Skip to main content

Eva Longoria-Parker as Wasp in 'The Avengers'? Not So Fast

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 27th 2010 3:32PM
Filed under: Action, Casting, Paramount, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels, Movie News, Cinematical
Though we received a pretty definitive Avengers announcement this past Saturday, the rumor mill continues to insist that The Avengers will be adding more to the line-up. Fox 411 is insisting that Eva Longoria-Parker is "this close" to appearing in The Avengers as The Wasp. Longoria previously denied all rumors that she was in talks with Marvel, though she was spotted with a stack of Avengers comics last year. Marvel even denied Longoria-Parker was in talks to Fox 411, though they have taken that denial to mean that she's suiting up in New York.

Fox 411 also swears Nathan Fillion will be Ant-Man, but this was denied at Comic-Con by Joss Whedon and Marvel. If fans thought that was mere trickery, Fillion failed to join the assembled Avengers onstage (and he was at the convention all weekend long wearing, among other things, a Green Lantern shirt to boot!). But still, the rumor mill insists the ink is merely drying on his contract.

While I know there are bound to be more surprises coming out of The Avengers production, I think the final line-up is set. From a sheer marketing perspective, it would make little sense to add two more Avengers after Comic-Con. The first official Avengers photo was quite literally seen around the world, and was the first indication non-geek audiences had that there would be an Avengers film. There's no way Marvel would have missed the chance to have Wasp and Ant-Man onstage, especially if they were being played by Longoria-Parker and Fillion. (Miss out on having more pretty faces -- especially another female face -- onscreen? Come on.) Nevertheless, I think there will be stories like this right up until the credits roll on The Avengers, as anonymous sources are going to insist they're in the film somewhere.

SDCC: Paul Bettany, 3D and "Priest"

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 25th 2010 3:03PM
Filed under: Action, Horror, Sony, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Religious, Western, ComicCon, Comic-Con, Cinematical
When faced with Paul Bettany, I had but one question: "You've been doing a lot of these religious themed movies -- " "You mean two?"

"In media and Internet terms, I think that equals 200," I teased. He laughed. "Are there some personal demons you're trying to work out with the church?"

"No. No, I have no personal demons -- well, I have personal demons but they're not with the church. There happen to be a lot of these sorts of movies around, you know? Religiously themed movies, and vampire movies are often religious themed. Although I think vampirism is an awesome alternative to Christianity as a way to survive death!" (Afterwards, I realized it's four -- The DaVinci Code, Legion, Creation, and Priest. Draw your own conclusions!)

Priest is the first Tokyo Pop book to be made into a movie, which is something I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realize until the panel itself. Min-Woo Hyung visited the set, loved it, and gave it his blessing. He was even inspired enough to write a prequel comic. (Which I received and is currently being mangled in my backpack. Sorry!) The Western elements have been played down in favor of sci-fi, and Priest takes place about 20 years after the events of Min-Woo's final book. The war between the vampires and priests have ended, the priests (and priestesses) are now akin to Vietnam veterans who are unwanted and unloved.
Continue Reading

SDCC: Adam McKay Confirms He's Directing 'The Boys'!

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 25th 2010 3:03AM
Filed under: Action, Comedy, Casting, Deals, Sony, RumorMonger, DIY/Filmmaking, Comic/Superhero/Geek, ComicCon, Movie News, Comic-Con, Cinematical
During Sony's panel for The Other Guys, Adam McKay dropped a nice bomb of a confirmation -- he finally signed (as of that day, too) to direct Garth Ennis' The Boys.

McKay has been in talks for the project all summer, and was still stressing the nebulous nature of that while doing press this month for Guys. He recently told CHUD that the decision would be definitive if he could get Simon Pegg to sign on as the book's lead, Wee Hughie. Ennis based Hughie on Pegg, and it's a given that he should play him. As of July 20, McKay and Pegg hadn't even entered in talks.

But it is ComicCon, and Pegg and McKay are both here ... did talks take place? McKay left no doubt that "the deal" for his directorial skills was made at ComicCon. If McKay has signed on, does that mean we'll have the ultimate example of dream casting ever? One can only hope. You can't exactly find another Simon Pegg, can you?

Don't be surprised if the next wave of ComicCon news -- and the Paul roundtables will probably be happening as you read this -- bring news of Pegg being officially on board for The Boys. Is it possible we'll actually get a Garth Ennis movie in our lifetime?

SDCC: Will "KatoVision" Save 'The Green Hornet'?

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:02PM
Filed under: Action, Sony, DIY/Filmmaking, Movie Marketing, Comic/Superhero/Geek, ComicCon, Trailers and Clips, Trailers and Clips, Movie News, Comic-Con, Cinematical

As you know, the reaction to the The Green Hornet's first trailer was mixed. At ComicCon, one of the looming questions would be if Hornet's panel could turn the tide of bad buzz. Even Seth Rogen was open about how desperate he was for Hall H to like the new footage, which came complete with 3D and our first look at the much mentioned KatoVision. Rogen couldn't have felt very positive considering that his panel seemed to be the beginning of the Hall H exodus -- a bad sign on a day of thin panels for the legendary Room of Madness.

So, what did we see? Essentially, a longer and recut version of the original trailer. Decidedly absent were all the Rogen "trademark" jokes, such as the line about taking Kato's hand for an adventure. This footage played Hornet a lot straighter and a lot more action oriented. If this cut had debuted originally, there wouldn't have been nearly as many "Rogen is playing Rogen! He's a stoner goofball!" comments. However, unless they cut that character angle and all silly lines from the film -- or unless it's really that slight -- audiences aren't going to be any more enthusiastic about Britt Reid.

The KatoVision was definitely cool. The camera zooms into Kato's eye, and gives you his version of a fight scene. It's definitely surreal and a bit more Michel Gondry-esque. He sees each weapon, which lights up in red next to his opponent, and he mentally calculates how to destroy them or it. It's also akin to a first person shooter -- the closest example might be using the Dead Eye "point and shoot" in Red Dead Redemption. Only fancier. With 3D. The 3D is still being converted in post and they stressed what we were seeing was rough. I was in the absolute worst seat, so take my word with a grain of salt, but I.it was pretty good 3D. Certainly not The Clash of the Titans' double heads and muddiness.
Continue Reading

SDCC 10: Are Harry Potter Fans More Dedicated Than Twihards?

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 22nd 2010 10:33AM
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Fandom, Family Films, Harry Potter, ComicCon, Comic-Con, Cinematical

Wow.

I consider myself a big Harry Potter fan. If you see the movie with me, I'll go point by point as to what was different in the book. I can recite curses. I have a replica of Voldemort's wand. I have theories on what I think Butterbeer tastes like. I have a crush on Lucius Malfoy, but it conflicts with my admiration for the Weasley twins. But apparently, I'm not a real fan.

Warner Bros' booth has Horcruxes and Deathly Hallows on display. Helga Hufflepuff's cup, Salazar Slytherin's ring, Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem nestled next to the Elder Wand and the Invisibility Cloak. Unfortunately, my photo is poor. My invisibility cloak picture is a total blur. This is because you are looking at something akin to a medieval shrine. Harry Potter fans were clustered around it, refusing to move. Anyone who stepped too close to the Abin Sur display, and threatened to merge into the impromptu line that had formed around Potter artifacts was severely reprimanded by preteens and their moms. Finally, Warner Bros representatives had to step in and plead with Potter fans that they move on once they took photos. You can't stay here forever. Move on. Take a photo and keep moving. Genuflect if you must but you can't stay all night. Even then, fans were loathe to budge.
Continue Reading

The Geek Beat: Con Men and Women

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 20th 2010 9:48PM
Filed under: The Geek Beat, Cinematical

I can't believe it's this time of year again. Where did 2009 go? Where did my summer go?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining, I'm just perplexed at the passage of time, especially summer time. Since it was snowing in my corner of the prairie through May, I suppose this is partly why I'm discombobulated. But it feels like I was just posting the first images of Iron Man 2, and crossing my fingers to get into the Hall H panel.

A lot of people loathe ComicCon. A lot of industry people regard it with a mixture of sadness, regret, and nostalgia. This is an event that began in a guy's basement, and boasted nothing more than a few boxes of comics. Now it's this megalith of pop culture where comics and their longboxes are taking a smaller and smaller seat at the table. Actually, I think many -- not just comic book professionals -- feel the con has been taken away from them. Fans lament the focus, the crowds and occasionally grim "Welcome to ComicCon, time to queue up!" atmosphere. ComicCon used to be a casual geek party. Now it's an obstacle course that even Rambo would sweat to navigate. (Since Stallone is coming to the con this year, we should totally put it to the test!)

SDCC is a weird event for me. On one hand, it's become something I almost dread, but it also feels like a bit of a homecoming or renewal. This is where I started this oddball job of mine. Now, I hate to get sentimental and mawkish, but it felt right to do a more personal column and save up all agonizing "Why did they ruin it?" ammunition for upcoming weeks. Plus, I may even have some interviews to run in this space instead. Neat! So, bear with me -- and hopefully share your own deep, dark, and wistful stories at the end.
Continue Reading

Sam Raimi Trades a Few 'Saints for Sinners'

By Elisabeth Rappe (Subscribe to Elisabeth Rappe's posts), Posted Jul 20th 2010 9:03AM
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Dreamworks, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Western, Movie News, Cinematical
He may not be swinging with Spider-Man any longer, but Sam Raimi is hardly lacking for work. He's hardly snubbing the geek genre world either, as Variety announced that he's signed on to direct Earp: Saints for Sinners for DreamWorks and Radical Studios.

Saints for Sinners is based on the upcoming graphic novel Earp: Saints for Sinners that's being published by Radical Comics. More details of the graphic novel are going to be unveiled this week at ComicCon, but Variety describes it as a sci-fi western. And yes, it does star Wyatt Earp, or at least a modern day incarnation of him. This Earp battles outlaws in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where the only bit of civilization left is in Las Vegas. It sounds like it could be The Stand meets Tombstone, crossed with Raimi's The Quick and the Dead and beloved Evil Dead series.

Radical Publishing has been in the news a lot this summer. They signed an exclusive deal with Sam Worthington, they have a grown-up fairy tale in development with Ron Howard, and they're working on a graphic novel / movie with Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski. There seems to be no one who isn't working with them, and I'm sure a lot of it has to do with how gorgeous Radical's books are. They're certainly a high-concept bunch, and I'm curious to see how they'll translate to the big screen. Now, someone option Radical's Time Bomb already ....
Advertisement

Hot Topics

From Our Partners