Marvel Studios Hammer Away @ "Thor"

Marvel Studios continues shooting the feature film "Thor", directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring actor Chris "Star Trek" Hemsworth as the title character.

'Thor' is an 'Asgardian' Norse thunder god, banished to earth in the guise of lame 'Dr. Don Blake', oblivious of his noble standing in the cosmos, until he is called back to duty to save the universe.

Natalie Portman plays 'Jane Foster', the mortal nurse that fell in love with 'Don Blake'.

Also cast are Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins as 'Odin', Renee Russo as 'Frigga', Ray Stevenson as 'Volstagg', Tadanobu Asano as 'Hogun', Josh Dallas as 'Fandral', Jaimie Alexander as 'Sif' and Idris Elba as 'Heimdall'.

Branagh is determined to deliver a 'fantasy masterpiece', with his characters regally comporting themselves in a Shakespearean-like tragedy, or in this case on 'Asgard', a small planetary body that serves as home to all the Norse gods and their ruler, 'Odin', the father of Thor.

Asgard exists in another dimensional plane, the size of the US, on a flat, asteroid-like mass, connected to the 'Nine Worlds. One permanent portal, 'Bifrost' or the 'Rainbow Bridge' leads to 'Midgard' (Earth), but it was 'shattered' making it difficult to travel between dimensions.

"Thor" moves from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, New Mexico, until late-April, with post continuing throughout 2010, for a Paramount domestic release May 6, 2011.

"...The epic adventure THOR spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth..."

Screenplay for "Thor" was written by Mark Protosevich, Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz and Don Payne. Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige produces for executive producers Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, and Marvel Studio’s Co-President, Louis D'Esposito.

In addition to "Thor", other Marvel Comics superheroes being adapted for the big screen include "Iron Man 2" for release May 7, "The First Avenger: Captain America", July 22, 2011, and "The Avengers", May 4, 2012, featuring 'Iron Man', 'The Hulk', 'Thor', 'Captain America', 'The Wasp' and 'Ant-Man'.

Marvel is self-financing "Thor" using a $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch, as they did with "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk".

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Thor"...

Timeless Protection From "S.H.I.E.L.D."

According to a new approach by Marvel Comics, artist 'Leonardo Da Vinci' was an agent of 'S.H.I.E.L.D' ('Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-Enforcement Division'), as was scientist 'Sir Issac Newton', 'Imhotep', 'Zhang Heng', 'Galileo' and other recognized geniuses throughout time.

"...They were the first heroes to defeat 'Galactus' and the 'Brood' and turn the 'Celestials' back. They saved the world long before 'Captain America' or 'Iron Man' were ever born..."

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Enter The "Marvel Cinematic Universe"

As Marvel Studios gears up for Paramount's "Iron Man 2" movie release on May 7, the Marvel Comics adaptation of the first film, "Iron Man: I Am Iron Man!" reveals new details about the first meeting between 'Tony Stark' and 'Nick Fury' and how it relates to "Iron Man 2".

In the first "Iron Man" movie, 'Tony Stark' (Robert Downey Jr.) has just revealed to the world he is 'Iron Man'. 'Nick Fury' (Samuel L. Jackson) then pays Tony a visit, informing him: "Mr. Stark, you've become part of a bigger universe, you just don't know it yet."

That "bigger universe" they both belong to is what's being called the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe'.

"...As key stories play out on the big screen be sure to keep your eyes on Marvel comics and Marvel digital comics for expanded glimpses into the Marvel Cinematic Universe characters, crises and calamities you're seeing on the big screen. There will be plenty to read leading into "Iron Man 2." And it won't slow down with "Thor" on May 6, 2011, "The First Avenger: Captain America" on July 22, 2011 and "The Avengers" on May 4, 2012..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Canwest Finds Prodigy's "Lost Girl"

Prodigy Pictures, in association with Canwest Broadcasting reports that principal photography has started on 13 one-hour episodes of the Canadian 'fantasy-noir' TV series "Lost Girl", filming throughout Toronto and Hamilton until June 25, 2010, for a debut on Canada's Showcase network this fall.

"'Lost Girl' follows supernatural seductress 'Bo' (Anna Silk), a 'Succubus' who feeds on the sexual energy of mortals. Growing up with human parents, Bo had no reason to believe she was anything other than the girl next door – until she drained her boyfriend to death in their first sexual encounter. Now she has hit the road alone and afraid. She discovers she is one of the Fae, creatures of legend and folklore, who pass as humans while feeding off them in secret, as they have for millennia. Relieved yet horrified to find out that she is not alone, Bo decides to take the middle path between the humans and the Fae while embarking on a personal mission to unlock the secrets of her origin.

"Bo's succubus nature tangles her in a sexy, romantic love-triangle with 'Dyson' (Kris Holden-Reid), a shape-shifting homicide detective, and 'Lauren' (Zoie Palmer), a human doctor who has found a way through science to help give Bo the sexual self-control she's been aching for. Navigating this complicated life with Bo is her human confidante and street-smart survivor, 'Kenzi' (Ksenia Solo)."

Episodic directors on the series include Érik Canuel, John Fawcett and Rob Lieberman, from teleplays by Michelle Lovretta, Jeremy Boxen, Peter Mohan, Emily Andras and Pamela Pinch.

A companion website for the series is being produced and will launch with the show to give viewers "an unprecedented, interactive experience".

"Lost Girl" was developed by Jay Firestone's Prodigy Pictures, in association with Canwest Broadcasting and Showcase for producer Wanda Chaffey.

“Our intention with this project is to create a new generation of female action hero," said Firestone. "One which fuses strength with sexuality and passion with intelligence..."

Thirlby Makes Time For "The Darkest Hour"

Actress Olivia Thirlby ("The Wackness") will star in "The Darkest Hour", the upcoming science fiction feature from producer Timur Bekmambetov, directed by Chris Gorak, from a screenplay by Josh Zetumer.

Premise follows a gaggle of tourists visiting Russia, when an alien invasion overuns Moscow to interrupt their vacation.

Thirlby is noted for her supporting role as 'Leah', the best friend of actress Ellen Page's character in the 2007 Canadian feature "Juno".

"The Darkest Hour" starts this summer in Moscow.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Olivia Thirlby...

Harrison Ford Rides With "Cowboys & Aliens"

Director Jon Favreau ("Iron Man 2") has now confirmed that actor Harrison Ford ("Indiana Jones") will co-star with Daniel Craig ("Road To Perdition") in the DreamWorks/Universal comic book adaptation, "Cowboys & Aliens".

The film is currently prepping for a July 2010 start, targeting a June 24, 2011 release.

Sneak Peek has been following the progress of the adaptation since June 2007, when it was first announced that DreamWorks and Universal Pictures would adapt the graphic novel for producers Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, from a screenplay by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby.

Premise of the film, set in 1860's Arizona, will follow a skirmish between cowboys and Apache natives, suddenly interrupted by the crash landing of a hostile space ship, bringing warring human factions together to fight a common 'extraterrestial' enemy.

Sneak Peek Ronald Reagan talking about 'alien threats' uniting humanity...

Lucas Laffs @ "Star Wars" Toons

Lucasfilm Animation is currently developing a new 'satirical' animated "Star Wars" TV series.

Featuring creative involvement from Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, creators/executive producers of Emmy Award-winning "Robot Chicken", as well as writing from Brendan Hay ("The Daily Show"), the new series will look at the "Star Wars" characters with "...a playful and irreverent tone...", produced by Daytime Emmy and Gemini Award-winner Jennifer Hill ("The Backyardigans") and directed by Emmy-nominated Todd Grimes ("Back at the Barnyard").

“There are so many stories taking place in the 'Star Wars' universe, and they don’t all have to focus on the fate of the galaxy,” said Grimes.

"We’re looking at 'Star Wars' from a new perspective; this will be a glimpse at how the rest of the galaxy is affected by the events of the 'Saga'."

“The Star Wars universe is so dense and rich; it’s crazy to think that there aren’t normal, mundane everyday problems in a world so well-defined,” said Green.

“And it’s even crazier to think of what those problems might be, since it’s all set in a galaxy far, far away. What do these characters do when they’re not overthrowing Empires?"

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Robot Chicken"...

"Sonhos Roubados" ("Stolen Dreams")

The Brazilian feature "Sonhos Roubados" ("Stolen Dreams") is produced and directed by Sandra Werneck from a screenplay by Eliane Trindade:

"...'Jessica', 'Sabrina' and 'Daiane' have dreams, just like all young people of any social class or place in the world. They live in a low-income neighborhood in the periphery of Rio de Janeiro and find in prostitution a way to survive and satisfy their consumer desires.

However, even faced with the trials of absolute uncertainty and lack of hope, the girls insist on loving, having fun and planning their future..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Stolen Dreams"...

Ottawa Offers Up A "Sacrifice"

Production started March 28 in Ottawa, Ontario, on the $6.8 million cop action-thriller "Sacrifice" starring actors Cuba Gooding Jr. and Christian Slater.

Although the feature is set in Toronto and Los Angeles, Ontario offers better provincial tax breaks for producers, if they shoot outside of the Toronto area.

"There's a lot of real benefits to being in Ottawa," said Rob Menzies of Ottawa's Zed Filmworks. one of the film's co-producers, noted for the gross-out horror feature "Smash Cut", starring porn-actress Sasha Grey.

Shooting to late April, the "Sacrifice" production will dress the sets, including Ottawa's Byward Market and other residential areas including a downtown church, to look like Los Angeles and Toronto.

Premise of the film follows a 'broken-down' cop whose family is targeted. The cop later uncovers a smuggling ring in which criminals hide drugs in statues of the Virgin Mary.

"This is a big deal for Ottawa, and it meets our mandate to bring this level of production to the city," said Menzies.

"The movie has a lot of religious overtones, especially with the Virgin Mary being made of heroin, but it's a no-holds barred action film with lots of interesting themes."

Ottawa-area actors appearing in the film include Matt Stefiuk, Pete Dillion and Sean Tucker...

Go "Smurf" Yourself

Principal photography started March 26, in New York on the Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation, 3D hybrid live-action/animated family comedy "The Smurfs", according to Bob Osher, president, Sony Pictures Digital Productions, Hannah Minghella, president of Sony Pictures Animation and Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures.

"...When the evil wizard 'Gargamel' chases the tiny blue 'Smurfs' out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours - in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the 'Big Apple', the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down..."

"The Smurfs" stars actors Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, and Hank Azaria on camera, opposite a voice cast including Anton Yelchin as 'Clumsy Smurf', Jonathan Winters as 'Papa Smurf', singer-songwriter Katy Perry as 'Smurfette', Alan Cumming as 'Gutsy Smurf', Fred Armisen as 'Brainy Smurf' and George Lopez as 'Grouchy Smurf'.

The film is directed by Raja Gosnell from a screenplay by J. David Stem, David N. Weiss, Jay Scherick & David Ronn, based on the characters/illustrated works of Smurf's creator Peyo. Producers are Jordan Kerner, Ezra Swerdlow and Ben Haber for executive producer Paul Neesan.

"The Smurfs" in 3D will be released August 3, 2011.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Smurfs"...

Indecent Exposure: "When You're Strange"- The Doors

The new "Doors" doc, "When You're Strange", will be released to theatres April 9.

Narrated by actor Johnny Depp, the feature is written/directed by Tom DiCillo and produced by Dick Wolf, Rhino's John Beug, band manager Jeff Jampol and Wolf Films' Peter Jankowski.

Made with the support of surviving band members Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger and the Jim Morrison estate, the doc is considered by Manzarek to be the 'antidote' to director Oliver Stone's previous bio-pic about the band starring Val Kilmer as Morrison.

"Watching the hypnotic, hitherto unreleased footage of Jim, John, Ray and Robby, I felt like I experienced it all through their eyes", said Depp. "As a rock 'n' roll documentary, or any kind of documentary for that matter, it simply doesn't get any better than this".

The film uses material lensed between 1965 up to Morrison's death in 1971, including footage from Morrison and Manzarek's time together at the UCLA film school.

Sneak Peek "When You're Strange"- The Doors...

"Mass Effect: Redemption"

"Mass Effect: Redemption" #4, available from Dark Horse Comics April 7, is set in the 'Mass Effect' universe, taking place two years before the events of the video game "Mass Effect 2" :

"'Liara T'Soni' continues her search for the abductors of 'Commander Shepard' in this tale of friendship and loyalty in the darkest corners of the galaxy..."

"Mass Effect 2" is the action role-playing game developed by BioWare Edmonton, in association with BioWare Montreal, published by Electronic Arts. The game is the sequel to "Mass Effect", and was released on PC and Xbox 360 in North America January 26, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Mass Effect 2"...

 

Marvel Chases The "Runaways"

According to reports, Marvel Studios is in negotiations with Peter Sollett ("Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist") to direct the comic book adaptation of Marvel Comics' "Runaways", co-created by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrator Adrian Alphona.

"Runaways" follows a group of teens who band together after learning their parents are actually 'super-villains'. When each kid begins to gain their inherited 'super-powers', they all begin "a voyage of discovery" to right the wrongs of their parents.

"Runaways" will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Will Megan Fox Do "Red Sonja"?

According to reports, actress Megan Fox ("Transformers") has been offered the lead role of swashbuckling "Red Sonja", based on the woman warrior character created by "Conan" author Robert E. Howard.

The character is loosely based on "Red Sonya of Rogatino" from author Howard's original short story "The Shadow of the Vulture" (January 1934), rewritten by comic book writer Roy Thomas as a 1973 'Conan' story for Marvel Comics "Conan the Barbarian" (1973).

Thomas also based his 'Red Sonja' on another Howard character, 'Dark Agnes de Chastillon', a swords-woman in 16th-century France.

'Red Sonja' is different from Howard's original 'Red Sonya'. Besides tweaking the spelling of her name, Thomas transformed her from a sword- and pistol-wielding supporting character of the late Renaissance into a sword-wielding heroine of Conan's prehistoric 'Hyborian Age'.

The origin story, following the release of a new "Conan" feature, will be based on both the Marvel/Dynamite comic books as well as Howard's original pulp magazine stories.

"Howard's goal was always, first and foremost, to spin a good yarn and to entertain," said producer Robert Rodriguez.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Red Sonja"...