Comic Book Films Rumors and News Discussion

[Ace Rockola]

Seems a bit early to make full blown threads for Captain America or the Avengers, but news is going to be slowly trickling down, so I figure this thread could be kinda useful until there's a lot more to discuss.


The scoop mongers at Latinoreview have covertly discovered who Marvel wants to pick up Steve Rogers shield last seen on Tony Stark’s workbench!

Marvel has been having one hell of a week. First the Jon Favreau controversy, then we have a he said/ she said argument brewing over Captain America’s cameo, oh and tomorrow THE INCREDIBLE HULK opens which kicked all sorts of ass.

Well, speaking of CAPTAIN AMERICA, I have myself a trusted source internally over at Marvel and they are now starting to toss names for the role of Steve Rogers.

The name at the top of the list?

LEONARDO DICAPRIO

Now before some loser film website goes out there and tries to debunk me let’s get it straight. Don’t expect Marvel to go on the record and say “Yes it’s true, we are looking at so and so.” Hollywood doesn’t work like that. Studios and production companies only go on the record to announce the casting of a role when it’s official. I announced the lead in the upcoming Prince of Persia. It took the trades weeks later to make it official. That being said…

NO OFFERS HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY MADE! NOBODY HAS BEEN CAST YET! DICAPRIO IS PROBABLY CLUELESS AT THIS POINT!

Just because Marvel wants him, doesn’t mean they are going to get him. Studios and production companies put together their wish lists when they are casting and work their way down the list. I personally believe DiCaprio is an odd choice. To me, Leo’s tall and lanky figure is perfect for Steve Rogers pre-super soldier serum but I wonder how they are going to make Leo look like a bulked up super soldier. Don’t get me wrong, he has the chops for the role but DiCaprio is awfully busy these days developing ATARI, FLEMING and a host of other projects over at Appian way.

Marvel is aiming real high when it comes to talent and rightfully so, it has paid off for them tremendously. I believe to get DiCaprio, they’re gonna have to nail down a kick ass script and a director first.

You know else is also on the list in case they don’t get DiCaprio?

BRAD PITT

Marvel wants to be in the Brad Pitt business. They are willing to cast him either as THOR or CAPTAIN AMERICA. Now Brad Pitt as Captain America would be bad ass but as it stands right now…

…Marvel wants Leonardo DiCaprio as Captain America!

You can follow me and my updates on twitter!

Don't really hate either of those ideas, but I must say I loved the fan only talk about casting Josh Brolin.

[Mills]

I had to listen to afriend's 20 minute argument how John Cena was born to play Captain America. It caused me to vomit everywhere.

[Morrison]

He's got a strong enough chin, to be honest.

[Matty C]

I hate Leo more than any actor or actress out there, I will be very disappointed if they pick him as it will mean that I won’t be going to see the movie. Period.

[Mills]

I think Leo is the better actor, but Pitt would be the better choice for the role. Leo is more of a dramamtic actor, while Pitt is more of the bigger than life movie actor.

[JRSlim21]

I have this weird feeling... can't explain it... but Mark Wahlberg could play Cap? Don't ask me why...

[Jimini]

I can see that.

I can also see loads of folk playing the role though...

[mth]

DiCaprio might actually be a decent choice as cap, though I don't know if he's really got the jawline. I don't think I like Pitt as an option, though.
John Cena actually has the right face/jaw for it, but certainly wouldn't be high on my list whatsoever. Whalberg looks a bit like Cena, so he could work, too, but he's never really impressed me as an actor yet.

[Bill Casey]

I loved the fan only talk about casting Josh Brolin.

http://www.variety.com/rbidata/photogallery/variety/5513.jpg

:yes:

[Morrison]

I hate Leo more than any actor or actress out there, I will be very disappointed if they pick him as it will mean that I won’t be going to see the movie. Period.

What completely misguided hatred.

[mth]

I've never heard of Josh Borlin, but seeing a picture, he's got the face for it. I'll have to imdb him and see what he's been in.

[Ace Rockola]

You haven't seen No Country for Old Men or the first half of Grindhouse?

[mth]

No and no. Sorry. But I have seen Hollow Man.....yaaay.

[Craig T. Nelson]

Wahlberg has more than enough acting chops to play cap. Problem for me is hes too short. We have to be talking actors over 6' here, or at least damn close to it. Leo is too slight and he's 5'10, Pitt is close enough to 6' but he looks too old. Yeah he's been pulling the early thirties look for a while now but now that the guys in his mid forties I think those days are ending.

imo pull a superman returns and cast a relative unknown that can act a bit

[Bill Casey]

Here's Josh Brolin on a stage reading a statement from an American Revolutionary War private...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3O6YAGmio



Here he is as Doc Block in Planet Terror...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W6vy7vzaZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BchFTBd1ItI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwst0PSKXIg

[Morrison]

Here's Josh Brolin on a stage reading a statement from an American Revolutionary War private...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3O6YAGmio



Here he is as Doc Block in Planet Terror...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W6vy7vzaZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BchFTBd1ItI

Josh Brolin was excellent last year. Doc Block was great and one of my favorite parts of Grindhouse. And his role as the corrupt police detective in American Gangster was really solid. Then there's No Country for Old Men, of course. He quickly shot up the charts as far as my favorite actors go. His being cast as George W. Bush was enough to at least get me interested in that whole project. If he got Captain America, it'd probably have that same effect.

[Bill Casey]

Of course, his greatest acting role was acting like he wasn't completely freaked out by Manny The Movie Guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO5t7HOSdts

[SideburnZ]

Brolin as Thor. :yes:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3408/brolenthorti6.jpg

[Bill Casey]

I think Kevin McKidd should play Thor...

http://www.ugo.com/a/2007-fall-tv-guide/images/journeymaninterview.jpg



Here's a couple fan made music videos of his roles...

Lucius Vorenus - A centurion during the fall of Caesar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03hZmDLW68Q

Dan Vasser - A reporter who travels through time against his will
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71u2IfL7wRw

[Bill Casey]

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/639/mcthorba6.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[The Brothers Grimm]

Captain America needs to be Aaron Eckhart.

But it's unlikely seeing as he's Harvey Dent.

[Matty C]

What completely misguided hatred.

Say what you will. I honestly don't have a terribly good reason for hating him, for instance, I wouldn't attempt to bury him as an actor. When it comes down to it he irks me. I don't know why, he just does.

Every character he's played in movies that I attempt to give a chance, I don't see his character, I see him and he irks me to no end. This leads to me not enjoying the movie, regardless of how good it is.

As I said, it's perhaps not a deserved hate but it's there and has been since at least Romeo and Juliet.

There is no other actor or actress that I feel that way about. It's kind of weird to be honest.

:dunno:

[Morrison]

It's just weird that, with all the truly horrible actors and actresses out there to choose from, DiCaprio is the one that takes the cake.

[Bill Casey]

The two Ant-Mans are the hardest to cast...

Who do you cast as Henry Pym, a retired hero scientist whose glory days are behind him, and who do you cast as Scott Lang, the thief who steals the technology to make him a better thief and ends up becoming an unlikely hero?

[Craig T. Nelson]

george wendt can be hank pym and scott speedman can be lang

actually just cast scott speedman for every role. i want to see his obviously real name everywhere on the movie poster written/directed/starring/produced/gripped by scott speedman

[Bill Casey]

Scott Speedman isn't his real name...
His real name is Robert Speedman...

He should have picked something more convincing, as Scott Speedman is obviously fake...

[TRO]

Is the Ant-Man movie really going to use both the old Ant-Man and the new one (who's dead anyways and the old one is really a skrull)? That sounds kind of complicated. You'd think they would just use the Pym version and forget the other nonsense.

[Matty C]

It's just weird that, with all the truly horrible actors and actresses out there to choose from, DiCaprio is the one that takes the cake.



There is no other actor or actress that I feel that way about. It's kind of weird to be honest.

I agree but it is what it is and I can't shake it.

[SideburnZ]

The two Ant-Mans are the hardest to cast...

Who do you cast as Henry Pym, a retired hero scientist whose glory days are behind him, and who do you cast as Scott Lang, the thief who steals the technology to make him a better thief and ends up becoming an unlikely hero?


http://www.citizenrobot.com/images/simon_pegg.jpg

http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/entertainment/07/09/13_bateman_lgl.jpg

[Rip]

Must join in the DeCaprio hate, again no real reason he just pisses me off.

As for Cap, little left field here but what about David Boreanaz, he has the build and jaw line as well as being a half decent actor don't know if his name would be big enough for the role though.

[SideburnZ]

I vote note on that above said guy because I'm pretty sure he's from that faggoty Buffy and Angel show yeah? And we don't need those little girls turning the Cap franchise into a fag fest.

[Mills]

Uh huh... and that wouldn't happen with Pitt or DeCaprio? I also like your idea of the Ant men. Good call on Bateman.

[Rip]

He was in there but now he's in Bones, just think he's better for the role than a lot of the names being tossed around, DeCaprio would be the kiss of death for me and I just can't see Brad Pitt in the role he's not clean cut enough and even bulked up his frame is wrong.

Then again they could go for anyone, lets face it would anyone have seen them casting Kingpin the way they did?

[Zyphlin]

Must join in the DeCaprio hate, again no real reason he just pisses me off.

As for Cap, little left field here but what about David Boreanaz, he has the build and jaw line as well as being a half decent actor don't know if his name would be big enough for the role though.

Wow, spot on. He definitely has the jawline and the look, and while I never really watched Buffy or Angel, he's GREAT in Bones and I think would have the acting chops for it.

My other issue with the likes of DiCaprio and Pitt is the difficulties likely involved getting these big cast of stars together for future movies or team movies. I don't want the first-run batman syndrome to happen.

Boreanaz would be amazing for Cap.

[Bill Casey]

Is the Ant-Man movie really going to use both the old Ant-Man and the new one (who's dead anyways and the old one is really a skrull)? That sounds kind of complicated. You'd think they would just use the Pym version and forget the other nonsense.
Edgar Wright's directing it... (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of The Dead)
It's about Scott Lang, really...

He wants to establish the golden age Ant-Man and then make it about Lang, and then having the Ant Men square off and end up having to team together...

No deaths or skrulls, just a crime drama action flick with comedy elements and a sweet piece of technology...

Plus, he's mentioned "crazy jackie chan shit" with the instant size changing...



http://www.citizenrobot.com/images/simon_pegg.jpg

http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/entertainment/07/09/13_bateman_lgl.jpg

Nice...
I'm digging Simon Pegg as Lang...


I'm thinking Lucy Liu will probably end up playing Janet Pym, as she's about the only gracefully aging Asian woman in Hollywood, and Marvel will probably want to go with the Ultimate version, as they've already picked the re-racially aligned Nick Fury...



















:shifty:

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/9167/pymstw3.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[TRO]

Edgar Wright's directing it... (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of The Dead)
It's about Scott Lang, really...

He wants to establish the golden age Ant-Man and then make it about Lang, and then having the Ant Men square off and end up having to team together...

No deaths or skrulls, just a crime drama action flick with comedy elements and a sweet piece of technology...

That could potentially be really cool. I just hope it isn't too complicated a plot. But with that, Norton as Hulk, Downey Jr. as Iron Man, I have high hopes for an Avengers movie. Even a "New Avengers" movie with Mcguire as Spidermand and Jackman as Wolverine would be fun. It just needs to be a star-powered Ocean's 11 kind of thing if it's going to work at all. The original idea of the Avengers was to bring together the best and the brightest marvel heroes, they should use that same conceit with today's hollywood talent...

[JRSlim21]

well said. Thor and Cap need to be some clutch guys. Speaking of, my friends and I suggested Gerard Butler for Thor

[Bill Casey]

I still think Gerard Butler would be better as the Thor villain "The Executioner"

http://mattgunn.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/leonidas_300.thumbnail.jpghttp://image.comicvine.com:8000/item/4000/3517/103338-executioner_150.jpg

[Ace Rockola]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/07/09/jon-favreau-returns-for-iron-man-2/


Marvel has finally reached a deal with Jon Favreau to return for Iron Man 2. Nikki Finke reports that the deal was made after the studio relented and put out a “definitely” richer offer to Favreau. For the last two months speculation ran wild as to if Marvel Studios would bring Favreau back for the sequel. Inside sources said that Favreau wanted a modest raise, but the comic book turned movie production company’s initial offer wasn’t much more than what the filmmaker earned for the first film.

The second Iron Man film is scheduled for an April 2010 release. But with no screenplay in development, even Favreau has expressed concern over an unrealistic timeline. Favreau wrote back in June:

“This genre of movie is best when it is done thoughtfully and with plenty of preparation. It might be better to follow the BB/DK, X/X2 three year release pattern than to scramble for a date. It is difficult because there are no Marvel 09 releases and they need product, but I also think we owe it to the fans to have a great version of IM2 and, at this point, we would have less time to make it than the first one.”

I’m very happy that Favreau is back, but will Marvel give the filmmaker enough time to develop a worthy follow-up? The last thing anyone wants is another Spider-Man 3.

You got 21 months people. This isn't allowed to suck.

[Zyphlin]

Mike Bracken from Rotton Tomatoes was on a radio show recently here in the DC area talking about how Aaron Eckhart wants to play an actual super hero instead of villian sometime in his next few roles and his name is being thrown around as a potential Captain America.

[EdgeHead469]

Mike Bracken from Rotton Tomatoes was on a radio show recently here in the DC area talking about how Aaron Eckhart wants to play an actual super hero instead of villian sometime in his next few roles and his name is being thrown around as a potential Captain America.


I realize that with Two Face, he would be in one movie and be done, but he would be in a series that is probably the biggest "super hero" series out there as of right now. The Dark Knight and Batman Begins blows Spiderman I, II, and III... Iron Man, The Hulk and X-Men out of the water. He will be made into an over night star if he sticks with two face and does not go for a HERO role.

[Ace Rockola]

To be fair, we haven't seen where Iron Man or any of those others are going. The Batman franchise could always take a wrong turn somewhere.

If you stick with Two-Face he's got maybe one full blown film left in him (depending how they go with that character). Captain America on the other hand could provide a few years of work. The Captain America film first, then the Avengers and who knows past that. The Avengers film could quite possibily be the biggest thing in comic movie history if you combine all these major heavy hitting characters, each with a succesful film under their belt already, with a good script and all that.

I'd go for it if I was him.

[TRO]

On the other hand, I wonder if the creative types behind a potential Captain America movie would even want a kind of typecast "superhero movie" guy playing Cap. Surely they want someone who is perceived to have a little more range for such a do-or-die role.

Also Eckhart probably doesn't want to end up like that guy who played Cyclops, jumping over to the new bandwagon and written out of his old franchise. Bad idea.

[Beer-Belly]

Mike Bracken from Rotton Tomatoes was on a radio show recently here in the DC area talking about how Aaron Eckhart wants to play an actual super hero instead of villian sometime in his next few roles and his name is being thrown around as a potential Captain America.

I've read similar stuff. He's perfect for Cap. His jaw alone was built for crushing Nazis.

I'm also fairly positive that the Batman movies wouldn't conflict with him playing a super hero.

[Chris]

You got 21 months people. This isn't allowed to suck.
Thank god for that. It seemed like Marvel had a gotten a big head after the success of Iron Man - I couldn't believe they were actually trying to mess Favreau around in terms of money.

My enthusiasm for Ant-Man definitely goes up a notch with the knowledge that Wright and Pegg are involved. It's still not a character that I'm dying to see on the big screen, but those two could make it a hell of a lot of fun. This is going to be really interesting to watch, as they move ever closer to the Avengers film.

[TRO]

To be fair, I was never ever interested in seeing Blade become a movie. And then it turned out perfectly enjoyable for what it was. All these B- and C-List superhero movies could be the same deal, if they're creative enough and left to the right people to develop.

[Mazer]

I like Eckhart, but I wonder if he's a bit old to play Capt America in an origins movie. The story is that Cap was a fairly young and idealistic when he signed up for the supersoldier program.

The idealistic thing is key to the character, and I think it could play better with someone a bit younger.

[Beer-Belly]

It doesn't matter how old he is. Eckhart looks and sounds like (in my head at least) Steve Rogers.

I'd go with Josh Brolin if we're talking about the new Bucky Cap with a sidearm.

What I'm wondering about is how they plan on pulling off Red Skull on the big screen. He's crucial to a Cap movie.

I really hope the script turns out well. Cap is like Marvel's Superman except way more interesting and relatable.

[TRO]

If they can do Hulk and Hellboy with cgi, they can do the Red Skull.

[Tyson]

For what it's worth, I'm definitely not the most knowledgeable Captain America fan, but I'd nontheless like to throw out a couple names for the role.

Ken Johnson (Det. Curtis Lemansky - The Shield)
James Franco
Ryan Reynolds
Paul Walker

Okay, so Reynolds and Walker aren't the most accomplished/talented actors, but are any of them at all feasible/believable?

[SideburnZ]

Reynolds is playing Deadpool in Wolverine. Having him play 2 Marvel characters is tough, also, he is a comic type guy. Cap is not. Franco is also another Marvel guy. Walker is a homosexual and Cap is not.

[Hulkamaniac]

Is Magneto?

[Jimmy Zero]

A couple rim jobs in college does not a faggot mutant make.

[JRSlim21]

If they bulked him up, you think Matt Damon could pull off Cap?

[Cubed-Sphere]

If they can do Hulk and Hellboy with cgi, they can do the Red Skull.

Or this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cskfsstJmUs

[Hulkamaniac]

If they bulked him up, you think Matt Damon could pull off Cap?

Damon is already pretty bulky.

[Jimmy Zero]

Did anyone mention McConaughey?

If he lost the lazy drawl and didn't act like a stupid stoner, he could be good. He's got the look and the physical stature, I'd say. Plus, he's a good enough actor to play Cap.

[Rip]

Shame David Morse is to old think he could have done a good job

[Guy]

McConaughey's a rumoured front runner I believe

[Benpas]

Reynolds is playing Deadpool in Wolverine. Having him play 2 Marvel characters is tough, also, he is a comic type guy. Cap is not. Franco is also another Marvel guy. Walker is a homosexual and Cap is not.

I know you're a Deadpool fan Burnz

Could you have thought of any other casting then Reynolds, because I couldn't think of anyone better.

[SideburnZ]

Is Magneto?

He's a different type of homo. Walker is like Lance Bass of Nsync.

[JRSlim21]

I still think Bruce Campbell would make a good Cap. But Damon I also would have to consider.


McConaughey's a rumoured front runner I believe

I heard this rumor as well. I also could've sworn he was considered for a remake of Magnum PI... or that could've been me and my friends talking.

[Ace Rockola]

Marvel Studios' first production, this summer's current top-grosser Iron Man, has been so successful, grossing over $560 million worldwide, that it was a foregone conclusion that a sequel would happen sooner rather than later. What might be surprising is that according to Variety, they're changing writers for the second movie, going with actor/filmmaker Justin Theroux to pen the sequel, which is planned for a late April release in 2010.

While Marvel Studios negotiates with director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. to bring them back for the sequel, they've hired Theroux, who some might know from his acting roles in McG's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and HBO's "Six Feet Under" also wrote and executive produced Ben Stiller's upcoming war comedy Tropic Thunder (also starring Robert Downey Jr.), and presumably Marvel saw that he could write comedy and action suitable for shellhead's sequel. (Marvel Studios themselves haven't commented on any of the developments on the sequel as of yet.)

If Marvel wasn't keeping such a close eye on all these projects and Faveru knowing and caring about the character I'd probably be a little less excited about this. But the dude wrote Tropic Thunder which by most accounts I've heard is pretty damn funny. So hopefully this turns out to be a good thing.

Maybe Robert will get to do some black face again?

[TapOut]

The X-Men Origins Wolverine trailer has leaked, it was posted all over some sites I see but the videos removed. I've looked around and can't find any working vids. If anyone sees it can they post a link please?

*NM, found it:
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/origins%2Bwolverine/video/x69ybd_xmen-origins-wolverine-movie-teaser_shortfilms

[Hero!]

Yes! Gambit :heart:

[Hulkamaniac]

Americans are insane.

[Jimmy Zero]

That looks TIGHT.

[PurePlayer]

The crowd was going pretty nuts.

[EdgeHead469]

May 1st huh. I can not wait for that movie, looks to be AMAZING! Marvel has some really good stuff coming out soon with Thor, X Men: Orgins, Captain America and Avengers along with this rumored Iron Man II.

All DC has to really bank on right now is The Dark Knight II/Batman III, whatever they will call it.

[mth]

That looks all kinds of badass.

[TapOut]

Yeah, this movie looks pretty awesome. The X-Men series is a bit more campy than the current Batman franchise, but I sort of like it like that.

I am hoping that the Magneto film still goes ahead. From what I've read, it's still heavily being planned and it hasn't fallen by the wayside, but the longer it goes without filming the longer I worry about it. McKellan isn't really old, but he's certainly not a spring chicken.

[PurePlayer]

May 1st huh. I can not wait for that movie, looks to be AMAZING! Marvel has some really good stuff coming out soon with Thor, X Men: Orgins, Captain America and Avengers along with this rumored Iron Man II.

All DC has to really bank on right now is The Dark Knight II/Batman III, whatever they will call it.

Watchmen? I don't know how popular the graphic novel really is, but that is all they got for the most part. If only Superman Returns was a better a movie. I still wouldn't mind another Superman movie though.

[Hero!]

Geeks are frothing at the mouth for Watchmen so DC has nothing to worry about really.

[Atty]

I don't see how Watchmen can live up to the book, but I am frothing at the mouth for it nonetheless. DC, however, really should be cashing in on the comic trend and putting out movies much more frequently. That Catwoman got a solo film ahead of Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, etc is rather embarrassing. And Catwoman is one of my favorite characters…

The big lesson they should have learned from Superman Returns is not to hold off production, just to keep the director from unloading $270 million in production…

[Mills]

there are some good characters in the DC world, be it a potential comedy like Flash or a headier Sci Fimovie like Martian Manhunter. Even something awesome like Booster Gold. Hell, you're also forgetting about Y: The Last Man. Shia LeBouf apparently wants in as Yorick, so it should be awesome if it gets off the ground.

[Hero!]

if they came out with a Martian Manhunter movie I'd probably explode from excitement before I even got to see it.

[Mills]

Hope it doesn't end like the comics...

[Atty]

I really got into the Martian Manhunter when the new (2002) JL series launched—I think his character could make for a great film. Really, with Lantern and Manhunter they could create a different and very sci-fi tone.

If they don't go crazy on the budget, they can pull in a decent amount of money. One of their problems, in my view, is that the properties that get adapted are the standalone graphic novels like Watchmen and V For Vendetta. You can't make franchises out of those...

[EdgeHead469]

Geeks are frothing at the mouth for Watchmen so DC has nothing to worry about really.

Even though I loved 300 and Sin City, I am not looking much forward to this "Watchmen" movie. I honestly will not pay 7-10$(depending on were you go) to see the film.

[Jimmy Zero]

300 was fucking awful.

[Atty]

Even though I loved 300 and Sin City, I am not looking much forward to this "Watchmen" movie. I honestly will not pay 7-10$(depending on were you go) to see the film.

Bad Edgehead, Bad.

:scolds edgehead and tells him to go to the corner and think about what he wrote:

[mth]

Though I'm hardly a geek and don't really know a ton about him, I like Martian Manhunter from what I do know and have read about it. So, I'd be interested in something with him in it.

[PurePlayer]

300 was fucking awful.

:yes:

[Mills]

The thing with Martian Manhunter is that he's best known for being the spine of the JLA. He's never been the best with the spotlight, his track record with ongoing series has proved that. He's an excellent supporting character and one of the few that could be on the same par , skill wise, with Superman in the DCU. His only weakness was fire, which would look awesome on the big screen.

[Mister J]

And he's dead. :blah:

Dunno, think they would go forward with characters that can't be marketed in both mediums for maximum profit. It is a business, after all, and those comics and toys and all that other crap does bring in a little bit on the side. Manhunter is the shit, but I don't see them going with him over the others in the Big Seven not done yet.

[Atty]

If they honestly want a JL film, they'd pull a Marvel and put him (as Jones) in films for Supes, Flash, Lantern, WW and then have him bring the group together...

[Mister J]

That would be pretty interesting. And speaking of "Big Seven", remember when they threw that around all over the place? And there you have all of them, listed in at528's post, w/ Batman of course...

Except Aquaman. Man, who ever considered him a "Big" anything except waste of time? "I can swim and speak to fish... WITH MY MIND!". They have tried so damn hard to make that guy relevant, to no avail. They've made him a pirate. Made him a king. Made him a father, a husband, a leader, a demi god... And where is he now? Dead, and there is a NEW Aquaman who's hanging around "Sub Diego" doing whatever he's doing... We still have no idea what that might be.

Sorry, had to get that out.

Point being, a JLA movie would be great, as long as he wasn't part of it. Throw in another chick to balance it out more, maybe Canary, Zatanna or Power Girl. :dunno:

[PurePlayer]

I never really thought about it before, but Marvel just simply have better characters to make movies for. It's simple as that really.

[Mills]

The general theology of DC Comics is that their heroes are god like and generally are loved by the public. While in Marvel, they are villified (X-Men), misunderstood (Hulk or Spiderman), or are forced to make decisions that aren't popular (Iron Man). In short, Marvel's characters are more human, while DC's are more god like.

[Hulkamaniac]

Apart from Batman.

[EdgeHead469]

Bad Edgehead, Bad.

:scolds edgehead and tells him to go to the corner and think about what he wrote:

You know AT, your one of my fav on here, you know that, but give me a good reason, from a guy who NEVER read one comic to actually go out and see this movie. I just do not understand it and it looks confusing and kinda overdone.


:yes:

300 was far from awful. I mean, a great movie, NO. Awful, NO. It was very entertaining and had great reviews from critics and viewers alike. I loved that movie for the special effects and the action. The story was a little far fetched but come on, its Frank Miller.

[JRSlim21]

If I'm not mistaken, a Justice League movie is more or less in development hell but here would be your cast:



While a cast for the undeveloped film was never officially declared, various news brokers were able to confirm a number of Miller's casting choices, for which he chose predominantly younger actors who he had hoped would "grow into their roles" over the course of a film trilogy.[22] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-Kit-21) This decision had received negative feedback from comic book fans on the internet.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-NYT-6) Brody, Common, Gale and Hammer will have to physically train for their roles.[23] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-training-22) In October 2007, roughly 40 actors and actresses auditioned for the League, among them; Joseph Cross (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cross), Michael Angarano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Angarano), Max Thieriot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Thieriot), Minka Kelly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minka_Kelly), Adrianne Palicki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrianne_Palicki) and Scott Porter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Porter).[22] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-Kit-21)
Concerning the eponymous Justice League, The O.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_O.C.) star Adam Brody (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Brody) had been cast as Barry Allen / The Flash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flash),[24] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-youngcast-23) with D. J. Cotrona (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._J._Cotrona) as Clark Kent / Superman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman),[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-NYT-6) rapper Common (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_%28rapper%29) as John Stewart / Green Lantern (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lantern),[25] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-24) Australian supermodel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermodel) Megan Gale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Gale) as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Woman),[24] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-youngcast-23) Newcomer Armie Hammer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armie_Hammer) was controversially to be cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman),[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-NYT-6) with Heroes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_%28TV_series%29) actor Santiago Cabrera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Cabrera) as Arthur Curry / Aquaman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman),[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-NYT-6) and Hugh Keays-Byrne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Keays-Byrne) playing J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_Manhunter).[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-NYT-6) Teresa Palmer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Palmer) and Zoe Kazan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoe_Kazan) had been cast in the supporting roles of Talia Al Ghul (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talia_Al_Ghul) and Iris Allen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Allen) respectively.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-NYT-6) A number of different actors were fleetingly associated with the project; Jessica Biel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Biel) had turned down the role of Wonder Woman,[26] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-25) while Mary Elizabeth Winstead (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Winstead) auditioned. Teresa Palmer and Shannyn Sossamon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannyn_Sossamon) were also interested, while Christina Milian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Milian), a comic book fan, offered her services for the role.[27] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-26)[28] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-27) Columbus Short (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Short) turned down the role of Green Lantern, which rapper T.I (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.I) was also rumored for.[29] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League#cite_note-28)

[Mister J]

So, if it happens, they look to be going with the John Stewert GL? Why do they always do that? Hal Jordon is one of the best characters ever created, yet repeatedly they go with this third string ring slinger to fill the "Green Lantern" slot. Just so they can have their token black guy... It's fucking stupid. I would hope by this point in the world we wouldn't require a black presence in a movie to avoid riots/protests/etc.

Sure, the movie probably won't happen, but it's still screwed up.

And about the Marvel films, Mills hit it dead on. That's what Stan and Jack were basically trying to do in the beginning, make super heroes more realistic. That's why they brought in the family dynamic with the FF, and the "normal guy with normal problems" with Spidey. They felt that readers couldn't really relate to these "Gods amongst men" that were out at the time. That's why just about every character to date in Marvel has a great backstory. It's not about the powers, it's about the person behind the powers. And that in itself is what makes a great movie, as well.

[Mills]

Why John Stewart GL? Affirmative action. Duh.

[Cactus Lem]

With all the talk of DC Films, I've just seen in the link bellow that a Green Arrow movie has been given the go ahead, with Nolan's Batman writer David S. Goyer already having presented a draft.

I'm kinda surprised that Kevin Smith hasn't been contacted about a Green Arrow movie to be honest....

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=58132

Also, I'm thinking this thread should be re-named 'Comic Book' rather than exclusivley Marvel.

[Hero!]

Green Arrow movie? Oh yes.

[Cactus Lem]

This also means that they'd also have an already established character in Green Arrow if they ever did ever decide to go ahead with The Dark Knight Returns style Batman adapatation.

[EdgeHead469]

Green Arrow movie? Oh yes.

Just Wikipedia serached Green Arrow because I was not very fimilar with his background but this seems like it could be pretty damn cool. A guy dressed in a pretty neat outfit with different types of arrows kicking ass. Throw in a nice, complex back story and you have a movie. Especially if the guys writing Batman is on.

[mth]

Is there much difference between Green Arrow and Hawkeye, other than Arrow dressing like Robin Hood, and Hawkeye like a tropical fish?

[Mills]

From what I last remembered, there was a movie called Breakout that was basically Green Arrow in every way but name. He would be locked in a prison with all of his greatest foes.

[Mills]

Nope, both died, both shoot arrows, and both are womanizers.

[Hero!]

Does hawkeye have a Heroin-addicted sidekick?

Didn't think so.

[Mills]

Hawkeye was a primary reason that Avengers: Disassembled started! Personally, I prefer GA due to his personality as well as the fact he was written by Kevin Smith and Brad Meltzler

[Edicus2288i]

Sony may bite on Spidey spinoff
Thursday July 31 2:44 AM ET

With Heath Ledger's villainous Joker drawing attention and box office dollars, Sony is moving forward with "Venom," a potential "Spider-Man" spinoff based on a bad guy.

The studio is developing the project, based on the gooey nemesis who appeared in 2007's "Spider-Man 3" and is hoping the character could serve as an antidote to the aging "Spider-Man" franchise just as Fox has used Wolverine to add longevity to its "X-Men" franchise.

But getting any spinoff off the ground, let alone one centered on a villain, can be tricky.

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The studio had commissioned a draft of the script from Jacob Estes, a writer of the specialty film "Mean Creek," released several years ago by Paramount Classics. But the studio is considering going in a different direction from Estes' script and is seeking writers for a new draft.

Casting also is no simple matter. Topher Grace of "That '70s Show" fame played the character in the film, but Sony is not yet convinced the actor can carry a big "tentpole" picture.

Neither Sony nor Marvel would comment for this story.

In "Spider-Man 3," Venom is essentially a parasite that attaches itself to a host via a sticky substance that then gives the host special powers. The fact that it is a substance rather than a character could give Sony leeway to cast a new actor.

"Venom" came about as part of the licensing deal between Marvel and Sony for the Spider-Man movies, which contained provisions allowing for the use of spinoffs based on other Spider-Man characters.

The project is part of a larger feeding frenzy for superhero projects, scores of which have been signed up in the last few months while movies such as "Iron Man" and "The Dark Knight" light up the box office.

Sony is developing a fourth "Spider-Man" film for 2011, but that picture would come out nine years after the original movie debuted, adding to the studio's desire to see new Marvel characters.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

I dunno about a spin-off on a villian. Chances are the villian will turn into the hero, and the last thing we need is a Venom saving people

[ZT4]

It's a little odd there calling Venom the answer to Wolverine, he was introduced a long time ago and his momentum's deteroriarated over the years, with a breif boost of popularity again thanks to his apperance in Ultimate Spider-Man. I think the last time anyone gave a shit about Venom in the regular continuity was "Maximum Carnage"

[PurePlayer]

I dunno about a spin-off on a villian. Chances are the villian will turn into the hero, and the last thing we need is a Venom saving people

Doesn't Venom save people though? I thought he is pretty much a good guy except that he hates Spiderman. I don't know much about the character, but that is what I always thought.

[Mills]

He had a lot of mini series in the mid 90's due to his large anti-hero following. Basically, he'd protect others, but hated Spiderman and would be more than willing to kill his opponents.

[EdgeHead469]

He had a lot of mini series in the mid 90's due to his large anti-hero following. Basically, he'd protect others, but hated Spiderman and would be more than willing to kill his opponents.

So... if he(Venom) hated Spiderman and his main goal was to just kill Spidy (and don't take this the wrong way, I just never read Spiderman), how the hell would they make a spin-off of Venom if he is all about Spidy? Would not that just have to be a Spiderman 4 movie?

[Mills]

Not necessarily. In the comics, they had him wander off to San Fransisco. Can't obsess with Spidey when he's on the opposite end of the country. All they have to do is have him follow a bad guy as he flees across the country.

[mth]

Venom: Lethal Protector comes to mind when it comes to a "good guy" Venom..whether that was just a nickname, or an actual mini-series, I can't recall. I had an issue of his mini-series (called "The Madness" maybe?) where he fights Juggernaut, then falls into some red goop and spouts extra heads and stuff.
Anyway, Venom was a pretty big drawing factor for why some people saw Spider-Man 3, so I could see his spin-off being pretty successful....the comparison to Wolverine is pretty good, most comic book geeks I know love him about the same,and there are general similarities in their characters.

[Mills]

Yeah, Venom had a ridiculous amount of mini series... I remember one of them was valued at $40 for all 3, which was insane at that time. Venom has always been a fan boy favorite.

[Motherboy]

They could always start the movie the same way "Carnage" started in the books. Brock and Kasady in a jail cell together, costume comes to save Brock but leaves a "baby" symbiote behind. Symbiote bonds to Kasady, Kasady goes on a killing spree across the country, Venom has to go save us from the one thing worse than he is. Just cut out all the parts about Spider-Man.

[Mills]

That could work.

[Motherboy]

I've always wanted to see a cameo by the Fantastic Four in a Spider-Man film, though. Loaning him the sonic gun to put down Carnage would be perfect, but if they use Carnage for Venom that's a no-go.

[Atty]

You know AT, your one of my fav on here, you know that, but give me a good reason, from a guy who NEVER read one comic to actually go out and see this movie. I just do not understand it and it looks confusing and kinda overdone.

"IF" it's done right, Watchmen will be an instant classic. That said, it's one of those things that after you read, while amazing, is difficult to picture on the big screen. Snyder's style from 300 actually gives me quite a bit of hope for it. 300 wasn't a favorite of mine or anything like that, but the way it looked gives me hope...

Back to Marvel, I'm thrilled they're doing these independent character movies (Wolverine, Magneto, Venom) but I just hope they don't try to make all the central characters heroes. With something like Venom, I'd rather they just show him as the bad guy tearing shit up.

[eldanielfire]

Anybody heard about the "Hulk VS .................>" series coming to DVD?

Trailers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKo049b9Clk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3aaHGkVI4


Not entirely sold yet, not turned off at all though.

[eldanielfire]

300 was fucking awful.


No, 300 was fucking great!

[Jimmy Zero]

It really wasn't though. I even watched it a second time, months later after I'd gotten over the sheer disappointment. I liked it even less the second time.

It's a truly terrible movie.

[TRO]

"IF" it's done right, Watchmen will be an instant classic. That said, it's one of those things that after you read, while amazing, is difficult to picture on the big screen.

Yeah, technically you could do "Watchmen" justice as a movie. You could recreate all of those brilliant juxtaposed images and all the William Blake and Bob Dylan quotes and include the Black Freighter sub-story, but it would be six hours long and the ending would be so depressing, nobody would want to watch it. I'm pretty pessimistic about this upcoming movie. It's going to be "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" all over again. Total trainwreck. I mean, Christopher Nolan could probably do a good Watchmen movie. Orson Welles could do it. Charlie Kaufman would know how to do it. But I have no faith in this thing that's being done right now.

[Mister J]

I just finished re-reading this, and I have to agree. The thing that made this story great was all the small details. The "easter eggs" in various panels. The discussion of the pirate comic the black kid reads at the newstand. The quotes, the explanations, the intertwining of the story lines.

In "Fearful Symmetry", you have what I consider one of the greatest comics I've ever read. And it's not the action, the characters or the plot. It's the way it's put together. The first panel mirrors the last, and second to first the second to last, and so on. It's amazing how the writer and artist created a work so unique yet so well done. How do you translate that to a movie? The format it is told in, the comic, is the only reason that works so well.

I don't know, I'd like to think they could pull it off, but I just don't know how they could feasibly do it.

[TapOut]

Anybody heard about the "Hulk VS .................>" series coming to DVD?

Trailers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKo049b9Clk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3aaHGkVI4


Not entirely sold yet, not turned off at all though.

I think that Hulk vs. Wolvie looks fantastic. I don't really care what happens or what the story is, just them fighting is grounds enough for me to buy the DVD. Maybe it'll tide me over until the Wolverine film.

[Jimmy Zero]

Hulk vs. Wolvie does look tight. Their throwdowns always entertained me in the comics.

Wolverine 145 is still one of the best Wolvie comics I've seen.

[Mister J]

There was a Ultimate Hulk v. Wolverine comic that was coming out. First issue was great, amazing art, great action, crazy shit when Hulk rips Wolverine in HALF!!!

Then it stopped. I think it was going to be a 3 issue mini, and they just can't seem to get it out. I think they might have gotten #2 out, but come on... Almost a year now, and 2 issues.

Don't know why I tossed that out there. Bit of the ole vino in me, I guess. Carry on.

[Mills]

It's been on hiatus due to the writer, Damon Lindelof, is writing some TV show. I think it's called LOST.

[Mister J]

Last I checked, Lost isn't on again til January. Guy can't find a day to slap together the final script and send it in? If you're too busy to write the comic, don't commit to writing the comic.

[Mills]

I agree with you, but can't change the past. Besides, yes the show doesn't start til January, but that doesn't mean that's when they start writing the show. He's probably in the midst of writing the show as we speak.

[Ace Rockola]

From the Hollywood Reporter,


Paramount, Marvel ink new distrib deal
Deal includes self-produced titles including 'Iron Man 2'
By Jay A. Fernandez
SepT 29, 2008


Paramount just added a lot more Iron to its diet.

The Melrose Avenue studio has signed an agreement with Marvel Studios that locks Paramount in as the worldwide distributor of Marvel's next five self-produced feature films. The properties earmarked for inclusion in the deal are "Iron Man 2" (May 7, 2010) and "Iron Man 3," as well as "Thor" (July 16, 2010), "The First Avenger: Captain America" (May 6, 2011) and "The Avengers" (July 15, 2011).

The partnership extends a 2005 agreement that saw Paramount agreeing to distribute as many as 10 Marvel films. In the original agreement, Marvel retained six key international markets and sold the rights to local distributors. After "Iron Man," Marvel's first self-produced movie, flew to $574 million worldwide in the summer, both parties decided to bolt down a more concrete agreement.

While other studios expressed interest in teaming with Marvel, Paramount landed all worldwide theatrical distribution rights on the five releases at a fee slightly reduced from the original agreement -- Paramount will now reap an 8% distribution fee versus 10% in the previous arrangement. Marvel will have approval on Paramount's P&A budgets and reimburse Paramount for its expenses.

(The German rights to "Iron Man 2" are the only exception to Paramount's worldwide rights because Tele-Munchen already secured rights to distribute the film in Germany under an existing agreement.)

"Once we realized the next four movies, it became a priority to formalize the new distribution arrangement, and our first choice was to do it with Paramount," Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel said. "It made sense to try and continue the relationship."

Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore agreed.

"Coming off of 'Iron Man's' incredible success this summer, we could not be more excited about extending our relationship with Marvel," he said.

Given nondisclosure stipulations, Maisel declined comment on the financial details of the deal.

"We were able to achieve better economics overall, which one would expect given the success of 'Iron Man' and the Marvel films," he said.

Paramount benefits as well by locking in several future tentpoles at a time when DreamWorks, its partner for the past three years, is on its way out.

The first "Iron Man" sequel already is in the works, with "Tropic Thunder" scribe Justin Theroux penning the script and Jon Favreau returning to direct. Marvel would not confirm whether star Robert Downey Jr. has closed a deal to climb back into the shiny red-and-gold suit.

Marvel is negotiating with Kenneth Branagh to direct "Thor," written by Mark Protosevich. "Iron Man" scribes Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus are in talks to pen "Captain America," and Zak Penn ("The Incredible Hulk") will write the screenplay for "The Avengers," which will synthesize and play off of the story lines of the other films.

Marvel has been working closely with its writers to coordinate character cross-pollination, as it did when the character Nick Fury cameoed in "Iron Man" and Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) popped up in "The Incredible Hulk," which Universal released for Marvel in the summer. "Iron Man," "Thor" are "Captain America" will lead up to the release of "The Avengers," which will showcase the whole bunch together: Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and Hulk.

"It's nice to have one partner to market all those films because we are emphasizing the films individually but also how they all come from the Marvel universe and sometimes characters pop over from one movie to another," Maisel said. "We want them to feel like you're watching a story that's evolving over time in addition to separate films, so it's nice to have those four films ordered the way they are and also to have one distributor and one marketer on these films."

In May, just days after "Iron Man's" heroic $100 million opening, Maisel's contract was extended through 2010 and Kevin Feige was promoted to president of Marvel Studios.

Marvel has a cast of thousands of comic book characters in its library that it can exploit for film projects and then extend and license into ancillary products such as video games, toys, TV shows and Web content.

That story still says Hulk is in Avengers, but I wonder if this new contract might fuck that idea up? I really hope they can work out something with Edward Norton, cause even though I didn't much more than sorta enjoy Hulk, once they fit Stark in there I was pretty much sold on them keeping these as tightly tied together as possible. Put someone else in there and all of a sudden it's as if the final scene didn't count.

[Ace Rockola]

Don Cheadle is stepping in to replace Terrence Howard in "Iron Man 2," Marvel Studios' sequel to its summer blockbuster.

In the movie, Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man's best friend and future armor-clad hero War Machine. One scene featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying "Next time," a line that caused great delight for fans.

But there will be no next time for Howard.

Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons. Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor, who is shooting Antoine Fuqua's "Brooklyn's Finest" with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

Rhodes is expected to play a larger part in the sequel, which is rumored to go beyond high-tech villains. Justin Theroux is writing the screenplay.

Jon Favreau is returning as director, and Robert Downey Jr. is expected back as billionaire industrialist Stark/Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to be back as Stark's assistant, Pepper Potts.

Cheadle, repped by UTA, most recently starred in "Traitor," a thriller on which he was also a producer. He will next be seen in DreamWorks' "Hotel for Dogs."

Great actor to replace him, but damn, I hate when they recast these parts.

And just saw this on Nuke The Fridge.


Personally I loved this summer's "The Incredible Hulk." I would love to see Marvel do another one with the same creative team. I think the only reason this movie didn't make more is because it was fighting off the stench of the 2003 film. Sort of how "Batman Begins" only made $200 million because audiences didn't know what to expect after the horrible "Batman and Robin," but then "Dark Knight" has gone on to make more than $525 million. I think a second "Incredible Hulk" might be a break out hit too.

That said, I am at least glad to hear that the Hulk will be back soon on screen. MTV sat down with Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, the writers of "Iron Man," and the upcoming "Avengers," who told them that everything is building toward having the Hulk as the villain in the "Avengers."

“I hope ‘The Avengers’ embraces that,” Fergus said of having the Hulk as misunderstood baddie. “You don’t want like 10 super-badass good guys fighting together. Where’s the fun in that? Let’s break it off a little. Friends or colleagues who become enemies is always an interesting thing because you know it’s based on love and friendship and that’s always the worst thing to have turn bad — is someone you actually care about and someone you actually believe in.”

Even "The Incredible Hulk" director Louis Leterrier thinks this is a good idea. In June he told MTV that he thought they should use Hulk as the villain in the "Avengers" movie.

“I left the door open for whoever’s going to direct ‘The Avengers’ with our last shot. Edward [Norton] and I, we consciously decided to make the last shot of the movie when he opens his eyes and he smirks at the camera,” Leterrier told us. “Is he enjoying it? Is he malicious? That’s what’s great about Edward. You don’t know if he’s a good guy or bad guy. He’s always on this edge and we’ve been sort of surfing that edge, that very thin edge during the entire movie.”

Of course, there was also the Tony Stark cameo at the end of the film where he tells General Ross that he is putting together a team to take care of Hulk. So all signs point to Hulk as the big bad.

What do you think? Is using the Hulk as the main villain in the first "Avengers" movie a good idea? Or Would you rather see a more traditional Avengers villain like Ultron?

I like this idea lot. The possible huge battle for this could be amazing. Though I'd rather they not have it where Banner just chooses to give in to it and start destroying shit. Have him just unable to control it and the Avengers have to stop him.

[Bill Casey]

Capturing Hulk should be a main objective...
I don't think you can make him the main villain, because the whole point of Bruce being on the run is so his genetics don't fall into the wrong hands...

While it's true Hulk smash, the truly dangerous ones are those who would seek to weaponize him...
For instance, I wouldn't trust General Ross or his associates as far as I could throw them...

[Hulkamaniac]

“I left the door open for whoever’s going to direct ‘The Avengers’ with our last shot. Edward [Norton] and I, we consciously decided to make the last shot of the movie when he opens his eyes and he smirks at the camera,” Leterrier told us. “Is he enjoying it? Is he malicious? That’s what’s great about Edward. You don’t know if he’s a good guy or bad guy. He’s always on this edge and we’ve been sort of surfing that edge, that very thin edge during the entire movie.”

Of course, there was also the Tony Stark cameo at the end of the film where he tells General Ross that he is putting together a team to take care of Hulk. So all signs point to Hulk as the big bad.

What do you think? Is using the Hulk as the main villain in the first "Avengers" movie a good idea? Or Would you rather see a more traditional Avengers villain like Ultron?

I like the idea of Hulk as the villain, however, a lot said in that quote is pure shit. How is letting the Hulk smile at the end of the film a sign of whats so great about Norton? Nor does Norton ever seem like he's 'surfing that edge' throughout the film.

In regards to the poor box office of The Incredible Hulk. It was more due to the fact that the film wasnt particularly great, rather than a hangover from Ang Lee's Hulk.

[Ace Rockola]

In regards to the poor box office of The Incredible Hulk. It was more due to the fact that the film wasnt particularly great, rather than a hangover from Ang Lee's Hulk.

There was a lot of stuff to blame on Hulk not making a lot of money. Lack of rewatch value from it not being all that great is a big factor. But there was a lot of it to blame on the Ang Lee version. I know you and a decent amount of other's really enjoyed it. But the general population disagrees with you. I don't know a single person who really liked that movie. If I can recall correctly I think I might be the biggest defender of it out of people I know, and I didn't even like it. So the stink from the previous one had to hurt the overall business of the new one.

That's not to mention the late promotion (which is understandable in a way, due to how the previous one got ripped apart with the Super Bowl add that featured CGI still 6 months away from being finished) and my personal biggest gripe with it, not knowing what the film was. They said it's not a reboot. But not a sequel. Though it seems to go in the next logical step from the end of the first film. So if I'm your average movie goer and I can't even get a straight answer about what the film is, I'm sure as hell gonna assume the movie itself is just as confusing.

[Beer-Belly]

Aaron Eckhart HAS to be Captain America. It is the only choice.

[PurePlayer]

That's not to mention the late promotion (which is understandable in a way, due to how the previous one got ripped apart with the Super Bowl add that featured CGI still 6 months away from being finished) and my personal biggest gripe with it, not knowing what the film was. They said it's not a reboot. But not a sequel. Though it seems to go in the next logical step from the end of the first film. So if I'm your average movie goer and I can't even get a straight answer about what the film is, I'm sure as hell gonna assume the movie itself is just as confusing.

How is the new Hulk film not considered reboot?

[Ace Rockola]

How is the new Hulk film not considered reboot?

Don't ask me, that's just what I remember Marvel spouting off when the film came out. They didn't want to just come out and call the other one a failure (cause that's what a reboot this soon is saying), but they also didn't want to be attached to it.

[mth]

Aaron Eckhart HAS to be Captain America. It is the only choice.

I'll second that now that I've seen him in a couple of movies. He'd really fit the bill quite well.

[Hulkamaniac]

There was a lot of stuff to blame on Hulk not making a lot of money. Lack of rewatch value from it not being all that great is a big factor. But there was a lot of it to blame on the Ang Lee version. I know you and a decent amount of other's really enjoyed it. But the general population disagrees with you. I don't know a single person who really liked that movie. If I can recall correctly I think I might be the biggest defender of it out of people I know, and I didn't even like it. So the stink from the previous one had to hurt the overall business of the new one.



Like I said, the primary reason for the 'failure' of the new film, was because of the new film. To explain, the first film had an incredible opening weekend and then absolutely bombed after that. If the audience had a hangover from the previous film, what you'dve seen was a poor opening weekend for the new film and then gradually building impressively by good word of mouth. Instead, what happened was another good word of mouth...then an absolute bomb after that. It barely even made more than the previous film overall, made less when you take inflation into account.

[Bill Casey]

Aaron Eckhart HAS to be Captain America. It is the only choice.

Josh Brolin for Steve Rogers...
Aaron Eckhart for Dr. Henry Pym...

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/1202/93101-112474-hank-pym_super.jpg
http://snarkerati.com/movie-news/files/2008/05/aaron-eckhart.jpg



Brolin can play the soldier, Eckhart can play the scientist...

[Ace Rockola]

Like I said, the primary reason for the 'failure' of the new film, was because of the new film. To explain, the first film had an incredible opening weekend and then absolutely bombed after that. If the audience had a hangover from the previous film, what you'dve seen was a poor opening weekend for the new film and then gradually building impressively by good word of mouth. Instead, what happened was another good word of mouth...then an absolute bomb after that. It barely even made more than the previous film overall, made less when you take inflation into account.

When Iron Man pulled in 100 million a month or two before wouldn't you consider Hulk doing 54 a dissapointment?

[Jimmy Zero]

That's a stupid comparison.

[Ace Rockola]

That's a stupid comparison.

How so? They both appeal to the exact same crowd.

[The Doc]

I dunno about that. I think Hulk and Iron Man are different enough to collect different kinds of fans and while they are comic movies they are well known comics (as opposed to V for Vendetta, Blade and Men in Black) and thus have fans or at least marketability outside of the comic community. V, Blade and Men in Black were successful because they were good movies, not because everybody already knew the story and was familar. Hell a lot of people STILL don't know that MiB is a comic.

[Jimmy Zero]

And? The exact same crowd probably went and saw both of them.

Way more people not from the exact same crowd went and saw Iron Man because there was no comparable stink of an Ang Lee Hulk on Iron Man. Plus, Iron Man just looked a whole lot cooler than the new Hulk movie from the get go.

[Hulkamaniac]

Different times. Iron Man opened after weeks of a dead box office. It was the first summer blockbuster and its weekend total includes a Thursday night opening. It also opened on 4105 screens.

The Incredible Hulk opened on a Friday, it was given 500 less screens and it came out among strong competition from two other major releases (Kung Fu Panda and The Happening) and with Indiana Jones, Sex and the City AND Iron Man still picking up decent box office.

Iron Man's nearest competition on its opening weekend was Made of Honor for fucks sake.

[Ace Rockola]

Different times. Iron Man opened after weeks of a dead box office. It was the first summer blockbuster and its weekend total includes a Thursday night opening. It also opened on 4105 screens.

The Incredible Hulk opened on a Friday, it was given 500 less screens and it came out among strong competition from two other major releases (Kung Fu Panda and The Happening) and with Indiana Jones, Sex and the City AND Iron Man still picking up decent box office.

Iron Man's nearest competition on its opening weekend was Made of Honor for fucks sake.

Ah yes, forgot about the lack of stuff opening when Iron Man did.

Still wouldn't call $54 million opening after the high all of America was on from Iron Man all that strong of a start.

[Hulkamaniac]

I didnt. I said that it was 'a good word of mouth'. Of course, what I meant to say was that it was 'a good opening' and it was. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Ace Rockola]

I didnt. I said that it was 'a good word of mouth'. Of course, what I meant to say was that it was 'a good opening' and it was. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ah, I think I misread the comparisons between the two. I thought you were saying the second one started well and lack of word of mouth killed it. Not that it didn't even bother starting off well.

[Hulkamaniac]

It did start well. It wasnt an exceptional opening weekend. But if it was simply a case of Ang Lee's Hulk killing it from the start, then it didnt behave like that. It had a decent opening weekend and didnt pick up any steam, which is what you would've expected it to do if it had actually been a very good film.

[Marlon Dingle]

What the fuck happened at the end of Ang Lee's Hulk, I just remember his dad turning into electricity, then stone then water, then Hulk talking to his dad telepathically and then screaming "Take It all" then there being like a huge bubble of water like an A bomb. Then Dr Banner being in some jungle. WTF???

I think that might be the reason alot of people(including me) didn't see the new Hulk film. Plus the Hulk just isn't as appealing as Iron man, whats cooler flying around in a metal suit with guns and shit, or being green and big and everyone hating you because you have an anger problem.

[Hulkamaniac]

Being Hulk.


But the end of Ang Lee's Hulk was definitely fucked.

[son_of_foley]

I didnt watch it cause it looked shite. Edward Norton was a weird fit from an outsiders perspective. I'm sure he did a good job but I personally couldn't shake the odd feeling about it.

[Hulkamaniac]

He wasnt that good really.

[son_of_foley]

It was also a bit too close to IronMan for casuals.

[Ace Rockola]

http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-scoop-the-player-may-join-stark-industries-5873

Some pretty big rumors about Iron Man 2. Tim Robbins might be playing Tony's dad in a flash back that sets up Captain America. If this is true that's too damn cool.

[Miotch]

Nice double post over there, Ace.

[Ace Rockola]

Jackson Signs Nine-Picture Deal to Play Nick Fury!
Source:The Hollywood Reporter, Variety February 25, 2009


Samuel L. Jackson has buried the hatchet with Marvel Entertainment, making a deal to play the role of Nick Fury in Iron Man 2, and potentially many other films.

Jackson's deal is a long-term commitment to play Fury, the leader of the espionage unit S.H.I.E.L.D. His deal contains an option to play the character in nine future Marvel superhero films, efforts that are expected to include The First Avenger: Captain America, Thor, The Avengers, toplining a possible S.H.I.E.L.D. movie, and potential sequels.

Jackson introduced Fury in the closing moments of Iron Man, when the character asked Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark to join his group.

Glad they settled that. That's a helluva lotta films to be locked in for.

[TapOut]

I wonder what his bank account looks like.

[Mazer]

Hell, its not like Samuel L. Jackson is picky about roles. He'll film almost anything.


But it is good to see that he's been locked in. I think he'll do well with the role. You know, since it was basically designed for him and all.

[Ace Rockola]

Must be a nice chunk of cash, cause last we heard on this he was being low balled and he refused to work with them again. So they must have finally smartened up and gave him the payday he wanted.

Shame they didn't do that for Terrance Howard.

[Bill Casey]

If they absolutely had to replace Terrence Howard, they should have gone for Cuba Gooding Jr. instead of Don Cheadle...

[Alcohol]

So, if it happens, they look to be going with the John Stewert GL? Why do they always do that? Hal Jordon is one of the best characters ever created, yet repeatedly they go with this third string ring slinger to fill the "Green Lantern" slot. Just so they can have their token black guy... It's fucking stupid. I would hope by this point in the world we wouldn't require a black presence in a movie to avoid riots/protests/etc.

Sure, the movie probably won't happen, but it's still screwed up.

Not sure if any of you have seen this already, but there's a fan trailer up for a 'Dream' GL movie on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hTiRnqnvDs

The saddest thing is that this is likely far better than anything DC will actually produce... :\

[Guy]

I saw this and instantly fell in love with the idea of Fillion in the role

[Alcohol]

As per a suggestion earlier in the thread, I've updated the thread title to reflect that it's grown to deal with pretty much all upcoming comic movies.

Also, more old news, looks like Thor and Loki have been cast for Brannaghs Marvel movie. Variety is reporting that Chris Hemsworth has been cast as Marvel Comics' Nordic, hammer-wielding God of Thunder, Thor:
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/chris-thor-300.jpg

Originally posted in Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003848.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)
Marvel Studios has chosen its god of Thunder: Australian thesp Chris Hemsworth is in final negotiations to play Thor in the comicbook company's bigscreen adaptation of the character.

Kenneth Branagh will helm the actioner, set to bow on May 20, 2011.

A Norse god, Thor develops a protective affinity for humans after his father Odin banishes him to Earth, in order to teach him a lesson in humility. From then on, he's often seen wielding his massive hammer and fighting alongside the Avengers (comprised of Iron Man, the Hulk and Captain America).

Hemsworth, who stars in MGM's upcoming "Cabin in the Woods," was also just cast in that studio's remake of "Red Dawn" as Jed Eckert, the role originally played by Patrick Swayze in 1984. Hemsworth was most recently seen in Paramount's "Star Trek" playing Capt. Kirk's father.

...and Tom Hiddleston has apparently been cast as Loki:
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2009/05/18/tom-hiddleston.jpg

[Originally posted by Deadline Hollywood (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/toldja-marvel-studios-about-to-announce-chris-hemsworth-as-thor/):
I've learned that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Thor director Kenneth Branagh have cast their Loki, the nemesis to the lead in Thor set for release on May 20, 2011. He's Tom Hiddleston, unknown to American audiences but an award-winning British actor and Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts (RADA) graduate. He played Winston Churchill's son in HBO's The Gathering Storm, but, more to the point, note that Hiddleston starred in Ivanov opposite Sir Kenneth on the London stage and also starred with him in the BBC miniseries Wallander. Marvel Studios won't confirm my news, but Hiddleston had been considered as a possible Thor.

[Mister J]

That GL trailer gave me goose bumps. Bit cheesy at points, but overall very well done. And Nathan Fillion is a beast, would nail that role.

Here's hoping they don't screw it up too badly.

[Hulkamaniac]

The 'Australian Thesp' who made his name on Home and Away?

Regardless, he's a big fucker and was excellent in his cameo in Star Trek.

[Canuck]

The green latern guy at around the 30 second mark looks just like hellboy.

[Bill Casey]

It's the Silver Surfer with a coat of paint...

[Alcohol]

Anyone in London fancy being in the Captain America movie?


There’s an open casting for extras going on right now in London for filming later in the year.

Applicants need a UK National Insurance number and should send a resume and photo (not over 2 meg) to russell@guysanddollscasting.com.

You can also post a resume and photo to Guys and Dolls Casting, Trafalgar House, Grenville Place, Mill Hill. London NW7 3SA[.

[Hero!]

While PR isn't comic book based, I feel that this fan-made trailer for a Power Rangers movie belongs here, especially after that awesome Green Lantern one that was recently posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoMuo-Om0sQ

I know PR isn't for everyone, but come on, that is an awesome "Trailer". Tell me you wouldn't watch that.

[Bill Casey]

Captain America/Avengers casting news...


http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016757.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&ref=vertfilm&ref=ssp


Chris Evans to play 'Captain America'
Thesp to star in three Marvel films, in addition to 'Avengers'
By MARC GRASER

Chris Evans will don the star-spangled superhero suit to play Captain America for Marvel Entertainment.

Evans accepted an offer made by the comicbook publisher late last week, beating out a number of thesps who test-screened for the high-profile role.

Deal, which Evans' reps are finalizing, calls for the actor to star in at least three "Captain America" movies, starting with "The First Avenger: Captain America," which Marvel is set to invade theaters with on July 22, 2011. Paramount will distribute.

He also would reprise the role in "The Avengers," which will unite Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the Incredible Hulk (Edward Norton) in one pic. That film is skedded for May 4, 2012. The character also will likely make cameo appearances in Marvel's other pics, to tie together the world Marvel has been creating starting with the first "Iron Man."

Joe Johnston, who most recently directed "The Wolfman" for Universal, will helm "Captain America" from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

The character, created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, was introduced during the 1940s as a sickly young man who, when injected with a super-soldier serum, is turned into the perfect human weapon to aid the United States' effort to fight the Nazis during World War II. His costume resembles the American flag and he flings an indestructible shield as his primary weapon. Pic will essentially be an origin story.

Hugo Weaving will play the villain, Red Skull.

Kevin Feige will produce for Marvel, Stephen Broussard serving as co-producer. David Maisel, Stratton Leopold, Louis D'Esposito and Stan Lee will exec produce.

Evans, who will be seen next in Warner Bros.' "The Losers," won the high-profile role of Steve Rogers after Marvel considered such thesps as John Krasinski, Channing Tatum, Chace Crawford, Ryan Phillippe, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Cassidy, Patrick Flueger, Scott Porter and Wilson Blethel.

Marvel already had a relationship with Evans, who played the role of Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in Fox's two "Fantastic Four" movies.

He also will appear in the adaptation of DC Comics' "The Losers" in April, and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," based on the Oni Press graphic novels.

Marvel declined to confirm the agreement, although sources close to the company said the deal points were being worked out. The company has generally remained quiet on who's working on its movies, even when directors are moving forward with pre-production on projects.

Evans had already signed on to co-star opposite Anna Faris in New Regency's R-rated comedy "What's Your Number," which is also skedded to shoot this summer.
http://www.scottmindeaux.com/graphics/evans.jpghttp://www.obsessedwithfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/x-captain-america-cc1-317x500.jpg
http://images.buddytv.com/articles/movies/profiles/hugo-weaving.jpghttp://dailypop.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/redskull_movie.jpg
http://m.virtualstar.com/News/Interviews/Chris_Hemsworth/Chris_Hemsworth_HeadShot.jpghttp://static.open.salon.com/files/thor1248706444.gif

[Kdestiny]

Hugo Weaving as Red Skull should be fantastic.

I guess I have to wait and see about Chris Evans though. Should be interesting, he was pretty good in Fantastic Four.

[Morrison]

seems odd that they're going through the trouble of creating a 'universe' and manage to cast a guy who has already played a big character in that universe. i'd imagine this just means they have no future plans for the fantastic four.

[Cewsh]

They're planning on rebooting it and pretending the last 2 Fantastic Four movies never happened.

So in that regard, it won't make a huge difference.

[Zarius]

The FF movies fell victim to the usual studio meddling beyond Marvel's control, Marvel now intend to have complete control over their films and also want them to be set in the same universe

[Bill Casey]

Thor casting news...

http://marvel.com/movies/thor.thor

- Chris Hemsworth as Thor, God of Thunder
- Anthony Hopkins as Odin, King of Asgard
- Rene Russo as Frigga, Queen of Asgard
- Josh Dallas as Fandral, of the Warriors Three
- Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, of the Warriors Three
- Ray Stevenson as Volstag, of the Warriors Three
- Idris Elba as Heimdall, Guardian of Asgard
- Jaimie Alexander as Sif, Thor's wife
- Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a nurse under Thor when he travels to the human world and assumes the role of Dr. Donald Blake
- Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury, Agent of Shield and Avengers organizer
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki, the only villain announced so far


Looks like the bulk of the main cast is the Asgardian warriors...
I'm hoping for a large scale war Lord of the Rings style...

Anthony fucking Hopkins...
Yes, that's his middle name...

He's Odin...
It's like when Brando played Superman's dad...

[Mik]

Gotta love a film with Stringer Bell in...apart from Obsessed.

[Alcohol]

I thought Stuart Townsend got replaced a month or so ago, I think by Joshua Dallas.

Also, apparently Sebastian Stan has been cast as Bucky Barnes in Captain America. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25517

[RabidWookie]

(Possible) Captain America and Thor costume designs
Cap http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45326
Thor http://www.collider.com/2010/06/02/thor-chris-hemsworth-new-images-concept-art/

These could just be fan art really, but they're pretty awesome. The Cap movie is supposed to be set in WWII isn't it? If so, then I'm guessing this costume isn't real. Looks nice though.

Thor's costume....eh. It looks a bit too much like a business suit with a cape and armour over it.

[mth]

I actually really like both of those costume designs a lot.
But yeah, if Cap is supposed to be during WWII, then that one looks too modern. If it were present day, then it's perfect.
The Thor one I was worried would look bad, but that's a pretty sleek and realistic twist on his attire. Maybe too modern, perhaps.

[RabidWookie]

Ah apparently the Cap movie will be half WWII half modern day, so that works for the modern day look.

[Hero!]

Saw those the other day. Thor's is alright and I like parts of Cap's costume.

[mth]

Ah apparently the Cap movie will be half WWII half modern day, so that works for the modern day look.

Then it's :yes: for being the modern attire.
I hope he has a rad old-school outfit, too, that's really fitting the time period of WWII, something that kind of resembles what a soldier would wear, but with the chainmail top and maybe a helmet-like mask (but more of a half-mask like he wore originally).

[RabidWookie]

Then it's :yes: for being the modern attire.
I hope he has a rad old-school outfit, too, that's really fitting the time period of WWII, something that kind of resembles what a soldier would wear, but with the chainmail top and maybe a helmet-like mask (but more of a half-mask like he wore originally).

I wouldn't mind something like this...
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1229/dstww2ultcapbusttitle.jpg

[Atty]

Love the first Cap attire, actually.

My only complaint about the Thor attire is it's not Paul McMahon wearing it...

[Mark84j]

The Cap outfit is amazing.

The Thor costume though seems too ... hi-tech for Asgardian gear. Plus, no helmet? ... :(

[mth]

I wouldn't mind something like this...
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1229/dstww2ultcapbusttitle.jpg
That's perfect, pretty much. :yes:

The Cap outfit is amazing.

The Thor costume though seems too ... hi-tech for Asgardian gear. Plus, no helmet? ... :(
I'm sure there'll be a helmet, he just won't be wearing it all the time.

[RabidWookie]

New Avengers and Cap casting rumours: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/705152/The-Avengers-Jeremy-Renner-Is-Hawkeye-Plus-Captain-America-Update.html

Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker) is reportedly in talks to play Hawkeye in Avengers and Neil McDonough is playing Dum Dum Dugan

[Jimmy Zero]

Ah apparently the Cap movie will be half WWII half modern day, so that works for the modern day look.

Yeah, according to an article on joblo.com I saw a few days/weeks ago, he spends the majority of his Cap time in the modern suit, with there only being like one big fight where he's decked out in the WWII garb.

I really like that concept art for Cap. As one of the comments said on the Thor link, he looks like Will Ferrell in that second pic.

[Rip]

http://www.ifanboy.com/files/images/marvel/Ultimate%20Captain%20America.jpg

For a WWII Cap look I don't think you can go past the Ultimate Avengers one.

[Hero!]

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/exclusive-edward-norton-is-not-the-hulk-in-the-avengers-but-he-d-like-to-be

Ed Norton will not be our hulk. :(

[Mik]

I thought that Bana was better anyway, so I dont mind. However the decision doesnt make any sense.

[Chris]

Some more gossip about the Norton situation:


Boy, this escalated quickly...

On Friday, HitFix's Drew Mcweeny reported that Marvel Studios was looking for a new, "unknown" actor to replace Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in Joss Whedon's THE AVENGERS. At this point, my feeling, from what I was hearing from a couple of sources, was that this decision wasn't so much financial as it was based on lingering... discomfort after a... challenging collaboration on THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Yesterday, Marvel's President of Production Kevin Feige, in a statement sent to HitFix, seemed to confirm this feeling by stressing that this parting of the ways was not financial, but "rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members."

This didn't go down well with Norton's agent, Brian Swardstrom. At all. Here's an excerpt of his blisteringly angry rebuttal to Feige's statement issued via -where else? - HitFix...


"We know a lot of fans have voiced their public disappointment with this result, but this is no excuse for Feige's mean spirited, accusatory comments. Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his. Feige's statement is unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory. Mr. Norton talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel's fans."

Read HitFix's story for the full letter, in which WME's Swardstrom claims negotiations were, up until recently, ongoing with Marvel, and that Norton was excited about reprising his role as Banner after a very positive meeting with Whedon.

And, um, feel free to offer up your suggestions for Banner #3 - 'cuz Norton be gone.
Here's the HitFlix link with the full statement from Marvel, if anyone's interested.

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/exclusive-marvel-confirms-they-will-hire-new-hulk-for-avengers?m=p

[Guy]

Ed Norton's facebook fan page:

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/ednortonhulkstatementbg.jpg

[Alcohol]

Apparently Joaquin Phoenix is being rumoured for Bruce Banner in the Avengers...

Linky (http://chud.com/articles/articles/24388/1/WILL-THE-NEW-HULK-RISE-LIKE-A-PHOENIX/Page1.html)

[Kdestiny]

Damn it Marvel....

[Bill Casey]

Michael Cera as the Hulk...

[Chris]

Here's a new picture of Odin, Thor and Loki:

http://www.aintitcool.com/images2009/thorgods.jpg

In other news, Thor and Captain America will be released in 3D, though neither is being shot in 3D. Marvel's Kevin Feige talks about it below.


"I'd say there's not a great feeling out there for conversion based on some of the films that may have succeeded financially but had their artistry come under fire," Feige said, not naming names but most likely referring to "Clash of the Titans," the Warner Bros. release that surpassed $490 million in worldwide box office but was savaged by critics for a rushed 3-D conversion that many saw as especially clumsy, distracting and ill-advised.

Feige, in London for "Captain America," pledged that "an unprecedented amount of time" would be devoted to the conversion process. He also said the films will benefit from the fact that the 3-D choice was made early on with passion and planning and not in post-production, as was the case with a flurry of films that came on the heels of "Avatar" and its historic box-office success.

"In being able to think in 3-D from the start -- and having every bit of our special effects rendered in true 3-D -- we have the opportunity to do it right," Feige said.
It sounds like they're going to take more time with the conversion, but I think it will be equally as pointless. The last few fims I've seen in 3D just look darker more than anything else. With the rushed conversion of films to 3D, and the impending arrival of 3D TVs despite people still in the process of switching to HD, I think the 3D age is going to be off to a rough start.

[Mark84j]

Oh my God. :wtf:

That looks bad... REALLY bad. I'm very very worried now.

[Matty C]

I can't believe Clash made that much money. Wow. It really wasn't all that great.

[Chris]

Things are certainly moving fast in terms of the Hulk casting. Mark Ruffalo is supposedly in the running for the role, though it's by no means definite. For those unfamiliar with his work (like me), here's an article talking about it:


Despite a Deadline Hollywood report earlier today suggesting Mark Ruffalo is in the latter stages of taking on the role of the jade giant in Marvel’s “The Avengers,” insiders say the actor is still quite a ways away from taking on the role.

According to sources, Ruffalo does have an offer to play the monstrous hero but not only has he not decided whether he wants the role, he has yet to meet the film’s director, Joss Whedon. Talks are underway for the actor and the director to meet at the end of this week or this weekend.

http://reporter.blogs.com/.a/6a00d83451d69069e20134856e3c99970c-800wi

But the actor is also riding high from his performance in “The Kids Are All Right” and is fielding several offers.

Will Ruffalo do it is one question to ask. But the other question is: Should he do it? Taking on the role would not be a money play for Ruffalo. Marvel is known for striking hard bargains, so a big payday would not be the end result.

And while not a headliner, Ruffalo easily lines up work in studio features and top-lines prestige indies. The guy is not hurting for work.

But if Ruffalo is a comics guy; if he wants to play in the Marvel sandbox and portray a pop culture icon; if he wants to work with Robert Downey, Jr. (which he already did in 2007’s “Zodiac”), Samuel L. Jackson and others, then he may say yes.

Ruffalo is a good choice. The guy can do sensitive and soul-searching like few others, which are qualities that can be Bruce Banner-like. And just maybe he wants to inverse those qualities and Hulk out.

--Borys Kit

[VanillaJello]

Ryan Reynolds as the Green Lantern

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/100714/EW-1112-cover-comiccon_308.jpg

[Hero!]

What's...on his suit?

[Mark84j]

I like the GL suit. Not only does it fit the actual character, it looks awesome. Polar opposite of the Thor pic.

[mth]

What's...on his suit?

Looks like muscle striations.

[Guy]

Higher Res link HERE (http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/ewlanternhires.jpg)

Basically looks like someone painted this green:
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/images/muscular_system_picture_front.jpg

Also his mask and hemline seem to be painted on. Almost as if it's just his skin a different colour like The Hulk

[KorruptJustice]

Dissapointed that Norton's out as Hulk, but I'm definitely a fan of Ruffalo, so hopefully he takes the role. Not really liking the Green Lantern pic. It doesn't have me as worried as the Thor image does, but still, it's not doing anything for me.

[Defrost]

Also his mask and hemline seem to be painted on. Almost as if it's just his skin a different colour like The Hulk


It is just his skin. There is no Green Lantern suit. It is a construct of the Power Ring.

[Guy]

Yea it seemed as much in the image, has that always been the case in the comic?

I know the ring constructs the suit itself, didn't know the suit was his skin until I saw that image though.

Now they've taken out the black, I am curious to see whether being entirely green is going to work on film though. I guess it worked for Hulk, but I can't help but feel this will look slightly dafter.

[Guy]

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/thorodinspic2bg.jpg

More Thor

[Mark84j]

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/thorodinspic2bg.jpg

More Thor

Ok... Odin's suit in this type of light looks fine. I think I almost jumped to conclusions with the last one.

Seeing the GL costume in hi-res makes me wonder of there will be any black? Personally, I would have put a black outline at least, but ehh. At this moment I think both movies will be good.

[VanillaJello]

I just want to see Reynolds in the Deadpool costume, with mask of course.

[Deewun]

I'm really worried about this Thor movie, but so far it looks good, and Branaugh can do no wrong, so hopefully I'm just being a worrywort.

And that GL costume is atrocious, I hope that is only his costume for like ... the final fight scene or something.

[mth]

I need to see a decent full body shot of the GL costume to really judge it. It looks kind of weird at this point.

The Thor costumes look a little worse than I had hoped, a little too 'Batman & Robin' mixed with Iron Man. But, it could look better in other shots and in action, as opposed to just a couple of still shots. Also, I REALLY hope there's helmets that go with the attire, 'cuz that could really make it work a lot better.

[Guy]

I have seen ZERO evidence of helmets so far. Sadly

[RabidWookie]

I really want to see Loki with his horns, but I'm afraid it would look pretty ridiculous on screen.

[Chris]

Kevin Bacon has joined the cast of "X-Men: First Class":


Yes, it’s true. Sources confirm that Kevin Bacon has joined Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class cast. Details of his role are being kept under wraps, but sources tell us he will play a villain, sparring against protagonists Charles Xavier, played by James McAvoy, and Magneto, Michael Fassbender’s role. It’s not clear who Bacon’s character is specifically, or how he’ll figure into the X-Men universe, but it will be fun to watch. Deadline Hollywood first reported this last week.

Also joining the team is up-and-comer Jennifer Lawrence who received raves earlier this year for her leading role in the Sundance smash Winter’s Bone. The 19-year old actress will play Mystique, the role originated by Rebecca Romijn in the X-Men trilogy. The Hollywood Reporter first reported this news today.

Twentieth Century Fox declined to comment on either casting addition. Filming is set to begin this summer in London.

A summary of the other cast confirmed so far:

Charles Xavier: James McAvoy (“Wanted”)
Eric Lensherr: Michael Fassbender (“Inglourious Basterds”)
Emma Frost: Alice Eve (“She’s Out Of My League”)
Hank McCoy: Nicholas Hoult (“About A Boy”)
Sean Cassidy: Caleb Landry Jones (“No Country For Old Men”)

EW has also indicated Lucas Till ("Hannah Montana: The Movie") could be negotiating to play Cyclops' kid brother, Alex "Havok" Summers, who can expel plasma blasts. AICN sources have suggested Aaron Johnson, who played the title role in "Kick-Ass," will play Scott "Cyclops" Summers, though another Entertainment Weekly story indicates Johnson will not be in "First Class." Fox has yet to weigh in on Cyclops casting.

Fox plans to release "First Class" next June.

[Hero!]

Basically looks like someone painted this green:
!snip!

Also his mask and hemline seem to be painted on. Almost as if it's just his skin a different colour like The Hulk

Still do not like.


It is just his skin. There is no Green Lantern suit. It is a construct of the Power Ring.


Yea it seemed as much in the image, has that always been the case in the comic?

Now they've taken out the black, I am curious to see whether being entirely green is going to work on film though. I guess it worked for Hulk, but I can't help but feel this will look slightly dafter.

d1 would probably know better than I, but I'm positive that that's not the case. The ring creates the suit, but this thing looks like green energy over his body instead of an actual suit. Perhaps that's how it looks at first, with his suit changing as he gets better at using the ring?


Kevin Bacon has joined the cast of "X-Men: First Class":

:nono:

[Deewun]

Kevin Bacon in First Class ... hmmm. I always REALLY wanted him to be Gambit, he would have been perfect, but that's not gonna happen here ... unless they do the Morlock Massacre story as the plot, then he could be there, but I highly doubt that to be the case. Though it does mean that Bacon could be someone else, and a GREAT choice would be Sinister. I'd love to see a Bacon Sinister.

And the suit being a suit or a construct of the ring is generally a "rule of awesome" where different artists draw it different ways. It doesn't really matter, though. It DOES matter how it looks. And it looks like bullshit. That is NOT what the GL suit looks like. There are literally 100s of variations on how to make that suit based on the comics, and NONE of them on Hal look like that. The ONLY thing that would make that allowable as a suit is if it was actually the Ion suit, and somehow the story turns into Hal absorbing the Ion Entity. But then, fuck that, because KYLE is the original Ion, not fucking Hal.

Anyway you slice it, that suit is bullshit.

[Beer-Belly]

Kick-Ass was wank-shit trash for delusional, white, middle-class pussies. I find it hard to relate to these weak sauce "real world characters" that dominate these comic book movies.

Most modern comic books are garbage. Oddly enough, the franchise characters like Batman and Superman have some of the best stories around. Grant Morrison is responsible for "All-Star Superman" (the best Superman story ever) and "Batman and Robin" (a bizarre saga with DIck Grayson taking over for his mentor and Bruce Wayne's brash and violent son, Damien Wayne, acting as Robin),

Also, Alan Moore is a sad old faggot (THAT LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES MAGIC!!!!!!!!) who is only massively popular because he wrote a pseudo-intellectual soap opera involving super heroes. If you still want to keep your mouth around this dude's dong, then go read one of his new books about REAL MAGIC.

[Mik]

That was a very aggressive post. Who are you so angry at?

[Bill Casey]

Kevin Bacon will play Iceman, who is struggling with his inability to create sub-zero temperatures...
He can get close, though...

[mth]

Wikipedia says (with this source: http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2010/07/kevin-bacon-playing-sebastian-shaw-in-x.html ) that Bacon is playing Sebastian Shaw.

[Defrost]

He playing the guy who played Anakin Skywalker?

[Zarius]

Gambit is a good fit for some movies, though maybe the second part, based on his origin in Paris with Sabretooth, would be a better prospect, similar to how they gave Nightcrawler some scope when they had time in X-Men 2: X-Men United

[RabidWookie]

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6863/latimesthor.jpg

Loki in helmet!!1

[Mark84j]

I dig that. :yes:

My gripes with the Odin pic have passed thankfully.

[RabidWookie]

Every time I see that pic I think it looks like the set for the Oscars or something...

[mth]

Huzzah for Loki helmet! Not, hopefully Thor's got some badass winged helmet that we haven't seen yet, too...


...and can I cross my fingers for a Beta Ray Bill cameo?

[RabidWookie]

Yeah, I'm hoping he has removed his helmet in that pic as he kneels before Odin

[Bill Casey]

Odin closeup...

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/334/odin.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/odin.jpg/)



Hogun & Fandral. I'm assuming that's Volstagg's leg...

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/47/warriorsthree.jpg (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/warriorsthree.jpg/)



Loki & Frigga...

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8280/lokifrigga.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/lokifrigga.jpg/)



Thor looks like he's holding something; possibly a helmet...

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4619/thorhelmet.jpg (http://img828.imageshack.us/i/thorhelmet.jpg/)

[Vice]

This movie looks ridiculous.

[Mills]

Sad, yet true. Sadder, ill go see it anyways.

[Guy]

THE GOON
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/the_goon_movie_poster.jpg

I literally only just heard about this, but the footage looks superb

Produced by David Fincher and starring Paul Giamatti and Clancy Brown. The film is an adaptation of a Dark Horse Comic that basically follows a mob enforcer and his loud-mouthed friend's bizarre adventures in a gangster era world.....filled with demons and vampires and monsters and zombies.

Footage is below, I urge you to check it out

http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=33063

[RabidWookie]

Holy Shit...Goon movie?? AWESOME!

[Deewun]

http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=33063

Goon looks great, I'm excited.




...and can I cross my fingers for a Beta Ray Bill cameo?

Pssh, fuck cameo. I want that to be the sequel. Without a doubt the best Thor story written in comics.

[Mark84j]

Goon?? Yes please!

Thor looks alright.

[Guy]

http://www.denofgeek.com/siteimage/scale/800/600/140690.png
'Ave it!

[Marlon Dingle]

Fucking hell. His arms are huge.

Here is some concept art for Thor and Cap'n America that is being used as posters at Comic Con.

http://www.empireonline.com/images/image_index/hw800/43027.jpg

http://www.empireonline.com/images/image_index/hw800/43026.jpg

[mth]

That Cap one...:drool:

Thor still lacking a helmet, eh? :\

[Hero!]

http://www.denofgeek.com/siteimage/scale/800/600/140690.png
'Ave it!

Why is it raining indoors?

[RabidWookie]

I'm gussing it's either A) outside where the hammer crashed to Earth and there are buildings set up around it to study it, or B) the hammer is creating the rain

[Guy]

C) Sprinkler system's gone off and he's grabbing the hammer to smash his way out of a firey building and VOILA....instant accidental Thor


Maybe.

[Guy]

JJ Abrams and Joss Whedon's panel is currently running at Comic Con, I'll edit in any information as I get it (no I'm not there)

Whedon just confirmed that he IS directing The Avengers. Which we all assumed, but first confirmation

Oh wow, they both come to Comic-con saying that they can't really discuss much about their two biggest up-coming films (Avengers/Super-8) as they're so early in production. Lame

[Marlon Dingle]

When can we expect the Scott Pilgrim panel? I'm off to bed but cant wait to wake up and read all the things that have been announced.

I really hope on Sunday that the Paul panel unveil what Paul will actually look like. (Sorry should I just keep this strictly comic based or can we mention anything from Comic Con?)

[Guy]

I think we should go with anything from Comic-Con.

Technically it is a COMIC convention.

And I dunno about the Pilgrim panel to be honest.

[RabidWookie]

At the Pilgrim panel they gave out buttons to random people. At the end of the panel anyone with a button was invited to a screening of the film. I haven't read anything other than that yet about it.

And Thor's helmet is on dsiplay there!!
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2516/35212418228822487688354.jpg

[Marlon Dingle]

What's on the schedule for today then?

[Guy]

Priest, Green Hornet and The Other Guys are just starting at the moment.

I believe Priest is first

[RabidWookie]

Detailed shot of Thor's Helmet. I think like it, it looks a bit techy though. Now we just need to see him wearing it...
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5673/1279912242n.jpg

[Bill Casey]

The Destroyer...

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/users/uploads/9732/SDCC.jpg


Thor villain...
A magical animated suit of armor more powerful than Thor himself, that Loki gains control of...

[Deewun]

Not very happy with Destroyer as the villain for the Thor flick, but I bet it'll turn out well. I'm still holding out for a different actor to play Donald Blake (though I'm pretty sure that ain't happening) and for two sequels: Beta Ray Bill and then the Wrecking Crew!