Marvel Films Updates

An update on Marvel Studios' upcoming superhero films has been given by president of production Kevin Feige at a conference in Culver City, California.

Feige told the conference that the failure of the Warner Bros film "Batman and Robin" in 1997 was seen as a turning point for comic book movie adaptations and led to them being treated more seriously.

He then gave updates on Marvel's scheduled film slate up to 2012, which consists so far of "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America" and "The Avengers."

Feige also told us the latest on the proposed "Ant-Man" movie and then mentioned a surprise superhero film project.

In regards to "Iron Man 2," Feige said that at the start they sat down and talked about their favorite sequels and why they worked so well. What they discovered was that "they told a relativity simple story so they could focus on the characters and crack open the mythology instead." He explains that they really wanted to carry over the sense of humor and the tone from the first movie, as that tone was the most delicate element that they had to establish the first time around and it turned out so well. What they wanted to improve upon for the sequel was to add more characters, to see if they could maintain that tone with a wider ensemble, and up the action.

Feige also confirmed that Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were officially cast in "Thor." He spoke very highly about both actors, but focused more on Hiddleston, who plays the villain Loki. Feige explained that finding a classic villain that could be sustained over the course of many films and provide the hero with a challenge while also being a mirror of that hero himself was very tough. "Loki has those aspects." He also did say that Thor takes place on both modern Earth and other worlds like Asgard, confirming what we heard the other day about Donald Blake not being a part of the story and the setting be primarily Earth. And lastly, he said that director Kenneth Branagh would not let them use any classic Shakespearian dialogue like was often used in the comics.

Feige confirmed that "The First Avenger: Captain America" is "primarily" a period piece that takes place during WWII. He said they went and looked at "Raiders of the Lost Ark," which he says he "didn't know" was a period piece when he was watching it. They want to make Captain America with the "same level of fun" as that. And in regards to director Joe Johnston, he said that this would be a little bit of "The Rocketeer," lots of "October Sky," and a little bit of the ship designs that Johnston did for "Star Wars," (What? No "Jurassic Park III?") alluding to how this is the perfect movie for him to direct. "It's the movie his entire career has been leading towards."

One reveal Feige did make is that Cap's sidekick Bucky would indeed be in "Captain America."

We already know that "Iron Man 2" is up next, then "Thor," then "Captain America," then "The Avengers" in the summer of 2012. Feige said that they're "ordered this way for a reason." And confirmed that Samuel Jackson and Scarlett Johansson as well as Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston are signed on for multiple movies or "multiple franchises," further extending that hint that Loki will be a villain who shows up quite often. Feige kept saying often that he'd love for audiences to have the same experience that comic book readers have - where characters make surprise appearances almost out of nowhere in issues they pick up.

Edgar Wright is currently finishing up another draft of "Ant-Man" for Marvel to look at after he finishes "Scott Pilgrim."
Feige said that they'll be announcing another new movie for 2012 within the next few months. What could it be?

The mystery movie might be any of these:
# Deadpool (if it's being made by Marvel, not Fox, as has been rumoured)

# Doctor Strange (Marvel is keen on this project and said it would be part of the next slate of movies. It's been reported that "Grey's Anatomy" actor Patrick Dempsey visited Marvel's offices to express his interest in the title role.)

# Namor (The rights had been sold to Universal many years back but will by now have reverted to Marvel)

# Luke Cage (This has been in development for a long time, with John Singleton attached to direct and Tyrese Gibson set to star)

# Black Panther (John Singleton has said he is interested in directing a "Black Panther" movie, and Wesley Snipes has long been keen on this role)

That is a lot of Marvel news to take in. Just one question. Where is Hulk?
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: First Showing, The Geek Files