Oct 30 2009 Anthony Hopkins Agrees To Be Thor's Dad
Kenneth Branagh's Thor adaptation has added more surprising credibility to its cast. Variety reports Anthony Hopkins has signed on to play Odin, father to Loki (non-biologically) and Thor and king of Asgard, which will mean something if you're intimately familiar with Norse mythology and/or comic books.
To help you understand what powers and abilities Hopkins will possess in the role, I've copied a paragraph from the Odin (Marvel Comics) Wikipedia entry's section on powers and abilities, replacing "Odin" with "Sir Anthony Hopkins."
As King of the Norse Gods, Sir Anthony Hopkins possesses superhuman strength; durability and courtesy of the Golden Apples of Idunn, a greatly extended lifepsan. Sir Anthony Hopkins is capable of manipulating the Sir Anthony Hopkins Force - a source of magical energy - for a number of purposes, including energy projection; creation of ilusions and force fields; levitation; molecular manipulation and teleportation. The character has also used the Sir Anthony Hopkinspower for greater feats such as transporting the entire human race to an alternate dimension; compressing the population of an entire planet into a single being, the Mangog and taking a soul away from the arch-demon Mephisto.
This Sir Anthony Hopkins Force sounds pret-ty powerful.
Oct 12 2009 Bryan Singer Wouldn't Mind Doing Those 'X-Men' Movies Some More
That last X-Men movie: that was a real stinker, eh? That was the kind of shitcake X-Man that makes you really appreciate the X-Men movies you used to have in the old days (between 2000 and 2003). Doesn't it?
Bryan Singer must realize that too--that his two pretty-decent X-Men films are looking a lot better in this post-The Last Stand era. Good enough, he's hoping, that we might be able to overlook how flat-out unmemorable Superman Returns was if he were to make another pretty-decent X-Man:
"I'm still looking to possibly returning to the 'X-Men' franchise. I've been talking to Fox about it," Singer said at a talk at the Pusan International Film Festival."I love Hugh Jackman. [ed. note: Who???] I love the cast," he said, referring to the Australian actor who plays Wolverine [ed. note: Oh, him].
Singer said he enjoyed making science fiction and fantasy movies because they allowed him to discuss serious issues through entertainment.
He said he likes to "trick audiences into thinking they're seeing fireworks, but they're learning about themselves and listening to what I have to say."
You may have tricked me into thinking I was seeing fireworks, Singer, but I've got news for you: I didn't listen to anything you said, and I've learned nothing about myself. So who's ahead now? You tell me. I'm not listening.
Sep 23 2009 More People I Don't Know in 'Thor'
I've got some great news if you're fans/parents of Jaimie Alexander or Colm Feore: the actors from Kyle XY and The Listener (neither of which I know of as shows on television, but I'm told are/were), respectively, have joined the cast of Kenneth Branagh's Thor.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Alexander will be play Sif, a powerful resident of Asgard and sexual conquest of Thor, while Colm Feore's character is known only to be a villain of some nature.
You know who's probably going to be upset by this news? Colm Meaney, Star Trek's Chief O'Brien. If Feore's career takes off after this, it endangers all the years of hard work Meaney has put into becoming Hollywood's Biggest Colm.
Sep 16 2009 Get Your Spider-Man Costume Dry Cleaned By May 6, 2011
Because that's when Spider-Man 4 will be released, "web-slingers!" This article from yesterday's Variety claims director Sam Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst are on board, with the script being written by Gary Ross.
Ross's previous writing jobs have been a bizarrely mixed bag, including Big, Pleasantville, Mr. Baseball, and the film that gave Kevin Kline his most memorable dual-role, Dave, so it's anyone's guess what this guy is going to come up with for a Spider-Man movie.
I wonder what happened to the talk of a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright writing the script. I'm just going to assume Raimi switched writers to find someone with more experience in writing the themes he has planned for the fourth film. Meaning his ideas for Spider-Man 4 probably revolve around Spider-Man magically aging, magically entering a '50s television show, playing baseball as Tom Selleck in Japan, and being both the U.S. President and someone who looks so insanely similar that he can pass as the U.S. President. So, basically, it's already way better than Spider-Man 3.
Sep 2 2009 'Iron Man 2' in THREE DIMENSIONS???
For his second Iron Man film, Jon Favreau could be taking things to the next level! That level being the level of visual depth. According to AICN, 3-D decision-makers at Paramount and Marvel/Disney are reviewing a minute of Iron Man 2 3-D test footage to determine if Scarlett Johansson's breasts erupting from the screen warrants converting the entire film to the gimmicky format.
Something else you executives should weigh into you decision: if you make Iron Man 2 in 3-D, that totally blows your shot at using the Iron Man 3-D 3rd film/3rd dimension naming structure. Someone needs to uphold the grand traditions of Spy Kids 3-D and Jaws 3-D.
Sep 1 2009 More Superhero Movies: Give Fantastic Four Another Go
Hot on he heels of Disney's purchase of Marvel Entertainment, 20th Century Fox has decided to show off that they're still in charge of ruining some franchises. The studio has announced they're relaunching the Fantastic Four series. As an indication of what direction they'd like to take the franchise, they've put the writer of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin in charge of it:
20th Century Fox is the latest studio to start the process of overhauling one of its big Marvel Entertainment franchises, “Fantastic Four,” which has already hatched two films. The studio has hired Akiva Goldsman to oversee the re-boot as producer.New script will be written by Michael Green, the “Heroes” co-executive producer who co-wrote Green Lantern.
We can only pray this reboot will include re-doing that arbitrary snowboarding scene from the first film. God, snowboarding is so sweet.
Aug 31 2009 She-Hulk/Donald Duck Team-Up Finally Possible (Inevitable?): Disney Buying Marvel
In news that could prove disastrous to Islands of Adventure's Incredible Hulk Coaster and Dr. Doom's FearFall, Disney is acquiring Marvel Entertainment for the sum of $4 BILLION. The deal gives Disney ownership over all of Marvel's cast of over 5000 characters--even Awesome Android!--and the company already has plans to utilize such impressive buzzwords as "value creation," "expanding content creation," and "further integrating Marvel’s properties."
ComingSoon notes that Marvel's current standing movie property deals--including Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, and The Avengers (and Ant-Man, I'd hope)--will remain in place, though distribution could later change hands. Since hearing the news, Mother Jonas has gotten to work at having over 5000 more children so we'll have a steady stream of Jonas Brothers to play all the other Marvel characters not already caught up in movie deals.
(Thanks all the people sending this.)
Aug 10 2009 'Iron Man 2' Comic Con Preview: I Think I See a Shoulder Gun Thing!
REMOVED AT THE REQUEST OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Want your first look at Don Cheadle's War Machine suit and Mickey Rourke's Star Trek: The Next Generation-inspired laser whips to be shaky, dark, and both visually and aurally indiscernible? Then enjoy the Iron Man 2 footage that was shown at the Comic Con. Besides the aforementioned War Machine and Whiplash scenes, it contains: Tony Stark put on trial by Larry Sanders, Scarlett Johansson jumping around, Sam Rockwell holding guns, and evidence that "I am Iron Man" is basically Tony Stark's equivalent of Urkel's "Did I do that?" What a treat for a Monday afternoon.
Jul 22 2009 More Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow (or Possibly Brenda Starr)
From Yahoo, another shot of Scarlett Johansson as Russian spy Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in Iron Man 2. Looks like even stealthy, nimble, superhero-caliber spies sometimes resort to the ol' "now that you've momentarily left the room, I'll sneak a peak at this secret document" trick. Classic.
Jul 14 2009 Natalie Portman Loves Thor
More information about real-life humans playing ridiculous comic book characters! Confirming previous rumors, Natalie Portman has been cast as Jane Foster, the love interest, in Kenneth Branagh's Thor adaptation. The casting brings a name to the largely unknown cast, but also comes with a vague but foreboding red flag: "the character will be updated." From Marvel Studios:
Marvel Studios announced today that Academy Award® nominated actress Natalie Portman has been cast to star as Jane Foster in the studio's highly anticipated movie "Thor."In the early "Thor" comics, Jane Foster was a nurse who became Thor's first love. The character will be updated for the feature adaptation.
Portman will star opposite Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston who will play the villain Loki. Kenneth Branagh will direct the film.
Congratulations, Natalie Portman. With V for Vendetta, a trilogy of Star Wars, and now Thor on your resume, you can now rest assured that, if this acting thing doesn't work out, you will have a permanent, guaranteed seat at any and every nerd convention until the day you die. You can just walk in and Lou Ferrigno will have to stand up, give you his chair and hold your coat.
Jun 10 2009 First Look at Rourke in 'Iron Man 2': He Has Rogue's Hair
Is Mickey Rourke playing a He-Man figure? Based on the above image, that's a logical conclusion to come to, but no--this is the first look at Rourke in Iron Man 2. The suddenly-respected actor is playing the central villain, Whiplash, in the film, and he and director Jon Favreau briefly discussed the character and the function of his post-apocalyptic orthopedics:
The villain's alter ego, Ivan Vanko, is a Russian who "has constructed his own version of a suit," Favreau says. Among the creative innovations: a pair of whips, powered by the suit's glowing chest piece, that are expected to keep Iron Man cracking.Whiplash "is going to light them up," Rourke quips.
Powered whips, eh? Wait a minute, I think I've seen that somewhere before...
Continue Reading " First Look at Rourke in 'Iron Man 2': He Has Rogue's Hair "
May 18 2009 Thor, Here's Your Loki: Tom Hiddleston?
Following today's earlier news that a guy you'd probably never heard of has been cast as Thor, Nikki Finke has news that some other guy you probably never heard of has been cast as the superhero's arch-villain, Loki:
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.
Of course, one of the great things about casting no-name actors in blockbuster films is how much budget it clears up for the effects team. Hopefully it will be enough to add the sassy, English-speaking, CGI Pegasus I always thought Thor should ride into battles.
May 18 2009 By the Might of Mjolnir, We Have Our Thor
Variety is reporting that Chris Hemsworth, the recent cinematic father of James T. Kirk, has been cast as Marvel Comics' Nordic, hammer-wielding God of Thunder, Thor:
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.
I guess this means Alexander Skarsgård, who was previously rumored for the part, will have to just continue being Thor in real life only. Because, seriously, look at the guy. He is Thor.
What are you thinking, Branagh? Does it scare you too much that Skarsgård might actually be Thor? don't want to deal with his inevitable arguing on set? "I wouldn't say this line, Ken. And I should know: I'm quite literally Thor. Look at my long blonde hair and distinctly Nordic features. I'm definitely Thor. Don't make me set down this prop hammer and go get the real hammer I use in my fight against Lokis and Skrulls and such."
I suppose I can't blame you for that. That's a rational fear. I'll accept this beady-eyed Australian if I have to.
May 7 2009 Iron Man with Bleached Hair and Sitting in a Giant Donut
Sometimes a headline can say everything that needs to be said.
Star Tracks - Action Figure [People]
May 1 2009 First Look at 'Iron Man 2'!
Hmm, not much new at first glance. But wait... This wooden case on his desk... Looks like a certain superhero may have finally learned to play the recorder.
Full article at USA Today.
Apr 22 2009 Final 'Wolverine' Trailer: Your Last Chance to Debate Bone Claws
The plan to advertise Wolverine by attaching the superhero to a massive, cheese-smothered pizza isn't doing so well in promoting the film (though I assume it's doing great in promoting artery clogging), so Fox has released one last trailer to give the film a final push before its May 1 release. Seems a bit excessive after that two-hour trailer a couple weeks back, but here you go:
Continue Reading " Final 'Wolverine' Trailer: Your Last Chance to Debate Bone Claws "
Apr 7 2009 First Shots of Don Cheadle Replacing Terrence Howard
SpoilerTV (via Coming Soon) has posted the first shots from the set of Iron Man 2, including Robert Downey Jr. in man-heels, Gwyneth Paltrow in a car, and the above look at Don Cheadle as Rhodey. I was a little nervous about the casting switch being awkward, but now that I've seen how well Cheadle is replicating Rhodey's classic "casual but mystified by cell phones" look, no more worries. He's got it.
Apr 3 2009 Vin Diesel Up for Wearing Metal Mask, Green Briefs, Whatever
Vin Diesel has just slunk back to the Fast/Furious franchise after a departure that allowed for such films as The Pacifier, The Riddick, and The xXx, so it's not too hard to imagine he isn't above doing a superhero movie. It's more surprising he isn't in several superhero movies. But in case you were wondering, specifically, which comic book adaptations he's eyeing, MTV found out:
“I would be more apt to play a villain,” Diesel revealed to MTV News. “[I'd like to play] the protagonist of a story that is also like a Marvel villain — like Doctor Doom or something.”“I have some superhero favorites,” Diesel admitted. “I talked to ['The Surrogates' director] Jonathan Mostow about ‘Sub-Mariner,’ which could be interesting because of its World War II-New York connection.”
Can we stop pretending anyone but Ian Somerhalder could convincingly play Marvel's version of Aquaman, Namor the Sub-Mariner? Put him in a gym for a couple months and that's our guy. And besides that, we cannot be diverting Vin Diesel's talents to the aquatic realm. What if, while Vin is at sea, the enemy comes by really awesome car? Paul Walker cannot face that threat alone.
Mar 12 2009 Marvel Wants You to Save the Date(s)!
Marvel Studios has released some new and changed dates for their super comic men movies. Save the date(s)!:
Iron Man 2 - May 7, 2010
Spider-Man 4 - May 6, 2011
Thor - June 17, 2011
The First Avenger: Captain America - July 22, 2011
The Avengers - May 4, 2012
Summer of 2011 is going to be so superhero movie rich. I'm barely going to have time to catch waves, work at the local ice cream parlor, and fall in and out of love with a girl I meet at summer camp with all this nerd shit I have to do.
Mar 12 2009 Rourke, Johansson Are Russian Half of 'Iron Man'
Mickey Rourke, enjoying new-found popularity after his acclaimed role in The Wrestler, and Scarlett Johansson, still enjoying constant popularity for being really hot, have officially joined the cast of Iron Man 2.
Rourke, who had reportedly been in negotiations for months following Marvel low-balling him with a $250,000 offer, will take on the part of the Russian villain Whiplash, while Johannson will be replacing a previously-engaged Emily Blunt as Soviet spy Black Widow. Plot details are still minimal, but I can only assume these two characters are teaming up to prank Iron Man into believing he's time traveled to the Cold War.
