Slew of comics-based movies ahead

Changes must be made to adapt any printed medium for a movie.

That's even more true of comic books, with their brightly colored spandex costumes and mass destruction.

Or as British comics artist Dave Gibbons, the co-creator of "Watchmen" observed: "There's no way you could possibly translate every word, every panel, of even the simplest of (comics) story to the screen. It's impossible."

For example, if director Zack Snyder and company had filmed the original ending of the acclaimed, mid-'80s comics miniseries, the movie would have been laughed off the screen.

Still, Snyder's version of "Watchmen" is sure to divide audiences. It's possibly too faithful an adaptation for its own good.

The long-awaited "Watchmen" movie leads a renewed charge of cinematic hero tales. Other comics-based movie projects currently in development include:

FATHOM

Megan Fox ("Transformers") will play the Aspen Comics superheroine.

GREEN HORNET

Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") is now in discussions to direct the film version.

Seth Rogen is attached to star as the character and also wrote the script treatment.

But there's no word about the fate of Stephen Chow ("Kung Fu Hustle"), who was originally supposed to direct the film and co-star as Kato.

GREEN LANTERN

Ryan Gosling ("The Notebook") and Emile Hirsch ("Speed Racer") both supposedly turned down the lead role as the DC Comics hero.

But Greg Berlanti (TV's "Eli Stone") is currently working on the adaptation. (There's no word about which version of the character he plans to use — radio engineer Alan Scott, test pilot Hal Jordan or comics artist Kyle Rayner.)

IRON MAN 2

Eliza Dushku and Scarlett Johansson are both supposedly interested in playing superspy Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow, in the sequel.

Whichever one of them gets the role will join new additions Sam Rockwell and Don Cheadle, who is replacing Terrence Howard (Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes).

SCOTT PILGRIM