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  • ‘Rogue One’ Returns to IMAX With ‘Andor’ Sneak Preview

    ‘Rogue One’ Returns to IMAX With ‘Andor’ Sneak Preview

    It looks like Lucasfilm found the perfect way to promote the upcoming release of Andor. While it was postponed to September 21st, it does look like they will build up to its release with a re-release of the Star Wars film, Rogue One. It is currently eyeing an August 26th release in select IMAX theaters as revealed by Fandango, which included the following tease as it’ll also include a special preview of the Disney+ series Andor.

    Experience Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in select IMAX theatres. Plus, get an exclusive look at the new Disney+ Star Wars series, Andor! In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

    Image

    So, it’s quite the treat for fans of Rogue One that are excited to see what the upcoming prequel series has to offer. Andor will explore the earlier days of Diego Luna‘s character Cassian Andor. There are still no exact details on how the story will evolve, but the first trailers have teased that they are sticking to a similar vibe from the spinoff film.

    It’s still crazy to think that we haven’t had a film release in the franchise since 2019 and there is currently not a single one in production. Lucasfilm has focused all its efforts on Disney+, which still offers some exciting and sometimes even experimental projects but it does feel like something is missing when it comes to whatever their plans are on expanding the franchise.

    Source: Fandango

  • She-Hulk Spotted on Tinder to Promote Disney+ Series

    She-Hulk Spotted on Tinder to Promote Disney+ Series

    All eyes right now are on Marvel Studios’ next Disney+ series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which is set to release next week. There have been quite a few trailers and TV spots to promote their latest project. Sometimes they also get quite creative, such as when they had Ms. Marvel greet people on a billboard driving into New Jersey, her hometown. Now, Twitter user @jozopath has uncovered that Marvel Studios and Disney had a rather creative idea on how to promote their latest entry.

    Taking to Twitter, they’ve shared the fact that Marvel Studios# currently is advertising the Disney+ series through Tinder, the famous mobile dating site. The character has her own profile on the app, and when you swipe to DM her, you get a fun little list explaining what hse is like with a link to get a reminder when the series releases on August 18th.

    https://twitter.com/jozopath/status/1558401479152640001

    It’s definitely a great idea and it fits into what was teased from the project. We’re not getting our usual world-ending event but rather just joining She-Hulk’s journey of balancing her new abilities while also trying to have a normal life. We even had a sequence of her being on Tinder, which makes this a great little tie-in to that brief sequence. We’ll see if Hulk or even Abomination got their own profiles to also further advertise the project.

    Ironically, this isn’t the first Marvel series to advertise on Tinder, as Deadpool did the same thing for the first film’s release. There are a lot of fun ideas that one can do with these characters and using the real world adds a lot of tie-ins, especially with uncovering who the audience is for these projects that are slowly starting to diversify their audience.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Will See the Return of a ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Plotline

    ‘She-Hulk’ Will See the Return of a ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Plotline

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law will be the first Marvel Cinematic Universe venture into the legal side of its own universe. While it’s mainly going to be a comedy focused on the popular Marvel comic character, it still offers the opportunity to explore a corner that has yet to truly be explored. We already saw laws set in the wake of superheroing going wrong, and it seems that it’ll make a comeback in the upcoming Disney+ series as revealed by She-Hulk‘s head writer Jessica Gao.

    In an interview with The Direct during the series’ press tour, Gao revealed that we’ll see the return of the infamous Sokovia Accords. They were first enacted back in Captain America: Civil War due to the events that unfolded during a mission that went wrong for the group of Avengers. though the name is taken from Wanda Maximoff’s home country that was the focal point of Ultron’s plans in Age of Ultron. She reveals that we’ll find out what exactly happened to this legal paper at a later point in the season.

    Yeah. Well, this show will answer the question of whatever happened to the Sokovia Accords. It’ll happen later in the season, but you will get an answer to what actually happened to the Accords.

     

    It’s great to hear that they are bringing back this storyline and finally setting up what has happened to it. The Blip has taken over most of the discourse, but there were small hints at the existence of it still existing before the events of Avengers, especially with Steve Rogers still on the run. We’ll see just how it may be brought back and how it could potentially tie into the events of the series.

    Source: The Direct

  • ‘Bullet Train’ Retains the Top Spot at the Box Office for Second Weekend

    ‘Bullet Train’ Retains the Top Spot at the Box Office for Second Weekend

    After opening with $30 million last weekend, Sony’s Bullet Train managed to retain the top spot at the box office for its second weekend. The Brad Pitt-led film secured $3.865 million on Friday and is on track to pull in $13 million in its second outing as it remains the largest release stateside with 4,357 locations. Should the estimates hold that would give Bullet Train a 56% drop from its opening weekend.

    Bullet Train managed to fend off new releases like Fall, Mack and Rita and Bodies Bodies Bodies which expanded into wide release this weekend. Bodies Bodies Bodies is eyeing a $3 million haul after expanding into 1,275 theaters, which would give it a $2,361 per location average. While both Fall and Mack and Rita are expected to open between $1-$2 million each. With little hitting theaters this weekend, holdovers like Nope, DC League of Super-Pets and Top Gun: Maverick are expected to remain in the top five. More impressive, though, Maverick has a chance at taking the second spot in its twelfth weekend.

    Bullet Train is an adaptation of Kōtarō Isaka‘s novel of the same name. The film has seen plenty of controversy leading up to its release, with many frustrated that the film didn’t cast Japanese actors. Despite the less than stellar reviews and controversy, Bullet Train is expected to hit $54 million stateside by Sunday. With a $90 million production budget, Bullet Train still has an uphill battle, but with little competition in the coming weeks, it’s possible the film could show legs in the coming weeks.

    Source: Variety.

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Director Says Jessica Jones “Would Be a Good Addition” to the Series

    ‘She-Hulk’ Director Says Jessica Jones “Would Be a Good Addition” to the Series

    Less than a week away, the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has generated plenty of discussion and speculation relating to its comedic tone and inclusion of major characters like Bruce Banner, Daredevil, Wong, and Emil Blonksy. Those significant inclusions are known already from the show’s trailers and promotional materials. Even though the series is essentially the starting point for the freshman live-action MCU character, She-Hulk is setting a stage for an experience that could keep surprising fans.

    Of course, many fans want to know if other known and beloved characters will also make an appearance in She-Hulk at some point. Given the series’ structure as an episodic half-hour legal comedy show, it seems likely that surprise cameos could be in store. Now, series director Kat Coiro has added to some of the speculation.

    In an interview with Tara Hitchcock via YouTube, Coiro responded to a question about what characters she—regardless of whether they will actually appear in the series or not—would have liked to include in the show. While teasing an unnamed character that is already in the show, the director also mentions that Jessica Jones would fit in well in She-Hulk:

    Well, put that out there! Let’s have Thor come visit She-Hulk! I think the person who I think most organically fits into the world is in the show. I actually think Jessica Jones would be a good addition.

    The “person [who Coiro thinks] most organically fits into the world” may very well be Daredevil, whose alter ego Matt Murdock is also a lawyer. But name-dropping Jessica is interesting considering the newfound relative likelihood that characters, like Daredevil, from the Marvel Netflix universe will make their returns to the MCU.

    Coiro also emphasized what other She-Hulk creatives have said about the series’ cameos. While some existing characters like Wong and Daredevil have been portrayed in a more serious light, the upcoming comedy series reframes them for the show. Specifically, the director stated:

    Every single existing MCU character who came into this show had to make the adjustment from being in things that are much more serious to being in something that is tonally more outrageous. And they’re all such wonderful actors and all so adept at adjusting, but it was definitely fun to watch that transition and fun to watch them go ‘Oh, it’s ok for me to do this?’ The biggest question they all ask me is ‘Am I going too far?’ And I would say ‘Absolutely not! Go further!

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law debuts on Disney+ on August 18, 2022.

    Source: YouTube

  • RUMOR: Disney May Regain Theatrical Distribution Rights to Hulk Films in 2023

    RUMOR: Disney May Regain Theatrical Distribution Rights to Hulk Films in 2023

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s relationship with the Incredible Hulk has been relatively awkward since the film was released in 2008. The was film met with terrible reviews and remains at the very bottom of most fans’ MCU rankings. Edward Norton played Bruce Banner in the original film, but Mark Ruffalo was given the role in 2012’s The Avengers and all subsequent appearances of the character.

    Marvel Studios’ relationship with the Incredible Hulk and with the character of the Hulk generally is further complicated by the fact that Universal Studios retained the theatrical distribution rights of the original film and all sequels. This has made it difficult for Marvel Studios, and parent company Disney, to make Hulk-centered films. Disney and Marvel still hold the rights to develop movies starring the Hulk, but Universal has the first refusal opportunity to distribute the project and takes a significant chunk of the profits. This legal issue has led the MCU to limit Hulk to supporting roles and seemingly avoid solo projects altogether.

    Still, it was reported back in October 2021 that a World War Hulk was in development and eyeing a 2022 production start. That prospect raises a lot of questions about how the Marvel-Universal legal relationship will come into play. Now, unearthed legal documents filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by Marvel may indicate that Universal loses its rights in Hulk films in June 2023.

    As discovered by Reddit user u/vidoardes, a couple of SEC filings when read together suggest that the theatrical distribution rights to The Incredible Hulk and Hulk-centered films will revert to Disney next year. An official SEC filing by Marvel in December 2006 stated:

    Universal Studios has agreed to distribute Marvel’s film The Incredible Hulk and sequels on essentially the same terms as those on which Paramount has agreed to distribute the other films financed and produced under the film facility…

    Interestingly, the amended studio agreement, also available through the SEC, between Marvel and Paramount dictates a 15-year deal:

    6. Distribution Term: Paramount shall have the right to exercise its Paramount Distribution Rights with respect to each Picture for an initial period of 15 years commencing on the initial Theatrical Exhibition of such Picture (the “Initial Distribution Term”);…

    So while there is no apparent confirmation that Marvel’s deal with Universal also had the 15-year agreement, the fact that Marvel stated that the deal is on “essentially the same terms” as those with Paramount is some evidence pointing to the time limit of the Marvel-Universal agreement. If it also ends after 15 years, that would mean that Disney would regain the distribution rights 15 years after The Incredible Hulk in June 2008, which would be June 2023.

    While the June 2023 date is not confirmed, it would make sense given that the World War Hulk film reportedly in development is eyeing a late 2023 or early 2024 release.

    Source: SEC via Reddit

  • ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Concept Art Teases ‘X-Men’ and ‘Chaos War’ Characters

    ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Concept Art Teases ‘X-Men’ and ‘Chaos War’ Characters

    Thor: Love and Thunder has come and gone, but it hasn’t left the mainstream conversation. The fourthquel was responsible for introducing audiences to many exciting new locations, many of which will be discussed for years to come. Perhaps the most visually pleasing was Omnipotence City, a glorious meeting place for gods of all pantheons and the site of the film’s most colorful sequences. The locale was also popular with fans for it’s many intriguing cameos and godly designs. Marvel Studios artist Sung Choi recently took to Instagram to reveal some design work he completed for the film as part of the “early exploration” process for Omnipotence City, and it features quite a few faces that could fill the same category of shock and awe.

    Among those present appears to be Cyttorak, the deity that famously powers X-Men villain Juggernaut through an ancient artifact known as the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. Seated next to him is what looks like a version of Galactus, the infamous world-eater who plagues the Marvel Universe on a regular basis, and Ganesha, the real-world Hindu god of intellect and wisdom. Also present are what could be Aegis, the golden Lady of All Sorrows, of Marvel’s Proemial gods, and what looks like a Mandalorian from the Star Wars franchise. The latter could be a fun reference to director Taika Waititi‘s time on the hit Disney+ series.

    Curiously, the largest god seated all the way at the top of the throne room is incredibly similar in design to the comic book version of Ajak – leader of the Eternals. It’s possible Ajak was at one point considered as a cameo to tie-in with Marvel’s Eternals film, and this art was produced before Salma Hayek landed the role. Finally, on the right, fans will be able to spot two major characters from Thor lore who actually did end up making the movie’s final cut. Hercules, played in the post-credits scene by Brett Goldstein, is drawn sitting beside a god who looks like Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the malevolent Japanese Chaos King who acted as a the villain of Greg Pak‘s Chaos War arc, a story in which Hercules and Thor team-up to defeat them. It’s important to remember this art was likely devised before anything was set in stone for the project, and Choi likely threw in random gods to get a better feel for how the throne room should look. Either way, it’s still fun to speculate.

    Source: Instagram

  • REPORT: Another Name Surfaces as a Candidate for DC Films’ Kevin Feige

    REPORT: Another Name Surfaces as a Candidate for DC Films’ Kevin Feige

    The uncertainty and unease surrounding the future of Warner Bros. Discovery’s DC Universe seem to be growing by the day. As has been widely reported over the last week, new WBD CEO David Zaslav has been busy making a series of drastic alterations to the company’s film slate. Batgirl, along with several other potential projects, received an unexpected axing, and most things in development are potentially on the chopping block.

    Before the current upheaval, David Zaslav announced that DC is one of their highest priorities. On top of the announcement that DC would be becoming its own studio within the company, Zaslav has confirmed that they’ve put a team together to run said studio and have put together a ten-year plan, mentioning outright it is similar to what Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios have built over at Disney. No word has been made on what exactly this “10-year-plan” entails and it’s unknown if WBD will announce a slate anytime soon.

    Still, plenty of discussion has erupted about who could possibly be the “Kevin Feige of DC”. According to a report from Variety, one name being considered is TV producer Greg Berlanti, who “has been loudly whispered as a possibility for the role.” Berlanti is known for his work as one of the key architects of the CW’s DC Arrowverse, which included ncluded shows Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and Superman & Lois. The Arrowverse featured many classic DC heroes and held several crossover events over the years, so Berlanti’s experience seems on par with what DC Films needs.

    However, the report noted that no official discussions between WBD and Berlanti’s team have occurred, and apparently trade reporting insiders think he would not be interested in the role. Another potential candidate mentioned by Variety’s report is producer Dan Lin, whose credits include IT, The LEGO Batman Movie, Godzilla vs. Kong, and the failed Justice League movie that George Miller was preparing in 2009. But Lin is reportedly not interested in the role either.

    Whoever ends up as the Feige of DC will be faced with high expectations set by Feige himself at Marvel Studios. It will be interesting to learn who WBD eventually selects for the role, though with all the seeming turmoil in the DC TV and Films, it is unclear when this person or 10-year plan will actuall come to fruition.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Black Adam’ Director Says the Film Avoids Hawkman’s Complicated Origin Story

    ‘Black Adam’ Director Says the Film Avoids Hawkman’s Complicated Origin Story

    Black Adam is the next film to be released in the DC Extended Universe, and many fans are excited to see Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of the titular superhero. Alongside Black Adam himself, the film is set to introduce to live-action the Justice Society of America and some of its classic members. Director Jaume Collett-Serra confirmed to Vanity Fair that, in Black Adam, Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) is the leader of the JSA, whose members on-screen will also include Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan).

    With Hawkman in such a significant role, one wonders how Black Adam planned to handle the character’s infamously complicated and confusing origin story. Multiple versions of Hawkman have been published, primarily two different versions. One version hails from Earth and is rooted in reincarnation, and the other is a police officer from another planet. Eventually the two distinct characters were merged and further complicated down the line. Speaking with Vanity Fair, Collett-Serra revealed that the upcoming film will avoid Hawkman’s backstory for this very reason. He stated:

    In the comics, there are clear references of like, ‘Hey, I saw you 5,000 years ago. You remember me?’ We’re not doing that…It would be too confusing. Obviously, Hawkman reincarnates, so how many times do you need to reincarnate and still remember? All these rules [are something] you don’t want to set until those characters are really established…He is a very driven character that knows that he’s on the right side. He’s a leader. He wants to bring this team together, and bring a certain stability to the world. Hawkman has a very strong sense of what’s right or wrong, and Black Adam challenges that.”

    —Jaume Collett-Serra

    Considering Black Adam is designed to be a solo film for Johnson’s character and an introduction to the JSA, there could be plenty of time for DC to explore Hawkman’s origin more thoroughly in the future. Still, fans of the character should not get their hopes up to see it laid out in Black Adam.

    Black Adam releases in theaters on October 21, 2022.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Will Debut a “Lighter Side” of Daredevil

    ‘She-Hulk’ Will Debut a “Lighter Side” of Daredevil

    It has been a dramatic ride for Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, in his return to the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the #SaveDaredevil campaign, Cox’s cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the recent announcement that Daredevil: Born Again, it is clear that Daredevil is set to make a significant impact on the MCU proper years after the Netflix Daredevil series.

    Most recently, Cox has been confirmed to portray Daredevil in the upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and was teased in the show’s official trailer. Though his appearance is brief, it is obvious that Murdock is donning a yellow Daredevil suit rather than the red one fans of the Netflix series were accustomed to.

    Now, She-Hulk series creator and head writer Jessica Gao has opened up about how the show approached Daredevil as he appears in the series. In an interview with The Direct, Gao teased a not-so-dark interpretation of the beloved character:

    “What was so fun about bringing him and Daredevil into our world is that people have already seen a Daredevil who is very dramatic, little bit on the heavy side, very dark, brooding…And it was so fun to be able to do–and we do this with every character cameo from the MCU–is we take them from the environment that you know them from, which is a much more dramatic and action-oriented role, much more on the serious side, and we bring them into our world and they get to play in the tone of She-Hulk. And they got to explore and we get to see a lighter side of that character.”

    —Jessica Gao

    While some will be eager to see a new side of the live-action character, others have grown attached to the darker and grittier version of Daredevil that came out of the Netflix series. As Gao notes, Daredevil in She-Hulk is not the final word on how the MCU will work with the superhero. The writer makes it clear that the half-hour comedy series was able to play around with Cox’s character in contrast to how the character may otherwise exist in the broader MCU down the line.

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law will premiere on Disney+ on August 18.

    Source: The Direct