A Beginning And An Ending...

                                                         

So there's news on the the Marvel front...

Rumors are circulating hat the character of Black Panther will make an appearance in "Avengers 2" when it comes out in the summer of 2015: The Year Movie Theaters EXPLODE with awesomeness.  There's also a rumor that Marvel will replace Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye in that film since he's been conspicuously absent from any of the other films.

The first rumor seems to have something of substance behind it since officials in South Africa have been quoted as having conversations with Marvel scouts about location shooting. It could be true, but since Wakanda is a fictional country on the Continent of Africa there really is no need to shoot there between numerous locations and CG technology.

The other rumor is less substantiated since it's based on simply the lack of any scenes of Renner in the Captain America or Thor sequels.  Jeremy Renner was known to have been unhappy with the development of his character in the film, and wanted the chance to portray him more, but it's unknown if Marvel is unhappy about his being unhappy.  Rumors are that the character will be recast for the film, or recast and made available for the new "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." television series.  Until concrete news is announced I'd take this rumor with a huge grain of salt.  It could happen, but so Galactus landing on Earth and destroying it.

I'll believe it when I see it.

That being said, the first rumor has some weight to it since there seems to be plans for a "Black Panther" film moving forward.  Many sites (Latino Review, etc.) have been stating that T'Challa would be developed as one of the films in Phase Three.  But then, with the news about a possible "Doctor Strange" film it makes for a clearer picture of what we can expect from a P3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  So if these two projects become legitimate films we know that each phase is 5-6 films.  After "Avengers 2" we know that the beginning of the third phase is "Ant-Man".  So doing a little analyzing we can get a clearer picture of what MCU3 will look like:



Avengers 2 (End of P2)
Ant-Man
Doctor Strange ?
Black Panther ?
Captain America 3 ?
Thor 3 ?
Avengers 3 (End of P3)



So, if this is how it might look then it shows you that there are only two slots for returning characters.  The most obvious choices for films are Captain America and Thor.  It also makes it relevant as to why there might not be a need for a fourth Iron Man film if Marvel wants to introduce more characters.  There's only so many slot available, and Kevin Feige doesn't want to dilute he brand by having too many films.

Since there are a lot of characters that are yet to be seen, the studio is probably willing to let Shell Head take a more backseat role.  It doesn't mean there won't be an "Iron Man 4", but it does mean it's less likely.  Unless there happens to be a time when Feige feels that they can release three films in a year.  Which just seems unlike right now, but things could change.  But for now, we might have a clearer picture of what Marvel Studios has for a third narrative in this vast universe.  But what about another "Hulk" film?

Now, lets not get too far ahead and start focusing on Phase Four...

2015: Becoming A Disney World...

With all the major purchases over the last five years, the Walt Disney Company is about to have a bumper crop...

What am I talking about?  Well, between the purchases of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, not to mention the live-action/animated films coming from the main branch, the Mouse is gearing up for a monster year.  That year will be 2015.  Just a little more than two years from now Disney will dominate the box office.  It's simply a given.  What films will they release that year?  Take a look at what most likely will be the summer offerings:


Avengers 2

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Star Wars 7

Finding Dori

Walt Disney Animation Studios release (which one hasn't been determined yet, more in a future post.)

Tron 3 (not announced, but likely)

Ant-Man

Can you imagine the box office that year?  The public is going to get very used to seeing that castle every time they go see something at the local movie theater.  I don't believe any other film studio has had such a dramatic effect on the box office of an entire year this much.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  I'm trying to picture what the other major studios are going to line up against it.

And it's not just the films they release that will mark the year for Disney, but the theme park expansion as well.  There are several expansions (including a rather nice one for Disneyland if it's green lit) that could happen, but aren't approved as of yet.  These are the main two expansions that are on schedule to be opened.


Disney's Animal Kingdom: Pandora: The World of Avatar (tentatively)

Shanghai Disneyland 


This year will mark the end Disney's normal content distribution system as well.  Starting the next year, Netflix will be a primary driver of Mouse entertainment that will likely change distribution channels.  So this year will close on a normal way people get shows, films, and possibly even gaming.  Better sign up now.

Bob Iger is going to be leaving the company on a high note.  The opposite of how Eisner left the entertainment giant.  It's hard to believe how large the company has grown in the last decade, but it shows the popularity of the Disney brand.  Of course, Iger will still be there for a year or so after his resignation as "Chairman Emeritus", but the day to day of the company will be handled by one of four people who now report to him.

Just don't let it be Rasulo...

Marvel Month...

Avengers Attack, Avenger Assemble Again, Avengers Avenger...






It appears that Marvel Studios is staking out early summer as their territory...

Next years May 3rd is penciled in for "Iron Man 3" despite a filming delay because of Robert Downey Jr.'s injured ankle. Iron Man, indeed.

Now, Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios have staked out another May day, almost two years to that date for the big follow up to the biggest movie of the year.

May 1, 2015.

The untitled "Avengers 2" film has now put a flag down claiming that day. All other studios beware. When it comes to May the superhero film company is making a statement.

Make mine Marvel...