Marvel Studios Sets Four More Release Dates!

[mikegraham6]

Holy Crap!
Marvel Studios Sets Four More Release Dates!
Source: Marvel Entertainment May 5, 2008


Marvel Entertainment released their first quarter report to its shareholders this morning to coincide with the announcement about the success this past weekend of Marvel Studios' first production Iron Man, which grossed an estimated $104.2 million domestically and over $201 million worldwide. The announcement included an update of Marvel Studios' feature film slate with the already-rumored Iron Man 2 announced for a release on April 30, 2010, followed by three more movies for the summers of '10 and '11. Matthew Vaughn's Thor is set for a release on June 4, 2010, and The First Avenger: Captain America (the working title) will kick off the summer of 2011 on May 6, followed by the highly-anticipated and foreshadowed The Avengers scheduled for July 2011. (Edgar Wright's Ant-Man is also listed as being in development with no release date set.)

In a conference call this morning, Marvel Studios' David Maisel said that Iron Man 2 will be used to introduce Thor. Regarding more "Hulk" movies, Maisel said "We definitely plan on continuing." He added that development continues on Spider-Man 4. "I can't give any other updates other than to say it's in development and everybody's excited about 'Spider-Man 4,'" he said.

With that in mind, one can start expecting a lot more announcements in the coming months about creative teams and casting for those movies including who might direct the Captain America and Avengers movies. (Whomever plays Steve Rogers AKA Captain America presumably will be making two movies at once.)
LINK (http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7165)

[mikegraham6]

Thor introduced in the sequel to Iron Man? Two Cap movies in one year (hopefully with the same actor)? It looks like marvel is doing exactly what i hoped it would, create it's own Universe on screen, complete with continuity! Marvel, it's a genius move, and it's sets you apart from anything else being done on screen!

YAY!!!!!

[paper]

Thor in Iron Man 2......?

Umm......no thanks.

Why? How? Ewwww.

[paper]

That said, Matthew Vaughan (Layer Cake, Stardust) doing the Thor solo movie....I can get behind that.

[mikegraham6]

alright here's hoping the Cap movie will be entirely set in WW2 and end with him frozen in ice. Start the Avengers movie (released only a few months later) with him being found by the Avengers! Fuck! this could be so damn AWESOME!

[paper]

Steve Rogers casting speculation time:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/fuzzytype/Nealportrait2.jpg

[jon_samuelson]

Ooh, excellent choice Paper. He was really good in Band of Brothers too.

I think the really interesting casting will be Thor. I can't express in words how pissed off I'd be if they got some pretty boy, muscley surfer to do it. I really think they'd need to find someone that fits Coipel's vision of Thor. Like the blonde Viking from 13th Warrior, though that particular guy would be much too old.

[mikegraham6]

if Iron Man is any indication, Marvel is putting an emphasis on casting. I doubt they will only be looking for a "look" when it comes to who portrays their characters. I think Paper's got Cap down as for the others.... where's Blair? he's always been good at this

[tad]

Thor in Iron Man 2......?

Umm......no thanks.

Why? How? Ewwww.

You can say Nick Fury was introduced in Iron Man. An introduction doesn't necessarily mean a major plot point. Tony is supposed to show up in the Hulk movie, isn't he?

[mikegraham6]

Ryan Gosling as Thor
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/mikegraham6/MV5BMjEwNzk.jpg

[gobo]

Yeah, it could just be like Stark finds Mjolnir or meets Donald Blake or something.

Also I believe they've already cast Thor. I'm a little surprised it's going to be so long before it comes out

[cammyknoxville]

I'm hoping they cast a blonde, unknown, muscular Norseman as Thor. And they gotta introduce Loki in the movie!

2010-11 isn't coming fast enough.

[six-gun]

A WWII Cap would be awesome. As long as it's gritty and Cap/Bucky are bad a** special operatives.

Why must you hate so much paper? Thor in an Iron Man movie would be awesome.

Also, there is only one actor today who could play Thor.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/Sn4ke22/eomer2dff626.jpg

[mikegraham6]

A WWII Cap would be awesome. As long as it's gritty and Cap/Bucky are bad a** special operatives.

Why must you hate so much paper? Thor in an Iron Man movie would be awesome.

Also, there is only one actor today who could play Thor.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/Sn4ke22/eomer2dff626.jpg
OH!!! he'd be pretty damn awesome, good one six

[paper]

Tad's probably right. Thor in Iron Man just worries me because it's such a jarring mix of tones. I'm really looking forward to them fleshing out the Iron Man character more in the sequel, now that we've established Tony. Not that I don't want anymore of Tony out of the mask. But I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Iron Man in combat. Thor will probably be a small cameo. I just don't want that to distract from a really strong Iron Man plot.

[gobo]

The guy rumoured to be Thor is Kevin McKidd from Rome, Journeyman and Trainspotting

[s1lentslayer]

Captain America? Oh yeah! Thor? Oh no! How do you make a Thor movie not turn into a comedy? Will we get Thor-speak?

[paper]

The guy rumoured to be Thor is Kevin McKidd from Rome, Journeyman and Trainspotting

Kevin McKidd is a great choice.

[jimski]

There's no way that Iron Man creative team sits still for the inclusion of Thor. How Iron Man and that Hulk could be in the same good movie is not a formula I have solved yet.

Ant-Man will be the best movie of the bunch. Mark me well.

[paper]

So, do we have an idea of who the Avengers will be?

This is my bizarre wish. We could just forget Tobey Maguire and the Fantastic Four films and say Chris Evans is Spider-Man. And that guy can be in the Avengers. That would be cool.

Spidey isn't a classic Avenger, but if you're Marvel and you're going to do a movie with Marvel's finest, wouldn't you want to include Spider-Man, one of the biggest franchises ever?

[kahunablair]

Thor is hard to cast because he's such a specific body type and character. Most big name actors don't match the presence needed.
Most of the people that match the presence couldn't act there way out of a WWF event.

You're going to have to go with a no-name or an up and comer.

Captain America? Oh yeah! Thor? Oh no! How do you make a Thor movie not turn into a comedy? Will we get Thor-speak?

Half the movie is done Lord of the Rings style and the other half real world. You set the tone right, and a Thor movie could kick some serious ass. It's just going to be hard to do it.

I'd honestly like to see a Del Toro type director take it on.

[gobo]

Director is the dude behind Stardust, I have absolute faith in him.

Del Toro is rumoured to take on Dr. Strange though

[paper]

Matthew Vaughan did Stardust and Layer Cake. So he could cover both aspects of Thor's character. Both worlds.

[paper]

Given that Del Toro signed on for the Hobbit movies I'm not sure we're gonna get Dr. Strange very soon. Unless someone else grabs it.

[s1lentslayer]

If we're dreaming about an older Captain America, how about Daniel Day Lewis or Tim Robbins heh. What about Jake Gyllenhaal as Cap? He's played a soldier before.

[kahunablair]

I'm aware that Vaughn is signed up for Thor. He's not a bad choice at all (I LOVE Layer Cake, yet to see Stardust).

I was only stating how much I'd love a dirty, crusty, mythic tale that a Del Toro-esque director would create.

[paper]

Tim Robbins would have been a neat Reed Richards.

I already posted my choice for Cap. But who else would work? Matt Damon has certainly earned it with the Bourne movies.

[esophagus]

Bailey Chase (he played Graham Miller on Buffy Season 4, and recently did an episode of Law and Order: SVU) seems like he might make a good Captain America.

http://www.baileychase.com/images/2006-5.gif

[jon_samuelson]

Kevin McKidd was awesome in Dog Soldiers, so I'm not gonna take anything away from the guy. But is it so hard to get a guy who full on fits the physical bill, and comes from Scandinavia? There are definitely actors who come from there. It's not like it's some black hole of acting. I feel like such a dork...

[jon_samuelson]

And there's no way they can avoid casting Max Von Sydow in any Thor movie.

[esophagus]

Kevin McKidd was awesome in Dog Soldiers, so I'm not gonna take anything away from the guy. But is it so hard to get a guy who full on fits the physical bill, and comes from Scandinavia? There are definitely actors who come from there. It's not like it's some black hole of acting. I feel like such a dork...Does being from Scandinavia have any real effect on his portrayal of Thor (past entirely superficial things)? Certainly if there was a "no Scandinavians!" clause in their search I would find something wrong with that, but there isn't. They're just looking for the best actor. If that is Kevin McKidd, and not a 20 year old weightlifter from Scandinavia, I am perfectly fine.

[paper]

I'm gonna try and assemble the dream cast.

Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr.
Captain America - Neal McDonough
Ant Man; Hank Pym - Alan Tudyk
Wasp - Carla Gugino? Catherine Bell?
Thor - Kevin McKidd

cameos:

Spider-Man - Chris Evans; Jake Gyllenhaal
Hulk - Ed Norton
War Machine - Terrence Howard
Reed Richards - Tim Robbins

[kahunablair]

Dug up my old castings.... Ignore Captain America! I really need to come up with a better actor for him.

New Avengers
http://www.uploadandgo.com/images/New Avengers.png

Ultimates
http://www.uploadandgo.com/images/Ultimates.png

My feelings on an Avenger movie:

First Movie...
Keep it "Science" based. Let the movie be more about the team forming. Have the villian be some Nazi experiment that starts up when Captain America is revived.
Make Matt Damon Cap.
Get rid of Clooney and put Downey in the Iron suit.
Give me Black Widow, Hawk-Eye, Giant-Man and Wasp as their Ultimate roles.
I'm not looking forward to Norton's Hulk, so I'd keep it as Fox.

Sequel...
Add the Magic element. Nick Fury calls in Dr. Strange to help the Avengers deal with a new Mystical threat. Strange could be Nick's expert on magic. Loki could be the threat and the Avengers team up with Thor to take him out.

[esophagus]

I'm kind of hoping they are going the Ultimates route.

Thor, Iron Man, Ant Man (substituted for Pym as Giant Man), Wasp, Captain America, and Hulk (Not in his little cage, of course).

Edit: I realize this is essentially the ACTUAL founding Avengers, but Captain America was a little late to that party. Looks like he won't be to this one.

[horatio616]

Matt Damon would be a great Cap but I don't see him joining another franchise and maybe he'd see it as too similar to Jason Bourne.

[scoobydiesel]

I have no idea what i would do with casting but....man i cant wait.

maybe we will get some sweet news at comic con

[hudsonphillips]

I also don't get how they are going to mix these characters. It works in comics, but in the movies, each individual film has it's own very specific tone.

Is a Mathew Vaughan Thor, a Jon Favreau Iron Man, a Louis Leterrier Hulk, and an Edgar Wright Ant Man all going to work in the same movie? It's just all over the place.

It's hard to imagine, but I guess it could happen. They just need a great script (Zak Penn already writing it) and a great filmmaker holding it all together. And I really hope they go with someone not already attached to one of these other movies.

The other question is looking at the pedigree of actors that would have to share the limelight... but they did it with Ocean's 11, so if it could work for this too.

I'd also love to see Matt Damon as Captain America. The actor's they've been attaching to these things are not unknowns... maybe not who you would think, but all "name" actors.

[jon_samuelson]

Does being from Scandinavia have any real effect on his portrayal of Thor (past entirely superficial things)? Certainly if there was a "no Scandinavians!" clause in their search I would find something wrong with that, but there isn't. They're just looking for the best actor. If that is Kevin McKidd, and not a 20 year old weightlifter from Scandinavia, I am perfectly fine.

I think more than anything, I'm getting a little tired of Hollywood's incessant need to cast a British actor in the role of any foreign character who will be speaking in English. Scandinavian's don't speak English like they're from England. They don't have an English accent. That's really my only point. Moreover, unless they used some sort of camera trickery, Kevin McKidd simply doesn't have the physical stature of Thor. And he's consummately English, it's not hard to find a guy who exudes "Viking". Those aren't unimportant considerations when casting a part.

And just being a good actor really doesn't cut it. You can't just pick a great actor and assume he'll be fine in any role you stick him in. Geoffry Rush couldn't pull off Captain America, no matter how great an actor he may be. Back in the day Hollywood used to just put some tanner on a guy and say "Now you're a Mexican." (Horst Buchholz in The Magnificent Seven) I don't mean to say this is the same exact thing, but to boil it down to "picking the best actor" isn't realistic. Some actors fit some roles. Some don't.

[jonathand-gordon]

I think its funny that we are hearing all of this after the sucess of Iron Man.
I wonder how many of these will get put out after Hulk and the possibility of it tanking. I mean Ant-Man, Seriously. Did they not learn from Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider that some characters are in the hearts of comic fans but not recognizeable to the general public. I am also very interested to see if Captain America ever gets done with how the rest of the world now feels about the U.S.A. It won't be an international sucess and will probably have to make boatloads domesticly to make up budget and promotion.

[jonathand-gordon]

Dug up my old castings.... Ignore Captain America! I really need to come up with a better actor for him.

New Avengers
http://www.uploadandgo.com/images/New Avengers.png

Ultimates
http://www.uploadandgo.com/images/Ultimates.png

My feelings on an Avenger movie:

First Movie...
Keep it "Science" based. Let the movie be more about the team forming. Have the villian be some Nazi experiment that starts up when Captain America is revived.
Make Matt Damon Cap.
Get rid of Clooney and put Downey in the Iron suit.
Give me Black Widow, Hawk-Eye, Giant-Man and Wasp as their Ultimate roles.
I'm not looking forward to Norton's Hulk, so I'd keep it as Fox.

Sequel...
Add the Magic element. Nick Fury calls in Dr. Strange to help the Avengers deal with a new Mystical threat. Strange could be Nick's expert on magic. Loki could be the threat and the Avengers team up with Thor to take him out.

somme of these guys will be way to old by then and we will have a juno as kitty pride situation where all new great people we have never heard of willl be cast in these roles.

[paper]

Two things. I agree that it takes a good actor and the right role coming together. You need both.

The british thing? That's theatre. That's how "nobles" are presented. English language drama began in England. Anybody following after is really just carrying on that tradition of representing royalty and nobility in a staunch English accent. You see it in Biblical interpretations and nearly every other period piece. Why? Because it's the most impressive use of this particular language. It's lofty. I'd actually rather see someone get that pitch perfect than to try and fail at a Roman accent (whatever that means) or a Norwegian accent. The presence is more important than the vocal mechanics.

Are there Norwegian actors who could pull off Thor? I'm sure there are. That's the ideal when we say "an unknown."

That said, you don't need to be of that culture or ethnicity to capture the role. Take Magnificent Seven. You wanna tell me Eli Wallach comes across as a Jewish New Yorker? His birth certificate and his performance are gonna tell you different stories.

[paper]

somme of these guys will be way to old by then and we will have a juno as kitty pride situation where all new great people we have never heard of willl be cast in these roles.

Some of them, yeah. But this is 2011 we're looking at. It could be shooting in as few as 2 years from now.

[jon_samuelson]

Ooh, well done Paper to use my own movie example against me. It was years before I was able to remember from one moment to the next that Eli Wallach wasn't a Mexican bandito.

I guess I retract the need to cast a Scandinavian in the role. But I do think it's important to cast a person who screams viking. Hell my original suggestion of the dude from 13th Warrior, that guy's Czech. I like to hope that we're past a point where we're completely beholden to the past about casting royalty. I mentioned Max von Sydow earlier, he's Swedish, and nobody could tell me that he lacks a regal bearing.

I don't want this to turn into some lame back and forth argument though, so my piece is... They need to cast a good actor. It's important that he have an imposing physical presence, and I mean IMPOSING. I think it'd be nice if they cast an actual Scandinavian, but it's certainly not something that would make me swear off the film.

[paper]

I didn't mean to be a jerk and use the movie against you. But Eli Wallach stands out in my mind as a guy who totally transforms. It was on TV the other day and I couldn't believe it was the same guy who played the aging comedy writer on Studio 60.

Back to Thor.

Here's my thing. Does he have to be huge? I just worry that he'd look silly because the image of a huge body builder in a cape and helmet seems so 80s at this point. It's Beast Master. It's Conan. He needs to be built, but no more than Bale was in Batman Begins. Let the armor do the rest of the heavy-lifting. All I'm saying is, it should be a role that doesn't require a lifetime of physical conditioning.

[jon_samuelson]

No, it wasn't jerky at all. It was brilliant. My point with the movie was really to point out that back in the day we'd put some tanner on a guy and call him a Mexican, or an Indian. And we don't do that anymore, so I think we should be beyond the point of casting an Englishman simply because his voice sounds good.

All that said, Eli Wallach is effing awesome in The Magnificent Seven. I need to watch that again, and hell The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly as well. He's a spectacular character actor, he should be mentioned among the very very best of them. As you say, he totally transforms in his roles.

[paper]

Typing up an e-mail to Marvel. I'm offering my services as the voice of Ultron. Should they need me.

[horatio616]

. Did they not learn from Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider that some characters are in the hearts of comic fans but not recognizeable to the general public.

Ghost Rider was considered a success and Daredevil too but to a lesser degree.

[six-gun]

OH!!! he'd be pretty damn awesome, good one six

He's one of my favorite actors. But he hasn't gotten any good work since LOTR.

Re: Paper.

I am the biggest Rome fan ever. But McKidd is way too thin. He worked as a bad a** in Rome because Roman soldiers weren't huge, they were insanely well trained. Northmen are huge. They have some of the best genes in the world w/r/t breeding beastly warriors and McKidd, while an awesome actor just doesn't fit the Viking mold.

[esophagus]

In my mind, Thor should be only slightly bigger than this:

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/thumb/a/a6/Thor_Son_of_Asgard_Vol_1_2.jpg/300px-Thor_Son_of_Asgard_Vol_1_2.jpg

[valoharth]

My worry about Thor is this, are they going to have two different actors to play Thor and Donald Blake? How are they going to do the transformation from Black to Thor?

[jon_samuelson]

In my mind Thor should look like this. He's a god, he should look like one. If you see him you should be intimidated by him. Moreover he's a Viking god, he should look prepared to pillage at a moments notice. He's not some poncy pretty boy, preening for an audience. He's a god of war. A god of thunder. The most physically powerful of the Norse Pantheon.

http://www.immortalthor.net/thorcostume-8.jpg

You may have guessed that my heritage is Scandinavian, and I would take it somewhat personally if they put some pansy in the role of Thor.

[six-gun]

In my mind Thor should look like this. He's a god, he should look like one. If you see him you should be intimidated by him. Moreover he's a Viking god, he should look prepared to pillage at a moments notice. He's not some poncy pretty boy, preening for an audience. He's a god of war. A god of thunder. The most physically powerful of the Norse Pantheon.

You may have guessed that my heritage is Scandinavian, and I would take it somewhat personally if they put some pansy in the role of Thor.

I don't have Scandinavian heritage (wish I did ;)) and I couldn't agree with you more.

[jimski]

What if they pulled a reverse-hobbit with Thor? Like, hired a normal-sized good actor and then used photo trickery to enlarge him as needed?

[gungadin]

What if they pulled a reverse-hobbit with Thor? Like, hired a normal-sized good actor and then used photo trickery to enlarge him as needed?

CGI style? Like what they did with the abs in 300?

[jon_samuelson]

What if they pulled a reverse-hobbit with Thor? Like, hired a normal-sized good actor and then used photo trickery to enlarge him as needed?

Assuming they could do it as well as they did in the Lord of the Rings I would be completely satisfied with that. I would, at that point, still prefer that they at least try to cast an actual Scandinavian guy, but it would be a whole lot less important than just getting a guy who looks the part and can act.

To go on a side track I was trying to think of who they could get to play the Saint of Killers in the Preacher HBO series, and the best I could think of was Sam Elliot if they used trickery to make him appear huge.

[six-gun]

What if they pulled a reverse-hobbit with Thor? Like, hired a normal-sized good actor and then used photo trickery to enlarge him as needed?

Eh... not such a great idea IMO

[jon_samuelson]

What if they pulled a reverse-hobbit with Thor? Like, hired a normal-sized good actor and then used photo trickery to enlarge him as needed?

It'd be sort of like they did with whathisname in the Green Mile. I mean that dude's big, but the way they filmed him he looked absolutely, ridiculously huge. That worked fine, and I never once was completely distracted by their trickery.

[humphrey-lee]

I always wondered why someone didn't build this up sooner with one of their universes in movie form. With the right amount of ad push and timing it seems like a no brainer to have a long chain of summer and even winter blockbusters leading up into something like this Avengers flick. Honest, the guys at Warner Bros and DC Pictures have to be fucking infuriated at themselves right now. Since it's all one company it would have been so easy with rights and everything to keep it in house and build them up by having a Batman flick here, a WW one there, pop the Flash and GL into their own franchises and so on and then BLAM! JLA in 2012. Instead they squandered that and now their putting out a piecemeal JLA flick that already has fans groaning with every new bit of info they get on it. It's kind of sad really.

And here's Marvel with like, 3 to 4 different project houses doing all their stuff and they've got a hell of a smooth looking timeline running for them right now. I'll give them credit, they've made me more excited about comics in general just with their movie lineup this year than almost anything I'm actually reading from themselves and DC.

[six-gun]

He needs to be built, but no more than Bale was in Batman Begins.

Dude, Bale was huge. Like 200 lbs at one point in shooting.

[jon_samuelson]

Here's my thing. Does he have to be huge? I just worry that he'd look silly because the image of a huge body builder in a cape and helmet seems so 80s at this point. It's Beast Master. It's Conan. He needs to be built, but no more than Bale was in Batman Begins. Let the armor do the rest of the heavy-lifting. All I'm saying is, it should be a role that doesn't require a lifetime of physical conditioning.

I missed this the first time around....

I don't necessarily think that he needs to be a body builder, just beefy. Think of the physique of an offensive lineman (a fit one). Something like 6'4"-6'6", in the neighborhood of 280-300 lbs. I'd be looking for more big, strong farm-boy than ridiculous body builder. I agree with you that just picking a body builder would harken back to shitty 80's movies in an unflattering way.

http://media.225batonrouge.com/img/photos/2007/02/28/KyleTurley.vu.jpg

Now that I look at it, if someone were to waste a Genie wish on making Kyle Turley here a gifted actor I think he'd be perfect for the part.

And I'd like to note, that thinking about this in such detail makes me feel kinda gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[conorkilpatrick]

And I'd like to note, that thinking about this in such detail makes me feel kinda gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

What does this mean, exactly?

[jon_samuelson]

Specifically thinking about big muscley mens to play Thor.

*edit: And a Seinfeld reference.

[conorkilpatrick]

Specifically thinking about big muscley mens to play Thor.

*edit: And a Seinfeld reference.

I still don't understand how that makes you feel gay. Or why you would say that in such a way as to imply that that would be a bad thing.

[jon_samuelson]

If you can't see how thinking about big, muscley men who would be good fits for playing the role of Thor could make me feel just a bit gay I don't think I can help you out.

In no way, shape, or form did I imply that being gay was a bad thing. No more than that absolutely hilarious episode of Seinfeld implied that being gay was a bad thing. If you want to paint me with the homophobe brush, you go ahead and do that if it makes you feel more comfortable. It doesn't make it any more true.

[conorkilpatrick]

If you can't see how thinking about big, muscley men who would be good fits for playing the role of Thor could make me feel just a bit gay I don't think I can help you out.

No, I don't see how they are related. Unless you are thinking about them in a sexual way. Then that would make sense.

If you want to paint me with the homophobe brush, you go ahead and do that if it makes you feel more comfortable. It doesn't make it any more true.

I never said you were a homophobe, just tyring to get you to think about being more careful with how you present yourself via language.

[decepticon]

To steer things back on track...this is fantastic news, and I'm super excited to see Marvel weave a universe for the big screen...as long as they can re-do the FF movies, and do as they did with Hulk and start over, that is. I think it would be EPIC if Marvel could make a solid line of grat movies, giving their characters a real chance to gain a wider fan-base, possibly exposing more people to their comics.

For me, I'm most looking forward to The Avengers and Captain America (as well as Iron Man 2 after seeing the first one!). However, I'm also most scared about those 2.

[tad]

I mean Ant-Man, Seriously. Did they not learn from Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider that some characters are in the hearts of comic fans but not recognizeable to the general public.

Iron Man had nowhere near the recognition of Spider-man or Hulk. Good movies are made all the time about characters we've never met. An Ant Man movie certainly can't rest on his recognition but the premise of a guy shrinking, falling into an ant hill and being terrorized, then learning to communicate with ants is a fresh area. In a world of nano-technology and microchips, I would think they could come up with an adversary or plot that doesn't have the silly factor of bank robbers being stopped by ants.

Or they could play it for comedy like the irredeemable Ant Man but I hate that idea. Hate a humorous Green Hornet or any comedy take on characters originally meant to be taken seriously.

[six-gun]

I never said you were a homophobe, just tyring to get you to think about being more careful with how you present yourself via language.

I don't think that he was being that offensive. The whole world isn't as PC as the Northeast US :rolleyes:

[conorkilpatrick]

I don't think that he was being that offensive. The whole world isn't as PC as the Northeast US :rolleyes:

The whole world doesn't moderate this forum.

[six-gun]

The whole world doesn't moderate this forum.

Just voicing another opinion.

[gungadin]

I think its funny that we are hearing all of this after the sucess of Iron Man. I wonder how many of these will get put out after Hulk and the possibility of it tanking. I mean Ant-Man, Seriously. Did they not learn from Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider that some characters are in the hearts of comic fans but not recognizeable to the general public.

I would like to point out that two out of those three movies you listed were handled by Mark Steven Johnson, who isn't on the docket for ANY of the upcoming Marvel movies... And as for Elektra, two out of the three writers and the director are not involved with any of the upcoming Marvel movies... That makes some of the difference...

[jon_samuelson]

I don't want this to turn into a great big thing. Because I like coming here, and talking about the comics that I enjoy. But you'll pardon me, if I feel a bit like I'm being backed into a corner by a guy with the power to ban me if I happen to say something he doesn't like.

No, I don't see how they are related. Unless you are thinking about them in a sexual way. Then that would make sense.

Okay. Fine, if you want to be so obtuse and stubborn as to be completely unwilling to view a statement in any other way, than in the way you interpret to be offensive, there's nothing I'm going to be able to say that changes your mind, but I'll try.

If I had said "don't cha know", or "You betcha", or "I want me some Hotdish", and followed that up with "Wow, I feel a little bit Minnesotan after spilling out phrases like that." Would that have offended you? Did Fargo offend you? It didn't offend me, and I love my home state with all my heart. Would you have claimed that such a conclusion would only make sense in the context of me considering a move to Minnesota? Or my considering that perhaps my mother had had an affair with a Minnesotan mailman, and that as their unholy progeny I now felt these heretofore unfelt "Minnesota" emotions?

When you watch Chapelle's Show, or listen to a Richard Pryor bit, does it offend you when they don the "white guy" voice and poke a bit of fun at Caucasion Culture? It doesn't offend me. Do you know why? Because it's funny. And quite often it's a little bit correct.

I never said you were a homophobe, just tyring to get you to think about being more careful with how you present yourself via language.

How exactly did I "present myself via language"? As a guy who thinks that thinking closely about the physique of big, strong men and whether they're fit to play a god in a movie, might just make him feel a tiny bit gay? I can't deny that, that's how it made me feel. Do you want to argue how it made me feel? If a gay guy sat down to consider who should play Power Girl in a JSA movie, and started thinking to himself "Boy, her boobs just aren't big and round enough to pull it off.", I think it would be perfectly reasonable for that guy to then think to himself, "Huh, I wonder if this is what straight guys think about? Thinking about this in such detail makes me feel kinda straight." And it wouldn't offend me in the least. I think it would be absurd to be offended by that. I think it would be funny if my good (and gay) friend Tyrone joked about it with me.

And as for your never saying that I was a homophobe? I don't think that you get to split hairs when you started this whole thing off when you read what you wanted to into my original statement. You don't get to pick apart my original statement and find something un-P.C. about it, and then claim some position of moral authority by denying that you at least implied that I was a homophobe.

If my tiny little joke fell flat...? That I apologize for. If my statements aren't 100% P.C., chlorinated for public consumption...? That I do not apologize for.

[conorkilpatrick]

I don't want this to turn into a great big thing. Because I like coming here, and talking about the comics that I enjoy. But you'll pardon me, if I feel a bit like I'm being backed into a corner by a guy with the power to ban me if I happen to say something he doesn't like.

You want to continue this PM me.

[six-gun]

I would like to point out that two out of those three movies you listed were handled by Mark Steven Johnson, who isn't on the docket for ANY of the upcoming Marvel movies... And as for Elektra, two out of the three writers and the director are not involved with any of the upcoming Marvel movies... That makes some of the difference...

Mark Steven Johnson usually has like one little detail that's cool in his movies and then everything else sucks

[charlie-blix]

Maybe I'm the only one but I really can't think of a good way of doing a Thor movie. Maybe it's because I haven't read much of the more modern stuff. When I think of Thor all I can picture is stuff like Conan and Beast Master. It just seems silly to me. Plus the way he talks and everything.

As for a WWII Caption America movie, wow that sounds so great to me. I hope they go that direction.

Now lets just hope the Hulk movie doesn't suck or all of this could get flushed down the drain.

[paper]

Or they could play it for comedy like the irredeemable Ant Man but I hate that idea. Hate a humorous Green Hornet or any comedy take on characters originally meant to be taken seriously.

Semi-devil's advocate, but isn't this the same as using The Spirit in a gritty Sin City-esque pulp noir? Maybe a comedic Green Hornet and a dark Spirit balance each other out. ;)

[itsbecca]

Can I throw something out here about the size debate? Do we want a to choose someone for their acting abilities or do we want Sabertooth?

Just saying.

[conorkilpatrick]

Can I throw something out here about the size debate? Do we want a to choose someone for their acting abilities or do we want Sabertooth?

Just saying.

That was my first thought on that too.

[paper]

1.) You could argue that the illusion of strong presence in comics comes from drawing a huge dude with a huge hammer. In live drama you do that with physical action and focus. Get a good actor and he'll bridge the gap between physical size and gravitas.

2.) Not everything in comics works in real life, visually. Ever see a guy dressed in the yellow Wolverine costume? Looks cool when Cassaday draws it. In real life? Not so much (http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/21510.jpg). I would argue that the image of Thor posted above, the one from the new series, would not translate terribly well. First, you'd have to find a body-building hen because the dude is built like a roid rage chicken. I'll take an actor, thanks.

[six-gun]

I at least never said that I wanted a body builder. Just not a string bean.

I'll take an actor, thanks.

Umm... what the hell do you call this guy?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/Sn4ke22/eomer2dff626.jpg

Freaking stole the show in LOTR The Two Towers

[itsbecca]

Umm... what the hell do you call this guy?

Freaking stole the show in LOTR The Two Towers

For the record I think Karl Urban is a fantastic actor. An absurdly attractive.

[charlie-blix]

1.) You could argue that the illusion of strong presence in comics comes from drawing a huge dude with a huge hammer. In live drama you do that with physical action and focus. Get a good actor and he'll bridge the gap between physical size and gravitas.

2.) Not everything in comics works in real life, visually. Ever see a guy dressed in the yellow Wolverine costume? Looks cool when Cassaday draws it. In real life? Not so much (http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/21510.jpg). I would argue that the image of Thor posted above, the one from the new series, would not translate terribly well. First, you'd have to find a body-building hen because the dude is built like a roid rage chicken. I'll take an actor, thanks.

I agree completely. I really don't want to see Thor if he's going to look like Dolph Lundgren in Masters of the Universe.

[paper]

For the record I think Karl Urban is a fantastic actor. An absurdly attractive.

Fantastic? Let's not get carried away here.

[jon_samuelson]

I don't think they should cast Thor based upon the size of the guy, but I do think it should be a factor in the decision. As much as I want a guy who can act his ass off in the part (because I think the role of Thor would really need it in order to not seem ridiculous), I do think he needs to fit the bill physically. Much as I think Tyler Mane would be a horrible choice for his lack of acting ability, I think a guy like Kevin McKidd would be a bad choice because he simply doesn't fit the stature of the character.

Now, camera trickery, or CGI changes that equation entirely. In the Green Mile, camera trickery was used to make the 6'5" Michael Clarke Duncan appear near 8' tall at times. Should they use a similar technique in Thor then pretty much anyone could play him, and my only real point becomes that appearance becomes important, and I think it's as important a consideration as acting capability. If he can't act, he's out. If he doesn't look the part, and can't be made to look the part, he's out.

[itsbecca]

Fantastic? Let's not get carried away here.

Oh. Sorry I mistyped.

For the record I think Karl Urban is an absurd actor. He's fantastically attractive though.

To be honest I was thinking of Faramir for some reason, who in my opinion was great, then I looked at IMDB and realize I was remembering wrong and he was Eomer.

No he's not bad. I haven't seen his range, but he could definitely hit Thor pretty hard. I'd say.

[cormano]

I'm a little worried about Thor being introduced in Iron Man II. I thought the Thor movie was going to be set entirely in Asgaurd. That's what I want, maybe with him coming to Earth at the very end, along with Cap being frozen at the very end of his movie.

The Cap and Avengers movies being so close together worries me, too. This is either going to be the greatest thing ever, or a huge train wreck. Either will be fun to watch, but after Iron Man kicking as much ass as it did, I really want it to be the greatest thing ever.

[esophagus]

I really really don't think any emphasis whatsoever should be placed on appearance. If a woman in a horn helmet turns out to be the best at acting like Thor, I want her in my movie. Oh well. Certainly, it comes down to priorities though. When you get two really good actors (on an EQUAL standing) and one happens to look like a viking and one doesn't, you give it to the one who looks the part. One guy looks like a viking and does pretty good and one guy looks like McKidd and does FANTASTIC then the choice is fairly obviously McKidd to me.

This is assuming that McKidd can act a good Thor. If he turns out to be bad then I will certainly admit that perhaps whatever Scandinavian man you can pull out of your hat should have been considered a little more.

[cormano]

I'm gonna try and assemble the dream cast.

Ant Man; Hank Pym - Alan Tudyk


OH MY GOD! Genius! With Edgar Wright directing? This needs to happen!

[esophagus]

I'm a little worried about Thor being introduced in Iron Man II. I thought the Thor movie was going to be set entirely in Asgaurd. That's what I want, maybe with him coming to Earth at the very end, along with Cap being frozen at the very end of his movie.

The Cap and Avengers movies being so close together worries me, too. This is either going to be the greatest thing ever, or a huge train wreck. Either will be fun to watch, but after Iron Man kicking as much ass as it did, I really want it to be the greatest thing ever.Doesn't Cap's working title INVOLVE the Avengers? I can guarantee it will be working up to the formation of the Avengers. As will Iron Man II. I'm guessing Thor will make an SLJesque appearance, rather than what most of us would assume for a typical introduction.

[charlie-blix]

I thought the Thor movie was going to be set entirely in Asgaurd.

If the Thor movie is set completely in Asgaurd I'll feel a lot better about the movie. I can see that working out completely.

[cormano]

My worry about Thor is this, are they going to have two different actors to play Thor and Donald Blake? How are they going to do the transformation from Black to Thor?

I'm guessing, and hoping, that they'll ignore Blake entirely. Have any of you read the Lee/Kirby Thor stuff? Actually, I think the really early stuff was mostly written by Larry Lieber. The origin made no sense in context to what book became. Asgaurd was not involved at all for the first twenty or more issues, then out of nowhere, Thor just goes to see Odin. Another twenty issues later, Lee explains that Blake wasn't a real person, Odin created him to trap Thor as a lesson to teach him humility.

At least, this is how I remember it from when I read the Essentials a while back. The really early stuff was terrible but once Asgaurd became involved along with cosmic stuff like Ego, it got really awesome.

[cormano]

Doesn't Cap's working title INVOLVE the Avengers? I can guarantee it will be working up to the formation of the Avengers. As will Iron Man II. I'm guessing Thor will make an SLJesque appearance, rather than what most of us would assume for a typical introduction.

The Cap movie being Avengers: The Prequel is exactly what I'm worried about. I want all the solo movies to stand on their own. I think the post credits sequence in Iron Man was perfect. It's extremely exciting for an Avengers fan to see, but take it away and the movie is still great.

I would almost like to just see Sam Jackson do this type of thing five times before the Avengers Movie.

After the credits in Hulk: Nick Fury and Tony Stark in a lab, "Maybe we can take advantage of this Hulk situation."

After the credits in Cap: Nick Fury, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, Fury: "We found something floating in the arctic."

After the credits in Ant-Man: Nick Fury to Hank Pym: "Would you like a chance to work with some of the greatest scientific minds of our time?"

After the credits in Thor: Nick Fury to Thor: "Welcome to Earth, we need your help."

Etc… or maybe I'm getting carried away here :p

[esophagus]

I'm assuming that Cap is an Avengers prequel and the rest aren't because there would need to be a much bigger explanation of how he got there. Perhaps that means an all Cap movie, him getting frozen in the ice, and waking up to Nick Fury for 10-15 minutes in the end.

[charlie-blix]

The Cap movie being Avengers: The Prequel is exactly what I'm worried about. I want all the solo movies to stand on their own. I think the post credits sequence in Iron Man was perfect. It's extremely exciting for an Avengers fan to see, but take it away and the movie is still great.

I would almost like to just see Sam Jackson do this type of thing five times before the Avengers Movie.

After the credits in Hulk: Nick Fury and Tony Stark in a lab, "Maybe we can take advantage of this Hulk situation."

After the credits in Cap: Nick Fury, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, Fury: "We found something floating in the arctic."

After the credits in Ant-Man: Nick Fury to Hank Pym: "Would you like a chance to work with some of the greatest scientific minds of our time?"

After the credits in Thor: Nick Fury to Thor: "Welcome to Earth, we need your help."

Etc… or maybe I'm getting carried away here :p

That sounds great to me... but I have a feeling it wont go down like that. sad but true.

[paper]

I was thinking the same thing, cormano. They could even flesh them out a little more than just those beats. After a while I'd stop waiting through the credits for the Nick Fury formally invites you to join the Avengers scene.

[esophagus]

Should be noted: This is NOT the Iron Man thread, so certain facts probably warrant spoiler tags.

[charlie-blix]

After a while I'd stop waiting through the credits for the Nick Fury formally invites you to join the Avengers scene.

I really doubt you would leave. I doubt any comic book fan would.

But I can see what you mean. It would have to be more creative but still along them lines.

[paper]

The credits after the Avengers movie?

Nick Fury sitting with his back to the camera. He turns, looks directly at the camera.

"With Banner's departure, we have an opening on the team. We've been watching you closely, and expect great things. That is why we are inviting you to join the Avengers."

Tony leans in.

"Whatdya say, kid?"

[esophagus]

I really doubt you would leave. I doubt any comic book fan would.

But I can see what you mean. It would have to be more creative but still along them lines.I think thats the problem. No COMIC FAN would leave. I know that meant that less than a quarter of the theatre I was in stayed.

This would get us a setup to the Avengers movie that 3/4 of the people going to see The Avengers would miss out on.

Otherwise, I definitely agree with the idea.

[paper]

They're not going to waste Steve's reawakening on the epilogue of the Cap movie. It'll either happen at the end of the movie just before the credits or it'll be in the Avengers film. Consider the epilogues at the end of the credits as special bonus content. Non-essential.

[gobo]

I hope all these people complaining about McKidd's size are also not fans of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

Wolvie being 5'2 (ish) is regularly considered part of his character, and I don't hear anyone complaining about him anymore because he just owns the character.

I have COMPLETE faith that McKidd can do the same, Thor has to have the PRESENCE of a God, he has to exude Goditude, and that is so rarely a factor of size and normally a factor of charisma.

[hudsonphillips]

I think its funny that we are hearing all of this after the sucess of Iron Man.
I wonder how many of these will get put out after Hulk and the possibility of it tanking. I mean Ant-Man, Seriously. Did they not learn from Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider that some characters are in the hearts of comic fans but not recognizeable to the general public. I am also very interested to see if Captain America ever gets done with how the rest of the world now feels about the U.S.A. It won't be an international sucess and will probably have to make boatloads domesticly to make up budget and promotion.

All of these movies were in development before the success of Iron Man. They are just using the success to promote them.

As far as Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider... they were not "critical" successes, whether they were financial successes or not. But Marvel owns the rights to all of these new movie characters now. They are completely in charge for the first time of their own creations, and based on Iron Man, they're batting 1000. Hopefully Incredible Hulk will keep it going.

And the rest of the world loves a good action film. Even if it's "American." Captain America was a World War II hero. I doubt that anyone would pull against the allies in WWII.

I think it's a complete misconception that other countries hate the U.S. They may not like our president or his policies, but they don't hate us.

[hudsonphillips]

In my mind Thor should look like this. He's a god, he should look like one. If you see him you should be intimidated by him. Moreover he's a Viking god, he should look prepared to pillage at a moments notice. He's not some poncy pretty boy, preening for an audience. He's a god of war. A god of thunder. The most physically powerful of the Norse Pantheon.

http://www.immortalthor.net/thorcostume-8.jpg

You may have guessed that my heritage is Scandinavian, and I would take it somewhat personally if they put some pansy in the role of Thor.

No one looks like this.

[paper]

Except chickens.

[hudsonphillips]

They're not going to waste Steve's reawakening on the epilogue of the Cap movie. It'll either happen at the end of the movie just before the credits or it'll be in the Avengers film. Consider the epilogues at the end of the credits as special bonus content. Non-essential.

The chatter I've heard was that Captain America would be a "fish-out-of-water" story.

I imagine the first act would be WWII. Frozen.

2nd Act would be Cap waking up and maybe being on the run... maybe from Fury.

3rd Act maybe teaming up on some greater threat. And teasing at the Avengers in the end.

[mikegraham6]

All of these movies were in development before the success of Iron Man. They are just using the success to promote them.

As far as Daredevil/Electra/Ghost Rider... they were not "critical" successes, whether they were financial successes or not. But Marvel owns the rights to all of these new movie characters now. They are completely in charge for the first time of their own creations, and based on Iron Man, they're batting 1000. Hopefully Incredible Hulk will keep it going.

And the rest of the world loves a good action film. Even if it's "American." Captain America was a World War II hero. I doubt that anyone would pull against the allies in WWII.

I think it's a complete misconception that other countries hate the U.S. They may not like our president or his policies, but they don't hate us.

Canada is arguably the most receptive country to American culture and i know a SHITLOAD of people who would NOT go see this movie based on the title "Captain America." It's not a "hating of policies or president" thing, it's more about outright patiotism being shoved down another country's throat. Im not saying that is what a Cap movie would do, but i can tell you i know a lot of people who would assume this from the title alone

[esophagus]

And the rest of the world loves a good action film. Even if it's "American." Captain America was a World War II hero. I doubt that anyone would pull against the allies in WWII. Except that this is a fictional character. Were this a real war hero this would definitely be right, but I can see some people painting an overly patriotic character in a different light. The Nazis aren't a threat anymore. I think some marketing can definitely overcome that, and I can't think of anyone that I personally know who would actually care about the title.I think it's a complete misconception that other countries hate the U.S. They may not like our president or his policies, but they don't hate us.Spend more time in Canada. You aren't very well liked. A lot of people I know, and a lot of people I don't know, paint you as incredibly ignorant.

Edit: "You" being the country of course.

[mikegraham6]

Except that this is a fictional character. Were this a real war hero this would definitely be right, but I can see some people painting an overly patriotic character in a different light. The Nazis aren't a threat anymore.Spend more time in Canada. You aren't very well liked.

And this coming from a dude who live in Alberta. That's like Canada's Texas!

Anyway, i think that a Cap movie, if well done, would do very poorly in it's opening weekend in Canada, but with good word of mouth, may actually pick up an audience in the long run. But that would be based on it not being overly patriotic and containing some kick ass action sequences

[esophagus]

And this coming from a dude who live in Alberta. That's like Canada's Texas!Exactly. The things Rick Mercer can do to a countries image. ;)
Anyway, i think that a Cap movie, if well done, would do very poorly in it's opening weekend in Canada, but with good word of mouth, may actually pick up an audience in the long run. But that would be based on it not being overly patriotic and containing some kick ass action sequencesI disagree. It certainly won't do as good as in the US, but it'll do just fine here. Specifically if the trailers and whatnot are good.

[horatio616]

Wolf from American Gladiators is the only Thor I'll accept.

[esophagus]

Wolf from American Gladiators is the only Thor I'll accept.
I saw the Gladiators commercial last night, the oen where he is like 1000 feet tall, and thought they exact same thing (although half of the women look more to the part).

[horatio616]

I saw the Gladiators commercial last night, the oen where he is like 1000 feet tall, and thought they exact same thing (although half of the women look more to the part).

Genius commercial. "How do we make Wolf even more awesome?" Make him a thousand feet tall, of course! I also thought he should have been on fire, but I guess that would have been over the top.

Do you think Ryan Reynolds could pull off the accent?

[paper]

So, here's what Wikipedia says:

Screenwriter Mark Protosevich has been hired to write a script for a live-action Thor film and stated that "It's going to be like a superhero origin story, but not one about a human gaining super powers, but of a god realizing his true potential. It's the story of a [sic] Old Testament god who becomes a New Testament god. It will be mythic, but also bear the unmistakable qualities of a Marvel movie, an epic fantasy adventure." In addition director Matthew Vaughn is citing Gladiator as an influence of the storyline.

After being impressed with his work on Stardust (2007), Marvel Studios signed Matthew Vaughn to direct [49] in August 2007. Vaughn intends to start filming in late 2008, while he rewrites Protosevich's script in order to bring down the budget to $150 million. Protosevich's first draft had a cost of $300 million to produce.

After the success of Iron Man, Marvel Studios announced Matthew Vaughn's Thor is set for a release on June 4, 2010. Thor himself will cameo first in Iron Man 2, schedule for release on April 30 that year.

Here's what IMDB says:

Partially disabled medical student Dr. Donald Blake discovers his heretofore unknown alter ego, the Norse warrior, Thor.

[mikegraham6]

Exactly. The things Rick Mercer can do to a countries image. ;)
I disagree. It certainly won't do as good as in the US, but it'll do just fine here. Specifically if the trailers and whatnot are good.
Really? of course it won't do as well in Canada. it may not even come in at number one but i think it will be more of a slow burn. It will definitely do better here then in Europe. I asked the question to 3 of my friends: "Would you go see a movie called Captain America" and one said he would care, he see patriotic shit in movies all the time, the two others said they'd avoid it like the plague

[esophagus]

Really? of course it won't do as well in Canada. it may not even come in at number one but i think it will be more of a slow burn. It will definitely do better here then in Europe. I asked the question to 3 of my friends: "Would you go see a movie called Captain America" and one said he would care, he see patriotic shit in movies all the time, the two others said they'd avoid it like the plagueDid they say if they'd avoid it because of the patriotism, or if it was because it sounded hokey?

[paper]

What if it was renamed Captain North America in Canada and they shot some B-roll of him tapping trees for syrup?

[esophagus]

Genius commercial. "How do we make Wolf even more awesome?" Make him a thousand feet tall, of course! I also thought he should have been on fire, but I guess that would have been over the top.

Do you think Ryan Reynolds could pull off the accent?Van Wilder 3: Rise of Mjolnir.

[mikegraham6]

Did they say if they'd avoid it because of the patriotism, or if it was because it sounded hokey?
patriotism, i explained that it could still be a great action movie and they said they probably wouldn't see it in theatres

[paper]

Ryan Reynolds is built, but his personality would be better suited to play Ant Man or Flash. Or an older Spider-Man.

[mikegraham6]

What if it was renamed Captain North America in Canada and they shot some B-roll of him tapping trees for syrup?
Maybe they could just make country specific versions? Captain Canuck, Captain Cockney, Captain Kraut

I think the international ad campaign would have to contain one of those scenes where Cap basically outlines that he stands for Ideals, not a country (ideals which are basically Western, not specifically American)

[paper]

We're remembering that the working title is "The First Avenger" yes?

[horatio616]

Ryan Reynolds is built, but his personality would be better suited to play Ant Man or Flash. Or an older Spider-Man.

I think Thor would have to be played by a European. Anytime an American tries to do accents in action films particularly (with a few exceptions, of course), it just doesn't seem credible. I'm thinking Costner in Robin Hood and Pitt in Troy specifically.

I don't know who this guy is, but what about the guy in 300 who got his head cut off? It'll probably be somebody like that: unknown, ripped, and with a non-American accent of some sort.

[paper]

I think Thor would have to be played by a European. Anytime an American tries to do accents in action films particularly (with a few exceptions, of course), it just doesn't seem credible. I'm thinking Costner in Robin Hood specifically.

You suggested Ryan Reynolds.

You also nullified your argument with the parenthetical.

[tad]

Semi-devil's advocate, but isn't this the same as using The Spirit in a gritty Sin City-esque pulp noir? Maybe a comedic Green Hornet and a dark Spirit balance each other out. ;)

I felt so much better about The Spirit movie when I saw the trailer with his flips and wire walking. I know that's precisely what some people hated but it suggested a much lighter movie than what I feared.

But you are correct, taking a richly textured but big hearted, full of humor story and turning it grim 'n gritty is as bad as making a serious character goofy.

On the other hand, I could easily see Thundarr the Barbarian as a Wil Ferrel comedy.

[horatio616]

You suggested Ryan Reynolds.

You also nullified your argument with the parenthetical.

Well, he seems to be diversifying in his choice of movie roles but I don't think Reynolds would actually work. Don't think people would buy it.

The exception I was thinking of is Johnny Depp in Pirates. Guys like him are few and far between.

[gungadin]

Wolf from American Gladiators is the only Thor I'll accept.

We just have to stop him from eating people...

[paper]

Thundarr, the post apocalyptic animated series set in....1994? I like it.

My perspective on the Green Hornet film is skewed for two reasons. I have a very limited knowledge of the material. I just know the concept. And I'm a big Seth Rogen fan.

[mikegraham6]

We're remembering that the working title is "The First Avenger" yes?
good point, i think that's a good idea on Marvel's part

[gobo]

Guys, Ryan Reynolds is already playing Deadpool in the new Wolverine movie.

[esophagus]

Am I the only one who thought Horatio was kidding when he suggested Reynolds (I could be wrong)? Or do we also think he believes Wolf is a good candidate?

[horatio616]

Am I the only one who thought Horatio was kidding when he suggested Reynolds (I could be wrong)? Or do we also think he believes Wolf is a good candidate?

Wolf >> Reynolds > Nic Cage.

[mikegraham6]

Wolf >> Reynolds > Nic Cage.
that's not helping ;)

[cormano]

I was thinking about this at work today and considering that Ant-Man has no date, I'm thinking Pym will be in the Avengers as Giant Man and someone else will be Ant-Man.

Alan Tudyk as Eric O'Grady, the lab assistant in Avengers, who then steals an a suit for his wacky adventure in his own movie!

[kahunablair]

Supposedly, Edgar Wright said the Ant-Man movie would have all 3 guys in the suit. A Retro story with Pym, an 80/90s tale with Lang, and then a modern version with O'Grady.

[cormano]

Supposedly, Edgar Wright said the Ant-Man movie would have all 3 guys in the suit. A Retro story with Pym, an 80/90s tale with Lang, and then a modern version with O'Grady.

Hmm… interesting.

[charlie-blix]

Did the movie Saving Privet Ryan do well in other countries? That movie was a WWII movie centered around nothing but American Soldiers wasn't it?

So have Cap dressed as a soldier for the WWII parts and that should be okay for other countries.

As for the modern day parts I think the Cap will be more like a foreigner than an American. He's coming from accentually a whole different world. If they play up that aspect of the movie than I could see this movie really resinating with people from different countries. Hell if anything I bet the Cap is going to think negatively of what his America has become. I'm sure the movie won't be overly political but it's bound to come up. He could echo what other outsiders say about America because he will be an outsider just like them.

The only thing the movie has to worry about is the Title itself. I bet the tag line will be front and center on the foreign posters while the "Captan America" part will be in small font.

[conorkilpatrick]

Did the movie Saving Privet Ryan do well in other countries? That movie was a WWII movie centered around nothing but American Soldiers wasn't it?

It did pretty well:

$216,119,491 (USA)
$224,700,000 (Non-USA)

But that film was three years before The War on Terror, which is why America is so unpopular.

[charlie-blix]

But that film was three years before The War on Terror, which is why America is so unpopular.

Really? I thought we were never really liked. I know its worse now... just never knew it was good.

[charlie-blix]

Blah?

Cinema Blend have managed to get the scoop from one of their “long time scoopers,” The deal appears to be that Matthew McConaughey is being scouted as a possible contender for the beloved role. They believe their source to be reliable, but it is still so early on that even if the source is correct, whether McConaughey actually plays the role is up for time to decide.

A quick visit to Google Image search later, and I’m a little confused as to why they’d want McConaughey for the role though. Sure, he’s got that nice all-American muscley build, but I’m not convinced that he’s got the face, or the acting chops, to pull off a movie of this import.

I think Marvel may be looking in the wrong direction (if they are looking in this direction at all), especially with the prospect of McConaughey leading the Avengers movie. Either way, time will tell, and no doubt we’ll report a half-dozen more rumors by the time we know for sure.

Joshua S. Hill
5/6/2008
Source: Cinema Blend

Matthew McConaughey?

Do Not Want.

[conorkilpatrick]

Blah?



Matthew McConaughey?

Do Not Want.

I think it's way too early for that kind of talk. There are probably a lot of agents and managers out there leaking "scoops" about their clients, though.

[paper]

Here's my pitch.

Steve Rogers starts out as a regular dude. Not very big, maybe not very athletic.

Michael Cera. And then he turns into Matt Damon or Neal McDonough.

(I'm kidding...or am I?)

[jon_samuelson]

Shit, at that rate they should just go for D.J. Qualls.

[six-gun]

I cast and pick a writer & director for Captain America you will be surprised 9check my sig, the link's not working for me right now)

[jimski]

Ant Man; Hank Pym - Alan Tudyk

I think you are the smartest person who has ever lived. This is Robert Downey-level casting genius.

I'm telling you, Ant-Man is going to be the best one of the bunch.

As for Captain McConaghey, I'm not going to lose any sleep about it. That movie is still in its "Tom Cruise is Iron Man, Nic Cage is Superman" stage of development.

[mikegraham6]

I think you are the smartest person who has ever lived. This is Robert Downey-level casting genius.

I'm telling you, Ant-Man is going to be the best one of the bunch.

As for Captain McConaghey, I'm not going to lose any sleep about it. That movie is still in its "Tom Cruise is Iron Man, Nic Cage is Superman" stage of development.
I just IMDB'ed Alan Tudyk and yes, Paper that is F'n brilliant (as long as we're talking about the Dick-ish Ant-man of course)

[paper]

He could do both.

[conorkilpatrick]

Marvel Studios to Adapt Runaways
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
May 22, 2008


Marvel Studios will bring "Runaways" to the big screen.

Brian K. Vaughan, who co-created the series with artist Adrian Alphona, is writing the adaptation, for which Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will act as producer.

"Runaways" follows a group of teenagers who find that some family secrets are bigger than others when they discover their parents are actually super-villains. Running away from their homes, the teens band together and begin a journey of discovery, both of their parents' origins and of their own inherited powers, while trying to make up for the evil done by their folks.

[hudsonphillips]

Marvel Studios to Adapt Runaways


I don't think I'll ever be as excited about a project as this one! It's like my dream movie.

I can't think of an easier screenwriting gig than Vaughan has on this one. The book is so filmic.

I'm so happy that Marvel is developing this one as Marvel is in a unique position that if they develop a movie it WILL get made. They already have the guaranteed production money and the in-house production company.

And it's so exciting that they are giving attention to incredible books like this one that are not the marquee names. I really hope they develop more of these secondary books.

[gungadin]

What makes it so great is how accessible it is. No one has to know anything. For the general non-comic reading, avid movie-going audience, this movie's going to come out of nowhere.

[webnet]

As long as BKV is doing the screen play I am excited for it, he has been doing a bang up job on Lost and I except the Runaways movie to be just as awesome. And because of this Marvel studios thing I am expecting some awesome cameos.

[paper]

It would be extremely cool if they opened the film with an all-out super hero battle based on the MMORPG they play in the comic.

[charlie-blix]

Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige has spoken out to set a few facts straight. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, he revealed that The First Avenger: Captain America (not Captain America: The First Avenger as originally reported) will be a period flick set during World War II. That’s great news for true believers as it follows the comic icon’s official origin story – skinny test subject Steve Rogers volunteers to be injected with a Super-Soldier serum that will turn him into the patriotic perfect human being – and will give us the opportunity to see Mr USA kicking all kinds of Nazi butt and most likely facing off against his uber-bastard arch-nemesis, the Red Skull.

Well that makes me feel a hell of a lot better.

[gungadin]

It would be extremely cool if they opened the film with an all-out super hero battle based on the MMORPG they play in the comic.

That would be so, so awesome. I'd flip.

[niceguyeddie]

might be too old now but percy daggs (wallace from veronica mars) might've been a almost perfect casting as alex.
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/thumb/d/d6/Alex_wilder.jpg/180px-Alex_wilder.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0a/Wallace_Fennel.jpg/250px-Wallace_Fennel.jpg

[six-gun]

Captain America- Mat Damon
Iron Man- Robert Downey Jr.
Hawkeye- Josh Holloway
Luke Cage- Idris Elba (Stringer Bell from The Wire)
Wonder Man- Jon Hamm
Thor- Karl Urban
Wasp- Darby Stanchfield