Jan Lucanus

So, I finally saw Weapons…

‪@mcfarlane_toys_official‬

#weapons #mcfarlanetoys #theflash #actionfigures #dcmultiverse #film #movies #horror #weaponsmovie

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Jan Lucanus

My professional advice to ‪@Disney‬ ‪@StarWars‬: Put everything behind Ahmed Best. This man —the characters he plays, the multi-disciplinary talent he possesses — all of them converge to be the prime example of what it means to be a creator in the near future — and Ahmed is here now. This comic (that I rushed to ‪@midtowncomics‬ for after a redeye flight and an event) is an example of unprecedented agency for a Transmedia artist at the Disney-level of optics, and Disney would serve themselves and their shareholders well to lean in to what the people want and need: a Jedi John Wick starring the one man who’s personal journey through Star Wars can single-handedly heal the narrative of toxic fandom, Ahmed Best.

I say all of this not because I know Ahmed personally and consider him a friend, BJJ big bro and teacher. I know too many hard-working creatives in and around Hollywood at different levels of success and I can say without a doubt that no one in Hollywood has the opportunity that Ahmed represents for Disney. I recall Disney CEO Bob Iger stating the significance of the “watershed moment” that Black Panther meant for him and Disney as a whole. That film was explicitly designed by Ryan Coogler and other caretakers to make global impact and catalyze a cultural shift in the forthcoming financial and technological superpower that is the African continent (don’t take my word for it, ask ‪@garyvee‬ ). Now, Disney has has all of that spirit of innovation, disruption, and spiritual evolution wrapped up in a single man. As a consultant, I can’t emphasize enough the opportunity that lay within the heart of a creator like Ahmed Best. He’s more human than Marvel, more relevant than any Star Wars property, and with action as the ne of the most in-demand genres on the planet, the perfect storm is set. I’m hoping advisor friends on the inside like the brilliant @slrgomez and ‪@marcguggenheim‬ can amplify this message.

#ahmedbest #kelleranbeq #jedijohnwick #starwars #disney #jedi #comics #comicbooks #marvel

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Lucanus

Superman offers MASSIVE learnings for content creators, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders if you know what to look for. Before I share my quick, hype/spoiler-free breakdown of the Pros & Cons I’ve assessed, I’ll go as far to say that the film is a CALL TO ARMS to AI FILMMAKERS, because most of what’s happening in it can be made by a small team (or single person) these days - especially if one knows how to combine real footage with AI-generated VFX.

I say that with all due respect to James Gunn, and the great effort he and his team put into the project.

It also felt similar to Wakanda Forever, in the sense that I felt like collaborators were scared to give notes on the project - especially the corporate folks, to whom “owning notes” is a persistent challenge (respect to my buddy Ryan Coogler on that note).

James’ singular vision is the reason for the learnings below:

PROS

1. “Look Up” - This is a perfect tagline for the film. We need more stories about good-hearted characters that don’t let society’s misunderstanding of them lessen their sense of morality and values. This is surely the most important message of the film.

2. Great Casting - Especially David Corenswet. I had my reservations and wanted to support him on principle for being the first Jewish Superman (a hero designed by Jewish creators), but within seconds of being on screen, he was instantly charismatic and unique as Superman.

3. Offbeat Intro - The rhythm of the 1st act of the film is unique, like a song we haven’t heard before (or often). This is identifiable in the editing. I wish it would’ve continued throughout the film.

4. Singular Vision - This film is a reminder that a single creator with something to say can be incredibly valuable and dangerous.

Which brings me to…

CONS

1. Singular Vision - I could feel James Gunn being the co-CEO of DC. His decisions at times felt more mechanical and capitalistic than creative.

2. Rushed Script - Speed is great. The film went from script to screen in an incredibly fast time (about 1.5 years). That means that development time was short, and why plot points and characters lack depth.

3. Worldbuilding Over Character - Franchise is overemphasized, outweighing how we see our main character relate the world, especially for Superman’s inner world.

4. Old Guard Institutional Biases - James Gunn is on the young side of the old guard. His perspective on women, Black people, and toxic masculinity are vintage - not refreshing - and thereby counter to the sentiment of the “Look Up” tagline. Unfortunately, this stays true to the foundation of DC comics.

I say all of this as someone massively motivated by this film. It’s the only movie I’ve been excited about all year. Even the disappointments were energizing to me.

I believe at the heart of the DC universe there’s something to look up to.

Hence, my son and I brought all of our Superman figures to the theater.

#superman #film #filmmaking #hollywood #movies #aifilmmaking #ai #dc #dccomics

5 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Jan Lucanus

Congratulations to my son ‪@JediJetsCustoms‬ for his 30th piece of fan art for Todd McFarlane’s Spawn comics.

At 10 years old, Jet is their most featured fan artist in the 33+ year history of the Spawn series - 13x and counting.

This drawing is of both the iconic Spawn character and Jet’s original creation, Dog Spawn.

Jet will release the 2nd issue of his Todd-approved Dog Spawn at San Diego Comic Con this July.

Jet is definitely the comic artist my father wanted me to be. 😂

‪@mcfarlane_toys_official‬

#comics #familybusiness #publishing #comicbooks #art

7 months ago | [YT] | 2

Jan Lucanus

Solomon Grundy, Detective Vision style from ‪@mcfarlane_toys_official‬’s Batman: Arkham City line. No custom work on this figure. Just thought the lighting effect was cool. Approved by ‪@JediJetsCustoms‬. 🦇



#mcfarlane #mcfarlanetoys #mcfarlanefanday #dcmultiverse #solomongrundy #batman #toyphotography #actionfigures #toys #figures #actionfigure #dc #dccomics #arkham #dcmultiverse #comics #comicbooks

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7 months ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Lucanus

May the 4th be with you (even a week later).

Been meaning to share these ‪@StarWars‬ inspired photos by @thaisaquinophotography. 📸 There may some channeling of big bro @bestahmed aka Jedi John Wick. ☯️

#starwars #jedi #taichi #martialarts #photography #flow #action #filmmaking #taiji #taijiquan #taichichuan #lightsaber

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7 months ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Lucanus

I’m a proud investor in the martial arts comic book company @immortalwuxia. CEO Payhuan Shiao’s upbringing in comics, Kung Fu and film is reminiscent of my own, which makes this company all the more endearing to me. Payhuan is aware of the need for stories that show heroes cultivate by inner power through discipline and lifestyle, rather than power being received by accident like the tropes of the mainstream superhero genre that is in desperate need of innovation. He’s also supported by my mentor and advisor @slrgomez, which means the Transmedia strategy will be best-in-class. I look forward to how he and his team will modernize classic Chinese martial heroes and fables for the modern world.

I was also ecstatic to meet @tonysurphman, one of the most talented and consistent martial arts creators on social, the magnetic and hilarious martial wrestler @zeda_zhang with our mutual friend @bentleyfierro (both of whom I’ve been eying to collab with @justiceforhire), and seeing iconic friends like Gene Ching of @kungfutaichimagazine and David of @martialartsmuseum. Deeply grateful to Alfie Rustom of @realbioman for encouraging my attendance at this event.

Martial arts is a lifestyle choice that fuels everything I do everyday. I’m always overjoyed to share space with others doing the same. 🤜🎥☯️

Also, I custom painted my Feiyues for this event.

#martialarts #wuxia #wushu #kungfu #taichi #comics #comicbooks #action #filmmaking #filmmakers #filmmaker #hollywood #cinema #transmedia #actiondesigner #actionchoreography #fighter #wrestler #pushhands #tuishou #taiji #shaolin #film #tv

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7 months ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Lucanus

Dick Tracy meets Batman’s Hush. Action figure photography is always a joy. Custom paint job by myself and @jetlucanus. 🎨🖌️

‪@mcfarlane_toys_official‬

#mcfarlane #mcfarlanetoys #mcfarlanefanday #dcmultiverse #dicktracy #art #custom #actionfigures #toys #figures #actionfigure #dc #dccomics #pulp #filmnoir #comics #comicbooks

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8 months ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Lucanus

My all-yellow team for an action figure battle with ‪@JediJetsCustoms‬ (including his custom Bat Lee and my custom weapons for the Signal ina Wakanda forever pose).

‪@mcfarlane_toys_official‬

#mcfarlenetoys #mcfarlanefanday #actionfigures #customfigure #customfigures #toddmcfarlane #dc #dcmultiverse #custommcfarlane

9 months ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Lucanus

We need more Hip Hop action figures from ‪@mcfarlane_toys_official‬. Made this DC Red Hood photo in honor of my brother @smichael00’s remix of Still in Harlem with ‪@jimjonesofficial‬ @suzi ‪@JusticeForHire‬ comic book fam @thejuelzsantana @vado_mh @daveeast. I pulled the background from their new music video directed by @willc_streetheat @tanastreetheattv. 🎥🔥🎤

@soon_productions 🔊

#harlem #jimjones #mcfarlanetoys #toddmcfarlane #hiphop #actionfigures #dc #dcmultiverse #redhood #suzi #vado #daveeast #juelzsantana #actionfigure #gotham #musicvideo #sage #soonproductions #batman #rapper #rappers #newyorkhiphop #mcfarlanefanday

10 months ago | [YT] | 1