Now in our tenth calendar year!
PCR #489 (Vol. 10, No. 32). This edition is for the week of August 3--9, 2009.
Marvel Fatigue
Kenneth Branagh fills out his cast for the "Thor" due to theaters on 2011. Joining Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman will be Tom Hiddleston as Loki.
Hemsworth was confirmed making a visit to the "Iron Man 2" set, so expect another cameo as Marvel weaves their film universe to culminate with an "Avengers" film, still slated for 2012.
But how much is too much?
Other projects are still plodding along: "Antman", "Incredible Hulk 2", "Nick Fury" and "Captain America: The First Avenger." Add in "Spider-Man 4" and the plate is pretty full.
I've never been a Thor fan. He's a pompous character with a lame costume and horrible dialogue. I simply don't see how this will translate to film. If it wasn't for Branagh, this would be the biggest mistake since "Howard the Duck."
Cap Update
Since I mentioned the Cap film, here's the quote from Marvel Exec Kevin Feige at ComicCon in San Diego:
"Captain America is really the story of Steve Rogers, like Peter Parker, like Bruce Banner, like Tony Stark. By the way, Tony Stark is about as jingoistic a guy there is. He’s always talking about America, what's right for America, making weapons to go to war with the rest of the world with and (Iron Man) did extremely well overseas because his story was engaging. This movie is Steve Rogers’ origin story, and I think it is our burden to make Steve Rogers as appealing as any of our other characters...he's not just the perfect boy scout who follows order every time. He has ideals he wants to live up to."
On the decision to set the movie in World War II and the possibility of an appearance by the 1940s-era supergroup the Invaders:
"Also, setting it in World War II — the Marvel version of World War II - I think is gonna open it up in another big way... What's funny is it will actually end up being, I think, our most diverse and our most international film, in terms of the content of the movies itself. It takes place overseas much more than any of our other films do. In terms of the cast, there's a group that Steve works with that will have an opportunity for many more international actors than any of our other films."
Red Skull is the likely villain with mentions of Hydra and possibly the introduction of the character Black Widow (again tied to the Avengers.)
Samuel L. Jackson had signed on to play Nick Fury for nine films. NINE!
Attack of Russell Brand
The comedian is slated to star in remakes of "Arthur" (the classic Dudley Moore comedy) and "Drop Dead Fred" (a really bad film the first time.)
While an enormous star in the UK, Brand's real claim to fame in the US is his successful hosting the MTV awards and a mediocre (in my opinion) comedy central performance. His 2007 novel "My Booky Work" is a simplistic self-indulgent love fest about drinking, smoking, doping and getting chicks.
Sounds like the moral fortitude of Hollywood, so not wonder he's the new big British star to be peddled our way.
Dune
New "Dune" movie in the works per Entertainment Weekly but come on, Peter Berg? Really, Peter Berg?
Where's Spielberg?
I'll tell you where: Here planning to remake "Harvey."
"Harvey" is one of the greatest, little known films of all-time starring Jimmy Stewart. It was fantastic. Now we can add it to the list of really bad ideas out of Hollywood. My favorite line:
"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it."
"Splash Page" is ©2009 by Brandon Jones. Webpage design and all graphics herein (except where otherwise noted) are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2009 by Nolan B. Canova.
