1,000 year history. That makes it an unbelievable tale to tell in modern times. I find the movie still quite watchable - if you do it in halves. Well done review, nonetheless. Cheers!

[@SteveSmith-wk9dx]

The first half of this film is one of the best superhero film deconstructions ever made.

[@billyboleson2830]

Everyone hypes up Watchmen and The Boys for doing this yet no one ever mentions Hancock sadly lol

[@LucyWest370]

@@billyboleson2830 yeah cause both of those were mostly dark and didn’t have massive pacing issues

[@Merdicano]

@@billyboleson2830 I don't think Hancock needed to be deep than those two. It does explore nicely the theme of a broken superhero getting reconstructed as a modern day individual and a better figure. But it doesn't have to be like all serious and dark. Being fun and a popcorn action movie is what made it work in a way. I'm not saying they can't explore those themes, but it doesn't have to go all that grim and dark to have them

[@B4Astudios]

this is why i can only really watch the first half of this movie... i love it but by the time he gets thrown out the house by his past wife, its a different movie. i cut it off at that point

[@darkdeifan]

that must be why I only remember the first half

[@StriderStryker]

Doesn’t matter if Hancock is good or bad. That movie is a *certified hood classic.*

[@JeyClout]

It went wrong at the Oscars.

[@mcbadrobotvoice8155]

The first part was beautiful I can’t lie. Watching hancock fly drunk was the funniest shit ever

[@austiningram610]

I always felt like Hancock could've been a great tv show. The movie already feels like someone packed about 3 seasons of a show into a 2 hour movie.

[@BigScreenMovies]

I didn't mind Hancock, I thought it was quite good. Haven't seen it in a while though. It's that type of movie. The *'oh yeah, that exists'* type.

[@LucyWest370]

Hancock is pretty good but the pacing is mega off. We see him save like two people in a flawed fashion and then he immediately goes to rehabilitation mode.

[@terrajae9629]

Rewatch it i always liked it and rewatched it and was like damn I miss movies like this

[@CaptainKirkZ1LLA]

I stand by the idea that Hancock is one of the greatest cinematic tragedies in "recent" years. So much potential got squandered, and even 30 more minutes of runtime would have helped alot.

[@GrizzleyBruin]

I remember watching this in the theater and realizing "whoa . . .every single scene in the trailers take place in the first 15-30 min. I wonder what the rest of the movie will be about?". When it was done, i wished i had seen something else.

[@lowlowseesee]

ALWAYS a bad sign and especially for comedies. all the best jokes in the trailer, its a wrap

[@PaperBatVG]

I didn't know that Vince Gilligan fact! Crazy!

[@JustKrin]

That was a bigger plot twist than the one on Hancock

[@djmarsupiaI]

When are you finishing the Skyrim let's play

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

On the one hand if he had stayed with the film I wouldn’t have had to listen to people try to convince me a show about the dad from Malcolm in the Middle making drugs was any good for years now. On the other hand I wouldn’t have the cool episode of American Dad where the gang follows a set of clues to find out well I won’t soil it for you but great episode.

[@hairbeauty8083]

@@donkeysaurusrex7881 its a good show. Im not sure what the actor being in malcom in the middle has to do with anything. Most actors star in more than one show

[@enotsnavdier6867]

@@donkeysaurusrex7881 Dismissing a popular show you haven't seen for a dumb reason doesn't make you cool

[@tomhoneycutt5253]

I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. Hancock feels like a lighter version of one of the superheroes from The Boys, and I liked everything pretty much until the twist, which is also when the visual effects department takes over and the action scenes stop feeling like they have real stakes and consequences.

[@michaelangeloh.5383]

I actually only started becoming more interested towards the end, even though it was like "wtf", just for it to actually suddenly end. Or maybe I didn't like it... I don't know... I just remember it was cut short for my liking. (I'm going off a 13 year old memory here...)

[@tygerinthenight3255]

When I watched it for the first time I expected there to be a sequel about his past rather than just revealing the mystery immediately after posing the question. There is so much potential in the "waking up in the hospital alone with immortality" thing

[@sidroberts7960]

I'll be honest, I loved the movie. I loved the idea behind it, the twists, everything, and would have loved to see a second movie from it.

[@kjk7611]

Me too. Even prequels.

[@huntsurveys7477]

13 years later and I’m still reminding myself to say “good job” to my co-workers because of this film. Thanks Captain Midnight for putting a smile on my face with your upload.

[@Sol3UK]

LOL, same here 😁

[@adamdorris4081]

Good job! 😸

[@da_pikmin_coder8367]

Hancock is an example of what I like to call "The first 45 minutes was a masterpiece, but since corporate needs a blockbuster, gears quickly shift." Hancock is a beautiful movie where someone sees great potential in an infamous hero, and in coaching him, they both become the best versions of themselves. Then he meets someone with the same powers as him and it's a completely different movie for the rest of the film.

[@douglasblowe805]

This was not only a great movie but the idea in it and the backgrounds of the two superheroes was fantastic. I wanted a sequel or two and even a prequel.-- I still do.

[@bmillz6243]

I remember coming out of the theater thinking how that movie was trying to be a superhero movie, action, comedy, drama, adventure, fantasy movie all at once. It just didn’t know what it wanted to be.

[@JosephDutra]

I honestly thought the whole subplot with Charlize Theron’s character being his wife and also have superpowers felt forced and unnecessary. It became too packed and was all over the place by the third act, if it had been a tease for the main plot for the sequel, it probably would have worked better.

[@mikemadsen7926]

I don’t think it was trying to be your typical generic super hero film...it was complex and had depth

[@mikemadsen7926]

@@JosephDutra that wasn’t his wife it was his soulmate...a soulmate is somebody you want so bad but are never meant to have,but instead are meant to learn a s**t ton of lessons threw until you become selfless...so selfless that your willing to give up that something you really want...instead of giving in to selfish earthly pleasures such as alcohol.. and being based around giving back to others

[@JosephDutra]

@@mikemadsen7926 I get that, it just felt like it was trying to overstuff the complexity.

[@whodatboi2567]

Hancock was lowkey ahead of its time in regards to superhero films. I agree with your analysis of how the film wasn't interested in exploring the ideas it presented and that Charlize Theron's character's reveal pretty much derailed the intrigue of the films premise. Also I think Hancock written and directed by Vince Gilligan would have been amazing.

[@whosaidthat84]

Hancock to the bad guys "I am the danger!"

[@TheWaxlemon]

hancock's the type of movie you remember watching but you can only remember scenes from the first act. i completely forgot that whole last segment about him being immortal anyway

[@giovannijiminez7858]

With the shift in tones it probably would have worked great as a series. Each episode having it's own vibe then the epic final episode is more understandable.

[@ddb1014]

Honestly I've always thought that if they saved his back story with the lady and all for a sequel they would've been just fine

[@ben.patrick]

I agree. Hancock kinda feels like 2 movies strapped together.

[@Skippyhazurmuny]

I honestly loved it. Wanted another movie like it.

[@adamrielh]

Same. Also would have liked to see Vince Gilligan’s full vision.

[@ChrisTookFlight]

Same

[@Merdicano]

@@adamrielh I think they could still make the sequel of Hancock. If they take the same formula that they did with Bad Boys For Life and have a clear outline of what they want to explore for the sequel (mainly the origin of Will Smith and Charlize Theron's characters), I think it could really work and be different from the current day superhero movies

[@DW3010]

I remember going to see this expecting one movie and seeing another. Then once Charlize showed up I knew it was going to be another different movie as she wasn’t on any of the trailers.

[@Cinnabar_and_Chalcanthite]

I loved Hancock a great deal and have watched it several times. It was ahead of it's time, Deadpool before "Deadpool"... The pacing, the tonal shifts, everything about this movie I loved. Then add the brilliant energy combo of Theron and Smith as the movie, characters unfolded? Bloody fantastic and I would have thoroughly enjoyed a follow up more in depth origins/new or old threat sequel.

[@TroySpace]

It was an interesting concept film, but such films don't create great franchises. They're really just longer versions of Twilight Zone-type stories. For me, it was interesting and fun but not brilliant. I'd much rather see a Bright sequel because that world is so interesting and Will Smith's character had more potential growth and conflicts ahead.

[@zainrizwan5421]

Will Smith's career is what I imagine fictional Will Smith's career would be like from Fresh Prince if he decided to get into acting.

[@harvey8376]

Honestly we've been so far into the superhero boom I appreciate films like this for having variety on the super hero genre. Kind of like how say what you want about the X-Men films but they were very different to the marvel ones we get several times a year.

[@ninjanibba4259]

X-Men is Marvel

[@JustKrin]

I disagree mostly because the reason Deadpool and Logan exist is because of the MCU. Fox was gonna pump sequel after sequel and then prequels if it wasn't for the failure of Xmen 3 and Wolverine origins and the success of the MCU

[@harvey8376]

@@JustKrin true that's a good point but if Deadpool wasn't already established as R rated I doubt Disney would have gone that route. I see what you mean though I'm just saying with one studio making the majority of the films now there's not going to be nearly as much variety in different films.

[@harvey8376]

@@ninjanibba4259 I meant fox marvel compared to the Disney marvel films my bad.

[@JustKrin]

@@harvey8376 well, it's not like Fox needed to be persuaded for years just to make a Deadpool movie, let alone be r rated. There is variety in the genre and it will continue to be. Now if what you mean between PG 13 and R rated then that's different

[@Matoflow23]

you finally put into words my thoughts for this movie, 100% agreed with this video, keep it up midnight!

[@dontmintme]

Hancock is one of those movies I will always think fondly of, because I remember liking it as a child and watching it with my dad. This movie came out when I was 6 and I thought Hancock as a character was super cool. But I have not watched it in years and doubt I would think the same now. Maybe I would, who knows. Might have to give it a re-watch.

[@shoesncheese]

"I'm sure his career is doing just fine" while showing clip from Bright. That's cold.

[@Dreadjaws]

I remember when Smith rejected the lead role of Django Unchained because he'd have to share protagonism with another guy, which he didn't like to do, and here he is now, playing second fiddle to Margot Robbie and a bunch of unknown guys.

[@lowlowseesee]

@@Dreadjaws that pisses me off. so dumb

[@MauFerrer2000]

Seems like they could've done 2 movies out of this. The first one about Hancock trying to fit in and the second one about his past

[@Cheesusful]

Then you have a third one where they try and break the cycle and have a baby but superhero life gets in the way

[@pyrolee17]

With the 3rd being the final fight against what ever wiped the other angels out

[@HAMZA_OLYMPUS]

@@pyrolee17 FUCK YES EPIC

[@Waifu4Life]

11:17 "...and while I'm sure his career is doing just fine" Well that aged like fine wine.

[@marcussimmons9452]

Thanks for covering this. I really enjoyed this movie. Still do.

[@AnotherJenn42]

I’m glad someone finally called out that Back to the Future “chicken” thing. It’s always bothered me.

[@jr2904]

@@cfssuperhero that's pretty cool, I'd never knew that even though I have seen rebel without a cause and bttf is my favorite film

[@toryniemann5124]

I will never forget Hancock for squandering one of the most interesting setups in a film (what could cause a hero to turn his back on a city, and how does he come back from that?) for a nonsensical and unrelated twist. Great cast, great premise, horrible third act.

[@joshsalwen]

I’m not sure if I agree, but an interesting idea. I’m going to think about it. Thanks for the thought experiment. It is fun to come across new ideas.

[@puellamservumaddominum6180]

Yes as soon as got to Theron being a god the script writer forgot what movie he was writing.

[@SuperMurray2009]

@@joshsalwen Have you came up with an answer?

[@thecommunity1102]

Glad I don't remember how the movie ended or much of the 3rd act 😂 got me afraid to re-watch the movie

[@devincarter6005]

Agree with you 100%, and it would be so cool to see a new interpretation

[@LetsBendReality]

Omg!!!! This was SO GREAT. I never would have reflected as deeply as I did on this fun film without this video! I actually felt wonderfully close to the storyline since I'm very good at suspending my disbelief as an artist, which is part of the audience contract in film/theater...to simply trust the storyteller will do their best to show us this imaginary world as realistically as they can and we as an audience will do our best to believe the story and all it's circumstances. That being said...I teared up GOOD at the end when I saw and felt the connection they had and the limits he was pushing himself through...then to die and come back...they GOT me. I felt it, the acting alone carried this movie for me much along the way, with humor and action along with the upbeat wonderful chemistry between Bateman and Smith. I could watch Jason Bateman talk about even accounting for hours...OH WAIT...I HAVE! #Ozark #GoodTimes Anyway, I definitely would love a Vince Gillian complete creative control rendition, remake or sequel aaaand....I just feel like Barry Jenkins or Regina King would do something new, fresh, and surprising with a film like this as directors, too though! Last note I could give: I definitely would easily guess he didn't like the word asshole because that's what Charlize would call him for maybe the first hundred years or however long when their relationship was going south...so, he has the tick of hating that word but doesn't remember why maybe...? So when she calls him it in the film...it felt familiar and almost like she knew it would irk him...? (Educated guess! 🤔🤓👍🏿🙏🏿✌🏿💫) Definitely also had to say I LOVE the inspiration and intention you gave to comment on the video the way you did: this is easily a favorite thread to have read of such beautifully open minded, fun film buffing people, who also love creativity and phenomenal brainstorming to improve something with ideas just popcorning so LOVELY!!!! Much respect and love to everyone on this thread! Please keep being YOU!

[@TheAdamChaney]

Hancock is an interesting movie for sure. I love the late 2000s nostalgia.

[@superstarultra28]

2008.

[@havardhelgesen2906]

You mean late 2000s?

[@TheAdamChaney]

@@havardhelgesen2906 Yeah

[@davidmckesey7119]

Suburbia was great too

[@thecrocthief1555]

I will forever remember this movie as It was the first pg-13 movie I saw in theaters.

[@bmillz6243]

Same for me too, I turned 13 the summer it came out

[@jr2904]

Mine was Terminator 3 lol. So I guess I'm about 5 years older than yous guys

[@clarissawestbrook2203]

Hancock is in my top ten favorite Will Smith films but I agree with alot you said and it did have missed opportunities. I think this was Will Smith's last huge summer blockbuster to date. It would be interesting to see Will Smith reprise his role as Hancock in Hancock 2 with a superior script to the original. This was a good breakdown of the movie.

[@redshepherd32]

im glad someone talked about this movie.

[@VidSpot23532]

Hancock's score is highly underrated

[@ishaanwankhade4834]

I don't care if I haven't seen Hancock, I'm excited captain midnight uploaded

[@ekojar3047]

I loved this movie and I'm still hopeful for a sequel of some kind. I loved how he was a sloppy dude that was just tired of being a super hero. I love the idea of an alcoholic super human that suddenly realizes there is trouble and he can save these people, but he's drunk while doing it and its not as smooth as your typical hero moment. And I like how he grows throughout the movie and he only cares when his own way of life is disrupted and it sets him on a new path and I really want to see the rest of that path. The ups and the downs of being a hero is what we all love. But there is something special here.

[@traestyles25]

This had so much potential.

[@thegillmanedits]

Actually kinda love that it takes such a turn. Forty minutes is an eternity in movie time. I think the movie was marketed like something it never was. Also, I always thought (in context of the revelation of their origins) that he hates being called an asshole and she hates being called crazy because that's what they would call each other at their worst moments.

[@vincevvn]

That’s a great point, but don’t point out things to him because he doesn’t really understand nuance

[@reeceb4622]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid, didn’t realize how old it is though that’s crazy.

[@sm5574]

I went to see this on July 4 evening at a small local theater. Apparently the owner wanted to get home, so he started the movie early. Like, really early. And he didn't tell anyone that until we had already bought tickets. Even though I was "on time", the entire first act was over by the time I got to my seat. The only thing the owner offered was for people to come back the next day to see the part they'd missed.

[@yasianproductiontales8640]

Man, I gotta say this movie was really insightful. Honestly I’m trying to build a franchise as well starting with one character here on KZbin. When I was a kid and saw Hancock, I watched it and couldn’t really see why it was so odd to me. But this video hit it on the nail. Thanks! I learned a lot!

[@ThePonderer]

I actually saw this one in theaters with my dad when I was super young. It was one of the more odd theatrical experiences I’d ever had at that age.

[@ultimatehope549]

Same, I remember my dad took me to see it at 11 at night when I was like 7 (holy shit, was I really 7 when it came out?) and I was really tired watching it. I remember having fun but it was just such a weird movie to me. I was like, “Wait, why is this superhero such an asshole? Why’d he just cut this dude’s hand off? Why is the final battle not a big epic fight with lasers everywhere on screen? Why doesn’t he get the girl in the end (ignoring the fact that she was married XD)? Why doesn’t he wear the costume until the last scene?” It was such a weird experience for 7 year old me.

[@adamrielh]

@@ultimatehope549 he cut his hand off because if his hand let go of the trigger, the bomb would have went off lol

[@ultimatehope549]

@@adamrielh Oh ok, I remember barely anything from the movie lmao. That sounds familiar though, they were in a bank if I remember correctly.

[@martinnaranjo3185]

This is actually rather effin awesome, you don't get much talk about Hancock Not the best movie evar but definitely super interesting

[@Kiran-ye7ix]

Thanks for making this video! Hancock is a very underrated movie.

[@gsofficial]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who responded to the Watchmen comparison with "NONE of them have superpowers EXCEPT Dr. Manhattan!!".

[@SeksBott69]

I think this could've been an excellent movie regardless of whether they went for the comedy or the dark immortals storyline, it really is kinda sad we didn't get either

[@antoniobrooks474]

The immortal subplot was the most interesting part. It would’ve cool to see Will and Charlize’s characters in different time periods fighting for survival. Also, the drunk superhero storyline isn’t bad either

[@trevonh4139]

It would have been cool if they were revealed to be Adam and Eve.

[@Prime_Rabbit]

The beginning of handcock is one of my favourite movie (beginnings) I love the idea of a hero who is not a psychopath but just a broken individual

[@jdraven0890]

I love the first half of Hancock It was a great concept and well executed to a point. As you said it takes a hard turn at the point they introduce the immortals thing. My friend who watched it with me found that way more compelling, I did not at all.

[@Jaytheshinobi]

I haven’t seen Hancock yet but I’m already interested in the video

[@urielsantiago6121]

I remember when I was like 7 when that movie came out and this video gives me nostalgic feels. I think it’s worth a watch even now

[@Jaytheshinobi]

@@urielsantiago6121 thanks for telling me how you feel about it I’ll definitely give it a watch know

[@HotDogSlayer]

This was one of favorite movies when it came out. I was 9 or 10 at the time of release but I passively watched it again while working one day and felt like it held up. I always wanted a prequel story with the the other heroes.

[@thekadju2450]

I remember always feeling hyped when seeing this movie on TV as a kid, like damn, drunk superhero kicking ass. And then as I watch the movie I just get bored.

[@randallsavage13]

This movie has so much potential…. You could also take this to a series on HBO max or something like that

[@cashordeals3672]

Ah dude when i seen that thumbnail nostalgia hit me hard i still remember the end credit scene with mike epps 🤣

[@ijoseph7343]

I love this movie! Would love to see the concept of the couples fleshed out in a Netflix series or something

[@harrybetteridge7532]

A five season series would have been fine, season 1: Hancock's reputation get rehabilitated ends with the prison break, season 2 : The bad guy Red goes all Lex Luthor behind the scenes, season 3 : the bad guy unable to beat Hancock alone forms a anti-Hancock squad a 2nd female superhero is revealed, season 4 : Hancock & Mary both with no memory of their pasts trace their history with the final reveal that someone helping them is a really also super powered but a villain who had been behind Red in season 2& 3. Finally season has the tracking them tracking him down and discovering why their powers will strangely fade out. Having defended the Super villain they have to go their separate ways to avoid becoming vulnerable & leaving the earth defenseless.

[@ijoseph7343]

@@harrybetteridge7532 such a good idea! I always thought Netflix series and like hour long episodes would be so good for a lot of movies that couldn’t fully flesh out their ideas

[@That80sGuy1972]

Hancock is, to this day, one of my favorite movies. Because of the "happily ever after" vibe at the end, I would have been shocked if it had a sequel.

[@Lapeno456]

I love this movie up to the part where he saves the people in the bank, after that it starts to slowly fall apart

[@eon001]

I think the immortals myth and charlize therons character didn't need to be in this at all. Keep it simple.

[@jasdanvm3845]

Why tho?

[@eon001]

@@jasdanvm3845 why get rid of it? I think it just bogged down the initial concept with lore they could have saved for a sequel or just left up in the air. Homeless cynical alcoholic hero was strong enough on it's own.

[@jasdanvm3845]

@@eon001 Yeah... I guess they just wanted higher stakes. And since there wasn't ever a sequel, I'm glad that they included it in the first one anyway.

[@NoatheLAPTOPnerd01]

I binged your videos like hell this past week and subscribed... this is the first fresh drop I've been here for hehe

[@originaozz]

Thanks for the breakdown. I think superhero deconstruction has become a norm now, but it still hard to pull off. Would love your take on Invincible!

[@joshuaphillips755]

Spot on

[@raccoonja5905]

I liked the movie when I first saw it as a teen, then the imortals thing just came out pf leftfield and took over the plot. I always felt they had ideas for two movies, but didn't know how to finish the first one or how to start the other one and make a 90 minute movie with one of them so they just stuck them together.

[@Richardiba]

I really enjoyed Hancock, and I wished there was a sequel to flesh out his mythos even more. The grim and sombre mood of this movie worked because he actually had a reason to feel bereft. Compare this to "Man of Steel" where Superman feels so grim because he's suddenly seen as a refugee, and you can see that this was the superior film in that respect. The reveal that Charlize Theron's character was actually his wife was a bit jarring, but I still liked it. I think the problem is that it ends shortly after that; a sequel would've served to remedy that. I was looking forward to the introduction of someone else from their race, who would eventually come back as a massive villain

[@sarahdaestrela6098]

I like going back and rewatching the first half of this movie sometimes

[@njml4178]

His flying whilst drunk is so funny OMG. I’m gonna go watch it for old times sake now.

[@adamrielh]

Funny, I just watched this last week. I thought it held up pretty well. The emotional beats hit pretty hard. Would have loved to see Vince’s full draft.

[@AVspectre]

I really liked this when it came out. I knew there were some off elements but the amazing potential made it great in my mind.

[@gregkelley7182]

This was such an accurate take on this movie. I just tried watchin it again the other day then once I got to the angels/ gods reveal, I had to shut it off. It had so much promise.

[@zardox78]

While the mysterious origins of Hancock were an element that was brought up, it wasn't really what the story we were watching was about. It was a story about someone with the powers and the general inclination to be a super-hero, who only lacked the necessary social graces to be seen as one, meeting the one guy with the inclination to help him clean up his act and his image. That's the story that dead-ends 3/5 of the way through the movie. Not "How did Hancock come to be?" but "How are we gonna convince the public to start seeing Hancock as a hero and not a menace?" See, normally they would go from the whole bank heist scene into a montage of Hancock doing other things, actually helping out. Maybe some positive news clips. People cheering when he shows up. Then we would cut to the premature celebration. "Everybody loves Hancock now! Hooray! We've done it!" But then the other shoe drops. He's seen apparently being reckless and destructive (even though the audience knows it's a misunderstanding this time) and the fickle public go right back to hating him. He considers this the last straw and takes off in a huff, no longer interested in all that hero shit. But then some big threat arises where they absolutely need Hancock to come back and save everybody. Jason Bateman goes to find him, gives him the big speech about how heroes save people regardless of whether those people are likable or completely insufferable assholes. And maybe he was wrong to place so much emphasis on image over substance, because "A hero is someone who shows up regardless of their personal feelings, yadda, yadda, yadda!" The speech works. Hancock goes back and saves the day, and by the end of the movie it's made clear that, despite a few comments from some very loud assholes, the default public perception of him has changed for the better. And, BOOM! Story: told. Beginning, middle and end. Same story going on through the _whole_ movie. Really basic stuff, here.

[@sparda9060]

Judging by what this video said that the director was fighting everyone on the damn production team about which direction the movie script should go with, they probably ended up with a compromise of cramming 2 different movie scripts together and we got 2 stories combined into one. THe first half of movie of drunk super hero, and the other half about Immortal beings going extinct.

[@donmac7780]

That would have been perfect. Then in Hancock 2, we could have Hancock be a standard superhero , doing superheroic things in LA and eventually around the world, with Jason Bateman returning as his buddy. We could have Will having these dreams, and speaking to his buddy about them, slowly remembering disconnected bits of his past, and it is only at this point that we go into the entire issue of his backstory, the point of having woken up 80 years ago in a hospital only having been mentioned in the first film (in this version, Charlize Theron is just Jason Bateman's human wife) with no followup. It is at this point that during a bout of superheroing ,he accidentally meets and is instantly drawn to a new female character, who upon seeing him, immediately flees. Later during another bout of superheroing, a situation occurs where two heroes are needed ( say a collapsing bridge with a train and a car falling into the gorge below and Hancock can only save one) and the mysterious woman shows up and catches the car. This time, he chases her, catches her, and the origin story comes out.

[@garethbaus5471]

And they could have ended the movie with another superhuman slamming him into the wall to suggest an interesting backstory for the sequel sortove like the movie tried to do but with a better introduction and explanation.