Joss Whedon signed for Avengers 2

I don't think there's much doubt that a big part of The Avengers success was due to writer/director Joss Whedon's handling of the characters and lovingly comic sensibilities. Well now the good news is he's going to back for Avengers 2, but it gets even better (at least for Marvel). Marvel has Whedon signed to an exclusive contract for film and television through June 2015. This suggests that Avengers 2 will be landing in May 2015. Whedon will also be developing a Marvel TV series for ABC to be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Whedon's work on Avengers was fantastic, it's his work on TV series like Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer that have cemented his place is so many geek hearts. Whedon's return is great news for a few reasons. Among these are Whedon's comments that he'd like more female characters, so here's hoping for Carol Danvers to put in an appearance, and also more time for Hawkeye as something other than a meet puppet. More at /Film and io9.

Hobbit gets an extra film

Following up what seemed an off-hand comment at this year's ComicCon, Peter Jackson has announced that The Hobbit will in fact become three movies, instead of the originally planned two. This means The Hobbit will get as much screen time as the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. I've made so secret of my love for those films, so this is exciting news, but I'm not sure just how PJ and company are going to manage to stretch this out. TheOneRing.net has a few ideas and NewLine has begun to register domain names that hint at possible titles for the next film. Of course, we'll know a lot more in December when An Unexpected Journey finally hits theaters.

Comic Review: Captain Marvel #1

Wednesday saw the release of issue #1 of Marvel's new Captain Marvel series, which sees former Ms. Marvel Carol Danvers take over the Captain Marvel name (like my previous post about the Ultimates, I'm aware of just how many times I'm using the word 'Marvel'). Technically, the new and improved Carol premiered last week in Avenging Spider-man #9, but this is the first issue that Carol gets all to herself (though Captain America and Spider-man do put in guest appearances). Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick has created a much more confident, self-assured version of Carol than appeared in the character's previous Ms. Marvel series. Now, neither Marvel or DeConnick would ever admit that this new book was in any way an answer to the problems DC faced with female characters in their New 52 line. Still, this new version of Carol Danvers--without "Ms." in the title and a uniform that shows less skin--is obviously designed as a hero rather than another sexy comic book woman. And I think that's great, because more so than ever, it looks like the new Captain Marvel is going to be one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Breaking: Anthony Mackie to play Falcon in Winter Soldier

On the heels of ComicCon, the Hollywood Reporter has the news that Hurt Locker and Adjustment Bureau star Anthony Mackie is in negotiations to play Falcon in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Mackie had previously expressed interest in the Black Panther role, but with that film not on the immediate horizon for Marvel, it seems talks have shifted. The Falcon, real name Sam Wilson, has been a supporting character in Captain America comics since he was introduced in 1969. The Falcon was significant in being the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics (Black Panther was a native African), as well the first black superhero not have the word "Black" in his name. Falcon played a major role in Ed Brubaker's Winter Soldier storyline, soit won't be a surprise to see the character appear in the film.
In Marvel's mainstream universe, Falcon is a reformed criminal with the ability to telepathically communicate with birds. Meanwhile, his Ultimate universe counterpart is a genius SHIELD scientist. On film, I expect him fall more in line with the Ultimate version, the same treatment Hawkeye received in The Avengers.

Ultimate Falcon

Mainstream Falcon

ComicCon updates: Iron Man 3, Winter Soldier, Ant Man, Thor 2 and Rocket Raccoon!

Big news from Marvel's Iron Man 3 panel at ComicCon yesterday. The biggest for me? The Captain America sequel has been officially titled Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Meanwhile, Thor's sequel has been subtitled The Dark World, which tells considerably less about the film's plot. Iron Man's new Extremis armor has been revealed and speculation regarding the villain has been confirmed. Guardians of the Galaxy will indeed be the second 2014 Marvel film, and Edgar Wright showed off Ant-Man test footage, though there's still no release date. Details and my thoughts are all after the jump.

They made a LEGO Bag End!

Bag End is arguably the single most recognizable location from Middle Earth. Both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit begin and end on its doorstep. And now from ComicCon, TheOneRing.net brings us an exclusive look at the Lego version. Click on the image for a fantastic hi-res look at Bilbo's Unexpected Party and the hold in the ground in which lives a Hobbit.

Item 47 and Iron Man 3 concept art

In preparation for ComicCon, Marvel has released some official concept art from Iron Man 3. Here it is, Tony Stark wearing just a couple parts of his armor. It looks like the heavy gold color scheme is going to be in for this movie after all, and based on this image, Stark is going to be shifting toward the modular armor that probably leads toward Extremis. The common rumor is this: Based on Captain America's quote from The Avengers ("Just a big man in a suit of armor, take that away and what are you?") Stark turns to nano-technology to make himself more than a man in a suit, and interfaces himself directly with his armor.

Meanwhile, the first still and synopsis has been revealed Marvel's next short, premiering with The Avengers Blu-ray in September. According to Entertainment Weekly, the short features Lizzy Caplan and Jesse Bradford as a couple who find a Chitauri guns from the finale of The Avengers and proceed to make some bad decisions that cause S.H.I.E.L.D. to step in. Of course, Agent Coulson won't be the star, but there's always a chance on of these new characters could turn out to be a key player in the Marvel cinematic universe. 

Iron Man 3, Thor 2, and more movies and comics

Iron Man 3 just started filming, and here's everything you need to know about it. Also, updates on Thor 2 and beyond. Other studios are moving on. Also, GI Joe 2 got moved, supposedly for 3D conversion. but there could be a different reason. It's all after the jump, and depending on the validity of certain rumors just might contain spoilers.

Trailer for the new Hawkeye origin... er, Bourne movie

This August, Jeremy Renner takes over the Bourne franchise from Matt Damon. Check out the trailer, which also feature former Bruce Banner Ed Norton. And I'm serious, barring an actual origin movie for Hawkeye, this will work just fine (interviews have suggested the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ditched the whole circus origin for the character). I've heard a few people say he was lamest of the Avengers, and admittedly he doesn't have the super powers of his other teammates, but I defy you to watch any of the Bourne or Bond movies and tell me those guys aren't superheroes. So next time you watch the Avengers, just remember: Hawkeye is this kind of superhero. And when you watch Bourne Legacy, just remember that it's most likely that this is how the movie version of Hawkeye came to exist. Heck, it's not even much of a stretch to imagine that Rachel Wiesz is Barbara Morse.

It's the "No duh" move of the week!

In a move that everyone totally saw coming, Disney CEO announced the development of ‘The Avengers 2′ (via /Film) As the film runs away with box office records, is anyone surprised by this? Anyone? By the way, I'll be putting up a review eventually, but what do you expect? I loved the movie, and it's my favorite of the year.

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