TV News: New superhero show

With all the hype going around about the latest superhero films, I haven't really looked back at whats going on in TV land. So I did some digging and found a juicy new piece of news for you readers. The amazing comic book series Powers, created by the stellar team of Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon d. The series, mainly a police series, follows the exploits of detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim in world where superpowers are common but not mundane. Walker himself was once the superhero known as Diamond, until he lost powers.

The series is expected to premier in 2012 with the pilot episode and while there has been no announcements as who will play Walker and Pilgrim, actor Charles S. Dutton has been cast in the role of Captain Cross, head of the homicide department where the two detectives often investigate the sordid underbelly of the superhero world. I've read this series before and I can honestly say that I am excited for what this might bring to the small screen. 2012 is going to be a good year for television and movies, and I cannot wait to be along for the ride. 

More X-Men: First Class News

Today, I honestly don't have much to write about, which is a surprise for me. But to be honest there is not much movie news at the moment, but I did some digging and found this: http://screenrant.com/x-men-first-class-banshee-beast-havok-trailers-rob-113943/ and I found this to be very interesting. To add more hype for the upcoming X-Men film, there was released three mini-trailers that give some more depth to X-Men characters Banshee, Beast and Havok. I am not going to say anything further other that these three mini-trailers really give some more context to the other members of Professor Xaviers fledgling team. So take a look at the link and the trailers and write back here what you think about them. 

Thor Review

I apologize for it taking so long to get today's post out, I had an AP test this morning, believe me folks that can be added to the ever growing list of things that one will not enjoy having to get up early for. I am sorry to say that I was unable, along with the rest of the loyal Marvel fanbase, to attend the midnight premier of Thor. However, I did manage to catch a afternoon showing, and I can honestly say, that I was very impressed.

The film has an amazing cast, Chris Hemsworth does a fantastic job as Thor, portraying him as brash, arrogant, and strong-headed before being exiled to Earth, where he quickly becomes humble and kind. Tom Hiddleston brings the character of Loki alive very well, showing him to appear meek, but when his true villainy is revealed, I was truly scared, because this is a being who is both crafty and powerful. With Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif, Ray Stevenson, Joshua Dallas and Tadanobu Asano as the Warriors Three, the cast is filled out with these stellar performances.

The sets, in particular the sets for Asgard, home to the mythic Norse gods, were spectacular. Picture a shining city, tall and gleaming and teaming with life, and you get Asgard.

My only two little complaints, were that Thor's transformation from a hot-headed warrior to a kinder, wiser man is very quick for a space of several days. That being said, also the scenes with him on Earth were slow at times, and the pace only picked up when he was joined by his friends.

But overall, the film did not disappoint and is an excellent kick-start for the summer movie season. And like all Marvel films, it would not be complete without a cameo by famed comics writer Stan Lee, and a after-credits piece showing something for the movie to come. In this case, that movie to come bit will be of course for the upcoming film Captain America: The First Avenger. This film and that one are both, along with the two Iron Man films and the new rebooted Hulk from a few years back, all precursors to The Avengers film, which is slated to be released on May 4 of next year. For those who are looking forward to the Captain America movie as much as I am, that one comes out on July 22, so get those costumes and tickets ready people, cause after that its time to be an Avenger!

I am giving the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, for its excellent casting and sets and wonderful performances by the cast. Again the acting during the Earth scenes was a bit slow, but it does not detract from the sheer awesomeness of the film itself. If you are not planning on seeing this movie, I hope my review may change your minds and that you are not disappointed dear friends and readers, for the wonderment that awaits you.

New Character Costumes for 'The Avengers'

 The Avengers isn't just another film for Marvel Studios. It is the cornerstone event they’ve been planning carefully for years and the true beginning to their long-term franchising and merchandising plans. I mean, you go into stores and look for the Thor action figures, and see the "Avengers Assemble" tagline on the boxes. Heck, it was even on the Easter chocolate they released!

A good marketing/merchandising technique, as we have seen with Transformers is to either introduce new characters and vehicles, or to introduce new costumes for the characters we have already see.  A lot of the stuff we are seeing with the Marvel Comics films is variations on the Ultimates line of costumes, and we have seen that so far with Thor and Captain America and can expect it with The Avengers.

One of the things that is so great about new superhero films and a topic that brings plenty of criticism and attention is costumes. That being said, here is what we do know so far and can possibly expect with the upcoming movie.

 Captain America will sport a new costume in The Avengers, as confirmed by Chris Evans in a recent interview. Expect a design less padded-looking than his WWII era one, perhaps something more akin to his modern comic designs. 

Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) will likely wear the same S.H.I.E.L.D. outfit from Iron Man 2 but her hairstyle will be different, sporting shorter red locks at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner earlier this week (see photo below). 

Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) always has a new suit of armor to show off. In Iron Man 2, Tony Stark introduced audiences to the Mark V, Mark VI outfits. That’s his “thing” and each new design means another new toyline! Maybe Whedon will introduce the Hulkbuster armor? 

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) only has one Asgardian superhero costume in his introductory solo film, but come time for The Avengers where he again helps his Earthly friends, he will undoubtedly get a new costume as well. Expect something more modern and techy as an alternative to his red cape. 

Hawkeye’s costume will be closely designed after his outfit in the Ultimates line of comics. No purple spandex for Jeremy Renner. 

Nick Fury’s black shirt-black pants-black trench coat gets an upgrade in The Avengers as well, as Kevin Feige points out that Samuel L. Jackson will sport a “slightly redesigned outfit with the eye patch.” 

Hulk doesn’t need a costume, but he’ll be closely designed after the likeness of Mark Ruffalo, even down to the hair on his chest.

And to round off today's post, here is a piece of concept art I found for the potential Hulkbuster armor and a shot of Scarlett with her new short hairstyle as seen at the White House Correspondent's dinner earlier this week.

With the film only just starting production, and the rush of excitement with Thor opening in America on Friday, the expections for the film are very high.

So now my question is to you dear readers, which costumes would you like to see your heroes wear?

New Green Lantern Trailer!

We have another trailer ladies and gentlemen! Finally, a new trailer for the upcoming Green Lantern film! And the trailer does not disappoint! We hear more dialogue from Sinestro, see the struggle for Hal being the first and only human inducted into the Core, we get some Kilowog action, more from Hector Hammond transforming and we see the Sinestro Core symbol (future movie?) and we see for the first time the Guardians of the Universe or at least a Guardian. You can see the trailer here at http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/green-lantern.html?showVideo=1#belowNav. The only thing that still looks off is the mask, but if that is the only thing that comes out wrong in the end, then this movie is going to be excellent. Midnight on June 17, I am so there.

Marvel Movie News: Leaked Avengers Script and first Lizard Look

As of yesterday, and after some deliberation with one of my sources, the rumors that Samuel L. Jackson's copy of the script for the upcoming Disney/Marvel film The Avengers have been confirmed, at least for now. Not only that, but now, if the rumors are true, there is talk that production on the film will be halted so that the script can be revised as to not upset fans. Now to me this would seem crazy for any other studio to do, but this whole thing, the Marvel movie universe is redefining how a franchise is done. It is what legions of fans, both of the comics and movies have been waiting expectedly for, and I one for hope that if there are rewrites, that the movie with its possible revised script will not disappoint.

On to the next topic, here are two photos of upcoming Spider-Man reboot actor Rhys Ifans in makeup as the Lizard. Now for those who have no idea who this villain is, let me give you the quick backstory. Doctor Curtis Conners was a scientist trying to create a formula, using the DNA of lizards in order to regrow lost limbs, the way certain reptiles can with their tails. Testing the formula on himself, Dr. Conners was transformed into the monstrous beast who came to be known as the Lizard. Over the years he has made numerous reappearance's, and one can only hope that someday the good Doctor will be cured of his evil alter ego. The studio has been working very hard to keep what the villains look will be like under wraps, but with the release of these two photos, we can expect a full reveal at the San Diego Comic-Con in July. The films have helped to show, that with the Goblins, Dr. Oc and the Sandman, that the colorful costumes of the comic books can be translated onto the big screen. The Lizards should be even easier, seeing as how all it would need is makeup and prosthetics.

Whatever may happen, and whatever may come of all this, I cannot wait for these two movies, and I am of course extremely excited for all the hero films coming out this summer. Get those tickets ordered and those costumes ready folks, cause this is gonna be spectacular!

Hobbit Movie News

Big movements for the upcoming New Line Cinema adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic book The Hobbit. Good news fans, Hugo Weaving is back as Elrond! As of yesterday, more than six weeks after the principal photography for the movie began, the call went out that Weaving would be returning to play Elrond, the master of Rivendell. Also, New Zealand actor Dean O'Gorman will be playing Fili, one of the thirteen dwarf's that sets out with Thorin, Bilbo and Gandalf to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Lee Pace will be playing the role of the Elven king Thranduil. I will continue to update the blog with new developments as they come to light, so for now, we can just mark our calendars in preparation for the midnight opening.