Quick Takes: Bond, Apes, Poltergeist

Skyfall set photo courtesy Empire
Skyfall set photo courtesy Empire

Sam Mendes will not return to direct the next James Bond film. (Sigh)

“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” the director told Empire. “Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond.”

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Keri Russell will play the female lead in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes according to the Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision. Russell will join Jason Clarke and Kodi-Smit McPhee on the sequel directed by Matt Reeves. Andy Serkis reprises his role as Caesar. (Russell has been kicking butt on The Americans and in Dark Skies.)

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“They’re back!” Gil Kenan (Monster House, City of Ember) will direct a remake of Poltergeist according to Deadline. Sam Raimi is producing the MGM remake of the horror classic by Tobe Hooper. (The original freaked me out as a kid!)

By Editor

Anne Hathaway Would Have Been Black Cat in Spidey 4

Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #2 courtesy Marvel.com

Speculation is fun but sometimes Hollywood confessions make you ponder what might have been. Case in point: Imagine Anne Hathaway as Felicia Hardy aka Black Cat! Director Sam Raimi tells Vulture he wanted the now Oscar winner to play the femme fatale in Spider-Man 4 and about how his fourth Spidey film didn’t happen.

“It really was the most amicable and undramatic of breakups: It was simply that we had a deadline and I couldn’t get the story to work on a level that I wanted it to work. I was very unhappy with Spider-Man 3, and I wanted to make Spider-Man 4 to end on a very high note, the best Spider-Man of them all. But I couldn’t get the script together in time, due to my own failings, and I said to Sony, “I don’t want to make a movie Continue reading Anne Hathaway Would Have Been Black Cat in Spidey 4

IRON MAN On Trial In Space

Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel
Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel

Tony Stark faces the Mandarin in Iron Man 3 this May but right now in the comic books the Armored Avenger is deep trouble in deep space.

Godkiller continues this week in Iron Man #7! Tony Stark invented a weapon to contain the Phoenix Force in Avengers vs. X-Men. We know how that turned out! Will Tony pay the ultimate price for this cosmic crime? Kieron Gillen’s new arc introduces a new alien race that are related to the Shi’ar. While the Shi’ar Empire wanted to wipe out the threat of the Phoenix the Shi’ard worshiped it.

 

Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel
Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel

Marvel shared an ominous preview of next month’s Iron Man #7 by Kieron Gillen and Greg Land. Tony is accused of killing the Shi’ard’s God and only an alien machine could save him.

Continue reading IRON MAN On Trial In Space

Halle Berry Back as Storm in X-MEN:DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

Halle Berry as Storm in X-Men: The Last Stand courtesy Marvel
Halle Berry as Storm in X-Men: The Last Stand courtesy Marvel

Oscar winner Halle Berry will reprise her role as weather manipulating mutant Storm in X-Men: Days of Future Past. This was first reported by Deadline and then confirmed by director Bryan Singer via Twitter.

The new film will unite the cast of the original trilogy with the cast of X-Men: First Class. The story is based Continue reading Halle Berry Back as Storm in X-MEN:DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED

Superman Unchained #1 courtesy DC Comics
Superman Unchained #1 courtesy DC Comics

DC Comics recruited superstars Scott Snyder (Batman) and Jim Lee for a brand new Superman book for the icon’s 75th Anniversary. DC revealed the book will be called Superman Unchained and debut this June the same month as the new Man of Steel movie and a new Batman/Superman book by Greg Pak and Jae Lee.

Superman Unchained hits June 12th.

By Editor

THANOS RISING Preview!

Thanos Rising #1 courtesy Marvel
Thanos Rising #1 courtesy Marvel

One of Marvel’s biggest bad guys got a cameo in the finale of The Avengers movie but he’s the star of a major comic book event this year. When Thanos was revealed and he gave that evil smirk the audience either exclaimed “who’s that?” or “oh —-!”

Thanos Rising #1 courtesy Marvel
Thanos Rising #1 courtesy Marvel

The big purple bad guy is one of the greatest villains ever created. Thanos wiped out Continue reading THANOS RISING Preview!

Omar Sy Joins X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

X-Men #142 courtesy Marvel
X-Men #142 courtesy Marvel

Director Bryan Singer revealed via Twitter that The Intouchables star Omar Sy has joined the cast of X-Men: Day of Future Past.

No word on Sy’s role and I’m scratching my head about which character Sy could portray! (Nimrod the Super Sentinel?)

The French actor and Peter Dinklage (who plays the villain) are the new actors joining the X-Men family. Casts of the first trilogy and X-Men: First Class will star in the film based on the classic story by Chris Claremont. (I met him this weekend at Emerald City Comicon!)

By Editor

Emerald City Comicon Day Three

Emerald City Comicon photo by ComicsBlend.com
Emerald City Comicon photo by ComicsBlend.com

Emerald City Comicon saved the biggest and best for the grand finale! Sir Patrick Stewart was welcomed by a packed house to share memories in the final hour of the eleventh annual event. The man who played Captain Picard shared insights into his stellar career including Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Men, Excalibur, Dune, Family Guy and Shakespeare! What a resume! We cheered and laughed and then marveled when Stewart confirmed he will be reprising his role as Professor Xavier in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Sir Patrick Stewart at Emerald City Comicon photo by Josh Lewis courtesy KOMONEWS.COM
Sir Patrick Stewart at Emerald City Comicon photo by Josh Lewis courtesy KOMONEWS.COM

Chris Claremont penned the classic story that’s the basis for the next film. The longtime X-Men writer was among the legendary creators that inspired long lines of eager fans. I’m thrilled to share I now have Avengers Annual #10 (first appearance of future X-Man Rogue) signed by Claremont and Michael Golden!

Emerald City Comicon photo by ComicsBlend.com
Emerald City Comicon photo by ComicsBlend.com

Dirk Benedict made the crowd howl with stories from his time on Battlestar Galactica and The A-Team, Danai Gurira was spotlighted in her second panel of the weekend talking The Walking Dead and her breakthrough role as Michonne. A fan of the katana wielding zombie killer dressed up as Michonne and had two friends as zombies to recreate the iconic entrance of the character to the series.

Boom Studios, DC, Dark Horse, Image and Marvel hosted panels giving previews of upcoming stories and giving fans a chance to ask burning questions. After three days the energy starts to fade but then you see a spirited cosplayer (sometimes an entire family in costume) or get face to face with your favorite creator or star and you’re just as excited as the first moment you entered the show floor!

As we say celebrate the eleventh and biggest Emerald City Comicon yet let’s take a look Continue reading Emerald City Comicon Day Three