Marvel Studios

Jon Favreau Talks THE AVENGERS Success and IRON MAN 3; Says He’ll Be “Very Involved” in the Production of IM3

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 14th, 2012 at 1:49 pm

After launching a series of Marvel Studios films that would eventually culminate in the biggest opening weekend of all time with The Avengers, director Jon Favreau decided not to return to helm Iron Man 3.  Favreau deserves a lot of credit for Marvel’s success, as he launched Iron Man as a superhero film that could be both grounded and fun, and planted the seed for the serialization and cross-pollinating of the future Marvel movies to come.  In an inspired choice, Shane Black (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) was pegged to take the helm of Iron Man 3, and production is gearing up to begin in a few weeks with Ben Kingsley onboard as the villain and newcomers Guy Pearce and Rebecca Hall added to the cast alongside Robert Downey Jr. and co.

Favreau recently spoke a bit about the success of The Avengers and the third Iron Man film, revealing that he’ll be producing Iron Man 3 and will actually have a very involved role in the production.  In addition, he teased what we can expect story and character-wise when Tony Stark graces our screens once again.  Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

Marvel President Kevin Feige Talks Sequels; Reveals Two Unannounced Films in Development

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 14th, 2012 at 10:14 am

If smashing the opening weekend record by nearly $40 million wasn’t enough to convince you that The Avengers is a juggernaut hit, surely the film crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide in a mere 19 days sealed the deal.  Naturally, all eyes are now on what Marvel Studios has coming up.  Iron Man 3 begins production later this month, and we know that Thor 2 is set to shoot later this year followed by Captain America 2.  Obviously The Avengers 2 will be coming down the line at some point, but I’d imagine the earliest we could see it in theaters would be 2015.  There’s a May 2014 release date slotted for a currently unannounced Marvel pic, but Marvel Studios president recently revealed that there are actually two unnamed films currently in development.  Hit the jump for more.

TOP 5: James Cameron Only Making AVATAR Movies, GANGSTER SQUAD Trailer, PROMETHEUS Is Rated R, Joss Whedon Editorial, DARK SHADOWS

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 12th, 2012 at 2:29 pm

In last week’s opening paragraph I welcomed the summer movie season into the fold by way of The Avengers. Earlier this week it dawned on me that another season is upon us as well. One that is nearly as costly as a summer blockbuster, albeit far less anticipated by yours truly: wedding season. Over the course of the next few months, I’ll attend no fewer than four ceremonies/receptions (not including my own) and, while I’ll be honored to have been invited to share a special moment with friends new and old, I’ll likely fall behind on my summer movie checklist. So, if you start noticing Top 5 opening paragraphs having less to do with film than what type of dessert was served at the reception, you have my most sincere advance apology.

Wedding disclaimers aside, awaiting you on the other side of this week’s Top 5 is James Cameron saying he only wants to make Avatar movies from now on, the first trailer for director Ruben Fleischer‘s Gangster Squad, Prometheus‘ R-rating, Matt’s letter of recommendation for Joss Whedon, and Dark Shadows coverage including interviews with Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, and Seth Grahame-Smith. A brief recap and link to each ensues after the jump.

Editorial: Marvel Needs to Re-Hire Joss Whedon for THE AVENGERS 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 11th, 2012 at 9:21 am

“Marvel needs to re-hire Joss Whedon for The Avengers 2.”  How does this require an editorial?  It’s such an obvious statement.  Not only did the movie have the most successful opening-weekend gross of all-time, but it was also successful among critics.  Why would you risk losing a single piece?  Why jeopardize a formula that delivered such a resounding commercial and critical success?  What studio would do such a thing?

Marvel would.  Their hit-it-and-quit-it relationship with directors has served them well in terms of keeping costs down and making the productions run smoothly.  No one rocks the boat, no one gets a pay bump for the sequel, and no director becomes bigger than the property he is directing.  From a business standpoint, it’s a sensible trend.  But it’s a trend that shouldn’t continue when it comes to The Avengers franchise.  Hit the jump for my explanation of what Marvel stands to gain from hanging on to Joss Whedon.

THE AVENGERS Ending Explained [SPOILERS]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 4th, 2012 at 10:11 am

If you stayed seated during the credits of The Avengers (and by this point, you know you should for a Marvel movie), you may have had some questions about what you saw.  It’s a scene, or rather, a moment that plays strictly to the comic geeks in the audience.  But what about everyone else?  If you were left confused by what you saw, hit the jump for an explanation.  [WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD (Obviously)]

Is Marvel Planning a Standalone Hulk Movie for 2015 After All?

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 30th, 2012 at 11:10 am

It’s officially Avengers week, and fans aplenty are counting down the hours until the midnight reveal of Joss Whedon’s superhero team-up pic on Thursday/Friday at midnight.  Not only is this the first time fans get to see all their favorite Marvel superheroes come together onscreen, but we’ll get our first look at Mark Ruffalo’s iteration of the Hulk.  Early word on the film has had many singling out Ruffalo’s performance, and the Hulk character in general, as one of the highlights of the film.

Most critics and fans have been singing high praises of Whedon’s take on the character, yet when Steve asked Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige if a new standalone Hulk movie was in the cards, Feige claimed there were no plans at the moment.  However, it appears the overwhelmingly positive reaction may have convinced Marvel to change their tune, because another studio exec recently said we might see a standalone Hulk flick as soon as 2015.  Hit the jump for more.

Kevin Feige Says IRON MAN Could Go the James Bond Route and Change Actors If Necessary

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 27th, 2012 at 11:08 am

The release of The Avengers is now only a week away, but Marvel and Co. are already busy prepping for the beginning of production on Iron Man 3 later next month.  It’s no secret that much of the first Iron Man’s success is due to the charisma and talent of lead actor Robert Downey Jr., but as these things go, Downey most likely won’t be donning the suit for Iron Man 9.  Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recently addressed the issue of what the studio would do should Downey decide to bow out of the role in the near future.  Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

IRON MAN 3 to Be Co-Financed by Chinese Company DMG Entertainment; Filming Begins in Five Weeks

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 16th, 2012 at 8:18 am

Iron Man 3 has been selected as one of the twenty-five U.S. films to be released in China, and the movie will be co-financed by Chinese production company DMG Entertainment.  In a nutshell, this deal is good for Marvel because: A) It means the production will probably have more money; B) DMG Entertainment and the Walt Disney Company China will be distributing the movie in China, which is a huge audience and therefore huge profits; C) It makes inroads with Chinese audiences for future Marvel movies.  Since China only wants tentpole movies, and they tend to want them in 3D, this deal pretty much confirms that Iron Man 3 will either be shot or post-converted into 3D, which will most likely in no way improve the movie.  The press release also mention that some of Iron Man 3 will be shot in China in late summer 2012.

Hit the jump for the press release and a recap of what Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios’ President of Production, had to say about Iron Man 3 and other upcoming Marvel releases.  Iron Man 3 is due out in the U.S. on May 3, 2013.

Disney and Marvel Announce Release Date for CAPTAIN AMERICA 2; Will Start Where the THE AVENGERS Leaves Off

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 5th, 2012 at 9:28 am

Disney and Marvel Studios have scheduled Captain America 2 (tentative title) for April 4, 2014.  As you may recall, the studios had previously scheduled the April 4th date for “Untitled Marvel 1″.  Now that date belongs to Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) post-Avengers adventure.  The movie is still looking for a director, and the current frontrunners are F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau), and television directors Anthony and Joseph Russo (Community).  It’s worth noting that with a 2014 release date, Captain America 2 probably won’t start shooting until late 2012 at the earliest.

Hit the jump for more including the sequel’s logline and a new image of Captain America in The Avengers. Captain America 2 currently has no competition on April 4, 2012.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige THE AVENGERS Set Visit Interview

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 2nd, 2012 at 8:56 am

As the President of Production at Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige knows a thing or two about how The Avengers movie came together and the history of the project.  Thankfully, when I was on set last June with a few other reporters, Feige was more than willing to answer any and all of our numerous questions.  During the extended interview, Feige talked about the plot, how the film will impact other Marvel movies, if they were able to do things in The Avengers that they couldn’t do in other Marvel movies, his thoughts on 3D, how being bought by Disney has affected the way they make movies, Easter Eggs, the action set pieces, the updated costumes, new Iron Man armor, and so much more it’s impossible to sum it all up.  Trust me, if you’re a fan of Marvel movies, you’re going to enjoy this interview.   Hit the jump to either read or listen to the interview.

New TV Spots for THE AVENGERS, Plus Details on a Massive New Marketing Campaign for the Film

by Matt Currie    Posted: March 30th, 2012 at 10:04 am

Avengers corporate marketing consortium Aaaaaasssssssemmmmmmbbllllleeeee!  We’re just over one month out from the May 4 premiere of The Avengers.  If for some reason it’s not already perpetually occupying your thoughts, rest assured that, over the next few weeks, you won’t be able to turn on the TV, browse the Web, even leave your house without having the image of a Marvel superhero kicking ass burned into your brain.  It starts right now, with the release of this 34-second international TV spot.  Basically, the clip boils down to a quick summary of the film’s conflict (superheroes at war with Loki and co.) plus a helpful breakdown of the various Marvel icons that make up The Avengers.  Fortunately for people who already know all this stuff, that info is delivered via a giddy-squeal-inducing verbal throwdown between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). You bet your ass they’ve “got a Hulk.”

But that’s just the beginning. Hit the jump to see the spot and for news on the massive synergistic marketing push being launched by Marvel in collaboration with companies like Acura, Dr. Pepper, and Harley-Davidson. [Update: A domestic TV spot has hit the web, and we've now included it below alongside the international one.]

F. Gary Gray, George Nolfi, and COMMUNITY’s Anthony and Joseph Russo in Running to Direct CAPTAIN AMERICA 2

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 30th, 2012 at 8:11 am

We’re nearing the date on which we finally get to see The Avengers on the big screen, but Marvel is already busy making plans for their post-Avengers slate. Iron Man 3 begins production in the next few months, followed shortly by Thor 2, and now the studio has whittled down their director shortlist for Captain America 2 to just three names: F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau), and television directors Anthony and Joseph Russo. Hit the jump for more on these lovely contestants in “Who Wants to Direct a Superhero Movie?”

THE AVENGERS Set to Close 2012 Tribeca Film Festival

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 28th, 2012 at 8:31 am

Attendees of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival will be some of the first to catch Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. It was announced today that the “mother of all superhero movies” will play as the closing film of the festival on April 28th. We previously reported that the film will have its World Premiere on April 11th, nearly a month before it opens wide. The early premiere date is likely due to the massive schedule syncing needed to get all the stars of the movie together in the same place at the same time. The Avengers will certainly be a standout at Tribeca amongst more indie/less explosion-y fare, so it should be fun to get audience reaction from the screening. Local heroes have been invited to share in the experience, as “everyday heroes from police agencies, fire departments, first responders and various branches of the U.S. military” will have the opportunity to attend the screening.

The superhero pic makes a nice bookend, as Nicholas Stoller’s commercial (but no less awesome-looking) romantic comedy The Five-Year Engagement starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt will open the fest. Hit the jump to read the full press release. The 2012 Tribeca Film Festival runs from April 18 – 29.

Scarlett Johansson Returning for IRON MAN 3?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 26th, 2012 at 10:46 am

The Avengers still hasn’t hit theaters, but there’s not a moment to lose when it comes to keeping the Marvel Superhero Machine running.  Iron Man 3 is set for next summer, and it will feature some familiar faces.  In addition to Robert Downey Jr, it’s not too surprising to learn that Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle will be reprising their roles as Pepper Potts and James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine, respectively.  But Latino Review has uncovered [via Feature Film Casting] that Scarlett Johansson will be back as well.  Her character, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, became Tony Stark’s personal assistant in Iron Man 2, but that was just a cover to spy on him for Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) rather than a real occupation.

Hit the jump for my hearty speculation on how she’ll factor into the latest Tony Stark adventure.  Iron Man 3 is being directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang), who is co-writing with Drew Pearce (No Heroics).  The film is set for May 3, 2013.

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].

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