Hugh Jackman Named Sexiest Man in the Universe too. Sknit!

He’s a triple threat: a star who can sing, dance and wield a weapon. At 6 ft. 2 in., all scruff and biceps, Hugh Jackman looms large in the epic Australia, which he says kept him “dirty 95 percent of the time” and left people stammering, “Oh … my … God,” according to costar Nicole Kidman, who adds, “Women’s jaws drop when Hugh walks into a room.” – from People

‘Captain America’ enlists two scribes

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely are in negotiations to pen Marvel Studios’ “First Avenger: Captain America.” The dealmaking occurs about a week after Joe Johnston boarded the project as director.

Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing.

Created in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon for Timely Comics, Captain America is the heroic alter ego of Steve Rogers, who is rejected by the Army for being too sickly and undergoes an experiment that takes him to the pinnacle of human form. Paired with an indestructible shield, he becomes a symbol of the war effort, fighting Nazis and villainous scientists like the Red Skull.

- from THR

Joe Johnston to Direct Captain America!

Yes! Joe Johnston rocks. I loved Rocketeer. I loved October Skies. Joe’s been a great talent — waiting for his next great project for way too longer. Well, Marvel has delivered that project to Joe, in the form of Captain America:

Joe Johnston has inked a deal to direct “First Avenger: Captain America,” Marvel Studios’ take on its classic comic book character. Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing. No writers are on board, but the studio, which is hearing pitches, expects to hire shortly.

Johnston first met with Marvel two years ago. When the two parties clicked, general talks turned into Captain America-specific meetings, with much of the project’s current direction resulting from those early conversations.

“This is a guy who designed the vehicles for ‘Star Wars,’ who storyboarded the convoy action sequence for ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ” Feige said. “From ‘Rocketeer’ to ‘October Sky’ to ‘The Wolfman,’ you can look at pieces of his movies and see how they lead to this one.”

- from THR

‘Iron Man’ lifts Marvel’s earnings

Marvel Entertainment delivered some much-needed superhero news Tuesday, reporting “Iron Man” boosted third-quarter profits 40%.
The Gotham film, comic and licensing outfit also raised full-year guidance for 2008, but cautioned that 2009 will see a movie-less lull and resulting earnings softness and a recession hit of 10%-15%. In 2010 and 2011, the company forecasts a rebound thanks to a return to two tentpole releases a year.

For the quarter, net profit hit $50.6 million, up from $36.3 million a year ago. Total revenue surged 48% to $182.5 million.

Results were especially strong, execs said, because revenue associated with the B.O. on “Iron Man,” some $60 million, was recorded earlier than expected.

The Paramount release kickstarted the summer in May. Along with “The Incredible Hulk,” a solid Universal hit in July, it pushed the company’s film unit to $90.2 million in revenue. “Iron Man” came out on DVD on Sept. 30, the last day of the quarter.

Both titles together have collected nearly $1.1 billion in worldwide B.O. and homevid revenue.

- from Variety

Stephen Colbert for President – in Marvel Universe

Americans will vote for the next president of the U.S. this week, either Barack Obama or John McCain. But in a parallel universe, another presidential nominee has attracted a following. The candidate: Stephen Colbert, the 44-year-old Comedy Central talk-show host. His platform is Marvel Comics, publisher of comics such as “Spider-Man” and “The Hulk.” From fictional rallies to posters and stickers, Marvel Comics has spun a presidential race spanning over a dozen of its titles in which Mr. Colbert has been on a grueling 10-month campaign to be the next president.

“I like to think about it as wishful thinking,” said Padraic Monahan, a clerk at Forbidden Planet, a New York City comic book store. “Stephen Colbert is much more approachable than other politicians. I’d vote for him if he were on the ticket.”

It’s not the first time Mr. Colbert has been linked to the presidency, or that he has blurred the line between politics and parody. Last October the comedian announced on his show, “The Colbert Report,” that he was running for president. The Democrats declined to put the entertainer on their primary ballot, and Mr. Colbert didn’t pay the Republican’s $35,000 fee to get on their ballot.

But Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada decided to keep Mr. Colbert’s campaign alive in his comic books after appearing as a guest on “The Colbert Report” in January.

“I’m a huge fan of the show,” Mr. Quesada said. “Once we had the invite [to be on "The Colbert Report"] we decided to do something for him.”

Mr. Quesada said he and Mr. Colbert talk on a regular basis about the storyline and that it is not a paid partnership.

The Wall Street Journal contacted Mr. Colbert for comment:

“Spidey got his powers from being bitten by a radioactive spider, but I got my powers from being bitten by a radioactive me,” Mr. Colbert said via email.

- from WSJ

Downey Jr. extends Marvel deal, to star in ‘Avengers,’ ‘Iron Man 3′

Robert Downey Jr. is living up to his title as Marvel Studios’ Iron Man.

In addition to starring in “Iron Man 2,” Downey has agreed to return as billionaire Tony Stark and his crime-fighting alter ego in “The Avengers” and a third “Iron Man” installment, guaranteeing the thesp a superhero-sized payday and his own ongoing franchise as part of a four-picture deal with the comicbook company.

Jon Favreau, who is set to helm the second “Iron Man” pic, will also exec produce “The Avengers,” which is skedded for release on July 15, 2011. Pic will unite the Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Incredible Hulk characters.

Company confirmed that Don Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard as Col. James Rhodes in the “Iron Man” sequels. Cheadle will also appear in “The Avengers.”

- from Variety

“Iron Man” duo Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau will reunite for “The Avengers,” Marvel Studios’ film about its team of superheroes. Don Cheadle, whose deal to replace Terrence Howard in the “Iron Man” movies has been finalized, also has signed to perform in the action movie.

Downey has signed a four-picture deal with Marvel Studios, which will see him reprise the character of Tony Stark not only for “Iron Man 2″ and “Iron Man 3,” but also for the “Avengers” movie. (The deal retroactively includes the first “Iron Man.”)

Favreau, who is directing “Iron Man 2,” will exec produce “Avengers.” Cheadle will play Jim Rhodes, Stark’s best friend, who becomes the suit-wearing hero “War Machine.”

Marvel’s current slate is designed to introduce superhero characters via individual movies that lead up to the characters teaming up for “Avengers,” which is set for a release in 2011.

Marvel hoped and planned for Downey, who made a cameo in “The Incredible Hulk,” to be involved in “Avengers” but the deal took some time to nail down.

- from THR

MARVEL STUDIOS PRODUCTION UPDATE

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2

As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.

Academy Award® nominee Downey was most recently seen in the summer comedy blockbuster TROPIC THUNDER starring opposite Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Before Iron Man, he was best known for his film roles in KISS KISS BANG BANG, WONDER BOYS and CHAPLIN, the film for which he was nominated for an Oscar®.

In addition to directing the first IRON MAN, Favreau has previously directed ELF, ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE and MADE. He is also well known for writing and starring in SWINGERS. He will next be seen acting in FOUR CHRISTMASES, I LOVE YOU MAN and COUPLES RETREAT.

DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2

Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Marvel’s IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.
Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.

“We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights,” said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

Cheadle is best known for his Oscar® nominated lead performance in HOTEL RWANDA as well as his role as Basher Tarr in the OCEAN’S franchise, CRASH and SWORDFISH.

Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer’s box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.

In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.

The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Cheadle is represented by UTA. Downey and Favreau are represented by CAA.

Even Terrence Howard Was Shocked About Iron Man 2 Recast

When the announcement hit that Don Cheadle was replacing Terrence Howard as Col. James Rhodes in Iron Man 2, the reaction was severe – most people seemed to really like Howard. Not only was it shocking to all of us, but apparently Howard himself didn’t even know until he read the news. “Yeah, I found that out, too,” he said in an interview with NPR recently. “It was the surprise of a lifetime. There was no explanation. But it was gone… just up and vanished.” The night after the news was announced, I was talking with another friend of mine, who firmly believed that Marvel had announced this just as a way to get Howard’s attention – and that he might be back eventually. Now I’m not really sure what’s going on?

Howard added that, “I read something in the trades implicating that it was about money or something. But apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren’t worth the paper that they’re printed on, sometimes.” If you think that’s a brutal way to cut off an actor, just listen to Howard’s semi-emotional response. “Promises aren’t kept, and good faith negotiations aren’t always held up. Even friendships, people you support…”

- from firstshowing

‘Iron Man’ Writers Want Hulk To Be ‘The Avengers’ Villain

Everything in the Marvel Film Universe is leading to the eventual superhero tag team-up, “The Avengers,” with Iron Man, Ant-Man, Thor, and Captain America all fighting side-by-side. What possible villain could compete with that?

“The Incredible Hulk” director Louis Leterrier told MTV News this past June that he didn’t think any villain could, and suggested that they use a hero instead: his.

“Iron Man” writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, who themselves may be writing another Marvel movie in the near future, couldn’t agree more, they told MTV News, insisting that everything is building towards making The Hulk the villain in the eagerly anticipated 2011 movie.

“I hope ‘The Avengers’ embraces that,” Fergus said of having the Hulk as misunderstood baddie. “You don’t want like 10 super-badass good guys fighting together. Where’s the fun in that? Let’s break it off a little. Friends or colleagues who become enemies is always an interesting thing because you know it’s based on love and friendship and that’s always the worst thing to have turn bad — is someone you actually care about and someone you actually believe in.”

- from MTV

Don Cheadle joins ‘Iron Man 2,’ replacing Terrence Howard

Don Cheadle is stepping in to replace Terrence Howard in “Iron Man 2,” Marvel Studios’ sequel to its summer blockbuster.

In the movie, Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man’s best friend and future armor-clad hero War Machine. One scene featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying “Next time,” a line that caused great delight for fans.

But there will be no next time for Howard.

Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons. Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor, who is shooting Antoine Fuqua’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

- from THR

Marvel assembles cartoon ‘Avengers’

The cry of “Avengers assemble” will soon be coming from the television.

Marvel Animation, the cartoon division of Marvel Entertainment, is beginning production on “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” the company’s latest animated series.

Film Roman, the company behind “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill,” has been tapped to produce the 26-episode series, which will be available for broadcast in 2011, in time for Marvel Studios’ releases of the tentpole live-action movies “The First Avenger: Captain America” and “The Avengers.”

- from THR