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Tag: Marvel Studios

  • Third ‘Avengers’ movie to be split into two parts

    Third ‘Avengers’ movie to be split into two parts

    MUMBAI: After creating a buzz with the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer, Marvel Studios have announced the third Avengers film with a surprise for the fans; the movie will be broken into two parts.

     

    Named Avengers: Infinity Wars, the first part will release on 4 May 2018 while the final part will hit the theatres on 3 May 2019.

     

    The production house also laid out a nine-film roadmap that starts with Captain America 3: Civil War, which will be released on 6 May 2016 and ends with Avengers: Infinity War part II in 2019. Marvel also announced a slate of new titles, including Thor 3: Ragnarok, which is scheduled for release in 2018, and Inhumans, which is also due to hit cinemas in 2018.

     

    The studio’s first female-led superhero film, Captain Marvel, and a film based on the popular comic book character Black Panther were also announced.

     

    The complete schedule for Marvel studio releases is as follows:

     

    1 May 2015 –     Avengers: Age of Ultron

     

    17 July 2015 –   Ant-Man

     

    6 May 2016 –     Captain America: Civil War

     

    4 November 2016 –   Doctor Strange

     

    5 May 2017 –     Guardians of the Galaxy 2

     

    28 July 2017 –   Thor: Ragnarok

     

    3 November 2017 –   Black Panther

     

    4 May 2018 –     Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet part I

     

    6 July 2018 –     Captain Marvel

     

    2 November 2018 –   Inhumans

     

    3 May 2019 –     Avengers: Infinity War part II

     

    The second installment of the Avengers franchise, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, follows the first one, which grossed $1.52 billion worldwide after its May 2012 debut.

  • Benedict Cumberbatch to play Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’

    Benedict Cumberbatch to play Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’

    MUMBAI: After months of speculations, the Sherlock famed Benedict Cumberbatch is the final choice for the titular role in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange, according to media reports.

     

    Slated for release on 8 July 2016, the feature will be directed by Scott Derrickson. Cumberbatch will play Dr Stephen Strange, a former neurosurgeon who, after losing the use of his hands, turns to the mystic arts and the occult. He will serve as the Sorcerer Supreme — the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats.

     

    Doctor Strange made his first appearance in the Marvel Universe in 1963, and was first created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in the pages of Strange Tales No 110. He has also been a longtime member of superhero teams like Avengers, and wielded a significant influence as a member of the Illuminati, which included the likes of Professor X, Mister Fantastic, and Iron Man.

     

    For the past few months, some of big Hollywood names have been linked to the role including Joaquin Phoenix, Ryan Gosling, Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Justin Theroux, Ethan Hawke and Keanu Reeves.

     

    Marvel also plans to release the third Captain America movie along with the feature.

     

    In addition to his well-received ‘Sherlock’ series, for which he won an Emmy this year, he’s earned a great deal of Oscar buzz for his performance as cyberpioneer Alan Turing for The Imitation Game.

  • American films continue to win at Chinese box-office

    American films continue to win at Chinese box-office

    NEW DELHI: Marvel Studios LLC continues its winning streak in China as Guardians of the Galaxy topped the Mainland box office.
     
    In its first three days in cinemas, the James Gunn film made RMB185 million ($30.2 million) from approximately 4.74 million admissions. Released only in 3-D, the sci-fi film represented approximately 39.2 per cent of all screenings nationwide.
     
    In April, Captain America: The Winter Soldier made RMB224 million ($36.6 million) from approximately 5.17 million admissions over the three-day Ching Ming holiday weekend. It secured RMB720 million ($118 million) during its theatrical run.

    Nonetheless, Guardians of the Galaxy has by far had the best weekend for a Marvel Studios origin film in China. Three years ago, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) opened with RMB34.3 million ($5.60 million), for a total of RMB98.1 million ($16 million).
     
    Ning Hao’s Breakup Buddies dropped to second place with RMB99.8 million ($16.3 million) over the weekend. After 13 days, it has made RMB931 million ($152 million).

    At its current rate, road movie comedy is expected to break the RMB1 billion ($163 million) mark by this weekend, making it the second domestic film to do so in 2014. Lost in Thailand (2012) took 21 days to reach the RMB1 billion mark in 2012. Earlier this year, The Monkey King took 23 days.
     
    The only other new film to reach the top ten is the domestic monster film Bugs 3D. Released only in 3-D, it made RMB12.13 million ($1.98 million) from approximately 328,000 admissions.
     
    Two years ago, Million Dollar Crocodile (2012) opened with RMB6.50 million ($1.06 million) for a total of RMB12.9 million ($2.10 million) during its theatrical run.
     
    Peter Chan’s Dearest dropped to third place with RMB22.3 million ($3.65 million) between Friday and Sunday. The child abduction drama has made RMB292 million ($47.7 million) after 18 days.

    Black & White: The Dawn of Justice was fifth place with RMB10.5 million ($1.71 million) between Friday and Sunday. The 3-D action sequel has made RMB187 million ($30.6 million) after 12 days.

    With RMB4.05 million ($661,000) between Friday and Sunday, Ann Hui’sThe Golden Era has made RMB44.12 million ($7.20 million) after 12 days.
     
    Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) returned to Chinese cinemas yesterday with a special 3-D re-release.
     
    In Hong Kong, Gone Girl became the top film this weekend due to the lack of any strong newcomers. The David Fincher mystery-drama made HK$3.92 million ($505,720) from 36 locations between Thursday and Sunday. After 11 days in cinemas, it has made HK$10.3 million ($1.33 million).
     
    Last week’s top film Dracula Untold dropped to second place with HK$2.06 million ($265,750) between Thursday and Sunday. It has made HK$9.83 million ($1.27 million) after 11 days.
     
    The top new film was spy thriller The November Man. From 34 locations, it made HK$1.69 million ($218,000) from 34 locations over four days.

     

  • 300’s Zach Snyder to direct ‘Justice League’

    300’s Zach Snyder to direct ‘Justice League’

    MUMBAI: Confirming the studio’s plans for a movie based on its iconic super-team for the first time to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Warner Bros. president of worldwide production Greg Silverman said the studio has set plans to make a Justice League movie.

    Like Man of Steel and its follow-up, which starts production next month, Justice League will be directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen). Henry Cavill is expected to return as Superman, along with Ben Affleck (Gone Girl) and Gal Gadot, who play Batman and Wonder Woman, respectively in 2016’s Man of Steel sequel tentatively titled Batman vs. Superman.

    “It will be a further expansion of this universe,” said Silverman to WSJ. “’Superman vs. Batman’ will lead into ‘Justice League.’”

    A script is still in development and Warner Bros. has not set a release date, though the movie is unlikely to come out before 2018. The studio has recently been casting the role of Cyborg, a half-robotic hero who is expected to have a cameo in Batman vs. Superman and then appear in Justice League. Other DC heroes who have been in Justice League comic books include Aquaman, Flash and Green Lantern.

    The plans for three superhero movies in relatively quick succession show how intent Warner is on catching up with rival Walt Disney Co.’s Marvel Studios in building a cinematic superhero universe after years of lagging behind.

  • Bradley Cooper set to be a part of Guardians of the Galaxy

    Bradley Cooper set to be a part of Guardians of the Galaxy

    MUMBAI: The deal with Marvel studios has assured Cooper’s voice for the hero Rocket Racoon. This will be the first time he will be a part of a superhero movie as well as lending his voice to a character. It is produced by Marvel studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

    The film has already begun filming and Cooper is the final name to the list. He joins Chris Pratt, Benicio Del Toro, Zoe Saldana, Glenn Close, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker and John C. Reilly in the cast. The movie is set to release on 1 August next year.

    Cooper is repped by CAA. He was previously seen in the highly acclaimed movie Silver Linings Playbook, for which he was nominated in the Oscars. Guardians of the Galaxy is based on a Marvel Comics of the same name.

  • Iron Man 3 sets screen ablaze in overseas market

    Iron Man 3 sets screen ablaze in overseas market

    MUMBAI: Marvel Studios and Disney‘s Iron Man 3 has set the cash registers ringing in the overseas, opening to $195.3 million from 42 markets to beat last year‘s worldwide blockbuster The Avengers, which debuted to $185.1 million globally, revealed The Hollywood Reporter.
     
    Iron Man 3, which has been well received by critics so far, is playing in roughly 80 per cent of the foreign marketplace, excluding major markets Russia and China, where DMG Entertainment put up some of the financing.
     
    The tentpole broke numerous records for 113 IMAX theaters, which took in $7.2 million for a per screen average of $64,000, coming in ahead of any Marvel title, including Avengers.
     
    Box office observers agree that Iron Man 3 is playing more like a sequel to last summer‘s The Avengers — which featured a myriad of Marvel superheroes, including Robert Downey Jr.‘s Iron Man — than a follow-up to Iron Man 2, which posted a foreign opening of roughly $100 million in 2010.
     
    Disney president of worldwide distribution Dave Hollis didn‘t want to guess as to whether Iron Man 3 could reach that number but said the film is clearly off to a stellar start. "To say we are beyond encouraged is an understatement," he stated.
     
    Iron Man 3, another victory for Marvel Studios‘ president Kevin Feig, is breaking a slew of records overseas, scoring the biggest opening weekend ever Asia Pacific and Latin America, and in individual countries including Argentina, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. It also scored the top Marvel opening in another raft of markets.
     
    Teaming Downey with franchise newcomer, Director Shane Black, Iron Man 3 was released at the international box office ahead of its May 3 North American launch, as Iron Man 2 did in 2010. Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle also are returning cast members.
     
    It saw its biggest gross in the U.K. ($21.5 million), followed by Korea ($19.2 million), Australia ($18.4 million), Mexico ($16.1 million), France ($14.7 million), Brazil ($12.3 million), Italy ($11.2 million), Taiwan ($8.4 million), Philippines ($7.4 million), Japan ($5.4 million), India ($5.2 million), Spain ($5 million), Hong Kong ($4.9 million), Malaysia ($4.6 million) and Indonesia ($4.5 million), among other markets.

  • The Avengers nets Rs 470 mn in India

    The Avengers nets Rs 470 mn in India

    MUMBAI: Marvel Studios and Disney’s superhero ensemble film, The Avengers, has become the fourth highest Hollywood grosser in India, according to UTV Motion Pictures.

    The big screen adaptation of the Marvel comic has earned over Rs 470 million net in its fourth-week run so far. Having released on 27 April, a week before its US release, the film is still running in both the 2D and 3D formats in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

    The top five Hollywood films in India are Avatar (net lifetime collections of Rs 990 million), 2012 (Rs 650 million), Spider-Man 3 (Rs 490 million), The Avengers, which has so far raked in Rs 460 million so far and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (Rs 350 million), according to data provided by UTV.

    The Avengers is one of the first big ticket Hollywood releases in India by Disney UTV.

    “The unprecedented success of The Avengers in India is a great demonstration of how the same aggressive marketing and distribution strategies we adopt to release our big ticket Hindi movies can be applied to Hollywood movies as well. The Avengers is one of those movies that has wowed critics and audiences alike, and in the incredible opening followed up by throngs of repeat audiences, have helped the film break records not just in India but globally. We are thrilled that one of the first big ticket Hollywood releases in India by Disney UTV, has achieved this level of success,” said UTV Motion Pictues CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur.

    Overseas, the film has joined the billion dollar box office club in just 19 days. Tapping its trajectory, international trade pundits predict that the film is slated to become the third highest grossing film of all time by the end of its run after Avatar and Titanic.

    The film stars Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Tom Hiddleston as Loki.

  • Sequel of The Avengers on cards

    Sequel of The Avengers on cards

    MUMBAI: Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that a follow-up of The Avengers was on the cards. He also said similar follow-ups are expected of films like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America.
    Repeating previous announcements made by Marvel Studios, the CEO said a third Iron Man and a second Thor are scheduled for 2013 and a sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger is in the works for 2014 release. He however gave no timeline for an Avengers sequel.

    Iger said that Avengers had shattered domestic box-office records with a $207.1 million opening weekend for a global performance of more than $702 million to date.
    He also revealed that there are Avengers-based attractions in the works for some of Disney‘s theme parks.

  • Avengers gets off to a flying start overseas

    Avengers gets off to a flying start overseas

    MUMBAI: Opening last Wednesday, the Marvel Studios and Disney latest release The Avengers has got off to a flying start in the international box office scene after it notched up the second-highest opening of all time in Australia behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

    The film grossed $6 million compared to $7 million (Deathly Hallows Part 2) while it opened 214 per cent ahead of Iron Man 2 ($1.8 million). To boot, Avengers posted the biggest opening day ever in New Zealand after earning $800,000. The film also grossed $3 million when it also opened in France.
    Avengers, which has begun its foreign rollout a week ahead of its domestic launch scheduled on May 4. The film is setting down in a total of 42 foreign markets this weekend.

    The film is expected to break all box office records both domestically and overseas. IMAX is playing the film in many of its theatres overseas.

  • Kingsley to star in Iron Man 3

    Kingsley to star in Iron Man 3

    MUMBAI: Sir Ben Kingsley is in final negotiations to play for the role of the villain in Marvel Studios‘ Iron Man 3. However, it has been confirmed that the Gandhi star will not play Tony Stark‘s controversial foe The Mandarin.

    His character will instead be based on Mallen, a villain enhanced with a nanotech virus. The character appeared in Warren Ellis‘s Extremis storyline, on which the film will be loosely based.
     
    Written by Drew Pearce and director Shane Black, Iron Man 3 will see Robert Downey Jr reprise his role as the titular hero.

    Kingsley is currently filming Ender‘s Game in which he stars alongside Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford.