Okay, so yeah, no real apes are featured. All you’re really seeing are a bunch of actors in mo-cap suits. But! One of those actors in Andy Serkis, who’ll be reprising his role of Caesar in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. And, he’s on a horse. A what? A HORSE! Guys, we’ve got apes on horses coming our way!

(click it to embiggen)

The image was shared via director Matt Reeves‘ Twitter and as you can signals we’re in for a very different world in Dawn. And it’s also got me wondering, how awkward these apes will appear on horses? Hopefully the animators have a plan to straighten that out.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will star Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo, and Judy Greer.

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.

What has this picture got you thinking? I mean, come on, apes on horses is pretty damn cool.

Source: io9

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It’s sad to realize there are only two more episodes of Doctor Who left this season. I mean, where did the time go!? I feel like we just met Clara, again, and now we’re already to the finale! Ugh, even with a time machine time passes too quickly. Well, prepare yourselves, because we’ve got plenty of news in this edition of Who News! in hopes of alleviating some post-Season 7B depression.

First, what do you think of the new TARDIS? I love the design because I’m a sucker for anything retro and the new console room pays homage to the TARDIS console of old in many ways. In the latest Doctor Who Magazine they shared these wonderful shots of the new console, up close and in detail, revealing each individual panel,

I particularly like how bleak it looks, this is a dark time for The Doctor, and I dig all the Gallifreyan symbols.

Lots more below the cut, including Billie Piper talking – as little as she can – about the 50th anniversary, Neil Gaiman on Clara and her relationship with the TARDIS, and more rumors about John Hurt’s mysterious role in the anniversary special.

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With The Avengers 2 still two years out, rumors of just who’ll be joining the team in the sequel are already everywhere. It’s all but confirmed Scarlet Witch and her twin, Quicksilver are joining The Avengers, with Joss Whedon hinting he was writing a brother-sister team into the script. And while Kevin Feige didn’t confirm that duo would be Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, he didn’t deny anything either.

Now, Super Hero Hype is hearing murmurings Marvel already has an actress in mind for Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. They report,

Although Joss is still writing and probably not ready to send anything out to actors, for the two roles, they’re generally looking for actors in their 20s and we’ve heard word that the “prototype” for their Scarlet Witch is none other than Irish actress Saoirse Ronan. Except something to note is that they’re going “British” for the role rather than trying to have actors playing Eastern Europeans.

Ah yes, the grand Hollywood tradition of casting British actors anytime you need someone foreign. Just look at Sir Ben Kingsley, the man’s made quite the impressive career playing non-whites. Anyway, the mention of Saoirse Ronan is hinting more towards what type of actress they have in mind, rather than seeking her directly.

Still, I like how they’re thinking and I believe an actress like Ronan would be a good choice. Sure, it’d be nice if they actually sought out an Eastern European actress for the role, but I know not to get my hopes up. What do you think of the direction they’re taking with the role?

Source: CBM

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The Venture Bros., Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick‘s completely gonzo cartoon chronicling the adventures of Rusty Venture, former boy adventurer now called Doc, his sons, the boys, Hank and Dean, and their bodyguard, Brock Samson. It’s returning – FINALLY! – for its fifth season on June 2nd on [adult swim] and is supposed to pick up events right after the Season 4 finale.

Don’t remember every crazy thing that happened? Need a refresher? No worries, this video right here will get you up to date with basically everything that’s gone down in the Ventureverse – from The Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend’s duoship to Brock’s new job with S.P.H.I.N.X. to Hank’s first time. So tune, drop out, relive four seasons of The Venture Bros. in only eight minutes,

Calling the complete history of The Venture Bros. complicated is an understatement. Were you to show this video to someone unfamiliar with the series, they’d stare at you like, “In what altered state have you been that you think this not only makes sense, but is entertaining?” Though, were they to totally dig it and want to watch more, you’ll know you’ve met a true friend for life. Venturoos are very devoted fanbase with great attention for detail, as any of my Dragon*Con Venture Party recaps can attest.

The Venture Bros. returns June 2nd on [adult swim] with this season featuring the guest voices of Aziz Ansari, Paget Brewster, Wyatt Cenac, Kevin Conroy, Bill Hader, John Hodgman, Gillian Jacobs, Kate McKinnon, Tim Meadows, J.K. Simmons, and Brendon Small. Holy hell, what an awesome lineup!

Source: io9

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This is it, the final stretch. Only two more episodes to go, and wow!, did “Darkness On The Edge Of Town” really set things in motion for next week’s finale. It’s almost as if this is the episode we’ve all be waiting for because, finally, all of Arrow‘s tangent plot lines are coming together. Things kicked off at breakneck speed with the Dark Archer, Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman) attacking Unidac Industries and killing every scientist who had anything to do with the seismic device “the undertaking” is using to destroy The Glades. And I was immediately struck by how distraught I’ll be when Barrowman’s villain meets his inevitable sticky end.

I’m guessing we’ll see his undoing this season, with Tommy (Colin Donnell) taking his place as head of Merlyn Global and The Hood’s arch-nemesis. I do hope I’m wrong, because bad guy Barrowman is too much fun to give up, but the police drawing a connection between the Dark Archer and Merlyn Global so quickly can’t be good sign. At least there’s plenty of promise Malcolm’s not going down without a fight.

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Last month, while filming was underway on the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special, some rumors began concerning just who John Hurt is playing. This theory about the true nature of his character was first brought to my attention by Bleeding Cool, and while an interesting notion, I basically wrote it off as wild fan speculation. Which I love, don’t get me wrong. Crazy, bonkers theories are my favorites. Especially if they turn out to be true, which, this one just might.

Worried about SPOILERS? You’ve got every reason to be, so if you’d like to know no more, please stop. I won’t be held responsible for ruining what ever  madcap idea Steven Moffat‘s thought up this time.

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This was inevitable. When a major animation house like Disney buys a company like Marvel it was only a matter of time before the two would work together on an animated film featuring Marvel characters. What they’ve chosen, though, wouldn’t have been my first guess. Expected for release on November 7th, 2014 is Big Hero 6, an animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios directed by Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh), who came across the comic by Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Rouleau and pitched the idea to John Lasseter. It’ll follow a, “brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo.” Yes, San Fransokyo, a hybrid city, also a deviation from the original comic which was set in Tokyo.

Hall, speaking with the LA Times, talked about the creative freedom that comes from working with a relatively unknown property,

I was looking for something on the obscure side, something that would mesh well with what we do. The idea of a kid and a robot story with a strong brother element, it’s very Disney… Marvel properties take place in the real world. We were looking for something to do where we could make our own world — bring in the Japanese influences,  have recognizable landmarks mashed up with a Japanese aesthetic.

Here’s a look at those, “recognizable landmarks mashed with a Japanese aesthetic,”

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Surprisingly absolutely no one, Disney has confirmed via a press release that frontrunner Richard Madden will play the prince in their live-action adaptation of Cinderella. He’s joining Lily James as the titular princess, Cate Blanchet as the evil step-mother, and Kenneth Branagh as director. Looking at this talented line-up, I’m quite pleased.

And considering what Madden still has left to endure as Robb Stark in this season of Game of Thrones, getting to be the prince of a peaceful, Disney kingdom will be a well earned vacation. I can’t imagine his choosing to marry Cinderella will cause nearly as many problems as his decision to marry the Lady Talisa, amirite?

Has this casting made you any more excited for Cinderella?

Source: CBM

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A yellow jacket, that is. And the lack of April O’Neil in yellow wasn’t the biggest complaint we heard yesterday when we saw the first images of Megan Fox filming for The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That honor goes to the fact it’s Megan Fox AS April O’Neil, followed by her not being a red head/them choosing not to make her a red head.

What will we find to complain about today? Somehow, I feel confidant just the fact it’s Megan Fox will get most of the ire, but maybe some of you are disappointed they’re going with a jacket over the whole yellow jumpsuit.

Personally, my feelings about Fox being cast as O’Neil aside, the jacket’s a good choice. It’s exactly the kind of nod to her most iconic outfit fans appreciate without having to see a movie where the starring actress is wearing, basically, a hazmat suit.

The film’s logo has also been revealed via a snapshot of one of the one set chairs, and it confirms the title will indeed be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Emphasis on the turtles.

What do you think of the logo? Kind of a generic, reptilian look, isn’t it?

Sources: Nuke the Fridge via CBM, /Film

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Marvel‘s Cinematic Universe is a big hit, yes? Judging by all the box office records broken by The Avengers, now only to be re-broken by Iron Man 3 with its $700 million+ earned so far, it’s safe to say there’s no franchise bigger or more profitable than Marvel’s. And at this point, you have to wonder how much of this franchise’s success is from love of these characters, or was it the performances of Roberty Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth that made Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor mega-stars?

By now, Marvel’s got themselves a reputation of tying actors into long contracts for little pay – obviously, we’re talking comparatively, whatever an actor makes can never really be called “little pay” – which works out great for Disney and Marvel when they’re looking to make at least two or three sequels. Evans’ is current signed into a six-picture deal, after renegotiating down from nine, and Mark Ruffalo is signed on for six, Avengers being his first. And what their paid is a pitiful fraction of their film’s earnings.

Not so for RDJ. He, smartly, had his agents renegotiate his contract after the first Iron Man which is what allowed him to take home over $50 million from The Avengers‘ haul. And he’s doing so again, because officially RDJ doesn’t have to put on the metal suit even if Tony Stark/Iron Man are an integral part of The Avengers 2. So the question is, how much will Marvel have to pony up to re-sign RDJ? And is that an option? I know, I know, it’s unimaginable to think they’d ever recast Tony Stark but if a company believes they can make a good enough product for cheaper, they will. Let us not forget, as Screen Rant rightly reminds us, Terrance Howard was the highest paid actor in Iron Man and look how quickly they recast him once he asked for more money.

Now, yes, Howard is no RDJ, but what of his Avengers‘ co-stars? How will they fare in their contract negotiations? Deadline is reporting they are rallying behind RDJ, who with his success both at the box office and in negotiations, has become something of a leader.

He’s the only guy with real power in this situation. and balls of steel, too. He’s already sent a message that he’s not going to work for a place where they treat his colleagues like shit.

What if RDJ holds off on resigning in order for his fellow Avengers to get better deals? Will Marvel play that game, or will they simply recast and possibly downsize his role? Honestly, I think it’s tough to tell what they’ll do, but I, like many of you, can’t see anyone besides RDJ in the role. And I’d figure Marvel and Disney will be checking these box office figures, collected again by Screen Rant, showing the gross of the Marvel films with and without RDJ,

With.
$585 million - Iron Man
$624 million – Iron Man 2
$1,512 million – The Avengers
$711 million – Iron Man 3 (in less than two weeks)
Without.
$263 million – The Incredible Hulk
$369 million – Captain America: The First Avengers
$449 million – Thor

Soo, where do you think this leaves us? Can Marvel re-assemble The Avengers?

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