ScreenCrush’s Comic Strip is a weekly roundup of the hottest superhero movie news items. From Marvel to D.C. and points in between, if it pertains to costumed comic-book heroes, we’re covering it here, bringing you our expert analysis. This week, we have start dates for ‘The Fantastic Four’ and ‘The Avengers 2,’ tons of ‘Spider-Man 2’ images and more ‘Iron Man’ news than you can shake a repulsor blast at.
Plenty of ink has been spilled concerning the extraordinary success of 'The Avengers' but with "Phase 2" of Marvel's cinematic slate about to begin, we're going to be spilling even more. Although 'Iron Man 3' hasn't even hit theaters yet, all eyes are already on 2015, 'The Avengers 2' and writer/director Joss Whedon, who recently discussed the pressures of making the sequel to one of the biggest movies of all time.
Here's some news that may be interesting: Morris Chestnut posted a very suspicious message on Facebook about Marvel's Black Panther character, which seems to indicate he might be taking on the role. We said "might."
Included as one of the bonus features on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Phase 1 Blu-ray box set is a five-minute preview video looking at the upcoming Marvel movies like 'Thor 2,' 'Captain America 2,' 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' 'Ant-Man' and 'Avengers 2.' If you haven't gotten your copy of the Blu-ray box set yet, don't worry: we're giving away a copy this Friday. And if you just can't wait to see that Marvel Phase 2 preview video, you can watch it right here, right now.
'Avengers 2' doesn't hit theaters for over two years but that doesn't mean we can't start looking forward to the biggest sequel in modern movie history. With 'Thor 2,' 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Captain America 2' all filming this year, a start of production on 'Avengers 2' can't be that far off and now we know when it will begin.
Some days are perfectly normal and everything goes as expected. Other days bring you the news that Jean-Claude Van Damme taking to his Facebook page to announce he really wants to star in 'The Avengers 2.' Because, you know, that makes perfect sense.
If major 'Star Wars' characters are getting their own standalone movies, why not the Hulk?
This has been a major point of speculation in the Marvel fan universe as of late with rumors of solo 'Huk' films featuring the 'Planet Hulk' and 'World War Hulk' storylines, though they were soon shot down by both Joss Whedon and Marvel. Still, many of us are secretly hoping that our favorite big green guy will get the same screen time as Captain America and Iron Man, but will it actually happen? Here's the latest on this from Mark Ruffalo...
After 'The Avengers' it seemed a foregone conclusion that The Hulk would eventually get his own movie. Then came the rumors that a big part of Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe would involved Hulk being sent to outer space after 'The Avengers 2' launching the 'Planet Hulk' storyline from the comics. But 'Avengers' director and Marvel Godfather Joss Whedon has commented on the Planet Hulk rumors and he calls the idea "nonsense."
One of the biggest surprises to emerge from the massive success of 'The Avengers' was the renewed interest in the Hulk (as well as the puny Dr. Bruce Banner). Marvel's green monster had headlined two solo movies of his own with mixed results, but for the first time, audiences had seen the true potential of the character. 'Avengers' director Joss Whedon recently spoke about the Hulk, his future in the Marvel movie universe and just how hard he is to get right.
About a month ago, news broke that Marvel had big plans for Hulk, and that they might be sending him to outer space at the end of 'The Avengers 2' in anticipation of a 'Planet Hulk'-style movie. Alas, those rumors have been debunked today.
