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Marvel plans "Iron Man" sequel (plus "Thor," "Captain America" and "The Avengers"...!)
Reuters ^ | 05/05/2008 | Steve Gorman

Posted on 05/05/2008 7:35:28 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Buoyed by the blockbuster success of "Iron Man" over the weekend, Marvel Studios on Monday announced plans for a string of superhero properties, including an "Iron Man" sequel set for April 2010.

"Iron Man 2" will be followed in June 2010 by the big-screen adaptation of another of Marvel's popular comic book characters, "Thor," the mighty, hammer-wielding hero based on the Nordic god of the same name, the company said.

"Captain America" and "The Avengers" are next in line for the summer of 2011.

The nearly $99 million opening weekend of "Iron Man," Marvel's first fully self-financed production, gave Hollywood's summer movie season a solid start and set the stage for a robust earnings report from the studio's corporate parent, Marvel Entertainment Inc.

Drawing largely favorable reviews, "Iron Man" stars Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire industrialist and playboy Tony Stark, who wrestles with a mid-life crisis as he invents a high-tech suit of armor that transforms him into a superhero.

Kevin Feige, head of production for Marvel Studios, said Downey would return in the sequel as part of his three-picture deal for the franchise. Feige said the gifted actor deserved much of the credit for the film's broad appeal.

"It's great to see a sold-out audience that you know is made up of comic book fans and people who had never read an 'Iron Man' comic in their life," he said.

Marvel shares soared nearly 10 percent on Monday as the company reported first-quarter profits above market estimates and raised its 2008 financial outlook.

Costing about $150 million to make, "Iron Man" was distributed by Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures studio, which footed the $75 million marketing bill for the movie and received a flat fee for its efforts.

The same arrangement will apply for "Iron Man 2" and an upcoming film based on "Captain America," the iconic crime-fighter created in 1941.

That film, now titled "The First Avenger: Captain America," is slated for release in May 2011, to be followed by "The Avengers," based on a team of Marvel heroes that has included Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, in July of that year.

'IRON MAN' PROVES BOX OFFICE METTLE

An adaptation of Marvel's "Ant-Man" character also is in development. But with the coveted summer movie release dates for 2009 already well booked by other studios, Marvel has no self-produced films scheduled to open next year.

Instead, the company said it would "focus its attention on maximizing the success of an 'Iron Man' sequel and the launch of 'Thor' in the summer of 2010."

The final Friday-through-Sunday tally for "Iron Man" came to $98.6 million, down slightly from the $100 million-plus studio estimate reported on Sunday.

But even without an additional $3.5 million grossed from Thursday "previews," the film easily exceeded the debut weekends of sequels to two other hit Marvel franchises -- "Spider-Man 2" and "X2: X-Men United" ($88.2 million and $85.6 million, respectively).

"Iron Man" also ranks as the second-biggest domestic debut ever for a non-sequel movie, a record set by the first "Spider-Man" with $114.8 million in May 2002. "Spider-Man 3" stands as the top movie opening of all time -- $151 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales its first weekend in May 2007.

"Iron Man" also proved its international mettle, grossing nearly $97 million from overseas openings in 57 foreign markets and claiming the No. 1 box office spot in most of those.

Although the studio has no movies in the works for release next year, three animated TV series are set to debut in 2008 based on Marvel's Iron Man, Hulk and X-Men titles.

The very next Marvel film slated for release is "The Incredible Hulk," headed to theaters next month as a remake based on the oversized, green brute originally brought to the big screen in a 2003 commercial dud directed by Ang Lee.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: avengers; captainamerica; hollywood; ironman; marvelcomics; movies; superheroes; thor
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To: Mr. Silverback
I don’t think Christopher Walken could pull it off, either.

Damn. And Morey Amsterdam's already dead, so that's out... ;)

41 posted on 05/05/2008 8:24:01 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear

Hal Jordan or John Stewart. I have nothing against Kyle, I just think the other two are way better.


42 posted on 05/05/2008 8:25:54 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (It's not conservative to accept an inept Commander-in-Chief in a time of war. Back Mac.)
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To: Alouette

A little skinny for the voluptuous Russian we know and love, but certainly pretty enough, and she can act.


43 posted on 05/05/2008 8:26:48 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (It's not conservative to accept an inept Commander-in-Chief in a time of war. Back Mac.)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Morey Amsterdam's already dead, so that's out... ;)

Arte Johnson might be available.....

44 posted on 05/05/2008 8:29:12 PM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: Alouette

Actually, now that I go back and look at that pic Kent posted, Mila Jovovich would actually be dead on. Objection withdrawn.

I didn’t think my estimate of your smarts could get any better, Alouette, but it turns out I was way off. :-)


45 posted on 05/05/2008 8:29:19 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (It's not conservative to accept an inept Commander-in-Chief in a time of war. Back Mac.)
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To: Mr. Silverback; KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Hal Jordan would get my vote!
46 posted on 05/05/2008 8:30:20 PM PDT by Bear_in_RoseBear (Slide.)
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To: tacticalogic; KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Tim Conway’s still working.

Hey, how about Conway and Harvey Korman as Cloak & Dagger?


47 posted on 05/05/2008 8:30:42 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (It's not conservative to accept an inept Commander-in-Chief in a time of war. Back Mac.)
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To: RaceBannon
LONG LIVE THE LEGION
48 posted on 05/05/2008 8:31:10 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: Mr. Silverback
Okay, my serious answer, re: the Black Widow:

A.) She's built.

B.) We already know she can do action sequences.

C.) She, too, can act.

I can see it. ;)

49 posted on 05/05/2008 8:32:12 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: Mr. Silverback

We really need Jonathan Winters, but he’s gone too....


50 posted on 05/05/2008 8:33:28 PM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: Alouette

You know, if I’d any idea whatsoever you were a fan as well, I’d have included you in the original PING... ;)


51 posted on 05/05/2008 8:33:48 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: Mr. Silverback
Green Lantern would be just outstanding. Even The Flash got a live acion series. Time for Manhunter, Aquaman and Lantern to get their due.

They did make a 2 hour live pilot for an "Aquaman" TV-Series. It really wasn't bad; worth watching. You can find it under AOL.vidio.com, and then search sci-fi-Aquaman.

52 posted on 05/05/2008 8:34:00 PM PDT by NurdlyPeon (New tag line in progress.)
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear

If I had to choose, I’d give Hal the nod as a professional courtesy to a fellow Air Force vet.


53 posted on 05/05/2008 8:34:38 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (It's not conservative to accept an inept Commander-in-Chief in a time of war. Back Mac.)
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To: Libloather

I am counting on the movie enhancing my collection of “Tales of suspense” Iron Man and Captain America series from the 60’s and 70’s. And Iron Man solo.

The value has gone up better than any stocks. from 10 cents cover price to an average of probably close to $50 per issue, in just good condition over 40 years. Iron Man #1 in mint condition fetches $635.

Tales of Suspense #9 was the first appearance of Iron Man hits $685 near mint and $35 for good condition. Second appearance of Iron Man in #40 will fetch $140 in good condition and Mint condition a mere $3100.

I shouldn’t be telling this. Might make is more expensive to “aquire” more for the collection!


54 posted on 05/05/2008 8:36:13 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (No Bull in 08!)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Think there’s any chance they’ll go back as far as the old Gold Key comics? I’d love to see a Magnus movie!


55 posted on 05/05/2008 8:37:25 PM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Yeah, I agree.

When they do the Avengers movie, it’s going to be a lot of fun watching them cast her and Wasp. Which brings up some other names...as I understand it, Marvel has a rule that all of the movie versions of their heroes exist in a separate continuity. So, what do you do with the Avengers? By the time it comes out, there will be a movie version of Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Captain America.


56 posted on 05/05/2008 8:39:42 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (It's not conservative to accept an inept Commander-in-Chief in a time of war. Back Mac.)
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To: tacticalogic
I’d love to see a Magnus movie!

That.

Would.

So.

RULE. ;)

57 posted on 05/05/2008 8:40:26 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

Wow...everyone on this thread should be a consultant for Marvel and DC’s movies! Good choices...

Black Widow would be great...in her 1970s black costume as drawn by John Romita...I have the Bowen statue overlooking my desk here. Classic!

Iron Fist...a great concept but could be turned into camp if the wrong directors get their hands on it. The origin story is rich, dramatic and movie-worthy.

Green Lantern...with CGI today this could be limitless.

The Avengers...as long as it is a classic version...not whatever it is today.

I’d also go for Cloak & Dagger (good anti-drug message), Thor (Simonson), Starman (Robinson), Moon Knight (Moench & Sienkiewicz, not the junk of today) and Cap (but I echo the fear that they’ll turn him into a whiny liberal...ala United Nations G.I. Joe).

I never thought I’d see the day when comics consistently translate successfully to film...I had given up hope after David Hasselhoff as Nick Fury.


58 posted on 05/05/2008 8:42:23 PM PDT by LostInBayport ("Anyone whose tax bill goes up feels like it's an increase." - Mass. Governor Deval Patrick, 2/28/07)
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To: Mr. Silverback
Which brings up some other names...as I understand it, Marvel has a rule that all of the movie versions of their heroes exist in a separate continuity. So, what do you do with the Avengers?

Hawkeye. Black Widow (if there isn't already a solo flick by that point; otherwise, go with Black Panther). Vision. Quicksilver. Scarlet Witch. Hercules.

That's what I'd do, at any rate... but, given said team's ginormous membership roster, over the decades: that certainly isn't the ONLY viable lineup, by any means. ;)

59 posted on 05/05/2008 8:43:34 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: RaceBannon
oh, sorry, I thought we were discussing REAL Comic Book Heroes..DC heroes!

DC properties and Marvel properties are currently apples and oranges in the intellectual property world as far as movies are concerned. As I understand it, Marvel owns all of its characters free and clear AND makes its own movies with its own production company.

That means it has every character it wants available and can use it as it sees fit in its various media. DC on the other hand is owned by Warner Bros who insists on controlling the film rights, and makes it so that various characters are tied up in licensing deals that makes it difficult to use them elsewhere. Thats why you'll reportedly see Tony Stark show up in the Hulk movie later this year, but Superman and Batman were mind-bendingly declared off limits for the JLA movie before it ultimately (and mercifully) was scrapped.

I also believe that this explains how we can get a note perfect Spiderman and Iron Man from Marvel, but from Warner Bros we're given the bizarre vision of Superman being an absent father to Lois Lane's love child.

60 posted on 05/05/2008 8:44:43 PM PDT by MichiganMan (So you bought that big vehicle and now want to whine about how much it costs to fill it? Seriously?)
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