Tag: Avengers: Infinity War

Posted on in Film News, News

Marvel & Russo Brothers Were In Negotiations For Mystery Movie Before Scarlett Johansson Lawsuit Stalled Talks

We’ve been excited about the potential return of the Russo Brothers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after giving us Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

There is now an update of sorts from the Wall Street Journal, as they point out the sibling directing team was indeed in talks with Marvel Studios to return to the MCU for a mystery film but talks apparently have stalled.

The reasoning is being linked to Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow lawsuit against Marvel/Disney, as the Russo Brothers are concerned by the issues raised by the actress including the potential release of the unnamed pic and if their contract for payment will ultimately be upheld by Disney.

This is the first real instance of fallout from the lawsuit since it was filed.

We don’t know what exactly that mystery film could be, but considering they’ve talked up a desire to tackle X-Men’s Wolverine and a hard-reboot is on the horizon. Marvel Studios could look to the Russo Brothers to help with the reboot as they did with seasoned MCU director Jon Watts for Fantastic Four. Watts being behind Marvel’s Spider-Man trilogy before landing the reboot.

However, this is simply my own speculation given the director’s comments in the past about being able to get their hands on mutants.

Here is what Joe Russo said about Wolverine back in February.

“Wolverine has always been such a special character for me. To realize him on screen, it’s very hard because Hugh Jackman‘s performance is definitive. It’s like Batman; you have to really think of a way to, you have to really find the right actor to come in and give a really different take to that character. But I would really love to see him on screen.”

I think the best thing is to take a break, without question. You need a [palate cleanser], you need to rinse the towel a little bit, let everyone enjoy what was, and then come up with something new. But I’d love to take a crack at Wolverine at some point.”

The Russo Brothers would be perfect to handle the scale and volume of characters as they’ve proven multiple times being able juggle a large roster of superheroes. Despite fans potentially wanting someone brand new to direct a reboot, Marvel might be more comfortable from their existing group of filmmakers given the importance of these MCU reboots.

Secret Wars is something they’ve also talked-up but we don’t have concrete information that is happening in the near future.

Another potential contender could be Anthony Mackie’s Captain America 4, given that doesn’t have a director attached. We had been hearing that the studio wanted a POC director for that one, but having Russo Brothers making a third Captain America movie wouldn’t be that shocking either.

SOURCE: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Battle Of The Planets’: Russo Brothers Enlist ‘F9’ Screenwriter Daniel Casey For Their Epic Sci-Fi Anime Adaptation

Back at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Anthony and Joe Russo announced a bunch of projects their production company AGBO would be developing and that group included a feature film adaptation of the beloved Japanese anime series Battle of The Planets aka Gatchaman.

There is now a status update as Deadline reports that The Russo Brothers have hired F9: The Fast Saga screenwriter Daniel Casey (Kin, 10 Cloverfield Lane) to work on the script for Battle of The Planets.

The series followed five young orphans who are trained from a young age to form an elite, intergalactic team known as G-Force, swearing to protect Earth and its allies from otherworldly invading forces.

Russo Brothers are behind some of the biggest Marvel Studios successes with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avenger: Endgame. Their experience with large scale team based blockbusters should put fans’ of the anime at ease about a feature film adaptation. They’re currently shooting Netflix’s big budget spy action flick The Gray Man starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, the streamer claiming it is their most expensive film to date with a budget of over $200 million.

There is an expectation the sibling duo will direct Battle of The Planets (given their personal connection to the anime) and could end up getting a hefty budget to cover the elaborate futuristic sets and the visual effects needed to bring the anime adaptation to life.

The project comes as we’ve seen a limited amount of anime/manga adaptations from Hollywood such as Alita: Battle Angel, Ghost In The Shell, Speed Racer, Guyver, Dragonball, Death Note, and Netflix’s upcoming Cowboy Bebop series. Other projects in development include Robotech, Attack On Titan, Gundam, and Warner Bros. has spend almost two decades trying to bring Akira to the big screen.

With most prime comic book projects have been picked over by Hollywood studios over the last thirty years there will be a point that movies based on anime and manga source material will end up having more regularly, because the genre concepts may translate well to the big screen.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Television News

Marvel’s ‘She-Hulk’ Adds ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Stunt Coordinator & ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong’ Costume Designer

The Ronin can confirm that Canadian stunt coordinator Monique Ganderton is indeed currently working on Marvel’s She-Hulk series that is actively shooting in Atlanta with Emmy-winner Tatiana Malsany (Orphan Black) starring as Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk. Monique isn’t new to the world of Marvel Studios with credits such as Loki, Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Infinity War, and Thor: Ragnarok.

In the comics, Jennifer Walters is a defense lawyer, who is given Hulk powers after she needs a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner. It’ll be interesting to see how she’ll get her powers in the MCU incarnation and how closely they’ll be sticking to comic book lore as this will be the first time we’re getting a live-action She-Hulk.

UPDATE: Monique Ganderton has now confirmed her involvement on She-Hulk on her Instagram bio backing up our confirmation from May.

It’s assumed that Ganderton will be doing the motion-capture/stunt work for She-Hulk given that she already filled a similar role for the Avengers villain Proxima Midnight (voiced by Carrie Coons) and seemingly played a motion-capture character for the Loki series as well.

We can also confirm that Godzilla Vs. Kong costume designer Ann Foley is officially working on the Marvel show as well. Ann’s credits include Netflix’s Altered Carbon, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Sony’s Masters of The Universe remake (seemingly stuck in limbo).

The 10-episode series will be directed by Kat Coiro and Anu Valia.

Joining Tatiana in the Disney+ show will be Mark Ruffalo officially returning to play Jennifer’s cousin Bruce Banner aka Hulk, Tim Roth is finally back as Incredible Hulk villain Emil Blonsky aka Abomination, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Amelia, and Ginger Gonzaga.

Recently, we were able to confirm that Lovecraft Country production designer is Elena Albanese hard at work on the Disney+ series too.

Considering that Jennifer has a strong comic book connection to the Fantastic Four, I’m curious if the series will plant the seeds to her involvement with Marvel’s reboot directed by Jon Watts as She-Hulk at one time had become a member of the team. Watts is currently busy finishing-up Spider-Man: No Way Home due in theaters on December 17.

Given the extensive visual effects involved with bringing She-Hulk, Hulk, and Abomination to life it’s expected that She-Hulk won’t debut until later in 2022.

Posted on in Film News

‘The Gray Man’: Russo Brothers May Begin Shooting End of January In Long Beach – Spy Flick Adding ‘Captain America: Civil War’ & ‘F9’ Stunt Coordinator

A new report from Deadline is suggest that the California production start on Netflix’s $200+ million budgeted spy flick The Gray Man from Avengers: Endgame directors The Russo Brothers might be seeing a production delay pushing the film’s start into early February or late January from it’s original planned start in mid-January due to positive COVID-19 tests. Netflix is hoping the expensive project could become a franchise on the level of James Bond.

The script was penned by the Russos with help from Marvel Studios alumni Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

The Gray Man is the debut novel by Mark Greaney, published in 2009 by Jove Books. It also is the first novel to feature the Gray Man, freelance assassin and former CIA operative Court Gentry. The action thriller will follow Gentry (Gosling) as he’s hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans), a former cohort at the CIA. The film is based on the first installment of the best-selling Gray Man book series.

It’s impressive cast already consists of Ryan Gosling (The Nice Guys, Drive, Blade Runner 2049), Chris Evans (Snowpiercer, Avengers franchise, Captain America franchise), Ana de Armas (No Time To Die, Knives Out, Blade Runner 2049), Jessica Henwick (The Matrix 4, Godzilla vs Kong, Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Wagner Moura (Narcos, Elysium), Dhanush, and young actress Julia Butters (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood).

The Ronin has also learned that 2nd unit director and veteran stunt coordinator Spiro Razatos is expected to join the spy movie’s production team. Razatos’ extensive credits include The Expendables, Fast Five, X-Men: First Class, Fast & Furious 6, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Furious 7, Captain America: Civil War, Kong: Skull Island, The Fate of The Furious, Venom, 21 Bridges, Bad Boys For Life, and F9.

The Russo Brothers are busy bees as they’ve wrapped on their Tom Holland (Spider-Man 3) crime drama Cherry and are already lining up their next film The Electric State for Universal Pictures starring Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Godzilla vs Kong). They’ve also been developing a live-action feature film based on the anime series Battle of The Planets and have considered returning to Marvel Studios to direct an event film such as Secret Wars.

A release date for The Gray Man has yet to be set by Netflix.

Posted on in Film News

Millie Bobby Brown Tapped To Lead Sci-Fi Film ‘The Electric State’ For Universal – The Russo Brothers To Direct

The Electric State has new directors after Deadline reports that Andy Muschietti (IT, The Flash) has stepped aside as the film’s potential director due to scheduling conflicts with his upcoming Flash movie starring Ezra Miller. However, Andy and sister Barbara Muschietti will stay on as producers.

READ MORE: First Concept Artwork From ‘The Flash’ Features Michael Keaton’s Batman and New Costume

Producers Joe Russo and Anthony Russo will instead take up the role of directors on the sci-fi film that has been picked-up by Universal Pictures. The pair are best known for the directing a bunch of films for Marvel Studios such as the highest-grossing film Avengers: Endgame.

READ MORE: Russo Bros. To Direct Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans In Netflix’s $200M+ Budgeted Spy Flick ‘The Gray Man’ – Eyeing January Start In L.A.

They’ve also tapped Millie Bobby Brown (Godzilla vs Kong, Stranger Things, Enola Holmes) to play the lead role.

READ MORE: Legendary May Sue WarnerMedia Over HBO Max Announcement For ‘Godzilla vs Kong’ and ‘Dune’ – Didn’t Give Them Advance Notice

Adapting the graphic novel from Simon Stalenhag into a feature film script will be Marvel screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who are also working with the directing duo’s massive Netflix film The Gray Man.

Set in an alternative future, it tells the story of a teenage girl (Millie Bobby Brown) who realizes that a strange but sweet robot who comes to her has actually been sent by her missing brother.  She and the robot set out to find the brother in an imaginative world of humans mixing with all manner of robots, uncovering a grand conspiracy in the process.

Looking at the artwork from the graphic novel it’ll certainly have a unique visual style.

It’s unclear when The Electric State will begin shooting given that the Russo Brothers begin shooting The Gray Man next month in Long Beach, California and Millie is busy with the fourth season of Stranger Things.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘The Gray Man’: Ana de Armas and Ryan Gosling Reunite For Russo Brothers’ $200M+ Budgeted Spy Movie

Netflix is slowly ramping-up the scale of it’s film productions and that includes spending more on the budgets. It’s been reported that their upcoming spy thriller The Gray Man from Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo will cost the streamer over $200 million making it their most expensive feature film to date.

READ MORE: Russo Bros. To Direct Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans In Netflix’s $200M+ Budgeted Spy Flick ‘The Gray Man’ – Eyeing January Start In L.A.

Deadline now reports a rather large casting addition to the film as actress Ana de Armas will reunite with her Blade Runner 2049 co-star Ryan Glosing. Ana has been gathering up a lot of high-profile film projects recently with the aforementioned Blade Runner sequel from Denis Villeneuve, Rian Johnson’s whodunit Knives Out, and the upcoming James Bond movie No Time To Die.

READ MORE: ‘No Time To Die’ Officially Delayed To April 2021 – Originally Planned To Release In November

It’s script was penned by The Russo Brothers with a polish by fellow Marvel alumni Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

The Gray Man is the debut novel by Mark Greaney, published in 2009 by Jove Books. It also is the first novel to feature the Gray Man, freelance assassin and former CIA operative Court Gentry. The action thriller will follow Gentry (Gosling) as he’s hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans), a former cohort at the CIA. The film is based on the first installment of the best-selling Gray Man book series.

Filming was once said to begin shooting next month in Los Angeles, California.

READ MORE: Ryan Gosling and Director David Leitch Team On Stuntman Drama For Universal – Penned By ‘Iron Man 3’ Screenwriter Drew Pearce

READ MORE: ‘The Martian’ Screenwriter Drew Goddard Joins Lord and Miller’s Sci-Fi Film ‘Project Hail Mary’ – Ryan Gosling Stars

READ MORE: Director Leigh Whannell Following Up ‘Invisible Man’ With Universal’s ‘Wolfman’ Remake Starring Ryan Gosling

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘Doctor Strange 2’: Production Designer Charles Wood Confirmed – Recently Worked On ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Black Widow’

Filming on Marvel’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness (working title Stellar Vortex) has been underway at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England with Sam Raimi taking over the project after former director Scott Derrickson exited the film over “creative differences” with the studio.

The Ronin can now confirm that production designer Charles Wood is working on the Doctor Strange sequel. His credits are mostly Marvel Studios films such as the original Doctor Strange, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of The Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and most recently with Scarlet Johansson’s Black Widow.

We previously reported that cinematographer John Mathieson (X-Men: First Class, Logan) is on the production team too.

The cast so far consists of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch, Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, and newcomer Xochitl Gomez.

It’s script was penned by Jade Halley Bartlett and Loki’s Michael Waldron.

As the title would suggest the film will explore the Multiverse with expected connections to WandaVision, Loki, and possibly even Spider-Man 3.

Disney has given Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness a tentative release date of March 25th, 2022.

Posted on in Film News

Josh Brolin Says Playing Cable In ‘Deadpool 2’ Was A “Business Transaction” Compared To Working With The Russo Brothers

While we’re still waiting on an official announcement concerning the fate of Deadpool 3 at Marvel Studios, Cabble actor Josh Brolin spoke to cinematographer Roger Deakins on his podcast Team Deakins (spotted by The Playlist) about the differences between working on Deadpool 2 in juxtapose to working with Marvel/The Russo Brothers on Avengers Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

BROLIN: “Deadpool was hard. Even though it was funny, it was harder. That was more of a business transaction, it was more, ‘We need to make this like this,’ which I didn’t feel that way with Avengers.”

“[The Russo Brothers] would constantly go back and reference Scarface or Dog Day Afternoon. Whether or not it was a manipulation, they knew what to throw out there to bring it back into something inspired.”

Josh’s comments here are terribly off-base as the Deadpool sequel underwent specific reshoots because producers/studio felt certain scenes didn’t test well and it’s possible that set had less of a creative environment than with The Russo Brothers.

There have been rumblings of Marvel considering a return for Brolin’s Thanos but that remains only rumor at this point. It’ll be interesting if they do end up moving forward with new Deadpool movies that if they’ll keep Brolin in the Nathan Summers aka Cable role as the only official carry-over from the Fox era is Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson.

Before the merger, the plan at 20th Century was to tackle an X-Force movie from writer/director Drew Goddard before a third solo installment.

Ryan confirmed back in December 2019 that Deadpool 3 was indeed in development at Marvel Studios but we really haven’t a solid update since.

SOURCE: TEAM DEAKINS

Posted on in Film News

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Actress Carrie Coon Says She May Return To MCU With A Live-Action Role

Carrie Coon (Fargo, Gone Girl) recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter to promote her drama The Nest co-starring with Jude Law (Captain Marvel). The topic switched over to her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe voicing The Children of Thanos villain Proxima Midnight, who was a motion-capture character.

When asked if she would be able to return the MCU with another live-action role, Carrie gave the impression that could indeed happen and possibly has been part of discussions when she originally took the role.

THR: When you agreed to play Proxima Midnight in Infinity War, was there an understanding that it wouldn’t rule you out from appearing as another character in human form at some point? I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to see you back in the MCU.

COON: “Oh, thank you. That’s very kind. Yes, that is certainly the kind of conversation that an agent would engage in when looking into committing to those jobs. Yes, they want some verbal assurances that the possibility for additional work is not completely off the table. So, yeah, absolutely. It’s like, you know, being on Chicago Fire. You get killed and then you can’t come back for another year. You want to make sure that we have job security, so we’re always asking that question. Absolutely.”

Having actors return for a second MCU wouldn’t be crazy thing to happen as actress Gemma Chan played Kree villain Dr. Minerva in Captain Marvel only to take a leading role in Chloe Zhao’s Eternals as Sersi.

I’d love to see Carrie considered for the role of S.W.O.R.D.’s Abigail Brand.

Carrie recently worked with Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd, Captain Marvel’s Mckenna Grace, and Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Bokeem Woodbine in Sony’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in News

Actor Chadwick Boseman Loses 4-Year Battle With Colon Cancer At Age 43

Sad news this morning as the passing of actor Chadwick Boseman was announced by his family last night. Chadwick at the age of 43 lost his 4-year battle with cancer first being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer back in 2016, something that wasn’t made public as he attempted to tackle it privately even shooting films between surgeries and chemotherapy. 

His family who was by his side when he passed in Los Angeles made the following statement via social media.

It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.⁣

⁣Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. ⁣

⁣A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. ⁣

⁣It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. ⁣

⁣He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. ⁣

The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. ⁣

Chadwick, a graduate from Howard University was born in South Carolina and first made waves in Hollywood playing baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the biopic 42, who first crossed the color barrier. 

His passing happened to take place when Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson Day. 

Boseman was best known internationally as the actor who portrayed T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther along with other Marvel Cinematic Universe features such as Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. 

Black Panther became a monster box office hit earning an impressive $1.3 billion and that success broke down longstanding Hollywood myths about how international audiences would react to a blockbuster with a majority black cast. 

He also starred in Get On Up, Marshall, 21 Bridges, Message From The King, and most recently the Spike Lee movie Da 5 Bloods. 

This news is just heartbreaking and we hope that you’ll consider getting yourselves checked regularly for cancer via cancer screenings along with donating to local or national cancer charities in Chadwick’s name. 

Men’s health is something that isn’t nearly brought up often enough and making sure you’re getting screened for cancers is an important part of that, as many know that men can put off going to the doctor or seeking regular check-ups simply out of fear or pride. 

Chadwick will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family during their time of mourning.