Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronofsky has unfortunately left the director’s seat in The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman. The new movie is a stand-alone, separate from X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and deals with Logan’s adventures in Japan. And due to this, Aronofsky reasoned that he doesn’t want to spend almost a year in Japan and away from family.
Iron Man 3 director Shane Black will also write the screenplay for the movie. And apparently Robert Downey Jr. will contribute to the story as well. Seems fine to me since Downey has great interest in the character and was repeatedly seen buying Iron Man and Avengers comic books.
The studio was displeased with Iron Man 2 being a “two men in iron suits fighting each other”, and, according to Black, the third film would feel more like a Tom Clancy thriller. If any superhero makes a perfect fit for a Tom Clancy thriller, it’d be Iron Man — and it’s hard not to put trust in Shane Black after his work on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Supposedly Marvel Studios’ plan for their films is to let each movie focus on its own superhero after the Avengers hits. A shared universe is a hell of an endeavor, but the idea of containing crossovers in specific films will keep them special; keep them as a big deal. Though, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional cameo or reference of other superheroes and villains.
An official picture of Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger recently dropped — what else is there to say? Weaving looks incredible as the Red Skull. He’s more than capable to emote, and especially with the piercing gaze he has in the photo.
Captain America: The First Avenger has strong casting in Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving. I’m very excited for the film, which is out July 22, 2011.
The second trailer for Thor, starring Chris Hemsworth released yesterday. It further displays Thor’s personality; he’s egocentric, demanding, theatrical and — well, he is what you would expect from Thor. Hemsworth shows a lot of potential as the god of thunder. (What a coincidence — I just heard thunder)
Thor is out May 6, 2011.
Jon Favreau has stepped down from directing Iron Man 3 to sprearhead Disney’s Magic Kingdom film. So who’s going to wield Robert Downey Jr’s witty charm? Writer and director Shane Black has taken over the director seat for Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3.
Black and Downey are no strangers to each other — Black co-write and directed the movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which helped restart Downey’s acting career. And let’s face it: the snappy and witty dialogue in that film is a perfect fit for the persona of Tony Stark.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a thoroughly entertaining film, though it hasn’t showcased the grand action scenes that Iron Man will call for. But who knows? Marvel Studios has been taking chances since the first Iron Man, and they have yet to disappoint.
Robert Downey Jr. is the embodiment of Tony Stark, but if Marvel Studios lets Shane Black co-write as well, then Iron Man 3 has a huge chance to topple over the first film.
(Deadline)
Columbia Pictures made the announcement today that director Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot is entitled The Amazing Spider-Man. In addition to the announcement, Columbia Pictures released an official picture of Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man.
I must say I’m a fan of the costume design. The eyes were a surprise, but it looks more realistic. Then we get a closer look at the webs-shooters — which I’m stoked about. You can also see the touchpads that activate the web-shooters.
The Amazing Spider-Man comes out July 3, 2012.
(Deadline)
The news still keeps pouring in despite Smallville approaching its swan song. After all the speculation, the producers have come forward with news that Michael Rosenbaum will make a final return as Lex Luthor for the series finale.
“It feels like the stars are aligning, literally. We couldn’t be more excited about having Michael back. And as far as the way he returns … there’ll be no doubt about how Lex becomes the great rival in Clark Kent’s life. He is the villain of the story.”
— Executive producers and showrunners Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders
“I’m simply doing it for all of the fans out there who made Smallville the great success it is. I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness and even their threats (laughs). I can’t wait to hug the old crew back in Vancouver one last time and see all of my old friends once again….. Oh, and for Lex to become the badass he’s destined to be.”
— Michael Rosenbaum
It’s incredibly exciting that Rosenbaum is reprising his role as Lex Luthor after a three-year absence. It’s clearly looking like the show will be getting the sendoff it deserves, with both its protagonist and antagonist at odds once again.
The series finale for Smallville is on May 13, 2011 — don’t miss out.
(Deadline)
The trailer for X-Men: First Class released today and it actually shows promise. I’m cautiously optimistic.
The movie releases on June 3, 2011.