March Of The Runaways...

Run, run, run, runaway...



Everyone is wondering what the first film under a Disney/Touchstone banner would be...

With Marvel Studios agreement with Paramount Pictures, the next five films are supposed to be distributed by them. The fourth film in that list will be "Avengers," but it's not yet known what the fifth, and final film in that pact will be. Many thought that it would be "Iron Man 3," but I don't believe that will be the next one after Earth's Mightiest Heroes. With all the films in production, it's looking like the "Runaways" will be that fifth title. Unless there is something in the agreement they made that specified a third Iron Man would be part of the deal, it looks like this title could be the one. Because of all that is in development, this film is the closest to filming. Production Weekly recently tweeted that the film will begin production in March (after originally saying it would start in January).

It's going to be interesting to see what the last Paramount project is and the first Disney project turns out to be. Either way, come 2012/13 we will see the turnover of most of Marvel's production. Anything beyond that will be under the Mouse. Of course, we're not talking about Spider-Man, Ghost Rider (Sony), X-Men/Wolverine and Deadpool spin offs, Fantastic Four (Fox). Everything beyond these will be part of the Mouse's slate. Fox and Sony are scrambling to get films made, even ones that weren't big hits, because they don't want to lose the rights to these potentially lucrative franchises. Disney will hold them to the letter of the contract and the rival studios know that. The second those rights lapse you can expect the Disney/Marvel Suits to be in a planning session on how to integrate these characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Looking ahead, boldly going forward...

Runaways Find Direction...

Run, run, run...


I'm surprised and delighted that Marvel isn't making the obvious choices in their approach to hiring directors for upcoming films...

Not that they aren't hiring talented helmers, but they don't do what some studios do in trying to hire Michael Bay or another flavor of the month. This was the case when we found out that JossWhedon was one of the names on the short list to direct "The Avengers" and it's apparently the case with "The Runaways" film that is going to be starting up soon.

If you haven't heard, Peter Sollett is in negotiations to lens the pic according to Deadline Hollywood. I think this is a smart choice that most film geeks/comic fans wouldn't have thought of. Sollett is known for handling young talent and bringing out great performances, so I can understand why he's someone they focus on. If he weren't to direct it I would expect Marvel to offer the gig to Whedon whom has written for the series. But I really like the smart way that this film company is handling their properties.

It makes me wonder what choices and directions they would be going if they had control of some of their own characters that have been licensed out to other studios right now.

I guess we'll have to wait a decade or so to find out...

Disney's First Runaway Hit...

As the days pass we're going to see more and more Marvel news relating to Disney...

Later this year there are going to be stories and announcements for both television and theatrical as for Marvel characters that the Mouse wants to market for that all powerful "young males" sector of the nation/world. I expect to hear a good amount of stuff related to television (Disney XD, ABC, ect.), but the hunt is on for what properties Disney wants to make into theatrical films out of Marvels massive stable of characters. Everyone wants to know what will they chose to film, but particularly, what will they pick first.

Well, for that you have to go back and examine the distribution agreement between Marvel and Paramount Pictures that was announced just a couple years ago. The agreement was for five films following "Iron Man." With that films success, I'm sure that Paramount was hoping to extend it but with Disney's purchase of the comic book company those plans all evaporated. So what are those five films? First off is "Iron Man 2" released this coming May 7th, then "Thor" will be released May 6th the following year, "The First Avenger: Captain America" July 22, 2011, and culminating in "The Avengers" May 4, 2012. I know, that's four. Well, the fifth one is said to be the rights to "Iron Man 3," which means any hope of seeing a Robert Downey Jr. cast Shell Head film isn't going to happen. So, unless that film gets postponed then the production deal will be done. All other films of those characters and any other characters not leased out to Sony or Fox will be coming out under a Touchstone Pictures or a Walt Disney Pictures logo (or Hollywood Pictures).

So then what? Well, no one knows for sure as of yet, but the other day Allie Grant (Weeds), has a listing up of her bio that mentions she'll be appearing with Michael Shannon Marvel Studios film "Runaways." Now, there is some confusion as to whether this is the Joan Jett bio-pic "The Runaways" simply being confused for this film. No word yet on confirmation of this but there has been talk for sometime about turning this comic into a film. It would seem to attract the young market, particularly males, that Bob Iger wants to go after. I have an idea we'll probably know by summer what the future production slate of Marvel under Disney will be. And I bet some of those choices are going to be surprising and a few even shocking.

In a good way, of course...