The Comic Con Super panel shed some light on the little known film by James Gunn. A basic synopsis from IMDB: After his wife (Liv Tyler) falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into the Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks heroic skills. The panel opened to fanboy ovation for Nathan Fillion who is best known for his work on Firefly. The film’s major cast and crew were on hand including James Gunn, Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Michael Rooker, Ted Hope and Miranda Bailey.
A trailer debuted to a positive reaction, eliciting reactions of an even funnier Kick-Ass. Comedian Rainn Wilson was shown delivering some pain to a line-cutter at the movies – how about giving that treatment to the jerk in the auditorium who won’t stop texting. The movie found its financial backing after Producer Ted Hope heard it described as a “low-rent Watchmen.” Ellen Page described her role in the film as a sidekick to the protagonist. She is decidedly crazy, relating the character as being similar to the part Page played in Hard Candy.
Always the method actress, Liv Tyler sunk into character by drinking whiskey and spinning in a chair in her trailer. Nathan Fillion plays The Holy Avenger, an ambiguously homosexual hero with the power of charisma. He will mainly appear in TV spots and visions as the main character’s crime fighting inspiration.
The film was done for an extremely low budget with many of the actors taking pay cuts in order to be a part of it. That says something about this script, to say the least.
The panel was laced with humor. At one point a question presented who would win in a fight between Dwight and Mal? Wilson and Fillion fought on stage with Dwight the ultimate victor. Was there ever a doubt? The official website for the film is http://www.thecrimsonbolt.com/
