To celebrate the release of Disney’s Tron: Legacy, Marvel created a collection of covers of Marvel superheroes as Tron characters. Naysayers be silent. Disney’s and Marvel’s relationship is beautiful.
More news on Sony’s new Spider-Man film has been released. Actor Rhys Ifans has been cast in the part of Dr. Curt Connors; a sympathetic character whose alter-ego is The Lizard.
For those not in the know: Dr. Connors is a surgeon and research technologist who lost his arm in a war he was sent off to. After he returned to civilian life, he became obsessive with limb regeneration and the biology of reptiles. He went on to develop a serum that he consumed; it successfully regrew his arm, but eventually developed a side effect that transformed him into a reptilian humanoid with a penchant for violence.
It’s not yet known if Dr. Connors will become The Lizard in the new Spider-Man movie, but it would be an excellent decision. Dr. Connors is someone Peter Parker looks up to; and he goes through a similar situation of an experiment going awry.
Spider-Man stars Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. Marc Webb is directing.
The film begins production in December and will be released in theaters on July 3, 2012. And yes, it will be in 3D. Spider-Man web swinging in a city in 3D? It’s gonna be a trip.
In earlier reports actress Emma Stone was in the running for the part of Mary Jane Watson in the new Spider-Man film starring Andrew Garfield. Much to everybody’s surprise, Stone has secured the role of Peter Parker’s first girlfriend Gwen Stacy. Some were pessimistic about the choice, saying that another redhead has landed a role for a blonde — but then came another surprise: Emma Stone is a natural blonde.
“The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice. At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl. Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own.”
-Marc Webb
It’s certainly a twist of events no one was expecting. I’m still in awe that Emma Stone wasn’t cast as Mary Jane. She has the sultry voice that would suit Mary Jane very well. Nevertheless, I’m entirely looking forward to the new Spider-Man film.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance continues moving forward with negotiations with actors Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth. Elba will play the role of a monk who must find Ghost Rider. On the other side of the coin will be Whitworth’s character who is a criminal the devil recruits to find the son of Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider).
The plot for the new Ghost Rider film deals with Johnny Blaze staying low in Eastern Europe while grappling with his curse. Things don’t go smoothly as a sect recruits Blaze to battle the devil.
In July I expressed disappointment in the fight scenes and the feel of the first movie. The film lacked any real impact. It was merely going through the motions. The villains didn’t feel like a threat. In fact, none of the antagonists felt imposing.
Like I said in July, if there’s going to be any chance of success, they’ll need to focus more on the horror elements of Ghost Rider. It’s more horror than action. Use its strengths instead of ignoring them. Don’t try to fit Ghost Rider into a certain superhero mold. He’s a horrific antihero. Use that.
I’m still pessimistic over Nicolas Cage reprising his role as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, but who knows? Directors Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine just might get a performance out of Cage that will be more in tune with Ghost Rider.
Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are bringing in a new Superman film that will be produced by critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan. And Nolan’s screenwriter for Batman Begins David Goyer is busy penning the script for the Superman movie. What else? Recent negotiations has locked in Zack Snyder in the director’s seat.
The screenplay supposedly has a Richard Donner connection — which might only be in its villain: General Zod — which I hope is the case. I enjoyed Richard Donner’s Superman films, but the influences should be more heavy towards the comic books.
Zack Snyder is a surprising but welcomed choice. He always has loyalty towards source material and wanting to do it justice. His past visual style with Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen had a sense of wonder, which would match well with Superman. And it’s Snyder. We can expect real fight scenes — something that was sorely missing from Superman Returns.
The collaboration between Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder is really exciting. They have different styles, but together there’s a lot of potential. And they both know it.
“In the initial meetings, he’s been super amazingly smart and also amazingly kind, filmmaker-to-filmmaker. I have great respect for him. The process has been amazing so far, and it looks like nothing but pluses.”
-Zack Snyder about Nolan.
Warner Bros. intends to reboot the Superman franchise to lead the DC Comics adaptations much like Marvel’s own movie universe. So far on paper they’re off to a good start.
In the TV show and the movies the actors who played Bruce Banner never actually got the chance to also play the Hulk. Mark Ruffalo, who has been cast as Bruce Banner in The Avengers recently stated that he won’t just be playing the role of Bruce Banner, but also the Hulk.
“They’re going to do the Avatar stop-action, stop-motion capture. So I’ll actually play the Hulk. That’ll be fun.”
-Mark Ruffalo
It means that instead of the usual all CG Hulk, Ruffalo will be fitted for motion capturing and play the role of the Hulk on set. It’ll be the first time that it’ll be done like that for the character, and it will be sure to make a world of a difference for the interactions with other actors.
On the part of Bruce Banner, Ruffalo intends to draw from Bill Bixby’s version of Banner. He wants Banner to be sympathetic, while the Hulk rages and destroys all in his path.
I was hesitant about Mark Ruffalo being cast in The Avengers, but his attitude towards the role has been winning me over. So far Marvel has been having brilliant casting. He was great in Shutter Island, and he’ll be sure to bring that drive to the role of the Hulk as well.
An alternate opening for Iron Man 2 has made rounds. The difference? It begins with sounds of Tony Stark vomiting followed by showing him on his knees in the Iron Man suit clutching a toilet. He’s clearly hungover while Pepper is scolding him and keeping him on task. A moment later his egotism wins over and he makes the drop to the Stark Expo.
This really should have been the opening for the film. It sets the tone. Tony Stark is an arrogant mess. Pepper is all business. It’s their dynamic. And let’s face it: Every Iron Man film should open and close with a hungover Tony Stark. It’s evident that Tony’s superpower is overcoming hangovers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJBm1IyJ624&feature=player_embedded
Written by Brian Reed with art done by Felix Ruiz will be the comic adaptation for the novels of Halo entitled Halo: Fall of Reach – Boot Camp #1. Marvel and 343 Industries have teamed up for the project.
The story will focus on the protagonist named John; starting with his childhood and his eventual kidnapping to be conscripted in the SPARTAN II program. Throughout rigorous training on the planet Reach, John later becomes the legendary Master Chief.
Halo: Fall of Reach – Boot Camp #1 will be out this fall. And yes, it is part one of four issues.