The Avengers confirmed as 3D & the 2nd, Mystery, Marvel Studios film gets a new date; but still clue to its secret identity..?

Disney set about announcing details for its 2 major studios, Pixar & Marvel Studios, today. Whilst Pixar’s  Frozen, a fairy tale, and will be released on the 27^th of November 2013. (12 Days after, fellow Disney Company, Marvel Studios’ Thor 2). Bigger news is the confirmation that The Avengers will continue the pattern set by Thor & Captain America: The First Avenger and be released in 3D (& 2D of course).

Way back on the 8^th of August Disney announced that 2 dates in 2014 were booked for Marvel Studios films. (Click the link below to see more.)

Marvel stakes out 2 Summer 2014 dates in response to Spider-Man webbing up their favourite release date!

But today they announced that the second of those two films got brought forward from the 27^th of June to the 4^th of April 2014. Unfortunately the film remains unnamed; so the speculation can continue unabated! Of course the most likely film to fill one of the slots is a sequel to Next Year’s The Avengers (3D). That being the case it would explain Disney’s / Marvel Studios’, reluctance to ‘Put the cart before the horse’ and announce an expensive sequel to film that hasn’t even been out yet (let alone proven to be profitable in these volatile times for many movies). Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim, Shaun of The Dead, Spaced & Tintin) has long been at work on Ant-Man and it’s 11 months since Marvel Studios commissioned Mark Bailey (Ghosts of Abu Ghraib) to write The Black Panther, based on Marvel’s (and mainstream, American, Comic books’) first ‘major’ black super hero. So that’s three films vying for 2 spots.

But there’s more than that waiting. Marvel Studios have repeatedly said that details on ‘Phase 2’ of their entry into the film making business (AKA what we do after we cement the MCU, unified movie universe) with The Avengers, won’t be finalised / released until after the success of The Avengers can be measured. Whilst it was sensible to very quickly stake out, and announce, dates for sequels to Iron Man 2 and Thor; the dates for sequels to Captain America and The Incredible Hulk (Which is still neither certain, nor off the table) are to be determined as Marvel Studios / Disney ponder the balance between sequels to the established characters solo and team efforts with the desire to launch fresh, new characters.

There’s also the balance to be found between expensive launches like Thor, Iron Man & Captain America, and the less risky path of introducing characters in Avengers films, or other MCU films; As has been done with S.H.I.E.L.D, Nick Fury, War Machine, Hawkeye & Black Widow. All of whom are to appear, together or apart in future films about S.H.I.E.L.D & / or Hawkeye & Widow. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has spoken about increasing the number of films Marvel Studios releases in a year from 1 or 2 (so far the pattern is 2-0-1-2-1-2-2: from 2008 – 2014) to 2 – 3 films a year. With Thor 2 now a winter film, perhaps moving Mystery film B up to the start of April is the precursor to a third mystery film being announced for November 2014? So font runners are The Avengers 2, The Black Panther and Ant-Man. But also in the hunt are Doctor Strange (which Kevin Feige has discussed more than once), Captain America 2, The Incredible Hulk Returns (The TV show may be based in the same timeline, but being a prequel would not affect the character’s future film appearances), Nick Fury agent of S.H.I.E.L.D, Hawkeye & Black Widow (although that film could be folded into the S.H.I.E.L.D movie, Luke Cage: Power Man and Runaways are all apparently in the mix having had some eat at one time or another this past year or 2.

The question is, with younger viewers absent from American cinemas for much of 2011; Fox & Sony restarting the Marvel Characters they have the rights to (X-Men, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, Daredevil & The Fantastic Four) and Warner Brothers continuing to strive for life outside of Batman, with Man of Steel, Justice League and probably another go at Green Lantern; can Marvel Studios sustain a 3 or 4 film a year slate without watering down the desire for these films? Quality and diversity are key, of course, but it may not be enough. Many a quality film went to the wall in North America this year. That said it is hard to imagine The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises failing to be in 2012’s top 5 grossers list; even the Amazing Spider-Man has a shot; in fact based on the success of the other 3 Spider-Man films compared to the Batman and Marvel Studios movies, The Amazing Spider-Man is in best shape too challenge for $1b and number one film of the year. I’m not saying I think that will happen, just putting the numbers out there and the fact that Spider-Man remains the most popular American Superhero to the public at large. (Sorry comic book readers, but it is true.)

Prometheus Trailer: All is revealed! Nah it’s still mysterious, but it’s a great trailer anyway...

Finally we get our first real look at the “It isn’t an Alien Prequel”. At once reminiscent of both Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens, this film looks like something fans will be camping out to see. Interestingly Charlize Theron will do battle with herself as this film will cash heads with Snow White & The Huntsman at the beginning of June.

Aliens...

Alien..this is never good...

Synopsis...

“Ridley Scott, director of "Alien" and "Blade Runner," returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.”

Behold his mighty works...

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailer...

There are some extremely highly anticipated films coming out in 2012. Christopher Nolan’s series ending ‘The Dark Knight Rises’; Marvel Studios 5 year project ‘The Avengers’; The faithful looking adaptation ‘The Hunger Games’; The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt 2 is all but guaranteed to become that series’ highest earner and cannot be ruled out of the race to top the year’s box office. Even the “we really would have preferred Spider-Man 4” restart ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ is  gaining momentum; The 'Lord of the Rings' inspired trilogy starter 'Snow White & The Huntsman' has also thrown itself right into the mix following it’s remarkably well received trailer. But it is a film that is actually directly connected to 'The Lord of The Rings' films that is likely to be the most anticipated film of 2012.

What could that be...

Old 'friends' for the first time...

Once again directed by Peter Jackson the first of two Hobbit films opens on the 14^th of December 2012 and I’m already getting misty eyed remember how, for 3 years, it seemed that Christmas (and my sister’s birthday) weren’t the biggest things to happen in December. The Dwarves look tough, Sir Ian McKellan looks beardy and the landscapes look seeping ad epic-y. Can we just skip to next Christmas?

Synopsis...

“"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever ... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths ofguile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities ... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.”

The Hobbit movies get release dates and titles. Preciooouuuusssss!

Some old friends meet some new ones and if this isn’t a huge hit I’ll eat my hats, and I have a lot of hats. The ever impressive cast includes Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Richard Armitage and the peerless master of Mo-Cap Andy Serkis. Despite having to withdraw from directing the Hobbit films Guillermo del Torojoins Rings veterans Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyen in the writing credits.

Wrath of The Titans (Clash of The Titans 2): This time it’s watchable! Honest guv! Trailer time...

The promise of better is coming from the film makers not me! You can still read my growing concerns for the quality of Clash of Titans in my old blog for The SyFy channel’s website; before that films successful, but hideous, half-D release here...

The Avatar Effect - 3D for the Masses - 

Despite the second most atrocious 3D-Conversion of all time (remarkably M. Knight Shamylan’s woeful Adaptation destruction of The Last Airbender managed an eve more half arsed, hatchet job of a 3D conversions, in a film that made even greater ruin of an even better source story. But I digress) Clash of the Titans managed to rake in $493,214,993; meaning the dreams of a Titans inspired trilogy (at least) were well and truly kept alive. What’s more after the 1981 original and the remake we’re finally going to get at least one actual Titan in the story this time: Kronos!

Synopsis...

“A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus (Worthington) --the demigod son of Zeus (Neeson)--is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades (Fiennes) and Poseidon (Danny Huston). The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus' godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramirez), switch loyalties and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans' strength grows stronger as Zeus' remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon's demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.”

I know a stellar cast didn’t do wonders for the first film, but this is a good ne never the less - Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, Danny Huston, Edgar Ramiez, Bill Nighy, Toby Kebbell and Rosamund Pike replacing Alexa Davalos as Andromeda. Jonathan Liebesman (Battle Los Angeles) directs the monsters and madmen. The first actual Titans smash is on the 30th of March 2012! It'll be a big year for fantasy with Snow White & The Huntsman, Hansel & Gretel, Mirror, Mirror, Jack The Giant Killer all hitting in the space of 4 months, alongside Wrath of The Titans.

UPDATE 23/2/12 - 2nd trailer here...

Wrath of The Titans: New trailer promises much...(I know, I know so did Clash right?)

Prometheus: The trailer for the trailer arrives...

Well I suppose if there was a film and a director that would actually make this slightly annoying trend acceptable, it is Ridly Scott telling us his Prometheus trailer (it’s not an Alien prequel) will be out in 3 days.

Prometheus is...still a mystery. (Not Alien 0.1)

Synopsis...

“Ridley Scott, director of "Alien" and "Blade Runner," returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.”

So are some things finally about to be revealed? See for yourself...

The Dark Knight Rises: Full trailer (HD), ‘Nuff said’...

Seriously - Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway. The League of Shadows return; there are Weapons of Mass destruction and a Batwing – thing...

Synopsis...

“Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' "The Dark Knight Rises" is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale ("The Fighter") again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose"), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine ("The Cider House Rules") plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") reprises the role of Lucius Fox. 

The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on "Batman Begins" and the record-breaking blockbuster "The Dark Knight." The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.”

You already know you’re going; weddings will have to be cancelled...

John Carter TV spots: Disney adaptation of the Sci-Fi epic ramps up the promos...

This is still a very, very risky film. No “stars”; a source book(s) with ‘questionable’ modern following; a first time “live action” director (As with the well received Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’s Brad Bird, I’m not sure that’s a problem) and a very, very big budget. (Rumoured to be around $250m)

But at a time where studios are pulling back from riskier fare (Example Warner Bros postponement of both Paradise Lost Arthur & Lancelot or the abandonment of Guillermo dl Toro’s At The Mountains of Madness) You have to hope that films like this, Snow White & The huntsman succeed both creatively and commercially. After all, as Hugo reminds' us the cinema is mean to be the birthplace of dreams.

Hugo featurette: Martin Scorsese & James Cameron discuss Scorsese’s 1st 3D film...

Synopsis...

“From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes "John Carter"--a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). "John Carter" is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.”

Two TV Spots for the price of one, It really is Christmas!