Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige Talks about Building to THE AVENGERS 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 16th, 2011 at 8:08 pm

In order to build a film like The Avengers, Marvel had to look far in advance and make sure that their major superhero films contributed to the upcoming blockbuster crossover.  Even if The Avengers is a massive flop (and that’s highly unlikely), Marvel is already making its plans for The Avengers 2.  Speaking at New York Comic-Con this weekend, Marvel Studios’ President of Production Kevin Feige talked about the company’s future films.  Unsurprisingly, Iron Man 3 will be part of what Feige calls “Phase Two of this Avengers Assemble talk.”

So what else will be part of “Phase Two”?  Hit the jump for more.  The Avengers opens in 3D on May 4, 2012.  Feige says they’ll be continuing their tradition of including a brief scene post-credits [via Cinemablend].

Patty Jenkins Confirmed to Direct THOR 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 13th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

Monster director Patty Jenkins has signed on to direct Thor 2.  Last month we reported that Jenkins was in early talks to direct and we commented on how it was surprising that Marvel would hire someone who’s biggest directing credit to date was an independent drama known primarily for how Charlize Theron uglied up and won an Oscar.  Jenkins is an interesting choice but one that makes me more interested in the film than if some journeyman director had been hired.

We don’t know much about the plot other than Marvel President Kevin Feige’s comment that “[Thor 2 will] primarily be the journey of that character, of he and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and how the new dynamic with his father is working out, as well as what are the broader stakes for The Nine Worlds.”  Hit the jump for the full press release.  Thor 2 is due out November 15, 2013.

New Footage from THE AVENGERS to Be Shown at New York Comic-Con

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 4th, 2011 at 1:35 pm

Are you attending this year’s New York Comic-Con?  Were you planning on going to the presentation for The Avengers?  If so, then everything’s gonna be fine.  Marvel has announced they’ll be showing never-before-seen footage from the movie at NYCC’s IGN Theater on October 15th from 6:30 – 7:30pm.  The panel for the event will feature producer Kevin Feige, and stars Chris Evans, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, and Cobie Smulders.  I expect everyone who is attending the presentation to studiously take notes and tweet your every thought.  I also expect we’re going to get a teaser trailer for the film within a month, but that’s brazen speculation on my part.  Brazen, I tell you.

Hit the jump for the press release.  The film also stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.  The Avengers opens in 3D on May 4, 2012.

MONSTER Director Patty Jenkins in Early Talks to Helm THOR 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 22nd, 2011 at 9:29 am

Marvel may be making a welcome move when it comes to choosing a director for Thor 2.  Deadline reports that the studio is seriously considering Monster director Patty Jenkins to take the reigns of the superhero sequel.  If Jenkins got the gig, she would be not only the first female director to helm a major superhero movie (no offense to Lexi Alexander who did a great job with Punisher: War Zone, but it was a small-scale superhero flick), but one of the few women put in charge of a summer blockbuster.  While I don’t think Monster is anything special beyond Charlize Theron’s performance, Jenkins did a great job setting the grey, dreary mood for the pilot of AMC’s The Killing (it was the story that zoned me out of that show).  The question is how much room she’ll have to redefine the distinctive look Kenneth Branagh established for Thor‘s universe.

It’s worth mentioning that last month we reported that Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones) was also being considered, so it definitely looks like Marvel is pulling from the small screen to find its director.  Either way, we should expect an announcement soon.  Thor 2 is set to open July 26, 2013. [Update: Variety confirms that Jenkins is in early talks to direct.  The story adds that Kirk decided not to take the gig "due to creative and financial sticking point" and that Drew Goddard (Cabin in the Woods), James McTeigue (Ninja Assassin), Noam Murro (300: Battle of Artemesia) and Breck Eisner (The Crazies) were all considered for the job]

Robert Downey Jr. Says He Wants to “Leave It All on the Field” in IRON MAN 3

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 18th, 2011 at 3:51 pm

With the film not set to open until May 3rd, 2013, Robert Downey Jr. is going to have a hard time talking about anything other than Iron Man 3 (or The Avengers) for the foreseeable future. With most of his work on set of The Avengers completed, the actor took some time to briefly discuss his approach towards Iron Man 3 saying:

“My sense of it is that we need to leave it all on the field — whatever that means in the end. You can pick several different points of departure for that.”

While nothing here can be considered a groundbreaking revelation regarding the project, you can hit the jump for more on what Downey Jr. had to say about Iron Man and reuniting with co-writer/director Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang).

Disney Setting Marvel and Pixar Mystery Films for 2014; New Henry Selick Film on October 4, 2013

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 8th, 2011 at 11:08 am

Disney is laying claim to release dates in 2014 but for what?  Box Office Mojo reports that the studio has set “Marvel Untitled 1″ for May 16, 2014 and “Marvel Untitled 2″ for June 27, 2014.  I could conjecture which movies will fill those dates, but I willing to bet that Marvel doesn’t know either at this point.  Maybe a Captain America sequel or maybe The Avengers 2, but keep in mind that Marvel also has spinoffs in the works for Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie, plus there are smaller movies (Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange) that could fill those slots.  Marvel already has their summer 2013 slate with Iron Man 3 due out May 3, 2013 and Thor 2 hitting on July 26, 2013.

Hit the jump for release dates for an untitled films from Pixar and director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas).

Marvel Developing GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Feature Film

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 4th, 2011 at 2:26 pm

Just the other day we reported that Marvel is moving forward with a feature film based on the lesser-known (and more mystical) character of Doctor Strange. With the studio quickly running out of A-list superheroes that carry instant name-recognition with general audiences, the idea of them digging into their back-catalog makes sense. Well now it looks like Doctor Strange is just the beginning, as Twitch Film reports that Marvel is currently in active development on a Guardians of the Galaxy feature film.

The comic first appeared in 1969 and was resurrected in 2008. The story centers on a group of alien beings in the 31^st century who are each the last of their kind. They eventually travel back in time and interact with 20^th century Marvel characters (interconnected franchise potential!). Back in June, Marvel Studios VP of Production Tom Cohen talked to us a bit about Guardians of the Galaxy and the difficulty of introducing characters that mainstream audiences are unfamiliar with, and he stated that it all comes down to finding the right take.

Editorial: What Did Marvel Disassemble to Make THE AVENGERS?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pm

There’s never quite been a movie constructed like The Avengers.  No major mainstream movie (or at least none I can think of) has ever been both the sequel to and the cross over of three different franchises.    Furthermore, this vision has not come from a single writer or director but rather from a studio who wants to translate their business model for comics on to the big screen.  That model demands that characters and plotlines carry over between different stories and therefore the consumer must draw from multiple products in order to understand the larger narrative.  However, each story contributing to the collaboration must also stand on its own.

But there’s been a cost to this ambition and that cost has been felt in the plotting of Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger.  We normally feel miffed if a film provides a presumptuous cliffhanger but these three films have gone one step further by gearing elements of their plot towards a final product.  Has Marvel damaged three movies in order to build the biggest superhero movie of all-time?  Hit the jump for more.

D23 Schedule Announced; Will Feature Presentation from Marvel Studios

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 7th, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Disney will forego panels and presentations at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con now that the company has established its own convention with the D23 Expo.  This year’s D23 runs from August 19 – 21st and will include presentations, screenings, celebrity panels, autograph signings, and other fan-friendly activities.  The major ramification for Comic-Con isn’t the loss of films from Walt Disney Studios and Pixar (although that certainly stings), but from the loss of Marvel Studios.  While Marvel will certainly have a presence at Comic-Con, its panels will be reserved for D23.

The schedule for D23 has been released and on Saturday, August 20th from 11am to 12:30 pm, the presentation for Walt Disney Studios will be hosted by Disney chairman Rich Ross, President of Production Sean Bailey, Chief Creative Officer of Disney and Pixar John Lasseter, and Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige.  Hit the jump for the full schedule.

Schedule D23 Expo’s official website.

MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND Screenwriter Don Payne to Write THOR 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 1st, 2011 at 8:58 am

Screenwriter Don Payne will write the script for Thor 2.  Payne was one of the writers credited for Thor and his past credits include the terrible superhero movies My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.  Deadline doesn’t say whether or not Payne will be on the only credited screenwriter on the flick or if Marvel will also bring back co-writers Ashley Miller and Zach Stentz.

As we reported yesterday, Marvel has set the sequel for July 26, 2013.  Chris Hemsworth will reprise his role as Thor, but Kenneth Branagh will return only in a producing capacity so a search is underway for a new director.

THOR 2 Set for Summer 2013; Kenneth Branagh Won’t Return to Direct

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 30th, 2011 at 2:15 pm

Of all the Marvel movies released thus far (and this includes those made outside the Marvel Studios banner), Thor has been the toughest sell.  He comes from a different world, that world has funny costumes and architecture, and he has to convincingly exist in both Asgard and our mundane world.  But somehow the film, despite some various issues in plotting (particularly in regards to the romance and the ending), came together in a fun way that effectively sold the character.  And now that the film has raked in $437 million world, Marvel and Disney have decided to release the sequel on July 26, 2013.  Marvel’s Iron Man 3 is already set for May 3, 2013.

Deadline reports that Kenneth Branagh won’t return to direct but will stay on in a producing capacity.  The split was reportedly amicable and now we can start a new sweepstakes to see who will take the reigns of the series.  Chris Hemsworth will return but no other casting announcements have been made.

Isaiah Mustafa Campaigns for LUKE CAGE with Fake Teaser Trailer

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 31st, 2011 at 8:20 am

I don’t envy Isaiah Mustafa.  Okay, well I envy his physique and comic timing, but I don’t envy his struggle to break out of his breakthrough role as “The Old Spice Guy”.  Going from pitchman to serious actor is a leap for audiences and they’ll have to be acclimated to him becoming more than just the man your man could smell like.  Mustafa has been doing good work in raising his profile by grabbing guest spots in Hot in Cleveland, Chuck, and NCIS, a supporting role in Madea’s Big Happy Family, and he’ll also be co-starring in Horrible Bosses this summer.  But these roles all pale in comparison to the one Mustafa really wants: Luke Cage.  Mustafa has created a fake teaser trailer for the character and even did an amusing sketch for Marvel.com where his head was superimposed on a Luke Cage action figure.  Hit the jump to check out the videos along with more details on Luke Cage.

Marvel Officially Announces the Start of Filming on THE AVENGERS; Releases First Set Photo

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 26th, 2011 at 7:36 am

Yesterday, Joss Whedon announced the commencement of filming on The Avengers but it was in his causal, Whedon-y way.  Today, Marvel sent out a press release announcing the start of shooting.  The press release has fewer jokes than Whedon’s announcement, but it also has more confirmations.  The press release confirms that Tom Hiddleston will return as Loki and that he’ll be joined by Thor co-star Stellan Skarsgård who plays Professor Erik Selvig.

Hit the jump to check out the press release along with the first official set photo.  The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, and Samuel L. Jackson.  The Avengers opens in 3D on May 4, 2012.

Marvel Planning to Adapt THE INHUMANS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 7th, 2011 at 11:36 am

Marvel has The Avengers set for next year, but there’s no rule that a studio can only have one team of superheroes.  Since Marvel doesn’t own the screen rights to X-Men (they belong to Fox), the studio is reportedly considering an adaptation of The Inhumans.  “The Inhumans” were created by alien experiments on primitive homo-sapiens.  The alien race behind the experiments, the Kree, abandoned their work and the Inhuman went on to form a society of their own, which is led by the king Black Bolt and his family Medusa, Karnak, Gorgon, Triton, Crystal, Maximus the Mad, and the canine Lockjaw.  Devin at Badass Digest does a good job of selling the property as “Rome meets Star Wars meets The X-Men.”  Here’s the logline he found on the film over at It’s on the Grid:

Aliens who were put on Earth as sleeper cell aliens to eventually call back their race to take over the planet. Ultimately, the group of aliens fully assimilates and don’t want to cause war.

The project is currently out to writers and I’m curious to see how this will play out.  It would be neat to see a kind of reverse-engineered Avengers where Inhumans is the starting point and then Marvel simultaneously goes into production on movies for each character.

New Poster and Banner for THOR (Updated)

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 4th, 2011 at 10:45 am

Marvel has released two new posters for Kenneth Branagh’s Thor.  Taking a turn away from the previous posters of “Tall bearded man holds mallet”, these new posters give audiences what they really want: words over the actors’ faces.  Yes, whether you’re white, old, female, or black, the word “Thor” makes the perfect addition to your gigantic mug.

Hit the jump to check out the posters.  Thor stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard, Jaimie Alexander, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Josh Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, and Colm Feore.  The film opens in 3D on May 6th.

Update: Paramount has sent over high resolution versions of both posters

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