Nerdist screening of 'Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever' sees fans demand an American adaptation
Nerdist's screening of 'Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever' got the film trending on Twitter and in the aftermath of the live online viewing, the fans continued to discuss their favorite 'Kamen Rider' moments, suits, heroes and above all, the discussion saw them demand when another American adaptation would be possible.
July 11 marked the end of a digital 'Kamen Rider Week' leading up to the film's screening. 'Kamen Rider' is a Japanese series involving motorcycle-riding, insect-themed heroes that has had a long tenure on Japanese television and a huge worldwide following. The film 'Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever' features a colossal team-up for fans of the franchise - all 20 Kamen Riders from what is known as the "Heisei Era" of the show.
The trend has gotten popular enough for even James Gunn to comment on, writing, "I love that #KamenRider is trending" on his Twitter page, making fans speculate as to whether or not the franchise deserves the "MCU treatment." While some fans believe that the franchise works best in longform, episodic format, there are others who disagree.
"Remember that the MCU was based on Marvel's comics line, which in itself is far longer and more drawn out than any Showa-era Kamen Rider series. A Kamen Rider movie that distills to the essentials can work much like how the MCU adapted and compressed the comics," writes one fan, online. "I wonder what Kamen Rider would look like with MCU budget," asked a fan. " I am 1,000,000% shore that if and when Kamen Rider would be adapted it will need to be in the MCU so it has a positive point out of the gate for those who never heard of them before," said another.
One fan pointed out that the idea HAS happened before and it did not turn out as well as fans may have hoped. "They technically did try it with Kamen Rider: The First and Kamen Rider: The Next, where they gave Kamen Rider modern stylings and a darker, edgier outlook. Though in the end, it was more akin to a Snyder DCEU take on the franchise that didn't quite work imho."
"I'd be up for a James Gunn take on a Kamen Rider movie though, which can't possibly be worse than the aforementioned movies," replied another fan.
There has been one American adaptation of note, the first season of 'Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight' starring Stephen Ford. "I’ll always love that we’re the under appreciated bastard son of the Kamen Rider franchise," joked Ford online, in response to the trending topic. "I honestly would love for you to be the face of American Kamen Rider the way JDF is for power rangers. I’d be way more stoked to meet you at a con than any ranger! You guys put a lot of passion in Dragon Knight and it’s the most slept on show," wrote a fan, referencing Jason David Frank, star of 'Power Rangers,' itself an American adaptation of a Japanese show.
'Kamen Rider' is about to enter its 31st season, which will premiere in late 2020.