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?

No Comments

Did y’all catch the teaser trailer for Thor 2: The Dark World, which hit this morning (you can check it out HERE)? I dunno about you, but,  it took me by surprise. Coming off the first flick, being as adequate as it was, I didn’t expect much for the sequel. This time around, however, things appear be on a much grander scale. More risk, more at stake, and a hell of a lot more epic. Bottom line: it doesn’t look as cheesy as the first, it actually seems like it’s taking itself seriously. Heck, even the posters for Thor 2 are looking pretty slick…

The talented and legendary Olly Moss has created cast and crew posters for TTDW focusing on Loki, Odin and Heimdall. Check em’ out above and below. If you look closely, the ray from the bifrost bridge and the sky combine to form Thor’s Mjolnir.

And Olly’s payment for the work? One of the Mjolnir hammers used in the film.

Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World,” in theaters November 8, 2013, continues the big screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

No Comments

Chris Hemsworth sat down with USA Today and discussed his upcoming role in the sequel Thor: The Dark World as the Asgardian Master of Thunder. The first Thor movie left off with Thor leaving Earth and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) behind. Although Tony Stark’s girlfriend Pepper got some loving and screen time in The Avengers, Jane Foster was curiously absent, not even an offhand mention. Hemsworth says:

“Thor still has lot of explaining to do, and a lot of making up, Even demigods end up in the doghouse, mate. So none of us is safe.”

In Thor: The Dark World, Thor is forced to take Foster to Asgard for her own protection. Kevin Feige said:

“So while Thor was a fish out of water on Earth in the first two films (Thor and The Avengers), this time Jane is very much a fish out of water in Asgard.” says Feige.

“She pulls the look off,” says Hemsworth, “as you’d expect from Natalie Portman.”

“It’s superhero action, but it’s the familiar territory of a love triangle where the parents think your girlfriend is wrong for you,” says Feige. “That’s how the best of these movies work.”

I can’t wait to find out how Game of Thrones alum director Alan Taylor takes on the task of showing us the daily troubles of Asgard and her people. The sets and locations we’re going to see this time should give fans a new look at the worlds Thor lives in.

What do you think?

Via: Bleedingcool

Comments (2)

News from the production of director Alan Taylor‘s Thor: The Dark World went kinda gone “dark” lately compared to many other Marvel movies, but today we’ve got a new movie poster for the Thunder God’s sequel. This poster is all Thor, hopefully we’ll get some more teasers as we gear up for next week’s release of the movie’s first trailer on April 23rd.

Chris Hemsworth has really grown into this role, just look at him. He is everything the classic comic book Thor should look like. I’m really hoping we see Thor really let loose his full powers in this movie. This movie shows us what Thor is up to after The Avengers.

Thor: The Dark World also stars Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, the film is set for release on November 8, 2013.

Via: Comingsoon

No Comments

The Avengers may have been the biggest movie of 2012 at the box office, but when it came to Oscar love it got a total of one nomination for Best Visual Effects. Now giving The Avengers recognition in this category is a bit like saying apple pie is the best tasting apple-flavored dessert, but for a consolation prize, the Oscars are giving what fans really want: a reunion of the Avengers themselves.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this morning that several, though sadly not all, of the main Avengers cast will take part in an awards presentation at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony on February 24. Sadly, it seems as though Black Widow and Thor – or at least their portrayers Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth – are unavailable, but this is honestly the closest thing we’ll get to a sequel till 2015.

The Avengers men. In formal wear. Handing out awards. To other people. I can picture it now.

Here’s the press release from the AMPAS:

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – “Marvel’s The Avengers” cast mates Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo will present together on the Oscar stage, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

“We are happy to re-unite the ‘Avengers’ cast to present on our show,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “Audiences who enjoyed the year’s biggest box office hit will be excited to see these terrific actors back together again.”

Downey has twice been nominated for an Oscar, for his leading role in “Chaplin” (1992) and for his supporting role in “Tropic Thunder” (2008).

Evans, who will be making his first Oscar show appearance, will be seen in the upcoming “The Iceman.”

Jackson was nominated in 1994 for his supporting role in “Pulp Fiction.” He can also be seen in this year’s Best Picture nominee “Django Unchained.”

Renner was nominated for his leading role in 2009 Best Picture winner “The Hurt Locker” and for his supporting role in “The Town” (2010). Renner had roles in this year’s “The Bourne Legacy” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” (2011).

Ruffalo received his first nomination for his supporting role in 2010 Best Picture nominee “The Kids Are All Right.”

Oscars® for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Source: Coming Soon

No Comments

Empire Magazine‘s latest issue is out in France and there’s some new production stills from some of the most anticipated movies of 2013 inside. We however have decided to bring you these scans instead, because that’s all anyone can get a hold of at the moment.

First up is  Zack Snyder‘s Man Of Steel, which graces the cover and two stills below. I have to admit that the new super suit is starting to grow on me. Henry Cavill looks pretty bad ass in the picture above.

We get a nice look at Russell Crowe as Superman’s biological father Jor-El in what looks like some kind of galactic conference room, perhaps they are discussing the fate of Michael Shannon as General Zod pictured below.

Next we move on to Mark Millar and Johnny Romita Jr‘s Kick Ass 2. Here’s a scan of Col Stars and Stripes (Jim Carey) and Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) giving each other some superhero love in a manly, chest beating manner.

The next scan is Chloe Grace Moretz as Hit-Girl. Too bad the scan cut out the text beside it.

The Wolverine, directed by James Mangold and starring Hugh Jackman is looking good. Until we get that first trailer though we’re going to have to settle for the few production stills that are trickling out. Check out Logan all dressed up and ready to party. I did a double take when I saw he was wearing a tie. I can’t imagine Wolverine wearing a tie and really can’t remember a time in the comics where he did. Can any of you?

Next we get “Stomping mad” Logan, doesn’t he look pissed below? I wouldn’t want to be the one he’s walking toward with that look on his face. I’d most likely lose all control of my bowels.

Last, but not least is a scan of Thor: The Dark World. There’s not much to see, but we do get a nice look at Chris Hemsworth in full Thor costume.

Via: Bleedingcool

Comments (2)

It’s a good day for Steven Spielberg as his latest film, Lincoln, received 12 Academy Award nominations this morning. On the other hand, Spielberg’s encountered some drama on getting his next film project, Robopocalypse, off the ground. The film was already been delayed once, but it seems that script difficulties have stymied any potential progress on what might be Spielberg’s first foray into sci-fi since 2005′s War of the Worlds.

Here’s Spielberg’s statement to The Hollywood Reporter:

[The project is] too important and the script is not ready, and it’s too expensive to produce. It’s back to the drawing board to see what is possible.

Robopocalypse, based on the book by Daniel H. Wilson, is a pretty hot property. Chris Hemsworth, Anne Hathaway and Ben Whishaw were already attached to star, and The Cabin in the Woods filmmaker Drew Goddard’s been working on the script.

Although it’s disconcerting, it’s still possible that we might see Robopocalypse in the near future. After all, it did take about ten years to get Lincoln in front of the cameras, so we might see it sometime sooner or later. In the meantime, I guess you can read the book.

Plot Synopsis:

Not far into our future, the dazzling technology that runs our world turns against us. Controlled by a childlike—yet massively powerful—artificial intelligence known as Archos, the global network of machines on which our world has grown dependent suddenly becomes an implacable, deadly foe. At Zero Hour—the moment the robots attack—the human race is almost annihilated, but as its scattered remnants regroup, humanity for the first time unites in a determined effort to fight back. This is the oral history of that conflict, told by an international cast of survivors who experienced this long and bloody confrontation with the machines. Brilliantly conceived and amazingly detailed, Robopocalypse is an action-packed epic with chilling implications about the real technology that surrounds us.

Source: /Film

No Comments

Filming on a university campus these days pretty much insures that some cell phone video of the production is going to be put on the Internet. It’s what the young people do with their spare time these days. So it should be no surprise that some of the best pictures and video we’ve seen of Thor: The Dark World are coming from students attending classes at University of Greenwich/Old Royal Naval College.

It’s a beautiful campus with a rich history worth checking out, but let’s get back to the videos. This must be the big battle scene between Chris Hemsworth‘s Thor and Christopher Eccleston‘s Malekith, the evil elf guy. The first one is interesting in how the scene is blocked out and how the actors move to allow the camera to get each shot required.

The second video is one of those “OH yeah” moments. Really, who doesn’t like wires and cranes?

Thor: The Dark World hits theater screens on November 8th, 2013.

Via: Comicbookmovie

No Comments

With the stage now set and almost half a dozen movies on the way, Marvel Studios seems to have firm grasp on where their cinematic universe is headed. The sheer weight of planning all those Stan Lee cameos alone must tie up a lot of resources. Over the next few months we are sure to get hints and teasers of what is to come, in fact over the next few paragraphs we get that.

Next up for the Marvel Universe it’s Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013); Thor: The Dark World (Nov. 8, 2013) and after the jump we have Marvel movie head honcho Kevin Feige talking about Tony Stark’s third outing and a few words Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston talk about what is in store for the Asgardian step-brothers. But first, a fresh scan from the latest Empire Magazine.

(more…)

No Comments

There’s more news from the set of Thor: The Dark World. Natalie Portman was spotted on set with Chris Hemsworth. There was lots of running around amidst wreckage for the two. Thanks to @DonnyJonny for the pictures, apparently the University he attends is shut down for the day due to filming.

There’s also an interesting tweet from a MrGreenwich that hints at Stan Lee‘s cameo for the movie. If you don’t want to know anything about it, just check out the pictures below and don’t click through the jump.

You’ve been warned.

No Comments