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Idris Elba Talks ‘Thor 2′, ‘The Avengers’, and James Bond Rumors

Sandy Schaefer — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:00:09 +0000

Immediately following his win at the 2012 Golden Globes ceremony, ubiquitous fan-favorite Idris Elba was hit up by journalists wanting to know more about his upcoming film schedule, which could possibly include both Marvel’s Thor 2 and The Avengers, as well as the James Bond franchise somewhere down the road (if rumor mongering is anything to go by).

Elba is currently back in Toronto, where he’s working on filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s anticipated sci-fi/giant monster movie, Pacific Rim. However, before he departed the Globes event, the English actor dropped a few tidbits about which upcoming movies he will for certain show up in – as well as which ones remain possibilities.

MTV asked Elba about whether or not he’ll be reprising his well-liked turn as the Guardian of Worlds, Heimdall, ...

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Jaimie Alexander Talks Sif in ‘Thor 2′ & ‘The Avengers’

Kofi Outlaw — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:23:29 +0000

Jaimie Alexander is an actress on the rise at the moment – thanks in large part to her role as Asgardian warrior Lady Sif in Marvel’s Thor last year. While Alexander has big things on the horizon – such as a starring role in the upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger comback vehicle, The Last Stand - comic book fans are likely more interested in her upcoming appearances in Marvel movies like Thor 2 - and of course, this summer’s superhero team-up, The Avengers.

Alexander recently spoke to MTV about both films, and talked a bit about where they might take Sif. On the Thor 2 front: the actress confirmed the news that Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor will be helming the Thor ...

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‘Thor 2′ Script Being Revised by ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Screenwriter

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:31:13 +0000

Marvel caused itself a bit of a headache when it let Patty Jenkins go as director of Thor 2, much to the (reported) chagrin of co-star Natalie Portman. The comic book studio’s previous actions had already attracted criticisms that it strives to maintain a distracting amount of creative control, which is the reason so many high-profile filmmakers have parted ways with the organization. Jenkins’ departure was just more fuel for that fire.

How then is Marvel going to improve the public perception of its Thor sequel, during these early days of pre-production? Well, apparently by hiring on a director who has worked on Game of Thrones, along with the man responsible for writing Saving Private Ryan to revamp the film’s script.

Longtime TV show helmer Alan Taylor was brought on to direct Thor 2 ...

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‘Game of Thrones’ Director Alan Taylor Now Helming ‘Thor 2′

Rob Keyes — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:40:38 +0000

Three weeks ago we learned that Monster director Patty Jenkins would no longer be stepping into Kenneth Branagh’s shoes to helm Thor 2. Shortly thereafter, as more details poured out on situation, fingers pointed towards Marvel Studios as the source of the controversy, indicating that they had fired her from the job, much to the displeasure of Natalie Portman, who was an advocate of Jenkins getting the gig in the first place.

Jenkins marks yet another names joining the quickly growing list of directors separating with the studio over “creative differences.” Marvel, in a hurry to lockdown a replacement, reportedly had TV directors Alan Taylor and Daniel Minahan on their shortlist, both of whom worked on Game of Thrones. As it turns out, one of them got the gig.

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Patty Jenkins Possibly Fired From Thor 2; Natalie Portman Not Happy

Rob Keyes — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:37:31 +0000

While movie and comic books fans may be eager to return to theaters for the upcoming Marvel Studios movies, the same cannot be said for returning to the production side of things for some of the talent involved in making them.

We learned last week that after signing on to direct Thor 2, Marvel Studios and Patty Jenkins parted ways, bringing the number of directors who’ve dropped from a Marvel Studios project due to creative differences up to three in the last year. That’s quite a lot for a studio that has only released five of their own movies so far.

Patty Jenkins (Monster) had signed on to take over for Kenneth Branagh in helming the Thor sequel in October but ...

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‘Thor 2′ Closing In on New Director & Writer

Kofi Outlaw — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:36:48 +0000

The saga of Thor 2 continues, with word that Marvel Studios is closing in on a director to replace Monster director Patty Jenkins, who dropped out of the sequel due to creative differences with Marvel (though, word is the studio will employ her talents on a future film).

Our own Rob Keyes reported on the increasing problems Marvel is having with its film directors, as Jenkins joins Thor director Kenneth Branagh, Incredible Hulk star Ed Norton, and Iron Man 1&2 director Jon Favreau in the camp of those who have worked with the studio, but ultimately left the fold due to what is suspected to be a creatively-stifling environment.

Indeed, the question that we’ve been mulling for some time now here at Screen Rant is how Marvel can hope ...

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Creative Differences Are Knocking Directors Out of Marvel Movies

Rob Keyes — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:15:36 +0000

Marvel Studios now has five movies under its belt, with a sixth coming next summer in The Avengers, two confirmed for 2013 and another pair of unannounced films scheduled for 2014. All of these movies exist in a shared universe, taking part in an ongoing continuity with an overarching storyline running congruently in the background.

While seeing movies follow the comic books in this respect makes The Avengers possible, this strategy does also have its downside as we saw most evidently in Iron Man 2. Each movie by Marvel Studios must follow certain guidelines and must include certain characters portrayed in a very specific way, thus restricting the creative freedom of the filmmakers and talent involved.

Combine this lack of creative freedom with Marvel’s ...

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SR Underground Ep. 16: ‘Summer Movie Leftovers’

Ben Kendrick — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:00:44 +0000

The Screen Rant editorial team is back with episode sixteen of the Screen Rant Underground.

Join host Ben Kendrick as well as fellow SR editors Rob Keyes, Anthony Ocasio, and Kofi Outlaw as we chat about Star Trek 2 villain troubles, Fox campaigns for Andy Serkis Rise of the Planet of the Apes Oscar, the end of Showtime’s Dexter, as well as revisit a few of our favorite, and least favorite, summer film releases (such as Green Lantern and Transformers: Dark of the Moon).

Screen Rant Underground is available in the iTunes Music Store (where you can subscribe as well as download individual episodes) but if you’re not near your home computer, check out our sixteenth episode in the player below. As mentioned in previous posts, we’re still in the early stages of developing the show – so cut us a ...

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Patty Jenkins Out As ‘Thor 2′ Director [UPDATED]

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:26:24 +0000

Despite Kenneth Branagh’s decision not to return as director on Marvel’s Thor 2, early development of the project has been going pretty smoothly (up to now). The film was fairly quick to snag a release date (two, technically), a primary screenwriter, and managed to secure a promising replacement director in the form of Patty Jenkins.

However, reports are in that Jenkins has now left the Thor sequel; all the same, Marvel studios is a well-oiled, fine-running (production) machine and the search is already on to find her replacement.

[Update: We now know why Patty Jenkins left Thor 2.]

Deadline has the scoop on Jenkins departing Thor 2; the site says that “creative differences” are the reason for the filmmaker’s decision to step away from the sci-fi/fantasy sequel. However, this is ...

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New ‘Avengers’ Banners; Marvel Confirms Alan Silvestri as Composer

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:07:55 +0000

Marvel superhero comic book movie fans will have to wait until February 2012 to get their next fix, in the form of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. However, the next big Marvel cinematic events is (of course) writer/director Joss Whedon’s The Avengers, which should be getting a full-length trailer sometime sooner, rather than later.

However, in the meantime, we have a pair of new Avengers characters banners for you to check out – along with some official confirmation from Marvel that (as was previously reported) composer Alan Silvestri is indeed scoring Whedon’s superhero extravaganza.

On the off-chance you’re new to this whole Avengers thing, here is the official plot synopsis:

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink ...

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New Marvel One-Shot Short Film Starring Agent Coulson

Rob Keyes — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:30:00 +0000

The next film in the Marvel Studios line-up is The Avengers. No more origin stories are standing in the way and the culmination of years of work by the studio to introduce, develop and connect their flagship superheroes is about to come to fruition. That’s not to say Marvel can’t go back in the timeline and bridge a few more gaps.

On the home video release of Thor came a special feature, a short film that tied Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk together and exemplified Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) role as “The Consultant” for The Avengers initiative. On the Blu-ray release of Captain America: The First Avenger which releases next week, there is another Marvel One-Shot, this one taking place right before the events of Thor.

The first short ...

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Patty Jenkins Confirmed to Direct ‘Thor 2′

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:39:14 +0000

The search for Kenneth Branagh‘s replacement is at last over – and Patty Jenkins has emerged as the filmmaker that Marvel has deemed worthy of directing its fantastical comic book sequel, Thor 2.

Jenkins emerged as the frontrunner to helm the Thor followup about three weeks back. Game of Thrones series director Brian Kirk was being talked about as all but a lock for the job of directing Thor 2 prior to then, but a deal between him and Marvel was never finalized.

While she doesn’t have an immensely long resume, Jenkins’ previous directorial efforts are all pretty solid. Case in point: she helmed episodes of Arrested Development and Entourage, sat in the director’s chair on the feature-length film Monster (which earned star Charlize Theron an Oscar), and received an ...

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‘Lone Ranger’ Arrives In Summer 2013; ‘Thor 2′ Bumped Back

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:14:13 +0000

Walt Disney Pictures has at last gotten its troubled Lone Ranger adaptation back on track and has now selected an official February 2012 start date for production on the Johnny Depp-starring western – along with a new theatrical release date.

The Mouse House has done some additional re-shuffling of its release docket – specifically, with respect to the comic book sequel, Thor 2. While that film was previously slated to arrive in late July 2013, it has now been pushed back to November of that year… though Marvel’s other big release of 2013, Iron Man 3, remains set for a summer launch.

Lone Ranger was originally supposed to have already begun principal photography at the time of writing this, in order to make a Winter 2012 release. Disney’s concerns over the film’s intimidating budget ($250 ...

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New ‘Avengers’ Images: Explosions, Gunfire, & Costumed Heroes

Sandy Schaefer — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:41:50 +0000

While we’re still waiting for Marvel to unveil an official teaser trailer for The Avengers – and not just a “button,” like the clip that showed at the conclusion of Captain America‘s end credits - the comic book/movie studio has been busy releasing lots of images, character profiles, and more to help heighten anticipation for the (hopefully) game-changing superhero ensemble adventure.

Now we have more still frames from the film, which offer an early look at several big-name characters in action – including S.H.I.E.L.D. head Nick Fury and the catsuit-clad Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow.

It’s expected that a full-blown teaser for The Avengers will be released in the near future, providing a better look at the super-powered protagonists of the film as well as the villains, which include the devious Loki and an army of malevolent extraterrestrial invaders.

Here is a description of the Avengers movie ...

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‘Monster’ Director Up To Helm ‘Thor 2′ [Re-Updated]

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:33:47 +0000

[UPDATE: We now have some official information about the plot of Thor 2. Read on...]

[SECOND UPDATE: Patty Jenkins is officially set to direct Thor 2]

Thor 2 is already locked for a Summer 2013 release date, with screenwriter Don Payne having been tasked with writing the God of Thunder’s next solo adventure on the big screen – following his appearance alongside the likes of Captain America, Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk in next year’s The Avengers.

Previous reports indicated that Marvel was negotiating with Games of Thrones helmer Brian Kirk to direct the Thor sequel. Now, it seems that another filmmaker has emerged as the frontrunner to claim the director’s chair left empty by Kenneth Branagh (who decided to pass ...

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DVD/Blu-ray Breakdown: September 13, 2011

Mike Eisenberg — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:52:19 +0000

It’s the week every Star Wars fan has been waiting for – or at least complaining about – since news of George Lucas’ latest milking of the legendary saga. But the Skywalker saga is not the only title worth your attention arriving on DVD and Blu-ray this week.

In addition to Star Wars, a number of television shows and some independent films make their way to home video. But Tuesday offers up another blockbuster as Thor comes to DVD and Blu-ray in both 2D and 3D. If that isn’t enough, one of cinema’s most cherished classics, Citizen Kane, hits Blu-ray as well.

The following titles can now be found on DVD and Blu-ray.

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NEW RELEASES

Thor - Kenneth Branagh’s superhero film made just under $500 million and ...

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Summer 2011 Movies: The Best, The Worst, & Some Surprises

Sandy Schaefer — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:04:04 +0000

Forget about checking your calendar – when you read that Shark Night 3D is one of the big releases of the weekend, you know the Summer Movie Season is officially coming to an end.

Overall, 2011 was a decent year as far as summer releases go. There were a handful of surprises (and more than a couple of disappointments) but most movies were good enough to ensure that people walked away entertained and with their expectations met – as opposed to, say, protesting in the streets and demanding a ticket refund.

Quibbles about whether Fast Five or Thor truly marked the start of Summer 2011 aside, the season started off with a bang at the box office – and eventually fizzled out in the end. So, here are the big questions: What were ...

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Thor & Captain America Tag Team in New ‘Avengers’ Set Photos

Rob Keyes — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:43:24 +0000

What may be two of the biggest and most anticipated superhero movies ever are both hitting theaters everywhere next summer, and they are competing on every possible front. We are of course referring to classic fanboy battle of Marvel vs. DC, or in the case of their upcoming respective films, The Avengers vs. The Dark Knight Rises.

Disney and Warner Bros. both held back when it came to showing off their flagship blockbusters at Comic-Con but there’s no shortage of marketing materials and spoilers coming out of each film’s production anyway, and by that I mean viral marketing, unintentional viral marketing as a result of shooting the films public. Today’s addition to the library of candid unofficial set photos and videos focuses in on a ...

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Changing Face: Diversity & Change in Comic Books and Superhero Movies

Kofi Outlaw — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:17:42 +0000

One would think that lovers of comic books and superheroes would be open to the idea of diversity. After all, if you’re open to the idea of mutants, super-powered aliens, genetically-altered humans, mythological figures, and intergalactic cops wielding power rings, one would think that race wouldn’t be all that big of a deal.

However, as times change, and the face of comic books and the superheroes chronicled therein change with these diverse times, it seems there is a still a serious debate raging between those who label themselves “traditionalists,” resistant to the idea of certain changes being made to superheroes, and those who stand ready to embrace the new opportunities of superheroes re-imagined for modern times. Of course, as always, there are also those standing patiently in the middle ground, holding off ...

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Who Should Lead The Avengers? Captain America vs. Iron Man vs. Thor

Rob Frappier — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:14:30 +0000

It’s hard to believe, but we’re officially less than nine months away from The Avengers, perhaps the most ambitious superhero movie in cinematic history, and the one film that will definitively prove whether or not Marvel Studios’ ambitious plans to weave multiple films together over several years will work with mainstream audiences.

With the recent releases of Captain America (see our 4/5 star review) and Thor (see our 3.5/5 star review), there are no more lead-in films to Joss Whedon’s epic superhero team-up. While that may be a bummer to fanboys who have enjoyed one of the better superhero movie summers in recent history, there is some consolation.

Now that all the solo films have been released, we’ve learned all there is to know about each individual member of The Avengers. In other words, ...

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