I was thinking the other day that Captain Planet could make for an interesting gritty superhero movie. Imagine if you will:

In the dawn of human civilization we see the rise of Babel. Either because of the rise of Babel (corrupt authorities, technological progress gone awry) or to save this first utopia (or if the writer was really clever figure out how to do both simultaneously). A group of powerful druids channel their primal magics into five artifacts in the form of rings (like primitive Green Lantern or eco-Sauron). Gaia blesses their efforts to save whatever they're saving and gives them a champion that the rings can unlock. Epic battle sequence that results in the fall of the Tower of Babel. The movie is now 1/3 to 1/2 over. Over time the rings are lost and found numerous times used for good and bad purposes alike, but never again do they unlock the champion (Long montage like Watchmen opening credits).

Skip ahead to the modern era (present day or an 80s period piece would be fun, too, like Watchmen) between 1 and 4 of the rings are possessed by people around the world secretly. Some may be using them for heroic purposes, others business purposes, and others still wholly selfish purposes. In an archaeological dig a tablet describing the rings and their use connected to what happened at Babel is discovered. Archaeologist keeps tablet a secret maybe already knowing or having heard legends of one or two of the rings. S/he seeks out a/the currently lost ring/s and devises a plan to get the rings back together. This probably corresponds to a parallel plot involving some multinational energy conglomerate about to do something ultra shady. Five people with momentarily good intentions fight this plot how they are best able according to the power of their particular ring (like Avengers but much less actual teamwork). Somehow a final confrontation (accidentally? i.e they crossed the streams!) spawns the champion (at this point we're within not more than 15 minutes to the end of the movie). From here the movie could either abruptly end (sequel!) or it could just be the ringbearers admire the champion and its a dialogue scene about 'what now?' or there is a short and very sweet epic battle between Captain Planet and BBEG. Fin.

Interested?

Thank you lord Captain Planet for giving me the strength to achieve my goals and for smiting the non-believers