Yesterday we learned two things. Sony isn't as dumb as I was starting to think they were, & both them & Marvel Studios/Disney like money. This revelation came with the announcement of Spider-Man remaining in the MCU for a third installment, & another MCU film. Variety's reporting Marvel will get roughly 25% of Sony's solo venture, while also putting about the same towards production this time around. This is a no-brainer, win/win. Sony was missing almost anything that goes with the Tom Holland Spider-Man's plot without Marvel, & though Marvel really had nothing to lose, we like Spider-Man in the MCU. Not to mention Sony would've made a lot of forced decisions because of this, & it might have damaged more than just Spider-Man for them in the long run. Meanwhile, Marvel don’t have to uncomfortably not mention Peter's existence. Hopefully there's a fail safe that writes Spidey out of the MCU by the end of these. Or we can prepare to go through this again. Until then, thoughts? Put ‘em in the comments, like, & share.
Sony/Marvel Studios Spider-Man Split And What I'd Do
With Disney news being scarce on the way to D23, I wasn't expecting anything this significant from Marvel Studios. And well, technically this isn't about them, it's about Sony. I heard this first last night on Collider, but at that point it seemed there was a lot of hope still they could come to something. Today when I woke up though, THR has pretty much confirmed Sony is taking their ball & going home when it comes to Spider-Man. After a long negotiations the webslinger will not be returning to the MCU. Stupid move for Sony in my book, but I can’t say I didn't see it coming. With the Venom & Spiderverse success, & a little time with the borrowed super success of the MCU films, Sony might think they have it figured out now. Who knows what this means for the character. We know a third with Holland should be a given with the billion dollar run of Far From Home, imaginehow that will look if you just strip away all things MCU? No Tony, no Happy, no reference to the Avengers, or even the blip from Thanos' snap. That's a ton of major plot points. They could Spiderverse him. Would anyone want to see that though? They could kill him off early in the next & go Miles Morales proper. I feel like Sony has a lot more to think about right now than Marvel. It's easier to write out a character than to write out all the characters around a character & keep going. It seems to all come down to money in the long run. Marvel wants to bump there 5% to 50%, & that's a hell of a jump. A Sony Spider-Man has never made a billion dollars & climbing though. They topped out at 890 mil with Spider-Man 3. No argument their worst, only getting there due to the success of part 2. Take that & double it you've got 1780. With Far From Home at 1109 & still creeping, we're shy 680 million as of right now to doubling the profits of Sony's best outing with the friendly neighborhood hero. While that's a huge number still, I'm just saying maybe that 50% is crazy, but so is 5%. Negotiations were needed, but like I’ve been saying, I saw this coming. Contract was up after Far From Home. Anything past actually would have been the surprise for me. I just barely started to think a third might happen after how much money this one did make. Not that my thoughts will matter to them, but I think Sony's failing to see that big picture of their losses as of right now. Even if they had to give up more than they wanted now, they should think long run. If Sony was smart they'd have negotiated “Spiderversing” Holland in the end of a MCU third or side entry like Doctor Strange. Even if it's a 1 or 2 film contract to do so. Everyone wins. No missing MCU character, & Sony gets Holland, with story still in tact, to drop in any part of the Spiderverse they please. Anyway, curious to see what happens, but even more so to hear y'all's thoughts. Put ‘em in the comments, like, & share.
"Captain Marvel" Will Resurrect Some Names From The Dead
Get ready to see dead people on March 8th, 2019. Marvel Studios announced that production has started on Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson. In which they revealed some deceased Marvel Universe alumni that will be joining the fray. Considering this film takes place in the 90s before all the MCU films as we know them they can pretty much bring back whoever they want. We already knew we were getting a two eyed Sam Jackson as Nick Fury, but new revelations from EW add Lee Pace & Djimon Hounsou as Ronan the Accuser & Korath of the first Guardians of the Galaxy to the upcoming film. If that's not enough dead men walking, Clark Gregg is coming back to the Marvel Studios big screen as S.H.I.E.L.D agent Phil Coulson. Also known cast include Ben Mendelsohn, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Algenis Perez Soto, Rune Temte, McKenna Grace, & Jude Law. This is friggin' awesome! I hope this isn't all the characters that pop up. I'm guessing Cap is still frozen even? I wonder if this will open up the timeline further to add in things here & there. This feels like a dangerous, yet highly intriguing move for a series already so deep in. This could stir up so many inconsistencies. If they do it smoothly though, the sky's the limit to what they can do. If they can fit this in seamlessly, the timeline is irrelevant. They can put stuff on as they see fit, opening up so many possibilities. I'm super excited for this one. Captain Marvel will be directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck based on their screenplay alongside Meg LeFauve, Nicole Pearlman, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Liz Flahive, & Carly Mensch. And on that note, what do ya'll think if these additions? Anyone else you'd like to see in the 90s? Put it in the comments, like, & share.
Spider-Man's Screen-time In "Avengers: Infinity War" & Even More Trailers For "Spider-Man Homecoming"
So we all know everyone & their mother is set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War. Now we're getting an idea of where everyone's favorite neighborhood superhero falls into the mix. Collider mentioned a Spider-Man: Homecoming press junket where Fandango questioned Marvel's own Kevin Feige about how much screen-time Spidey will have in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War? He replied, "I think it might feel bigger a little bit because of Homecoming & because of what people know from it, but it's about on par with [Civil War]." This is pretty much on par with what I was thinking everyone was going to get for Infinity War. You gotta figure you'll have the cast of Civil War, Hulk, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos, & Lord knows who else. How much screen-time can even be available in the first place with that big of a cast? In other Spidey news here's some new trailers. Full scene clips actually, & even in the comments to the video someone mentions how they feel like they've now seen most of the movie. I do have to somewhat agree, this movie has now officially reached over-trailered status for me. I love what I'm seeing, don't get me wrong. Everything about this looks good. I just don't want to see anything else new until I'm sitting in the theater. At least they're saving Michael Keaton's Vulture. I feel like he's the only thing we haven't seen a lot from. I hope they keep it that way too. Keaton's probably the thing I'm most excited for in this movie. Anyway, what do y'all think? Has it been too many trailers? And what are you're guesses on the rest of the screen-time for Avengers: Infinity War? Let us know in the comments, like, & share.
Tom Holland's Spider-man May Appear In Non-MCU Sony Spinoffs?
I saw this on monkeysfightingrobots.com, & I don't know what to take out of this video at all. In an interview with Amy Pascal (Sony Executive) & Kevin Feige (Marvel Studios President), Amy is speaking about the Sony announced Black Cat & Venom Sony films. She says, "Those movies will all take place in the world that we're creating for Peter Parker. I mean, they'll be adjunct to it; they may be different locations, but it will still all be in the same world & they will be connected to each other as well." She's then asked of Tom Holland appearing. In which she says, "There's always a chance." Definitely watch the video though, as the look of pure confusion on Kevin Feige's face speaks to me as this not being the last we're going to hear on this subject. Definitely going to keep my eyes & ears on any developments to come. I'd be all for these spin-offs if I they weren't a Sony only production. They've had too many chances at this already, & I'm only trusting the hands of the MCU with Spidey. Now if I hear these will also be in conjunction with Marvel Studios, I may change my mind. Until then though this is just another bad idea from Sony. What do y'all think? Leave it in the comments, like, & share.
James Gunn Will Partner With Feige To Oversee Marvel Cosmic Universe
Before the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 we talked about James Gunn taking up Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. We also went on to mention how that would be the beginning shape of things to come in the Marvel Cosmic Universe. I took that as this, but apparently I jumped the gun. According to Collider yesterday, in an interview with IGN Gunn has revealed that he will work with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige to oversee the future of the entire Marvel Cosmic Universe. As I said, I kinda thought this was a thing already. It's confirmed now though, & I think it's awesome. Guardians have become my favorite entries in the Marvel Universe. Which is strange considering out of all the comics I get every week, I've never really read Guardians. I have to thank the X-men crossover Black Vortex for giving me the limited amount of Guardians of the Galaxy knowledge I do have. I used that knowledge to win the soundtrack at the opening of Volume 2. Anyway, are you pumped about this James Gunn revelation or do you think Feige was fine on his own? Let us know in the comments, like & share.
Could We Be Closer To A Marvel TV & Marvel Movies Crossover?
Kevin Feige has always addressed the Marvel TV universe is part of the Marvel Movie universe, but complications scheduling between the two worlds stops that from happening. In an interview with io9 when asked if a character on TV 100% means they will not be in the cinematic universe Feige replied, "Not necessarily." The future's a long time. So, the truth is, I don't really know, but there are a lot of TV shows being made, & hopefully we'll continue to make a lot of movies. At some point, there's going to be a crossover. Crossover, repetition, or something." Now some people are getting out of this that a TV/Movie crossover is basically happening now, but he didn't act like this was anything on the table in the foreseeable future. I really can't get over the doubling back after saying crossover though. He repeated, then made sure to add repetition or something. To me that just seems to point more to seeing someone else picking up the role like DC is handling their TV & Movie universes over at Universal. What do you think this sounds like? Leave it in the comments, like, & share.
Stan Lee's Cameos In The Marvel Cinematic Universe Are What?!?
It's been an ongoing theory for awhile, one that I've actually thought would be really cool, is that Stan Lee is actually Uatu the Watcher. Uatu watches Earth as part of a race of cosmic beings that appear to oversee major events throughout the galaxy. WARNING THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 2. This theory was acknowledged in a conversation with Screen Rant by Kevin Feige in which he said, "Yes, we always thought it [the theory] would be fun. Stan Lee clearly exists, you know, above & apart from the reality of all the films. So the notion that he could be sitting there on a cosmic pit stop during the jump gate sequence in Guardians was something very fun..." Apparently, & this was a spoiler for me too as I still haven't seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Stan Lee appears in a space suit talking to the Watchers. It takes some reading in between the lines, but it's being strongly hinted through all of this that, yes, Stan Lee is Uatu the Watcher. Feige went on to talk about James Gunn having the idea & loving it. They had taken it out, but put it back in at the last minute, a spot where Stan Lee references the time he was a FedEx agent. That referencing his cameo in Captain America: Civil War.
Feige Teases More Howard The Duck
1986's Howard the Duck has gone down in history as one of the worst movies of all times. However, I was 6 at the time so I loved this movie. It still has a place in my heart even though it has been universally panned. Making it an even bigger surprise when Howard the Duck made an appearance in the post-credits of the first Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm not the only fan of Quack-fu apparently as according to Movie Pilot at a press conference for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Kevin Feige was asked about what's in the cards for Mr. the Duck. Offering no concrete response he gives a vague, "You know, the fun thing about Howard is he shows up where you least expect him, so like who knows where he's going to appear next?" So nothing major, but he definitely left the door open for the possibility. I'm down, as long as we keep it more in touch with the source material this time around. Do you want to see more Howard the Duck in the MCU? Let us know in the comments, like, & share.
Might Have Accidentally Learned A Lot About Avengers 4
First, for those who don't know about the big bad of the MCU thus far, Thanos in the comic books is fueled by his desire for Death. Not like an adrenaline junkie or someone wanting to off themselves either. I mean a literal desire for the physical embodiment if Death, Grim Reaper style. He only wants the Infinity Stones to impress her. Ok that goes hand in hand with the conclusions to the items that follow. First, Collider's Steve Weintraub at the press day for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, asked Marvel Studio president Kevin Feige if we could expect to see Death in Infinity War or the untitled Avengers 4. Feige's response was, "[His motives] will be similar to what they were in the Infinity Guantlet in various ways. I guess that's all I can say about that." Before the next part, know that Feige had also said that the name of the untitled Avengers 4 if revealed would be a spoiler of sorts to Cinema Blend. So next, we've got Screen Junkies, among others, with the news that in an interview with the BBC for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Zoe Saldana mentioned being done with shots for Infinity War. Then went on to saying they'd have to come back for what she name-dropped as Guantlet. So even though they're not going to be shot at the same time now, it looks as if the next two Avengers films will still be closely related. As were their comic book predecessors, though in opposite order. If tweaked a little, as they do, this could really shake up the Marvel Universe as they keep eluding to. With the Infinity Guantlet basically making it's weilder a god literally anything is possible. However, for all I know that could be the code name used on set just to throw everyone off, & this was all for naught. What do you think? Think we're still gettin a double dose of Infinity? Let us know in the comments.
Kevin Feige Talks Infinty War, Avengers 4, & Beyond
At one point Infinity War was to be two parts with both films being shot at the same time. Then, it was let out that Avengers 3 would be subtitled Infinity War while 4 was untitled. They would still be shot at the same time. Now, in talks with Collider, Kevin Feige has announced that Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers 4 will now be separate shot movies. After part 4 was no longer Infinity War pt. 2 I kinda figured this would be announced a long time ago. It's a very hard undertaking for everyone involved, & usually has mixed results in the long run. So why do it if the movies don't slide right immediately into each other? That wasn't the biggest part of the interview though. When Collider's Steve Weintraub asked about the future of the MCU in Phase 4 Feige's response included, "Certainly as we get to Infinity War there is a sense of a climax if not a conclusion to, by the time we're at the untitled Avengers 4, the 22 movies that will have encompassed the first three phases of the MCU. And what happens after that will be very different. I don't know if it's Phase 4, it might be a new thing." He goes on later to add, "We have an idea, & it's going to be very, very different." It's that last sentence that really sticks to me. Very, very different. I've only got two guesses. One, this seems to e going into a "cosmic" direction making me think there's going to be a much bigger Sci-Fi aspect to the future. With the additions of Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, & the notion of Guardians Vol 3 kicking this new phase off I might not be that far off. My other guess is the "Avengers Initiative". There was a time when the Avengers thought they wouldn't be enough. The "Avenger Initiative" basically made almost everyone in the Marvel Universe an Avenger on call. Who knows though I could be wrong on both fronts. What do y'all think? Any guesses into the future? I'd love to hear them & talk about them with ya. So leave 'em in the comments & let's get the discussion going.
Asgardian Breakup
Would they be Thoster or Thane? It won't matter now anyways. According to EW, there has been a breakup in the world of Marvel movies. Thor & Jane Foster have called it quits. Marvel head Kevin Feige quotes: "We wanted Thor to encounter somebody that was near his equal & that his relationship with Jane may have evolved in unexpected ways in-between "The Dark Word" & Ragnarok and we wanted to pit him against a character who was much more his equal & in many ways his superior." He goes on to mention Valkyrie wanting nothing to do with her heritage, Thor thinking it will bond them, & her on the complete opposite side just wanting to forget it altogether. As superhero stories go though, at least they didn't kill her off.
