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On the set of Captain America: Civil War (aka Avengers 2.5 basically), which is now filming in Germany, an intrepid photographer got the first live-action shot of the Black Panther costume that the public has seen thus far. The below photo is clearly a stuntman, but it at least gives you an idea of what […]

I was tempted to not write anything today, for fear that no one would actually believe it given the date on the calendar, but a few things of note did cross our attention on a slower than usual Wednesday:

– In Age of Ultron‘s worst kept secret, Andy Serkis has indeed confirmed that he will be playing long-time Black Panther nemesis Ulysses Klaw in the blockbuster sequel opening in 30 days…but don’t take it from me, you can hear the man himself say it at around the 4 minute mark in this video:

– In slightly more left of center news regarding that same film, Devin at Badass Digest has uncovered that Julie Delpy (Before Midnight) and Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks, Mad Men) are on tap for roles in Marvel’s biggest film of the year. They discovered this via a tip-sheet from Marvel announcing the World Premiere on April 13th:

Given that they’re on the back end of the cast list, it’s pretty unlikely that either is playing anything major, but you never know. As a huge fan of both actresses, I would not turn down either doing anything of significance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But, I won’t get my hopes up for Cardellini as Carol Danvers either.

– For those folks that are excited about the sequel to the Michael Bay produced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you’ll be excited to note that they’ve found their Casey Jones in Arrow‘s Stephen Amell. He marks only the second live action appearance for the character (originally played by Elias Koteas), though interestingly, TMNT‘s animated version was voiced by Chris Evans.

– In a super-fun JoBlo video, Ryan Reynolds has confirmed that Deadpool will be rated “R”, you gotta check this out:

– And one more quick video, Charlie Cox, who you’ll see prancing around rooftops in a week and a half on Netflix as Daredevil, stopped by The Late Show with David Letterman to talk about the new Netflix series (that’s getting early rave reviews by the way) and food poisoning:

We haven’t even gotten to Marvel’s latest big event picture, but Marvel is already getting their house in order for the next one.

While we knew for certain that Joss Whedon was bowing out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Age of Ultron, we only had rumors to go on regarding his successor(s). Now, according to Devin over at Badass Digest, Captain America: The Winter Soldier directors Joe and Anthony Russo have closed a deal that will see them go behind the camera for both parts of Avengers: Infinity War, as had been rumored for some time.

The report also states that Marvel is looking to enlist Captain America screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (the duo that was also behind Agent Carter) to script both parts of the Avengers three-quel.

It looks pretty likely that Captain America: Civil War, which has been bantied about the studio as “Avengers 2.5″ will be the key lead-in to Infinity War and the one can’t miss film of Marvel’s Phase 3.

Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2 will be shot back to back in 2016 and 2017, with an anticipated May 2018 and 2019 release respectively.

Thanks to the film’s official Facebook page, here’s a look at the new poster for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

I admire the talent of the designer that was able to get all ten Avengers in there, including Paul Bettany‘s Vision up top.

That first Infinity War poster will look like a Where’s Wally/Waldo? book if this keeps up!

Fans have clamored for years for Spider-Man to return to the Marvel fold, especially after The Amazing Spider-Man series began to crash and burn for Sony by its second entry. And now, your wishes have come true.

A new Spider-Man is debuting, and it’ll be in a Marvel Studios picture per The Hollywood Reporter.

I’ll let that settle in for a second.

The terms of the deal are that a new, rebooted Spider-Man (that won’t be Andrew Garfield) will debut in an unnamed Marvel Studios picture, believed to be Captain America: Civil War. In turn, Marvel head-honcho Kevin Feige will team up with Sony’s Amy Pascal to produce a new Spider-Man film for Sony and provide a new direction for everyone’s favorite web-slinger. This new film will debut on July 28, 2017.

Here’s Feige on the new deal:

Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years.

Tellingly, long-time Spider-Man producer Avi Arad‘s name is nowhere to be seen.

Also, due to the new Spider-Man film date taking the slot that Thor: Ragnarok was slotted in for, Marvel’s Phase 3 line-up shifts a bit with the new schedule as follows:

Thor: Ragnarok – Nov 3, 2017

Black Panther – July 6, 2018

Captain Marvel – Nov 2, 2018

Inhumans – July 12, 2019

It’s time to get those fantasy casting lists for Spidey together, Marvel Studios just got its biggest name back.

It’s finally here. We now have our first look at the ultra-secretive Fantastic Four reboot, and as promised, there’s a good deal of Cronenberg and a sense of scientific discovery in the scenes presented.

We don’t really get a great look at the team members utilizing their powers beyond a few brief glimpses, but perhaps that’s for the next trailer.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Fantastic Four, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.

Does this assuage your fears regarding the movie? Is the tone too dour?

Fantastic Four, which stars Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Toby Kebbell, will be released on August 7th.

For a few months now, rumors have floated around that Avengers: Age of Ultron would be Joss Whedon‘s final bow with the franchise. Said rumors were quickly followed with reports that Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) would step up to direct Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2 for a 2018 and 2019 release respectively.

While there hasn’t been official confirmation from either party, Whedon recently spoke to Empire (quotes via CBM) about his future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe:

I couldn’t imagine doing this again.  It’s enormously hard, and it’ll be, by then, a good five years since I created anything that was completely my own.  So it’s very doubtful that I would take on the two-part Infinity War movie that would eat up the next four years of my life.  I obviously still want to be a part of the Marvel Universe – I love these guys – but it ain’t easy.  This year has been more like running three shows than any year of my life.  It is bonkers.

Based on the above quote, Whedon sounds like he’s ready to scale back his involvement with Marvel Studios. The popular filmmaker has been one of the creative forces of greatest influence for the studio since he came on board in 2010, particularly in providing re-writes to various scripts such Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor: The Dark World, along with completely overhauling Zak Penn‘s initial Avengers script.

It wasn’t too long ago when Jon Favreau was angling to direct that first Avengers entry. The years have really rolled by!

If Joss Whedon is indeed done after Avengers: Age of Ultron, who would you like to see take over? The Russos? James Gunn? Someone completely new?

Avengers: Age of Ultron hits theaters on May 1st.

“I’m going to tear you apart from the inside.”

Is it possible that Ultron is the first truly worthwhile “dyed in the wool” bad guy that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had since Loki? He’s striking a menacing enough presence in this new Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer that I’m hoping the end of toothless, dull villains like Ronan the Accuser and Malekith is nigh.

There’s quite a bit to absorb here, but watching scenes of Captain America and Ultron fight hand to hand, and Hulk and Iron Man in a massive brawl…it’s rather exhilarating stuff. I didn’t think it possible, but Marvel may actually be able to top their recent high-point in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy. Here’s hoping!

It’s fun to be excited about things!

Here’s the official synopsis:

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Avengers: Age of Ultron opens May 1st.

Today has been a day of Ant-Man related reveals…from the first poster for the film…

To the unveiling of Paul Rudd in full Ant-Man regalia in this weekend’s issue of Entertainment Weekly…

Finally tonight, after the second part of Agent Carter‘s two episode premiere, Marvel released the first full teaser for the film; giving us a look at not only the central struggle of Rudd’s Scott Lang, but also the mentor-like role that Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym will play in this Marvel Cinematic Universe iteration of the Ant-Man origin tale.

Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Judy Greer, and John Slattery also star.

Ant-Man, directed by Peyton Reed (Bring It On, Yes Man) and the 12th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, opens on July 17th.

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Photo: Marvel

Yesterday, Marvel Studios released an “ant-sized” version of the teaser for the Ant-Man trailer that is debuting during the premiere of Agent Carter on ABC this coming Tuesday night. Today, they sized it up into viewing shape and it gives us our first in-action glimpse of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne, and Corey Stoll as Darren Cross.

Given its production history, Ant-Man will be a fascinating entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, for hopefully positive reasons, but there’s a lot of concern circling the project. Here’s the current plot synopsis:

Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.