NEWS: Avengers Update...

Hey guys! Today has been a jam packed day with a ton of news, and it's still going strong...

This summer saw the release of two huge hits from the people at Marvel Studios, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk respectivley. With the release of these two films, came the possibility of an Avengers film. Marvel had the film in it's slate, but today sees the first actors to sign on. Both Robert Downey Jr. AND Don Cheadle, after taking over for Terrance Howard, have signed on for not only The Avengers, but Iron Man 2. Now, here is the complete press release released today by Marvel Studios, and it not only states the casting, but gives us a very short Avengers plot tease...

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.

What are your thoughts? The most interesting thing I got out of this was the fact that, in the plot tease, they mention that the Hulk will be TEAMING with the Avengers, probably, or at least possibly, taking him out of the much talked about villain role. Who would you like to see them battle? What do you take from this news, if anything?

Go see something good!

TRAILER: The Soloist...

So, today brings a new trailer from Dreamworks for the upcoming Robert Downey Jr. film, The Soloist. The Soloist is a film based on a 2005 Article from the LA Times reporter, Steve Lopez(you can read the original article here). The film is about a schizophrenic man, Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), who was a former prodigy with a violin and cello. He is now homeless, and his dreams of once playing at the Walt Disney Theatre have all but passed him. However, one day, he has a chance meeting with writer Steve Lopez (the aforementioned RDJ), and the two spark up a friendship. The Soloist is directed by Joe Wright, director of Pride and Prejudice and last years Atonement and is written by Susannah Grant who wrote Erin Brokovich. Here is the trailer...



For Oscar bait, it's a wee bit clean cut and, as the people at /film put it, glossy, especially with some other films coming out later this year, such as the Wrestler, but for Joe Wright, that can be expected. I think Downey Jr. is the best actor who is working today, outside of Daniel Day Lewis, and Jamie Foxx is also an underrated actor. Katherine Keener is in the film, so my excitement and anticipation is pretty much maxed out. What about you guys??

The Soloist is set to release on November 21st, 2008...

BIG NEWS!!

Alright, I've got two pretty big things to get into right now, so here are the two big headlines for today...

- It looks as though Guy Ritchie has the two leads for his Sherlock Holmes film cast...Robert Downey Jr. as the man himself, and none other than Russell Crowe as the trusty sidekick, Watson...thoughts???

- So, here's what I really wanted to talk about, and this could potentially throw everything WB has planned for next year into a downward spiral. About two weeks ago, I wrote a little note on the status of Watchmen. For those who don't know, Fox used to have the rights to the epic nerd-Catcher-In-The-Rye, and Warner Brothers have allegedly taken those rights, unlawfully, and created what looks like a really amazing film. A judge rejected an injunction WB tried to get through, getting the charges dropped, and now this little quote from the NY Times seems like things may just get worse...


“The report also outlined conflicting requests for a trial date: as early as next June, if Fox has its way, or April, if Warner prevails.”


So it looks like Watchmen will actually be delayed 'til 2010...What are your thoughts?? Is this justice, or dirty pool by one or both parties???

I really want to hear what you guys have to say, and that's all I've got for now, so come back later for more news and notes!

Go see something good!!