Category: News

Marvelous Monday #3 – Who Is Marvel’s James Bond?

I'm Jeffrey Rex' Marvelous Monday #3

For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things Marvel.

On this, the third ‘installment’ of I’m Jeffrey Rex’ Marvelous Monday, I’ve decided to take a look at the characters in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe – and see if any of the characters can go the James Bond-route, and if any character could switch both actor AND character without losing comic book logic.

This discussion is based on the fact that Kevin Feige was asked, by Badass Digest, about the possibility of making Tony Stark into a superhero James Bond. Here’s Feige’s response:

“I think Bond is a good example. Let’s put it this way: I hope Downey makes a lot of movies for us as Stark. If and when he doesn’t, and I’m still here making these movies, we don’t take him to Afghanistan and have him wounded again. I think we James Bond it.” – Kevin Feige.

Now, Robert Downey Jr. won’t be making Iron Man-movies until the end of time – sadly – but, thankfully, he’s still here. I fear what a Downey-less MCU means to the survival of the Superhero genre. It’s not that Marvel hasn’t survived a switch in actor (Norton -> Ruffalo), but this would be a much bigger change. Not only was The Incredible Hulk not much of a success, but the Downey-led films are the most successful for Marvel.


The Hemsworth films aren’t making enough money for Marvel to let Downey go – sooner rather than later the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be much different. Which, obviously, is why they’re adding all these new characters in Phase 3.

I don’t consider the Tony Stark as James Bond-idea to be viable for Marvel, seeing as you’d have to get an actor at the same level of talent – or his stock would plummet. I’m not saying that you kill the character when Downey leaves, but maybe it’s time for Stark to leave his suit at home, and lead a new generation of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Give Downey a Samuel L. Jackson-like workload.

Similarly, you could just have Stark be the leader of the Avengers – the brains of the operation – and have him appear in a handful of scenes in every Avengers film, and every other solo-film.

 

There are, however, two characters that can easily survive a new actor or actress. A simple answer would be Thor. Recently Marvel Comics made Thor Odinson unworthy, and gave Mjolnir to a female Asgardian. I would love to see this happen one day, when Hemsworth needs a break. But there’s a much easier answer to the conundrum.

The real answer is, of course, Captain America. To my knowledge 9 different characters have been Captain America – the symbol – the leader. Our current Cap, Steve Rogers, is of course the most recognizable – but the MCU can already give Chris Evans a break. They already have two future Captain America-characters in the MCU SPOILERS Bucky Barnes & Sam Wilson.

Some people even recognize Agent 007 as a symbol, a codename, more than a single person – so yeah, to me there is only one James Bond in the Marvel Universe, and his rank is ‘Captain’.

Stay Marvelous!

– I’m Jeffrey Rex.

The Fantastic Four (2015) Trailer Review

Here we go, the trailer for Josh Trank and Fox’ Fantastic Four is finally out. Today I’m trying something new, trying to give my thoughts about the trailer – saying what it shows, but also giving my opinion. Remember how I liked the Ant-Man trailer? I’m going to give similar pros/cons for this one. So without further ado….

Now this is a teaser trailer, so keep that in mind. But the first thing that comes to mind when watching it, is how similar the feel of the trailer – the sound – the look – is to Interstellar. Now, trailers tend to copy off of something – and they’ve definitely gone for a Nolan-feel. But a property like the Fantastic Four should be able to stand on its own with a trailer – without going full-Nolan.

Continue reading “The Fantastic Four (2015) Trailer Review” →

Marvelous Monday #2 – Thematic Pattern of MCU’s Phase 2

I'm Jeffrey Rex' Marvelous Monday #2
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things Marvel.

On this, the second ‘installment’ of I’m Jeffrey Rex’ Marvelous Monday, I’ve decided to go over the second phase of Marvel‘s Cinematic Universe – fully aware of the fact that it’s still going strong – but trying to uncover the general theme or motif of Marvel‘s potentially most succesful phase yet.

Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #2 – Thematic Pattern of MCU’s Phase 2” →

Report: Chiwetel Ejiofor Possibly Starring Opposite Cumberbatch in Dr Strange

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who starred in 12 Years A Slave, is possibly going to star opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in Marvel’s Doctor Strange in 2016. Ejiofor has not signed anything yet, apparently, and, as of right now, he is only in talks to become a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It is unlikely that Ejiofor will play the Ancient One or Wong, I wonder if he’s eyed for the role of Baron Mordo. If Ejiofor is in for a big role in the Doctor Strange universe – but not as Mordo, Wong, or the Ancient One – then Marvel may be looking for Dormammu.

Scott Derrickson is directing the Doctor Strange film, which premieres the 4th of November 2016 in US cinemas.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

– I’m Jeffrey Rex.

Suicide Squad: The Curious Case of Rick Flag


A few days ago I wrote that Tom Hardy had decided to exit the Suicide Squad movie due to scheduling conflicts – since then, we’ve learned that he actually disliked the script that – supposedly – focused too much on Deadshot & The Joker, and not enough on Rick Flag. Flag being the character Warner Bros. wanted Hardy to play.

Continue reading “Suicide Squad: The Curious Case of Rick Flag” →

Tom Hardy Exits ‘Suicide Squad’

Actor Tom Hardy, perhaps best known for being Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, has reportedly decided to ‘drop out’ of David Ayer’s DC Cinematic Universe film Suicide Squad starring Jared Leto, Will Smith & Margot Robbie.

Tom Hardy was to play Rick Flag in the aforementioned film, and now The Wrap reports that Warner Bros. is eyeing Jake Gyllenhaal to replace Hardy as Flag.

Reportedly, Hardy had to drop out due to one of his next films (The Revenant) ‘going over schedule’. Gyllenhaal is one of the best actors out there – and though I personally would’ve wanted him to play the Joker someday, this will do.

For more on DC, Superhero Speculation, and Comic Book Movies in general – Don’t go anywhere!

– I’m Jeffrey Rex.

Marvel/Sony: Spider-Man Deal is Done?!


Awhile ago, via the Sony-leaks, we learned of the potential Sony-Marvel deal to put Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Today we’ve heard that the deal has been done. Spidey might be coming home. I will try to stay spoiler free in this article – so for huge spoilers go to original link provided at the bottom of the article.

I learned of this via Superhero Feed on Twitter, who acquired the information from Latino Review. So thank you, Latino Review for breaking this rumour. Latino Review writes that they: “[…] understand: […] Spider-Man IS in [Avengers: Infinity Wars – Part One], the Sony deal went through.”

Spider-Man was my favourite superhero when I was a kid, and I loved the Tobey Maguire-films – except for the third one. If this deal has, indeed, been done – then sit back, relax. Surely Marvel will fix Spider-Man. Right? Right?!

For the original article containing the rumour click here, however be careful – the article contains a lot of Marvel Phase 3 Potential Spoilers that might destroy the phase for you.

For more on Spider-Man, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Superhero Speculation – don’t go anywhere.

– I’m Jeffrey Rex.

Sherlock Villain To Star in House of Cards Season 3

Yesterday, the 11th of January 2015, Netflix released the trailer for season 3 of its hit-show House of Cards starring Kevin Spacey & Robin Wright. Beware of slight spoilers in the trailer, and in this post.

During the trailer you see someone resembling, in my opinion, Russian President Vladimir Putin – my initial thought was that it was Lars Mikkelsen, brother of Mads Mikkelsen (known as Le Chiffre in Casino Royal, and as Hannibal Lector in the NBC-show Hannibal). Lars Mikkelsen has starred in many Danish shows and films, and got his ‘big breakthrough’ in 2013’s Sherlock Series 3 as the antagonist, Charles Augustus Magnussen.

Today, Lars Mikkelsen confirms that he stars in the show – and that he will star in a number of episodes. Mikkelsen is humble, and appreciative about this role. He shared this information with Danish network DR (Short for Danmarks Radio).

Though I initially thought he looked like Vladimir Putin, I doubt they’ll dare cast him specifically as the Russian President by name. I speculate that they’ll simply make him the fictitous leader of Russia.

In the trailer you see him sitting next to Spacey’s character, supposedly rejecting a handshake (0:15) – standing in front of the seated Spacey, with the Russian flag in the background (0:18) – kissing Robin Wright’s character (0:21) – and at, supposedly, a press conference with his back towards the camera (0:30).

For more on House of Cards, Netflix, and casting news – stay tuned.

– I’m Jeffrey Rex

Netflix Date Set For Marvel’s Daredevil

On the 7th of January 2015 Netflix announced the release date for the first of four Marvel Shows, within the continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, preceding the team-up show The Defenders. The first solo-show revolves around Daredevil, and is to be released on the 10th of April 2015. They also released a brief teaser, which is viewable above the block of text, and right here.

Daredevil is produced and developed by Drew Goddard, of Cabin In The Woods-fame, and it has Steven S. DeKnight, of Starz’ Spartacus-fame, as a showrunner. The show stars Charlie Cox, known for Stardust & Boardwalk Empire, as the titular character – Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin – Deborah Ann Woll as the classic Daredevil-love interest Karen Page – and Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple.

Thus this show premieres 14 days prior to the Avengers: Age Of Ultron wide-release in Northern Europe, and two days prior to Game of Thrones on HBO – set your schedule accordingly.

For much more on Netflix, Marvel, and The Man Without Fear – stay tuned.

– I’m Jeffrey Rex.