Though production is set to get underway soon, Marvel had one last-minute ace up their sleeve with regards to the sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  Last week we learned the pleasantly surprising news that acting legend Robert Redford had entered talks to join the Captain America cast as a senior leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.  It marked a major casting coup for directors Joe and Anthony Russo, and the idea of someone like Redford stepping into the Marvel universe is incredibly exciting for fans.

Now Redford has commented a bit on the prospect of him appearing in a comic book movie, saying he made the decision to join Captain America 2 because he likes the idea “of stepping into new territory.”  Hit the jump for his full thoughts on the matter.

Another cast member has been added to the ensemble of Marvel’s sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  We recently learned the surprising news that Robert Redford is in negotiations to play a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. officer in the follow-up, and now it appears that another villain is being added to the ranks.  Sebastian Stan is already set to return as the titular soldier and Frank Grillo is poised to play the angatonist Crossbones, but now word comes that the villain Batroc the Leaper will also be appearing onscreen with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre reportedly tapped to bring him to life.  Hit the jump for more.

Here’s your WTF story of the week: Robert Redford may be starring in a Marvel movie.  Reports have surfaced that Redford is in talks to join the cast of Captain America: The Winter Soldier as a “senior leadership role in S.H.I.E.L.D.”  This is a major get for Marvel, as Redford has relegated himself to acting solely in smaller indie fare or his own directorial projects for the past few years, with his last starring role in a “Hollywood” film that he didn’t direct being Tony Scott’s 2001 thriller Spy Game.  Given that Kevin Feige recently described The Winter Soldier as a “political thriller,” Redford should fit right in with the S.H.I.E.L.D. crew. Hit the jump for more, including the possibility of Redford popping up in other Marvel movies.

While DC and Warner Bros. are still trying to figure out what to do with their superheroes, Marvel already has the path laid out for “Phase Two”: Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Granted, all of the films except Guardians are sequels, but Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige says we shouldn’t be expecting more of the same.  Fans should anticipate new approaches, different sides of the characters, and trying to build it all to The Avengers 2.

Hit the jump for more.

With the release of Marvel’s Iron Man 3 looming closer and Thor: The Dark World hitting theaters this November, the studio is set to begin production imminently on the third film of Phase Three, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  While we know quite a bit about the film’s casting—Anthony Mackie is Falcon, Emily VanCamp is the female lead, Frank Grillo is villain Crossbones, and Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes—we actually know very little about where directors Joe and Anthony Russo plan to take the film’s story.  A tiny hint came today by way of Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, who describes the film as a political thriller.  Hit the jump to read on.

It’s February, so you know what that means: it’s time to start making preparations for this summer’s Comic-Con.  Public badges for SDCC 2013 went on sale this morning and, quite amazingly, completely sold out in an hour and a half.  Indeed, demand for Comic-Con only seems to be growing as time goes on, and it appears that thousands of fans will be descending on San Diego this coming July to catch a sneak peek of upcoming film and TV fare and to peruse the ginormous convention floor for some geek-friendly finds.

Last year was my second time to attend SDCC, but I found that the lines and overall madness descending on Hall H had grown exponentially since the previous year.  My more experienced colleagues confirmed that demand for the 6500 seater was higher and crazier than ever before.  If these badge sales are any indication, the nuttiness is likely to continue this year.  Hit the jump as we wildly speculate about which films and TV shows might be making hosting panels at Comic-Con 2013.

Last month, we reported that Hayley Atwell would not be reprising her role as Peggy Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  In an interview with TimeOut, she said she wouldn’t be returning.  However, Steve interviewed her Captain America co-star Stanley Tucci earlier today for Jack the Giant Slayer, and it looks like her comments may have been a little misdirection or the script has changed since her interview.

Hit the jump for more.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens in 3D on April 4, 2014.

Rumor has it that ABC’s Revenge star Emily VanCamp is in talks for a lead role opposite Chris Evans in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger takes place after the events of The Avengers and puts Cap (Evans) in the present day.  Also starring Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Toby Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson, Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4, 2014.  Hit the jump for more, including just who VanCamp might be playing.

Production will begin later this spring on Anthony and Joe Russo‘s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and while there were rumors that the sequel would be shooting in Europe like the first film, we’ve learned that stages are already being built at Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios in Los Angeles.  This isn’t a major surprise considering Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Thor all shot at Raleigh in addition to other locations.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier will probably still do some shooting in Europe, and we already know that some filming will be done in Cleveland and New Mexico.

Hit the jump for a recap of other info about the film.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Toby Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson, and opens April 4, 2014.

While Marvel’s Iron Man 3 is set to hit theaters in a couple of months, another one of the studio’s sequels is gearing up to begin production.  Anthony and Joe Russo are onboard to direct Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and now we have confirmation of another actor from the first film who, in addition to Chris Evans (obviously), will be returning: Toby Jones.  The actor confirmed that he’ll be reprising his role as Nazi Dar. Arnim Zola, but no details are known regarding his appearance.  Given that The Winter Soldier takes place in the present day, one assumes Jones will be appearing in flashbacks.

Joining Evans and Jones in the follow-up will be Anthony Mackie as Falcon, Sebastian Stan as the titular Winter Soldier, and Frank Grillo as baddie Crossbones.  The female lead has yet to be cast, but Hayley Atwell revealed that she won’t be appearing in the film.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens in 3D on April 4, 2014.  Hit the jump to watch the video interview with Jones.

Disney has announced a slew of release date changes.  Briefly:

• The Muppets 2 will be released on March 21, 2014.
• Maleficent has been pushed back from March 14, 2014 to July 2.
• 1952, director Brad Bird’s collaboration with screenwriter Damon Lindelof, will hit theaters in 3D on December 19, 2014.
• Pirates of the Caribbean 5 has been given a July 10, 2015 release date.
• The 3D re-release of The Little Mermaid on September 13, 2013 has been removed from the schedule.
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy will be released in 3D.

Hit the jump for more details, including the confirmation of George Clooney in 1952 and Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean 5. [Update: Brad Bird has now stated via Twitter that 3D has not been discussed for 1952, so Disney's press release may have been mistaken.  This doesn't mean the film absolutely won't be in 3D, just that Bird hasn't OK'd it yet.]

Back in July, we reported that Anthony Mackie would play the superhero Falcon (a.k.a. Sam Wilson) in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  While details on the upcoming sequel are being kept highly under wraps, Mackie did provide some innocuous comments about the film while doing press for Gangster Squad.  His most interesting comment was the revelation that his character will share his comic book counterpart’s wings and ability to fly.  Mackie added, “I will be a superhero and fight people, namely The Winter Soldier.”

Hit the jump for more.  The film also stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4, 2014.

While we’re still awaiting casting news regarding the female lead for Marvel’s sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier, we now have some confirmation on who won’t be in the movie.  Hayley Atwell, who played the female lead opposite Chris Evans in The First Avenger, previously played coy when asked about her involvement in the follow-up.  We learned in The Avengers that Peggy Carter is still alive in the present day, and it’s assumed that we’ll be getting at least a few flashbacks to Cap’s 1940s days in the sequel The Winter Soldier, so it seemed feasible for her to make an appearance.  Alas, it appears that Atwell will not, in fact, be popping up in the follow-up.  Hit the jump for more.

Plenty of Marvel fans were disappointed when the massive “Phase One” box set containing Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers hit a snag over a legal issue regarding the design of the case.  The set now has a new case, new date, new features, but the same glowing Tesseract cube in the middle.  The new “Phase One” box set will be available for pre-order later today, and will hit shelves on April 2, 2013.  Marvel will also make up the delay to fans by adding features like new deleted scenes, and more importantly, a sneak peek at the upcoming “Phase Two” films, Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Avengers 2.

Hit the jump for more and click here to pre-order the box set.

In order to keep meddlesome kids away from the set of major movies, studios usually employ working titles while on set (it also used to reduce costs, as was the case with George Lucas giving the name Blue Harvest to Return of the Jedi).  However, we say “Meddle away!”, so if you’re in Cleveland next spring and see signs for Freezerburn, you’re near the set of Captain America: The Winter Soldier according to Feature Film Casting.  In all seriousness, don’t meddle.  People are trying to work, and we movie websites are already inundated with leaked set photos.

The film stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4, 2014.