At this year’s San Diago Comic-Con, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down for a chat with none other than Jim Starlin. Who has created many iconic comic-book characters such as Thanos and Shang-Chi. In this sprawling interview, Jim Starlin and I chat about Avengers: Endgame, the creation of Thanos and the upcoming MCU Kung-Fu film Shang-chi. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did conducting it!
With Endgame is only a few million away from the record of the highest grossing film of all time and recent launch of the extended theater edition in theaters now, how do you feel about being apart of history?
It doesn’t mean a thing to me! They have made more money off the toys and merchandise than Avatar ever would have. It’s just a number game at this point. I really enjoy being associated with it.
Thanos is being called not only one of the best MCU villains but one of the best movies villains of all time. Did his portrayal on-screen live up to any expectations you had for him when you created him? If you could change anything about him on screen, what would you change?
It’s never exactly the same as you picture. It’s only someone without a wit a sense who would assume that you get an exact carbon copy of your character on screen. There are so many factors in a movie. Half the characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe were not in the twenty movie run so far. Adaptions and changes had to be made to make things flow. I look at it applaud Markus and McFeely about their decisions. I believe that they have stayed true to the spirit of the characters. I have no complaints other than they brought back the God D***** Thanos Copter weapon. And now people are bringing up that Thanos Copter again and I have to tell people that I had nothing to do with that. A couple of writers have said that Starlin created it and I am like, “Starlin had nothing to do with that!”
How much have you actually acted as a creative consultant for the super long story arc and especially in regards to Thanos?
None at all! Until recently there was this “Chinese Law” between the comic book industry and the movie people. It is sort of breaking down at this point. I can kind of understand of wanting to get some input, but not too much. You don’t want the Ghost of Christmas Past sitting over your shoulder while you are trying to get your work done. In my particular case, there is nothing that I contributed.
There has been some major excitement with the announcement of the Shang-Chi. Now that we know that we are getting a movie based on the character of Shang-Chi, can you tell me a bit about him?
All I know about him is from the comic books. He was an assassin. Raised by an Asian criminal mastermind that was Fu Manchu because Stan Lee bought the rights to him. I don’t suppose and sincerely hope they don’t use Fu Manchu again. I hope they use the Mandarin. It’s a tough one. He is a main character that has been raised to be an assassin. They have brought in a screenwriter that has some comedic chops to him. This should help by taking the edge off him [Shang-Chi] especially considering his story. There have been about a million kung fu movies out there. They need to add something that will help make him different. I am just spouting off right now and cannot say for sure on anything. I am in the dark as much as you are.
How would you like MCU to make the movie more distinctive? Again this is all from your point of view based on the comic book version of Shang-Chi. You mentioned the comedic element and the Mandarin in there versus Fu Manchu, but what else would you like to see to make that character distinct and updated, especially since the character was a created a while ago?
I cannot see them not updating him. I mean it’s a whole new world out there. I mean he became a spy; a James Bond type character. He was more kung fu and a lot less gadgets. I cannot imagine them not going in that direction. He is becoming Marvel’s new nonpowered superhero character. He may be a replacement for Captain America. All his movies will be interconnected. I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t be. I am not sure where it is going to go, but I cannot wait to see. Even if I am not invited to the premiere, I still plan to go see.
You would think that they invite you to all the premiers not just for this movie, but to all of them. You have such a longstanding body of work and legacy to the industry as a whole. You have your fingerprint on so many of the characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I don’t do that much traveling. They would have to premier them in LA since I don’t go to the other side [East Coast] that often. If they limited down to one [movie] a year, I would consider attending but with four of them a year, I am not sure I want to do that much traveling.
That would be quite a bit. Do you think that this character is going to be having his own long run release of films? Do you think his storyline will be interconnected with other characters in the MCU?
I think they do that with most of their characters and couldn’t see them not with them. I think it is going to depend on how well this character is received. If he [Shang-Chi] can put butts into the seat, then I think that there will be more movies. It’s just basic economics.
Now because I am still new to Shang-Chi and his storyline, I was wondering if he had a love interest or is just focused on martial arts?
I only did the first three books for Shang-Chi. He has a long history that Steve Engelhart created. I threw a gem in there and he was the one that polished it. No, I don’t know if he ever had a girlfriend or not. Not in the ones that I read.
What inspired you to create Shang-Chi in the first place? I mean I know martial arts movies were popular when he was being developed at that time. But what inspired you specifically to create him?
There was a series at the time called Kung Fu with David Carradine, and it did fall apart as the series went on. The first season though had fantastic writing! Englehart and I were big fans. We went over to Warner Bros/DC Comics and said you guys had the rights to this and we should do a comic for it. They said, “Nahhhh…this isn’t going to catch on.” So we went back over to Marvel and Roy Thomas said go ahead and start coming up with stuff. We started coming up with a story. Stan and Roy bought the rights to the Fu Manchu and we added that to it. We kind of just cobbled it together.
Another just for fun question here, what’s your favorite character(s) that you have created?
I have two favorites. Thanos, because he was my first one. I kid around and say my career has gone downhill since his creation. And then there is Dreadstar. He isn’t the first, but he is dearest to my heart because I like anarchists without second acts. What can I say?
Who doesn’t like an anarchist?
Especially when he doesn’t know what he is going to do after he sets the bomb off!
Out of all the characters you have created for Marvel, is there anyone that has not been adapted that you would like to see in a movie?
Pip the Troll! Pip the Troll! He is my degenerative troll who hangs out with Adam Warlock, who they are bringing into the Marvel Universe probably in the next Guardian’s Movie.
Is there anything you want to change about Pip the Troll or is he perfect?
He’s perfect! He is so bad he is perfect.
I think I speak on behalf of all the readers when I say, we cannot wait to see him.
Fingers crossed.
On behalf of everyone at ViralHare, thank you for taking the time to do this interview and tell us about Shang-Chi and the rest of MCU.