Christian Bale wraps up Batman; Luke Skywalker lunch; Hulk TV plans
Batman 3, aka “The Dark Knight Rises,” has wrapped, and Christian Bale is done. Also: Lunch with a Star Wars legend and Hulk TV news.
LUNCH WITH LUKE
Actor Mark Hammill, who brought Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker to life in the original Star Wars Trilogy, is offering to have lunch in Los Angeles with the highest bidder and a guest to raise funds for The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, which provides an ongoing base of support to human rights defenders around the world. Valued at $10,000, the exclusive experience is open for bidding from November 29th through December 15th at:
http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/276455
BAT-FINISHED
The Philippine Daily Inquirer talked with Christian Bale, and he confirmed he was done with Batman. 
“I wrapped a few days ago so that will be the last time I’m taking that cowl off,” he said. “I believe that the whole production wrapped yesterday, so it’s all done. Everything’s finished. It’s me and Chris – that will be the end of that Batman era.”
He also praised co-star Anne “Catwoman” Hathaway.
“I had plenty of scenes with Anne,” he said. “And I was there when we did the screen test for her. The thing that I said to Chris [Nolan] that day was that there were many very accomplished actresses who had read for the role. I’m terrible at auditions, so I’m very impressed when somebody really seems to acquire an ownership of a character without having worked on it or prepared for some amount of time.”
THE INCREDIBLE HULK NEARS
Guillermo del Toro tells io9 that the screenplay is in for the possible upcoming “Hulk” TV show, and the team is waiting for a green light. Del Toro, serving as producer, says he and his team know the essential stories, including “Hulk: Grey,” written by Jeph Loeb, who is involved with the show.
“We know all the iterations of the Hulk pretty good. We’ve read all the essential stories, and we’re then riffing on that. There are so many incarnations and ideas. Jeph Loeb — who did a good run [on Hulk: Grey] — is involved, and I love Peter David’s Hulk. But there’s really no part in that mythos that we don’t know, so we are trying put our own personal spin on it.”
REVIEW FILE: Green Lantern The Animated Series #0, Wolverine #19, Uncanny X-Men #2, X-Men Legacy #259, Archie #627, Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1.
Comics read in 2011: 1,853. Still to go: 158
(more…)
New Avengers banners feature Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and others
Yahoo Movies debuted a banner featuring Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth as Thor, for the upcoming film “The Avengers,” set for a May 4, 2012 release. The film is directed by Joss Whedon.
The Avengers who haven’t had their own solo movies as yet, plus one villain, are found on a second banner via Moviefone. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury,Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow round out the second banner, which can be seen at Moviefone or by clicking past the cut.
- Matt Price
Incredible Hulk #1 Ladronn variant revealed
Marvel Comics has released the above variant cover to “Incredible Hulk” #1, drawn by Ladronn (“Cable”). This October, Incredible Hulk #1, by Jason Aaron (“Wolverine”) and Marc Silvestri (“Cyberforce”), starts a new era for the Jade Giant as Banner and Hulk find themselves at odds.
Here’s Marvel’s description of the new series: After the events of Fear Itself, the Hulk has gone into hiding, seemingly safe from a world that hates and fears him. But when government agents come knocking at his door, the Hulk has no choice but to return to war against the one man whose existence threatens the safety of every living creature on the Earth. The one man who’s existence could doom the Hulk himself. And that man is Bruce Banner. Now separated into two men, the Hulk and Banner exist worlds apart but one climactic battle will bring them face to face again—and leave the Marvel Universe shaking in its wake.
Click past the cut for the video trailer for “Incredible Hulk” #1.
- Matt Price
(more…)
Thor, Hulk, SHIELD shown in Avengers promotional art at Comic-Con
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and the agents of SHIELD were revealed in promotional art from Marvel at Comic-Con International. Along with Captain America, Iron Man, Hawkeye and the Black Widow, they’ll be the focus of “The Avengers,” being directed by Joss Whedon for a 2012 release.
Thor, Herc and John Carter among heroes of comic-book challenge catch-up post
Here’s an abbreviated rundown of several comics I’ve read over the past 2 weeks, but haven’t had time to post about.
Herc 1-2 – Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak are writing a street-level Herc in a fish out of water type tale that should appeal to fans of the “Thor” movie. Artist Neil Edwards has a touch of classic John Byrne to him. It’s a good mix of action and humor that I hope finds an audience.
Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Bloodshot, Hardware and more comic book reviews
Batman: Shadow of the Bat 1
A rundown of some of this week’s comic books read!
Lost Steve Ditko story in Incredible Hulk & The Human Torch: From the Marvel Vault #1
Marvel has shared a preview of a Steve Ditko tale that the company is releasing from the vault. If you’re missing Johnny Storm, you can revisit the character with this issue. “Incredible Hulk & The Human Torch: From The Marvel Vault #1,” is by artist Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man, with writers Jack C. Harris & Karl Kesel. Mark Bagley provides the cover.
Here’s the story description from Marvel:
The dreaded Wizard possesses the power of the moon’s magnetism and it’s up to the Hulk and the Human Torch stop him! Can the two take down the Wizard, whose power now rivals Magneto’s, or will they crash and burn? Be the first to your comic shops to catch this never before seen story in Incredible Hulk & The Human Torch: From The Marvel Vault #1!
The comic will go on sale June 29.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the preview.
(more…)
Kick-Ass 2 released; Iron Man 3 date set; Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero hits stands
Iron Man 3 gets release date
Stan Lee (AP)
According to Marvel.com, “Iron Man 3″ will release on May 3, 2013. This appearance will follow Iron Man’s appearance in “The Avengers,” which will release May 4, 2012.
Elect a Legion leader
Fans can vote for who they think should lead the Legion of Super-Heroes by placing a vote at LegionElection.com.
Matt and Kyle review Kick-Ass 2 #1, Hulk #26, Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1 and Supergirl #57.
The Man with the Getaway Face, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine 2, Batman 701, Booster Gold 34, X-Men Second Coming 2 reviews
In this week’s Planet 46 Comics Podcast, Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review the comics The Man with the Getaway
Face, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine 2, Batman 701, Booster Gold 34 and X-Men Second Coming 2.
We take a look at Green Lantern’s new costume, the arrest of a Hollywood Superman, and the fate of Edward Norton as the Hulk. Also, Kyle bites it.
Edward Norton won’t return as Incredible Hulk in Avengers movie
Edward Norton in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk."
HitFix reports that Edward Norton won’t reprise his role as Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk in the upcoming “Avengers” movie. Instead, a new actor will be cast to portray the gamma-irradiated scientist. Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige sent the following statement to HitFix:
“We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”
HitFix speculates such an announcement could come at Comic-Con International in San Diego.
UPDATE: An e-mail from Norton’s agent calls Marvel’s statement “misleading.”
- Matt Price
