Showing posts with label Shield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shield. Show all posts

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Whedonspeak...



























Fall will be here before you know it...

And a new Joss Whedon television show is lying in wait, ready to pounce on your expectations.  And thankfully with his newly earned clout he won't have to worry about network suits breathing down his neck.  Success seems to have a way about it, right?

If you're a big Marvel fan, or just a Joss fan then you might want to check out the latest podcast of Entertainment Weekly.  It's got a really great interview with the Whederkund talking about various projects he's working on/promoting, including that little television show coming in the fall.  It's a fairly long interview as well, probably twice the length of his Jimmy Fallon interview.  Check it out, or if you have iTunes, you can download it here.

The only negative is he didn't mention that Warren Ellis internet collaboration thing...

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

A Broadening S.H.I.E.L.D...







We now have an extended trailer for Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." series...


It certainly does flesh out the series to give us a better representation of what Joss Whedon has in store for us.  We get to see the mysterious figure that saves someone from a burning building, expanded take on the agents who we'll see every week, and a little more depth on why Agent Coulson returns (hint: Level 7).

So will this series make it beyond "Firefly" or "Dollhouse" into a second or third season?  Who knows, but in the world we live, having the exposure of being connected to "The Avengers" should give it a better chance of attracting and keeping an audience.  Maybe it'll make it to seven season's like Whedon's pinnacle: "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" did.

Time will tell...

Sunday, May 12, 2013

A Rising Tide Lifts All Ratings...












It's not very often a trailer for a television show generates this much hype...

But this is no ordinary television show/series.  It's got connective tissue to the biggest blockbuster film of last year.  That alone means that the S.H.I.E.L.D. trailer would get a lot of buzz.  The fact that it also comes from the director/writer of that show, and he directed and co-wrote the pilot is another major reason eyeballs will not only be on this tease for the series, but the show as well.

Joss Whedon has moved from talented writer, to cult creator, to frustrated genius, to blockbuster film maker over the past decade+.  It's about time that people outside Whedonesque got note of the amazing work this storyteller can do.  Avengers let him burst forth onto the silver screen with a vengeance  and now he'll have an opportunity to blend the D.N.A. of that film into the television world.

The viral campaign for the show has also kicked into high gear with the launch of the We Are The Rising website.  Not much is there yet, but as we move closer to the launch of the series you can expect more content to be added.  The network has a lot riding on this show.  And so does Marvel.  It's their first big jump into live action series.

But it won't be their last...

A Badge Required To Enter S.H.I.E.L.D...











During tonight's episode finale of "Once Upon A Time", the Mouse is going to tease us...

But until then we have this peek at what the show might be from the app Vine. The ABC Suits are going all out with hyping this show.  I'm sure that Joss Whedon must be happy to have the support for his fledgling, new show.  The Fox Suits just never gave the support for "Dollhouse" when it was on the network.  I've never understood why a broadcaster will invest millions of dollars in a show and not properly try to promote/expose it to the public.  But Hollywood is filled with stories such as these.














Watching that makes you have to wonder who will show up on this show....


Friday, May 10, 2013

Agents Access Granted...











Your authorization has been activated...

As if they'd want to feel the repercussions of the newly uber-powerful Joss Whedon, the programming heads of ABC have green lit his new television show, it just hasn't been made official to the public yet.  I know, shocking news.  But now fans can look forward to Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." on the network schedule.  Mid season or fall slot?  The announcements have been planned for today, with a major publicity event for Sunday.  Whether it happens exactly then or not, it the series will go forward.

A large marketing campaign will commence shorty afterward, leading up to the broadcast.  Expect a big roll out when the series debuts, and something that Whedon has always had trouble with: support and a prominent  time slot (sorry "Dollhouse").  Having the success of that little film last summer has given him a lot of wiggle room to have his way.  And with the exposure of the series of very popular superhero films, it'll have a great chance for people to see the show about a top secret organization officially set in the MCU.

Will there be more series that he watches over?  Doubtful with his busy schedule.  There's only so much time the man has between sleep.  It's not like he's Guillermo del Toro.  Jeph Loeb will be the guiding hand behind Marvel's ventures on the small screen.  Whedon has a lot of plates twirling in the air right now with the biggest coming out in 2015.  But we'll go inside the secret organization before then.

How deep we go, only Joss knows...

UPDATE:  The Hollywood Reporter is saying that it's official.  And as we mentioned, you'll get your first look at the show on Sunday night at 8pm.  The official presser:


Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Phil Coulson from Marvel’s feature films as he assembles a small, highly select group of Agents from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Together they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. Coulson’s team consists of Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), highly trained in combat and espionage, Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) expert pilot and martial artist, Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker); brilliant engineer and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) genius bio-chemist. 
Joining them on their journey into mystery is new recruit and computer hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet). From Executive Producers Joss Whedon (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” ”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” pilot co-writers (“Dollhouse,” “Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”); Jeffrey Bell (“Angel,” “Alias”); and Jeph Loeb (“Smallville”) comes Marvel’s first TV series. “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television.


They haven't announced if it's for fall or a mid-season on the schedule.  We won't have to wait long though.  ABC will announce their fall schedule on Tuesday.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Roll Call...

Your mission, should you choose to accept it...




Well, we finally are starting to find out about that new Joss Whedon series...

The one that he's doing for Marvel Television, of course.  Whedon has been a cult hero to television viewers for a long time, but he never quite was able to translate that into a transfer to the big screen, until "The Avengers" happened.  And even when it comes to tv, he's never had the power of a J.J. Abrams until now.  With his new blockbuster cred, he's going to be able to get what he wants, how he wants, and the patience that Suits have with him will be much greater.

While "Buffy" was a very entertaining series, it's never been a staple in my viewing habits.  "Angel" was a natural spin-off of that show.  "Dollhouse" had a great premise, but didn't quite live up to that with the actual show.  Now, "Firefly" is a wonderful little jewel that was sadly overlooked.  Will this new show allow him the opportunity to explore territory he's wanted to go, but couldn't because of studio interference?  It's going to be interesting seeing the details of this S.H.I.E.L.D. series unfold as each month goes buy.

So  TVLine got their hands on a list of the main characters in the series and put it out for all Whedonesque viewers to see:

SKYE | This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm. AGENT GRANT WARD | Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you. AGENT ALTHEA RICE | Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged. AGENT LEO FITZ and AGENT JEMMA SIMMONS | These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.

Read More at: http://tvline.com/2012/10/01/joss-whedon-s-h-i-e-l-d-casting/#utm_source=copypaste&utm_campaign=referral#utm_source=copypaste&utm_campaign=referral

  • Skye – This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm.
  • Agent Grant Ward –  Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you.
  • Agent Althea Rice –  Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged.
  • Agent Leo Fitz and Agent Jemma Simmons – These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.


Now, the line up of characters are definitely the archetype that Joss works with, and you can see the resemblance to some of the roles in Firefly.  There's even a joke going around now that he's basically redoing that beloved show and setting it in the Marvel Universe with different names.  But, I'm sure this show will have plenty of originality and creativity when we finally get a look at it.
SKYE | This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm. AGENT GRANT WARD | Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you. AGENT ALTHEA RICE | Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged. AGENT LEO FITZ and AGENT JEMMA SIMMONS | These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.

Read More at: http://tvline.com/2012/10/01/joss-whedon-s-h-i-e-l-d-casting/#utm_source=copypaste&utm_campaign=referral#utm_source=copypaste&utm_campaign=referral
SKYE | This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm. AGENT GRANT WARD | Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you. AGENT ALTHEA RICE | Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged. AGENT LEO FITZ and AGENT JEMMA SIMMONS | These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.

Read More at: http://tvline.com/2012/10/01/joss-whedon-s-h-i-e-l-d-casting/#utm_source=copypaste&utm_campaign=referral#utm_source=copypaste&utm_campaign=referral

Now we have to wonder when Agent Nathan Fillion shows up...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Natural Selection...

I just hope it's not a musical...




Well, it didn't take long before we found out what that Marvel Television series would be about...

Today the story broke that the Marvel television series that Joss Whedon would guide for broadcast on ABC will be based on the secrective government organization ran by Nick Fury. S.H.I.E.L.D. does seem like an obvious choice for the show which will be based in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (I still believe people will be confused by shows like "Hulk," which will not be canon.).

For those of you that have been following Blue Sky Disney, we broke news of this possibility two years ago based on info from a couple of our Bothan spies. Of course, it was still in a very early stage, and the Suits at Disney/Marvel had no idea what the form would actually be, but the idea had been floating around.

With Joss Whedon producing/writing it with his brother, Jed Whedon and collaborator Maurissa Tancharoen, the show looks to have the makings of the most prominent series Joss has ever created. His budgets won't be cut like on "Firefly," and his time slots won't get shifted around like other series of his. The profits from "The Avengers" will have many of those problems as the winds at his back.

And with him writing and possibly directing the pilot, helming that little sequel, and having a hand in the story lines of Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two, it appears that he's on his way to competing with J.J. Abrams for pop-CULTure icon of the 21st century. Is there anyone out there that can't also see Nathan Fillion all in black as a hardened Shield agent fighting against the powers of Hydra? Perhaps he'll be a bridge to the film series and appear in both? From Browncoats to Black Suits? It could happen.

Marvel certainly is firing on all cylinders right now...

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Straight Jackets...

Now this is supercool...







The new box set of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One is pretty sweet...

Even sweeter are the individual jacket sleeves that hold each Blu-Ray disc. Take a look at the fantastic artwork you get inside this uber-cool S.H.I.E.L.D. briefcase.
































And now we have to wait five years to get to Phase Two...

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

What's Left Behind...

Hopefully it has a charger...








Even Marvel Shorts are getting posters it seems...

The new short, "Item 47" that is included in "The Avengers" Blu-Ray/DVD happens to have a poster. And it looks pretty swank. Also, Marvel released a micro-clip to help set up the story. Basically, it's a modern day Bonnie & Clyde that come across alien technology set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I guess the G-Men that get them in this version come from the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier...

Monday, April 25, 2011

An Avenging Start...

Avengers Assemble...







So Joss Whedon yelled action for the first time on a super-hero film today...

Marvel Studios' "The Avengers" began principle photography this morning. The culmination of years of planning and hundreds of millions of dollars will roll into theaters on May 4, 2012. It's the biggest gamble the formerly independent studio that is now a self running entity of the Mouse. I would say that if Whedon was given the clearance to do with these characters what he did on Astonishing X-Men, then we're in for a treat and the cost of this film is a safe bet.

Marvel has issued an official press release:

Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated movie "Marvel's The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") as Thor, Chris Evans ("Captain America: The First Avenger") as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("Thor," "The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are Alright") as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson ("Iron Man 2") as Black Widow, Clark Gregg ("Iron Man," "Thor") as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") as Nick Fury. Set for release in the US on May 4, 2012, "Marvel's The Avengers" is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.

Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Thor," and "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Marvel's The Avengers" is the super hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, "Marvel's The Avengers" brings together the mightiest super hero characters as they all assemble together on screen for the first time. The star studded cast of super heroes will be joined by Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother) as Agent Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as Tom Hiddleston ("Wallander") and Stellan Skarsgård ("Angels & Demons," "Mamma Mia!") who will both reprise their respective roles as Loki and Professor Erik Selvig from the upcoming Marvel Studios' feature "Thor."

"Marvel's The Avengers" is being produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patty Whitcher, and Jon Favreau. Marvel Studios' Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce.

The creative production team also includes Oscar nominated director of photography Seamus McGarvey ("Atonement"), production designer James Chinlund ("25th Hour"), Oscar winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne ("Elizabeth: The Golden Age"), Oscar winning visual effects supervisor Janek Sirrs ("Iron Man 2," "The Matrix"), visual effects producer Susan Pickett ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2"), stunt coordinator R.A. Rondell ("Superman Returns"), and four-time Oscar nominated special effects supervisor Dan Sudick ("Iron Man," "War of the Worlds"). The editors include Oscar nominated Paul Rubell ("Collateral") and Jeffrey Ford ("Crazy Heart").

Marvel Studios most recently produced "Iron Man 2" which was released in theatres on May 7, 2010. The sequel to "Iron Man," starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow as well as Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke, took the number one spot its first weekend with a domestic box office gross of $128.1 million. To date the film has earned over $620 million in worldwide box office receipts.

In the summer of 2008, Marvel produced the summer blockbuster movies, "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk." "Iron Man," in which Robert Downey, Jr. originally dons the super hero's powerful armor alongside co-stars Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow, was released May 2, 2008 and was an immediate box office success. Garnering the number one position for two weeks in a row, the film brought in over $100 million its opening weekend and grossed over $571 million worldwide. On June 13, 2008, Marvel released "The Incredible Hulk" marking its second number one opener of that summer. The spectacular revival of the iconic green goliath grossed over $250 million in worldwide box office receipts.


Now if they can just get that S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off out the door by 2013/14...

Friday, April 22, 2011

Marvelous World...

Excelsior...



Earlier in the week Kevin Feige let slip his desires for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

In an article between the pages of the newest issue of D23 he gave a few nuggets as to where he hoped to go:


"We hope that holds true for the characters appearing in that film — Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the spy organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. — all of whom are more than worthy and capable of carrying their own films."


This along with the other projects in development (Dr. Strange, Runaways, ect.) mean that as the young upstart studio moves further into the decade, we can look forward to a wider and greater expanded collection of stories. This also helps buttress some of the reports that I was getting concerning a desire to develop a S.H.I.E.L.D. franchise sans the men-in-tights. I'm still trying to find out if that proposed animated series has gotten any further along the line than just a broad concept. An animated S.H.I.E.L.D. series on Disney XD featuring the right cast of characters could/would be awesome.

I know that a "Dr. Strange" film would be quite interesting, but the person best suited to direct it is too busy at this time. Guillermo del Toro you need to offer yourself up for a cloning experiment. Hopefully they can get him to at least write the screenplay with his writing partner like he's doing for "Haunted Mansion."

"The Runaways" could work as an interesting piece that moves toward a lower demographic, age-wise, I mean. It's got a very healthy cult following and with the right script, cast and director, would be an interesting departure for the Marvel universe.

As for "Black Widow," I will admit that she's a character I don't know as much about or really follow. Scripting chores should not go out to the people that gave us "Electra." "Hawkeye?" I'm game for anything with Jeremy Renner(Uncharted, anyone?).

Hopefully this expanded universe will continue expanding and expanding and expanding...

Friday, August 6, 2010

Cinematic Shielding...


And the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands...

While we're going to be treated to several different films coming out over the next few years with major Marvel characters, there will be several that make cameos so as to gauge the interest of fans for possible new tent poles. Several minor characters will get their own, lower budgeted films. Shorts will be another way to get these unknown or relatively unknown characters before the public. But in the major films like "Iron Man" and more importantly, the Avengers we're slowly getting introduced to a continuing character that threads many of these plot lines.

Nick Fury.

Now, that isn't just to introduce him. It's to introduce who he works for: S.H.I.E.L.D. We've seen this organization work in the world of Tony Stark and soon the world of Thor will encounter it as well. Then in two years we'll get to experience it even further in the Avengers. Now, that film is THE big film for Marvel right now, but it's also an introduction. A starting off point for this organization. And if the powers that be get their way, it's going to be simply a doorway into another franchise with that secret organization. Kevin Feige has a nice interview over at MTV's Splash Page that has an interesting quote:

"I think the answer is yes," said Feige. "I think S.H.I.E.L.D. could be it's own franchise. I think, frankly, 'The Avengers' is going to be told from that point of view more so than any of the other films at that point, so we're going to get an inside look [at how S.H.I.E.L.D.] operates."

As we mentioned in the post: "Shielding Disney," there are those that have been looking at characters in the Marvel library that really want to play up this concept into a fully blown franchise. Of course, all depends on how Earth's Mightiest Heroes do at the box office. If they slay it, then the development process that is already going on will move into fast gear. But don't expect to see a movie about this secret spy organization before 2014 even if it is greenlit. Now, the animation series on the other hand could come sooner if everything holds together. But when you see all the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents and technogadgetry that will be on display, don't think it's just there for background purposes.

It's there as a greeting card...

Thursday, May 13, 2010

More Echos Of Future Pasts...

Fury, he's a bad mutha...


Well, Drew McWeeny over at Hitflix's movie blog, Motion Captured has some interesting news...

He's reported that Samuel L. Jackson has mentioned something about a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie after the "Avengers" film in 2012. Hmmm... I've heard that before, but where? Oh, that's right. Here, almost two months ago. Now, I didn't have Sammy quoted as saying it, but I had my Bothans verifying it. Which is why I reported it. I'm kinda offended Drew, I check out your site quite a bit. You clearly don't return the favor. Boo-hoo.

Seriously, I want to thank Drew for validating what my sources reported to me back in March. Now, if everything goes well we'll see that film sometime in 2013.

Looks like G.I. Joe has some competition...

UPDATE: Boy, my massive ego is slowly deflating... now Russ from /Film is reporting the same thing. Now, that website I can't excuse since I sent Peter a link to the story back in March. Wow, now I know what those girls felt like when I lied and told them I was too busy and couldn't go out drinking... Sigh.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Shielding Disney...

Fury, Nick Fury...


Go Joe! Errr, I mean Shield! Go Shield!

Remember how we mentioned that now that the Mouse owns Marvel, the powers that be have combed over the vast catalog of characters for stories to exploit...

There are several properties that have been approved (like XD's Avengers program and one other yet to be announced one) and many more that are in the concept and proposal phase. But one of the proposals for a film and possible television series could be an exciting project as well.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

After Paramount's deal with Marvel expires in 2012/13 the films that are released will come under Disney's moniker or it's Touchstone label. Several of the actors who have signed for roles have also signed agreements that could extend their characters/parts up to nine different appearances. Those appearances will almost definitely appear in films under Disney. Samuel L. Jackson is under one such an agreement as the Ultimates inspired, Nick Fury. No time table has been set as to when a Shield film would happen as it's in the early stages, or if Fury would play a major part, but the plans are going forward.

This being Hollywood, it doesn't mean it's a sure thing or if it will be one of the first films out of Disney's gate, but rest assured that Suits in Burbank are excited by the prospects of taking the secret organization and turning into an exploitable franchise set amongst multiple platforms (film, television, Internet, books, clothes, costumes, toys, gadgets, ect.). But think of this as of model of what Disney wants to do. Imagine this being the Mouse's version of what G.I. Joe could have been. Many see this as a possible franchise for massive profits to add to those Disney Vaults. Now saying that Fury would be in it is a given, but as I've said, it's still in an embryonic state and the talks as of now are about the agency itself. That way, once Jackson/Fury are long gone, the organization would go on. So other Marvel characters from Shield as well new ones created for films/series would be used.

In a never ending quest for that male demographic that has eluded Disney, this project could turn into the Holy Grail...