Live-Action Test Footage For ‘Marvin The Martian’ & ‘Hong Kong Phooey’

Here’s a fascinating look at some test footage for two proposed live-action versions of popular cartoons. First up is an adaptation of HONG KONG PHOOEY featuring the voice of Eddie Murphy. I was never a huge fan of Hanna-Barbera cartonons, but even I can tell you this is nothing like the original character. The CGI isn’t much more advanced than that used for SCOOBY DOO, at least on a visual level. I’m sure the animators could prove me wrong. It focuses on toilet humour, literally, as we see the master of disguise drink from a toilet and eat a urinal cake.

MARVIN THE MARTIAN starts off well with some 1950s sci-fi music, but is soon a rehash of Marvin’s most iconic lines squeezed into a couple of minutes. Not too sure about the Christmas focused plot either. It’s a shame both of these seem to fall flat and aim for the lowest common denominator, as they both have potential. Then again, I guess this test-footage didn’t hire the best writers around. We’ll see if anything comes of this footage in the future. The footage was posted by writer/director Alex Zamm, so is he trying to rally some support from the public, or maybe get out of a contract and project he no longer wishes to be a part of? Or perhaps both projects are dead and he didn’t want this work going to waste.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jx0kzjcXlA&w=640&h=390]

Source: Bleeding Cool