Mark Ruffalo (or whatever his name is) better kick some serious ass as Bruce Banner. I really, really liked Ed Norton in that role. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to have so much turnover in the same role.

I've always liked Mark Ruffalo. Check him out in "Zodiac" and "Collateral." I think you'd be pleased.

And I think CG Mark will be doing all of the ass kicking.

Thanks Unc. I'll give those a look.

Mark Ruffalo to Actually Play The Hulk

by SuperHeroHype

Sep 24th, 2010

Will do the performance capture for the character

We all know that Mark Ruffalo landed the part of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in Marvel Studios' upcoming The Avengers. What we didn't know is that he'll actually do the motion capture for the Green Goliath!

He told Vulture: "I'm really excited. No one's ever played the Hulk exactly, they've always done CGI... They're going to do the Avatar stop-action, stop-motion capture. So I'll actually play the Hulk. That'll be fun."

Ruffalo added that he's going more for Bill Bixby's Banner: "I really love the first TV version of it, the Bill Bixby one... I'm gonna shoot for that a little bit. He was an everyman in it. He's always on the run and trying to find love. It's really a sympathetic character, before he turns into the Hulk and f*cks everything up."

The Avengers is scheduled for a May 4, 2012 release.

Whedon on Bringing The Avengers to the Big Screen

by SuperHeroHype

Sep 27th, 2010

"We're talking about really exciting people"

SFX magazine talked to Joss Whedon for their "SFX Worlds of Whedon" special about bringing The Avengers to the big screen. Here's a clip from the interview:

"What I will struggle with, in the outline and throughout, is that I would like to put these actors in a room and just make Glengarry Glen Ross," he laughs. "We’re talking about really exciting people and at the same time I have to keep the momentum of the thing going. I can’t let it turn into a lull fest. Knowing that I have enough time to do both of those things – that by the end of the movie you will feel ‘in’ with these guys – is the trick. It’s not an easy one but one that Marvel absolutely honours. They don’t hire Mark Ruffalo [the new Hulk] to say one iconic line and strike a pose. They hire him because he has so much humanity in him. He’s the antithesis of the iconic actor. He’s so human. He was my first choice to play the part, and the fact he is playing the part is nuts! They went to great lengths to make that happen and they understood exactly why he was right for the part."

You can read more of the interview by clicking here!

If Whedon can find a way to manage the intricate balance of character development, humanity, a great story and high octane action, with a cast this size, then he is the man. This will be no small task.

I'm hoping it will be EPIC, especially since we don't need to waste time exploring the origins of the characters. That's what the other movies are for. This should be a balls to the wall action movie, with decent character interaction between the Thor, Cap, and Iron Man actors.

I bet they pretty much follow the template of the first arc of Ultimates (hopefully with less wife abuse ).

They may touch on the abuse stuff some. Man, I used to feel sorry for Janet.

Get Ready for "Avengers Assemble"

by SuperHeroHype

Oct 4th, 2010

The branding will be everywhere soon

In an article at Advertising Age, Marvel Entertainment's Paul Gitter says the "Avengers Assemble" branding will be everywhere soon to promote Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers.

"You're going to see 'Avengers Assemble' logos and icons take more prominent positions," said Paul Gitter, president-consumer products for Marvel Entertainment. "On a lot of the packaging you're going to see everywhere, Marvel does tie back into 'The Avengers,' and the umbrella platform we have set up."

Among the goods set to roll out are a full line of action figures, vehicles and role-playing items from toy maker Hasbro; arts and crafts products from Crayola; die-cast toy vehicles and play sets from Maisto; and footwear from Brown Shoe. Additional licensees include Fruit of the Loom, Kids Headquarters, AME and Jem Sportswear.

The article adds this interesting bit as well:

Whatever Marvel learns in its efforts, expect to see lessons learned applied well beyond the release of "The Avengers" film, said Mr. Gitter. He alluded to a plan in development pegged to 2017, but declined to offer details. As they say in the comics, to be continued.

Ruffalo and Elba on Their Marvel Studios Deals

by SuperHeroHype

Oct 5th, 2010

A new Hulk movie, more Avengers, Blade and Luke Cage?

Mark Ruffalo told Empire magazine that you will possibly see him as The Hulk again after The Avengers hits theaters.

"They set up several pictures over a couple of years and possibly there will be a Hulk movie. There'll probably be a couple more Avengers too, which would be fun."

Idris Elba, who stars as Heimdall in Kenneth Branagh's Thor, also talked a more with Total Film about his deal with Marvel Studios.

'I wouldn't mind having a crack at bringing Blade back, personally' He says with a wry smile, echoed with a laugh from his manager.

'But erm, there's a couple of things there that they have... Luke Cage is... very interesting.'

For more from both interviews, hit the links above!

I think Blade has run it's course. They were a great movies for their time (I still watch them to this day), but I'd much rather Marvel Entertainment focus their energy on other projects like, Moon Knight, Alpha Flight (that's probably a pipe dream), Dr Strange, Black Panther (my first choice), Iron Fist and Luke Cage.

I agree. We don't need another Blade movie.

The Avengers Heads to New York

by SuperHeroHype

Oct 7th, 2010

Marvel's superhero ensemble will film at Grumman Studios

The Avengers has already found a location to begin set building at Bethpage's Grumman Studios, according to a report at Long Island Business News.

The shoot, described as "huge" by Grumman Studios President Parviz Farahzad, will make use of all seven buildings on the studio lot, most recently home to Salt's studio production.

Earlier reports had indicated that parts of the shoot would take place in Los Angeles, and it is possible that production could be split between the two coasts.

Set construction is said to begin next month for the Joss Whedon-helmed superhero picture which is already set to star Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Ruffalo.

The Avengers is planned for release on May 4, 2012.

From IGN:

V/Firefly's Baccarin Addresses Avengers Rumor

Will Joss cast Inara as his Janet van Dyne?

October 15, 2010

by Matt Fowler

While speaking to AccessHollywood, V and Firefly's gorgeous Morena Baccarin responded to the rumors (seen shopping for Avengers back-issues at comic shop) that her one time guru, Joss Whedon, might cast her as Janet van Dyne, a.k.a. The Wasp in his upcoming Avengers movie.

"I wish I had more information for you," Baccarin admitted. "All I will say is I will never turn down an opportunity to work with him. He's one of my favorite people in the world."

So this wasn't a confirmation or denial, but you have to admit she looks the part, dammit! Let's hope that Joss goes to the bountiful actor well here and casts some of his former favorites.

She looks just like Janet! She's also a pretty good actress. I think Baccarin would be an excellent choice.