Mark Ruffalo Signed as Hulk

mark_ruffaloDeadline is claiming that they can confirm that Mark Ruffalo has signed to play Bruce Banner in Marvel Studios THE AVENGERS.
No official announcement has yet been made. Will update when official comments are forthcoming, perhaps tonight at Comic Con.
UPDATED: Mark Ruffalo was confirmed as Bruce Banner at Comic Con’s Marvel Studios panel, as was Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye.

Joss Whedon To Direct THE AVENGERS

joss_whedonFanboys & fangirls rejoice – fresh from Comic Con comes the announcement that Joss Whedon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, FIREFLY, DOLLHOUSE) will be directing Marvel’s upcoming THE AVENGERS movie. In terms of his approach to the multi-superhero flick, he had this to say:

I’m still writing the outline. I am at the stage where I am reworking and reworking. What I love about this is that there is no way that these people should be in the same room together, let alone the same team. And that, to me, is the definition of family.

He has a lot of work and great expectations ahead of him. Here is to hoping the outline turns into something great!
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Another THOR Photo

Thor_Hemsworth.jpgToday is a good day for THOR pictures.
USA TODAY, in a story about movies promoted at the San Diego Comic Con,featured this new shot of Chris Hemsworth in civies — but with the God of Thunder’s Uru Hammer.
Quoting Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige on the the power of Comic Con:
“Nobody believed in us when we brought Iron Man here. They said we were bringing our B-team in. I think we’ve proved that there’s no such thing. If you can impress Comic-Con fans, you’re in the big leagues.”
And Chris Hemsworth had this to say about comics fans:
“It’s a bit scary, the power and devotion they have. A couple of months ago I was feeling secure and went online to see what people were saying. Some people loved we were doing a movie; some people already hated it.
I’ll never read comments again.”
Yeah, we comics fans can be a demanding and unforgiving bunch, at times. The passion is understandable (for those who have felt it): after all, these four-color heroes are myths for the modern age. And mythology has always great power in the human heart and mind.
Photo: © Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures

Could Adrien Brody be Marvel's Ant-Man?

Adrian Brody in PREDATORS (2010)
Adrian Brody in PREDATORS

Unconfirmed reports from John Campea and El Mayimbe at LatinoReview.com claim that Adrien Brody may be in talks to play Ant-Man in Marvel’s upcoming project THE AVENGERS, which is set to be directed by Joss Whedon. Following rumors that others including Nathan Fillion might be called upon to play the role, the latest buzz is that Brody’s agency has been pursuing it.
El Mayimbe was adamant that he is only relaying information that he received from contacts at Brody’s agency and that he does not intend to pass it off as fact. Let’s just say that reliable sources have confirmed that Brody’s people are in talks with Marvel, but we don’t know the outcome of those talks for certain just yet. Can you see Adrien Brody in the role of Ant-Man?

New Pictures Of The Throne Room Of The Gods In THOR

thorsmallFor most, the closest they could ever hope to get to Asgard was Valhalla, and even then you had to be a warrior who died in combat. Lucky for you, Marvel is circumventing the entire process and just making a movie about it. Just released – to tantalize us until ComicCon no doubt – is a brand new photo from Marvel Studios next superhero film THOR which reveals the throne room of Asgard. As with previous pictures, the design seems to keep in line with the shiny metallic, almost alien look given to the gods.
The photo comes from latinoreview.com, who have also superscanned the picture to show closer looks of Odin (Anthony Hopkins, in front of the throne) & Loki (Tom Hiddleston, lower left corner).
THOR is set to be released May 6th, 2011.
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Marvel's THE RUNAWAYS To Finally Enter Production

runaways_mainAfter much rumor and speculation, it appears that Marvel Comic’s THE RUNAWAYS will soon be heading for celluloid. According to a Twitter post from Production Weekly, the film is set to shoot in the first half of 2011.
Unaware of the comic and not sure if you should be excited? Here is a quick summary of what to expect: The story circles around six kids whose parents get together once a year for a charity event. All seems normal until one year, they stumble upon a secret gathering and learn the awful truth – their parents are collectively known as The Pride, a criminal organization comprised of mob bosses, mad scientists, dark wizards, and time travelers. Not only that, but the kids each realize that they’ve gained some of their parents powers, including telepathic links to dinosaurs, mutant strength, and a penchant for futuristic gadgets. The comic debuted in April of 2003 and was created by Brian K. Vaughn and Adrian Alphona.
Rumor has it that NICK AND NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST director Peter Sollett may be tapped to direct but nothing has been confirmed as of yet. As the buzz builds, more concrete news to follow. Stay tuned for more info!
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'Thor' & 'Captain America' 3-D

–Plus New THOR Picture–


The L.A. Times confirmed that Marvel Studios’ THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA will both be released — but NOT shot in 3-D, using the contraversial post-production conversion process.
THOR director Kenneth Branagh justified the descision.
“It’s another draft of the story that can reveal itself in a different way. I had a healthy degree of skepticism up front … I’ve become somebody extremely excited about working with possibilities of doing it this way.”
Also confirmed is that THOR will take place both in Asgard and in a town in New Mexico where Thor (Christopher Hemsworth) will be exiled by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins).
In the photo below are Hemsworth as Thor, Hopkins as Odin, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. None are wearing their iconic helmets, leading me to suspect we might only see those in battle scenes.

L-R Helmsworth, Hopkins, and Hiddleston
L-R Hemsworth, Hopkins, and Hiddleston

THOR is due in theaters May 6th, 2011.
The article also revealed that CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER director Joe Johnston did in fact shoot a day of tests with 3-D camera rigs, only to reject the equipment as too cumberson and limiting in terms of filmmaking.
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige said that the conversion of the films will be pleasing, especially as all the effects were planned for and will be executed in 3-D.

'Spider-Man' Reboot Lead Cast

andrew_garfieldComingSoon.net reports that Andrew Garfield has been cast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Sony/Columbia Pictures’ as-yet-untitled SPIDER-MAN re-boot.

After a comprehensive worldwide casting search, Andrew Garfield has been chosen to portray Peter Parker when Spider-Man swings back onto the screen in 3D on July 3, 2012.
The new film will begin production in early December directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt. Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad will produce the film from Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios.
Today’s confirmation culminates what has been one of the most eagerly anticipated casting announcements in recent memory. Bloggers, pop culture speculators, and everyday fans have pored over and analyzed every conceivable online rumor in an attempt to discover the identity of the next actor to play Peter Parker. Garfield will immediately begin preparing for the coveted role.
On selecting Garfield, director Marc Webb said, “Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”
The selection of Garfield was revealed at a press event in Cancun, Mexico for international journalists attending a media tour promoting upcoming films from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Andrew Garfield has previously appeared in genre titles THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS and NEVER LET ME GO. He won a British BAFTA Award for Best Actor in 2008, for the Channel 4 drama BOY A, playing an American student. Born in Los Angles, he was raised from the age of three in England.

Dominic Cooper Joins 'Captain America'

dominic cooperMarvel.com spread the word that Marvel Studios announced today that Dominic Cooper (WARRIOR QUEEN) has been cast as Howard Stark in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER.
Cooper joins a cast that includes Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Capt. America, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan.

“In the film, Cooper will portray the younger version of Howard Stark, the character which John Slattery portrayed in “Iron Man 2.” Joe Johnston will direct the film penned by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, Nigel Gostelow and Louis D’Esposito will executive produce. The film will be released in the U.S. on July 22, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.”

In the comics, Howard Stark (Tony Stark’s father) was retconned into the Captain America mythos, providing the super soldier’s indestructible shield.
A stage as well as a screen actors, Dominic Cooper was also in THE HISTORY BOYS and MAMA MIA.