The Avengers (2012)

[Archivist]

I only know Bane from the Knightfall sequence; not even sure why I have those issues, maybe I have a graphic novel or something.  The last issue I read had Bane defeated by Azrael posing as a souped-up armoured Batman.

Whether TDKR will do as well as The Avengers is anyone's guess.  Funny that two superhero movies are the most anticipated movies of 2012!  Both movies have well known and acclaimed directors at the helm.  Both have had years of 'prequels', and both have decades of comic reading fans behind them.  The Avengers had the benefit of an overall forward strategy of teasers and connections, whereas the Batman trilogy was never intended to go past the first, according to an interview with Christopher Nolan.  Fortunately, Nolan has a very clever abiility to incorporate previous characters and events into related movies, so they should all gel together in the end.

As for the upcoming Iron Man 3: W. T. F!!! is the idea of casting Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin???  When I think of the Mandarin it is of an extremely fit and agile martial arts master, not exactly easy to played by an actor who is pushing 70!  Sure, stick some makeup on him and he will look Chinese like Peter Sellers in the Fu Manchu movie, or Joel Grey in Remo Williams. But come on!  Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin???  They had better do this right, or they risk spoiling the wonderful winning streak that Marvel Studios has enjoyed for the past several years.

[HappyGilmore]

I have read that both Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul play a part in DKR, so that ties it to Begins.

As far as Iron Man 3: odd choice, yeah, as far as Kingsley. Good actor and all, still.

I did read that IM3 has something to do with A.I.M., so I wonder if that sets up an appearance by M.O.D.O.K in a future Marvel film.

[Jim H]

I have read that both Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul play a part in DKR, so that ties it to Begins.

As far as Iron Man 3: odd choice, yeah, as far as Kingsley. Good actor and all, still.

I did read that IM3 has something to do with A.I.M., so I wonder if that sets up an appearance by M.O.D.O.K in a future Marvel film.

As much as I'd love it, I really doubt we'll ever see a live-action MODOK.  He's just too ridiculous.  For those who are not comic book fans, here is MODOK:



Yes, he is basically a head with limbs and a rocket sticking out of it.

I also suggest for your reading pleasure MODOK's Eleven, which is basically an Ocean's Eleven type story where MODOK recruits a bunch of seriously C-list (at best) villains to rob one of the most powerful groups in the universe.  It's very amusing.

[HappyGilmore]

MODOK even shows up in Howard The Duck comics a bunch.

[Leah]

MODOK looks like a villain from Megus-XLR, Magnanimous (voiced by Bruce Campbell) the Wiki page said that it could be a reference to MODOK.

I am a huge fan of Bane.

However, he's a less popular villain than say Riddler, Joker or Penguin.

I am a huge fan of Bane as well, but the mask for TDKR looks...a bit stupid, it's not the lucha lebrae(?) mask found in the comics. That's not to say I won't go see it, oh no, I'm going see it!

[Jim H]

MODOK looks like a villain from Megus-XLR, Magnanimous (voiced by Bruce Campbell) the Wiki page said that it could be a reference to MODOK.

I am a huge fan of Bane.

However, he's a less popular villain than say Riddler, Joker or Penguin.

I am a huge fan of Bane as well, but the mask for TDKR looks...a bit stupid, it's not the lucha lebrae(?) mask found in the comics. That's not to say I won't go see it, oh no, I'm going see it!

I'm not a big fan of it, but there's no way we'd get a real lucha libre mask in the Nolan-verse - it's just too out there and silly for its tone.  More disappointing than the mask is the rest of his look - it's very generic and blah, much like the Catwoman outfit.  The Joker looked great costume-wise, regardless of what you thought of the makeup.



Compare him to Bane.



I just find his costuming underwhelming.  Maybe it'll fit with his character, which is far less over-the-top than the Joker.  Maybe I shouldn't be making a big deal out of it, but honestly the visuals are a significant part of any superhero story.  I do have some faith in Nolan after the Dark Knight though.  We'll see....

[HappyGilmore]

Well, the costumes, I assume, are meant to be 'realistic', so they're toned down a smidge.

'Realistic' as it may be to have a billionaire dressing as a bat and becoming a vigilante...etc.

[HappyGilmore]

I don't mind a small alteration though, long as the story is faithful to the characters.

No Bat credit cards, etc.

[Leah]

MODOK looks like a villain from Megus-XLR, Magnanimous (voiced by Bruce Campbell) the Wiki page said that it could be a reference to MODOK.

I am a huge fan of Bane.

However, he's a less popular villain than say Riddler, Joker or Penguin.

I am a huge fan of Bane as well, but the mask for TDKR looks...a bit stupid, it's not the lucha lebrae(?) mask found in the comics. That's not to say I won't go see it, oh no, I'm going see it!

I'm not a big fan of it, but there's no way we'd get a real lucha libre mask in the Nolan-verse - it's just too out there and silly for its tone.  More disappointing than the mask is the rest of his look - it's very generic and blah, much like the Catwoman outfit.  The Joker looked great costume-wise, regardless of what you thought of the makeup.



Compare him to Bane.



I just find his costuming underwhelming.  Maybe it'll fit with his character, which is far less over-the-top than the Joker.  Maybe I shouldn't be making a big deal out of it, but honestly the visuals are a significant part of any superhero story.  I do have some faith in Nolan after the Dark Knight though.  We'll see....

I actually was going for this mask:

But that could be somewhat s&M style.

[ChaosTheory]

I am a huge fan of Bane.

However, he's a less popular villain than say Riddler, Joker or Penguin.

I am a huge fan of Bane as well, but the mask for TDKR looks...a bit stupid, it's not the lucha lebrae(?) mask found in the comics. That's not to say I won't go see it, oh no, I'm going see it!

You know, I like the Nolan Batman movies but his insistence on real-world (albeit heightened) reality as opposed to comic-book reality does tend to undermine them, the costumes for Bane (and Catwoman too) being a prime example. 

[BoyScoutKevin]

A little something to whet one's appetite to "Avengers 2" is released.

"Phinea and Ferb: Mission Marvel"

The first character crossover between Marvel and the Walt Disney Company. To be shown on TV sometime during the summer of 2013. Most probably on Disney XD and the Disney Channel.

When Captain America, the Hulk, Ironman, and Thor loose their powers to one of Professor Doofenschmirtz's -inators, they seek the help of Phineas and Ferb to regain their powers. But, the Avengers are not the only ones to be seen in the TriState area. Also seen there are Marvel villains M.O.D.O.K., the Red Skull, Venom, and Whiplash.

Marvel is also working on an animated TV series "Avengers Assemble" and "Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H." Most likely to play on Disney XD, as that is where the animated "The Ultimate Spiderman" plays already.

And Marvel and the Walt Disney Company are also working on the animated film "Big Hero 6" featuring Baymax, Go-Go Tamago, Hiro, Honey-Lemon, the Silver Samurai, and Sunfire.

And there is good news on the Ant-man front. If anyone remembers a couple of years ago, there was talk of Marvel doing a film with Ant-man in it. That idea never went anywhere, but the idea is back on the table with the film being released sometime in 2014.

[HappyGilmore]

Kinda curious why M.O.D.O.K was chosen...

[BoyScoutKevin]

Kinda curious why M.O.D.O.K was chosen...

No idea, but if I do hear anything, I'll post here.

[Chainsawmidget]

Kinda curious why M.O.D.O.K was chosen...

Because MODOK is awesome. 

[HappyGilmore]

I like M.O.D.O.K., but he is a random character to throw out there.