From IGN:

Munn an Avenger?

G4 hottie's role in Iron Man 2 revealed...maybe.

by Phil Pirrello

March 5, 2010 - Rumor mill? You better be right about this one. Or else... (shakes fist).

It's been known for quite some time that G4's Olivia Munn has a role in this May's Iron Man 2. And now, FanboyWEB.com is reporting that it knows who the TV personality will play: the Scarlet Witch.

The news comes from the site's source, who is on the set of Thor today, where Stan Lee filmed his traditional Marvel movie cameo. Much speculation has circled the Internet hottie since her casting announcement hit the wire, and Scarlet Witch is an interesting (albeit farfetched) choice.

For those in need of some context, Scarlet Witch (a.k.a.Wanda Maximoff) made her debut in the Silver Age of comics, and was a regular team member of The Avengers -- which blows our minds a bit at the possibility of Munn appearing in an Avengers live action movie.

But until IGN Movies gets 100 percent, Grade-A confirmation on this, that's your cue to take the above with a grain of salt.



Mike
( )

Based on that photo, she'd certainly look good in Wanda's costume!

Exclusive: Edward Norton Addresses the Marvel Issues

Source:superherohype.com

March 13, 2010

A few years ago, actors Edward Norton and Tim Blake Nelson appeared together in Louis Letterier's The Incredible Hulk. Not many people realized that Norton was partially responsible for bringing Nelson on board for the role of Samuel Sterns, as the two had already been working together on a couple of movies, the one that came to fruition being Nelson's original comedy Leaves of Grass in which Norton plays a dual role of two very different identical twins.

Earlier today, ComingSoon.net/SuperHeroHype had a chance to talk with the duo about the movie, and since we hadn't really spoken with Norton for some time--well before he was cast in the Marvel Studios movie--we wanted to ask him about the current status of his relationship with the studio, especially since all their individual movies seem to be building to The Avengers, in which the Hulk is rumored to be one of the villains. For those unaware, Norton had some issues with the final cut of Louis Letterier's movie, which he had co-written, but when asked in the years since then, he has been somewhat dismissive of the idea of returning.

When asked today whether he has had any communication with Marvel since then, Norton's response was cheerfully optimistic about things working themselves out. "Yeah, to some degree, through my agents," he told us, "But there's always been an agenda I think to unspool a lot of the Marvel Universe and then come back... I think they've got a lot of new stuff that they're rolling out and then I think at some point they're going to figure out how they want to get around to 'Avengers.'"

"The main guy I had a beef with there left anyways, as always happens," he admitted. "As David Mamet said, 'Just wait 'em out cause they'll be gone, and you'll still be there.'"

Wise man, that David Mamet.

Look for our full interview with the duo sometime later this month over on ComingSoon.net before Leaves of Grass opens in select cities on April 2.

Mike
()

From IGN:

Norton Says No To Hulk Sequel

And rules out Thor, Captain America cameos.

by Orlando Parfitt, IGN UK

UK, March 15, 2010 - The sequel to The Incredible Hulk is dead, at least for now, according to star Edward Norton.

The actor's been doing interviews at SXSW, and has given some Hulk-related updates to a couple of sites. Firstly, Cinematical asked the actor if he would appear in any further Hulk movies.

"I don't think so," he said. "I think it has got more to do with what Marvel is doing. I get the sense they have this grand vision of unspooling a lot of their characters and then starting to put them together. I think they can only do so many at a time. Obviously, they are doing Iron Man 2 and then getting some of the new ones out."

The actor also told MTV News that he wont be appearing in the likes of Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America, though Banner could potentially be played by someone else.

Norton hasn't ruled out playing the character in The Avengers so far, but he certainly doesn't sound that keen to go green once more anytime soon.

Mike
( )

It could be a case of trying to get more money to play the Hulk again. . .

From IESB:

Louis Leterrier Is A Contender To Direct The Avengers

Written by Jamie Williams Saturday, 20 March 2010 17:55

Louis Leterrier had a taste of the comic-book genre by directing The Incredible Hulk a few years back. Not only did the community of nerds, geeks and fanboys alike embrace what they saw. Apparently Louis liked the finished results too.

In fact, he's let it be known (a couple of times, if I remember correctly) his desire to continue in that direction. A number of tentpoles on his personal wish-list include Superman: The Man of Steel, a Hulk follow-up and even The Avengers.

At the moment, the French helmer is making the rounds pimping Clash of the Titans and the subject of (possible) future superhero outings were bound to come up. Speaking to AICN, he revealed he is in fact on the short-list to direct The Avengers.

We're all curious to hear who these other directors in the running are. Something tells me there are a few left-field choices in the bunch. Remember when Kenneth Branagh was announced to direct Thor? Who the Hell saw that coming?

As for our pal Leterrier, the dude did a genuinely kick-ass job on the Hulk reboot, and I'd be up for a sequel with Edward Norton (in some alternate universe where that stood a chance of happening). He's also kept a good relationship with Marvel since then. So hearing he's up for the job isn’t a surprise.

Mike
( )

From IGN:

Exclusive: Leterrier Talks Avengers

IGN chats with the Clash of the Titans director about the Marvel film.

by Jim Vejvoda

March 22, 2010 - IGN Movies sat down with director Louis Leterrier over the weekend at the press day for his new film, Clash of the Titans, during which time we asked him about the buzz that he's a contender to direct The Avengers. Leterrier is no stranger to Marvel movies, having previously directed The Incredible Hulk for them in 2008. Here's what he had to say:

IGN: Your name's come up a lot in connection with being a possible candidate to direct The Avengers, which Marvel has said they hope to begin shooting by early next year. But you've said that you've already planned a Clash of the Titans trilogy. Would you be willing to put that on hold to do Avengers if it were offered to you?

Louis Leterrier: First of all, look, I wrote the trilogy because I was passionate about it. Not because we have to do it, even if the first one doesn't work we got to keep going. No, I wrote it because I loved it and I had to put it on the page. Just like you write the character's bio for the actor, you know? You never hear about it in the movie, but it helps them. What helps me was to know where we're going afterward because I want the big picture. An hour and a half is always too short for me. I wanted a big, big canvas -- the before and the after -- and I have done that.

Now for The Avengers it depends. I mean, I think Iron Man 2 is going to kill. I think it's going to be amazing. Thor, Kenneth Branagh is an amazing director so it can only be good. I saw some concept art of Captain America two years ago and I was like, 'Wow!' It was amazing. I never thought, me a French guy, it would be a rah-rah patriotic thing and I never would like Captain America, but this was fantastic. Now I absolutely love Captain America. So it makes sense that they'd start Avengers [soon]. I would love to do it. I'm passionate about it.

IGN: So they have actually talked to you about this?

Leterrier: Yeah, we've talked about it, but I know who I am. If Jon Favreau wanted to direct Avengers, go for it, you know? I'm a little fish in a big pond. I really am.

IGN: That's very humble of you, but this [Clash] is going to be a huge hit.

Leterrier: No, no, but really I am a very little fish where I come in and say, 'Hey, guys. I'd love to do it.' Go around the world. Ask Scorsese if he wants to do it. I know who I am. Most importantly, I'm a fan and I direct movies that I want to see and I direct movies with my heart, with my gut. Not with my brain as in I direct Clash because I want to get to Avengers because I want to get to this. There are a lot of directors who do that. That's not a good process. I go from one movie to the next to the next to the next. Loved with a passion The Incredible Hulk. Convinced these guys that me, a little French guy who directed these silly karate movies in France, was the guy who could do it. Same thing for here [Titans]. "Guys, I've never done a period piece. I've never done a wig in a movie. I've only done two CG creatures. Please give me Clash of the Titans. I'm the right guy to do this." I convinced them.

Same thing here [with Avengers]. I told them all the time, I'm bugging them, but now I'm thinking you choose. The only thing I can say is watch Clash of the Titans and you'll see how much I've grown as a director from my Transporter work to Hulk to this. I'm slowly getting there, you know. Slowly. But again I know who I am. You say Jon Favreau, everyone knows who that is. You say Louis Leterrier it's like, "What the hell? Who is this guy?" I know who I am.

IGN: Well, Favreau's directing Cowboys & Aliens next so he can't direct Avengers.

Leterrier: Which is great and that's a great project. What else I feel great about is that Favreau is producing Avengers so it's part of the same family. We had a great time on Hulk and he was doing Iron Man. If we were to do Avengers together I think this combination we have, this shorthand, it's there. It's immediate. I love Marvel. They're great guys.

IGN: I'm sure they'll be calling you the Monday after this movie opens.

Mike
( )

Chris Hemsworth on Chris Evans and The Avengers

Source: superherohype.com

March 30, 2010

MTV caught up with Thor star Chris Hemsworth and asked him his thoughts about the casting of Chris Evans as Captain America. In the interview, he also mentions that The Avengers should start filming next January or February. You can watch the interview here!

Mike
( )

From IGN:

Whedon Directs Avengers?

Is the Buffy and Firefly creator finally going to make a superhero movie?

by Scott Collura

April 1, 2010 - Is Joss Whedon the man to bring The Avengers to the big screen? That's the word on the street today -- and this is not an April Fool's Day joke according to the site that's reporting it, so let's go with it...

According to IESB's sources, Whedon -- the man behind the beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly TV series, of course -- is on Marvel's the short list for helmers they want to bring the team-up of Cap, Thor, Iron Man and the rest to the multiplex.

Whedon isn't new to the realm of superheroes. He toiled on Warner Bros.' Wonder Woman movie, scripting it for what was meant to be a directing gig as well, only to come to loggerheads with producer Joel Silver over the direction of the project. The two eventually went their separate ways. And he's also written for Marvel Comics, including an acclaimed run on Astonishing X-Men and work on Runaways.

IESB says that this info comes from the same insider who tipped them off regarding the problems with Spider-Man 4 back in December, and we all know how that turned out. So this could be the real deal.

Of course, having said that, you can be sure that the people at Marvel have a load of names on their short list at this early stage -- every interesting, genre-friendly director in town, probably. So is it a stretch to say Whedon is one of them? Not at all.

Whedon is currently at work on Cabin in the Woods, which stars Chris Hemsworth -- a.k.a. Thor, so there's also that connection. And IESB also adds that Clash of the Titans and The Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier, who has been talking up his interest in Avengers recently, is unlikely to get the job.

What do you guys think? Is Whedon the man who could do The Avengers right? Comment below…

Mike
( )

Whedon on the Short List for The Avengers?

Source: superherohype.com

April 2, 2010

IESB reported on April 1st that Joss Whedon had joined Louis Leterrier on the short list of directors that Marvel Studios' is looking at for The Avengers. And you know what? The Los Angeles Times got the news confirmed.

"After some checking, insiders at Marvel Studios say no director has been signed yet but that Whedon was on the short-list and conversations took place," they say. Of course there are probably other directors on that list as well, so we'll have to wait and see which way they go.

The Los Angeles Times also learned that Emily Blunt was made an offer but passed on playing Peggy Carter alongside Chris Evans in The First Avenger: Captain America. The other actresses on that short list? Keira Knightley and Alice Eve.

Mike
( )

Joss Whedon to Direct The Avengers

Source: superherohype.com

April 13, 2010

Deadline New York reports that Marvel Studios is moving ahead with Joss Whedon as director of The Avengers. The site says he is now in final negotiations to helm the action adventure scheduled for a May 4, 2012 release.

The film would feature many of the lead actors involved in Marvel Studios adaptations right now, including Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man" films), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and more.

Paramount Pictures will distribute the film.

Whedon's credits include "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Firefly," "Angel," Serenity, "Dollhouse" and upcoming The Cabin in the Woods.

Mike
( )

I think it's a brilliant choice.

Dr. Horrible was awesome on a shoe string budget and hit all the tropes of the superhero genre. Avengers is in good hands.

From IGN:

Sam's Fury-ous Future

Jackson on his Marvel movie plans.

by Jim Vejvoda

April 20, 2010 - "The Avengers is my own starring vehicle for that character, pretty much," Samuel L. Jackson recently declared about his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury in Marvel's upcoming movies.

Sci Fi Wire attended a roundtable interview this week with Jackson, during which time the actor addressed his future as the Marvel movie universe's top spy. "I got started on it when I did the end of Iron Man 1," he recalled. "My foot was on the path. Now my foot's a little deeper on the path because we've got Iron Man 2. I'm not in Thor. Supposed to do Captain America this summer in London."

Jackson didn't know why he's not appearing in Thor; Marvel's own official Thor movie mini-site still lists him as a cast member in it.

Jackson revealed that he's supposed to start filming Avengers next February.

Iron Man 2 opens May 7

From IGN:

Olivia Munn's Iron Man 2 Role Revealed

The truth about who she plays in the highly anticipated sequel.

by IGN Staff

April 27, 2010 - Speculation has raged online for months now over who G4 host Olivia Munn plays in Iron Man 2. Now that we've seen the film, we can set the record straight, once and for all. We'd label this report a spoiler, but you can't spoil what was never true to begin with. So here goes:

Rumor had it that Munn would be appearing as one of the Avengers, namely as either Scarlet Witch or Wasp. Alas, Munn is not an Avenger in Iron Man 2.

As with L.A. industry notables TV/film reporter Zorianna Kit and news anchor Hal Fishman in Spider-Man 3, Munn appears in the film as ... wait for it ... a TV personality. She plays an on-air correspondent reporting from an event that Tony Stark attends. It's the same event that Stan Lee's "Larry King" is at. This contradicts what Munn tweeted last summer, but she later revealed that her original role had been re-conceived and re-shot. Munn isn't the only TV personality to appear in the film; two major TV news icons play themselves in it.

There are a few Avengers references, some more obvious than others, in Iron Man 2, but a miniaturized Olivia Munn buzzing around Shellhead isn't one of them.

Captain America and The Avengers to be Shot in 3D?

by SuperHeroHype

May 10th, 2010

Thor would have to be converted after filming

The Los Angeles Times talked with Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige about possibly releasing Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers in 3D. Here's an excerpt:

With three Marvel movies in the works over the next two years, however, Feige hinted that 3-D may be in the cards for some or all of them.

"The team has been doing a lot of research into 3-D processes, and we're looking at it on future films when we have the time," he said. "We will be doing it at some point."

"Thor" is already in production, meaning it would have to be converted into 3-D in post, but "First Avenger: Captain America" and "The Avengers" could potentially be filmed with 3-D cameras.

You can check out the full article here.