Co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo (You, Me and Dupree), and actors Chris Evans (Captain America), Sacarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Anthony Mackie (The Falcon), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Emily VanCamp (Agent 13), and Frank Grillo (Crossbones) appeared in Hall H at Comic-Con International 2013 in San Diego on Saturday to discuss their new film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which opens in theaters on April 4th, 2014.
IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick had a chance to attend a special press conference, along with several other members of the media, after the Hall H panel to hear what the cast had to say about Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Co-director Joe Russo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, and Sebastian Stan discussed the upcoming movie, how Captain America is adjusting to his new world, his relationship to Black Widow, Bucky Barnes role in the film, the introduction of The Falcon, if he will soon be joining The Avengers, VanCamp's character, and if Agent Phil Coulson is really a robot.
Marvel’s The Avengers is truly an amazing cinematic accomplishment on so many different levels.
Not only is it a groundbreaking project in the sense that it took launching five separate successful films first (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger) in order to set it up and make it work, but it has also gone on to gross over $1.5 billion worldwide and become the third highest-grossing film of all time. As if that wasn’t enough, the film’s visual effects team has now been recognized for its outstanding work by being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The VFX artists who are up for the award include Janek Sirrs (Batman Begins), Jeff White (Transformers: Dark on the Moon), Guy Williams (X-Men: First Class), and Dan Sudick (Cowboys & Aliens).
I recently had a chance to sit down with longtime Marvel Studios film producer Victoria Alonso, as well as VFX Supervisor and Oscar-nominee Jeff Smith to talk about their contributions to Marvel’s The Avengers and the nomination. Alonso discussed the film’s amazing accomplishments, what it took as a producer to bring it all together, and hiring director Joss Whedon to bring it all together, while White talked about Whedon’s contributions to the film, designing the Hulk, and how it feels to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack beginning November 27th is the horror film The Apparition, which was helmed by first time director Todd Lincoln. The film stars Ashley Greene (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The First Avenger) and Tom Felton (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), and was produced under the Dark Castle banner by legendary producer Joel Silver (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows).
The Apparition tells the story of Kelly and Ben (Greene and Stan), a young couple that has just moved into a new home. They soon discover that they are being haunted by a presence that was accidentally conjured during a university parapsychology experiment years earlier. The horrifying apparition feeds on their fear and torments them no matter where the hide. Their last hope is an expert in the supernatural and an old friend of Ben’s, Patrick (Felton), but even with his help they may already be too late. Eventually, secrets are revealed and when Ben’s own past comes back to haunt him, literally, it puts Kelly’s life in jeopardy.
The Apparition Blu-ray Combo Pack includes the film on hi-definition Blu-ray, standard definition DVD, and Ultraviolet, which allows fans to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film on your computer, tablet, smartphone, game console, or Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.
The Red Skull is unarguably one of the most important villains in the Marvel Comics Universe, yet you probably won’t see him reappearing on the big screen anytime soon. At least that is what Hugo Weaving, the actor who portrayed him in Captain America: The First Avenger, had to say this weekend when I asked him about reprising his role in future marvel films.
The red-faced Nazi leader who was first introduced to readers in Captain America Comics #1 has been a mainstay in the Marvel Universe since 1941, so it only made sense that he would be the antagonist in Caps’ 2011 big screen adaptation. Considering his major role in the comics and his mysterious disappearance in the conclusion of First Avenger, many fans thought he would be the natural choice for the villain in The Avengers, which instead went to Thor’s Loki. Now with Captain America: The Winter Solider about to begin production, we already know that the Red Skull will not be reappearing in that film, as it takes place in modern day and will feature Bucky Barnes/The Winter Solider as the main antagonist. But could the Red Skull appear in The Avengers 2 or future Marvel films? According to actor Hugo Weaving that is not very likely, or at least not with him portraying the role.
Opening in theaters on August 24th is the new supernatural thriller from first-time writer/director Todd Lincoln and legendary producer Joel Silver (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) entitled The Apparition. The film was produced by Silver’s Dark Castle Entertainment and stars an excellent cast of young actors including Ashley Greene (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The First Avenger) and Tom Felton (Rise of the Planet of the Apes).
The Apparition tells the story of Kelly and Ben (Greene and Stan), a young couple that has just moved into a new home. They soon discover that they are being haunted by a presence that was accidentally conjured during a university parapsychology experiment. The horrifying apparition feeds on their fear and torments them no matter where the hide. Their last hope is an expert in the supernatural and old friend of Ben’s, Patrick (Felton), but even with his help they may already be too late. Eventually, secrets are revealed and when Ben’s own past comes back to haunt him, literally, it puts Kelly’s life in jeopardy.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with writer/director Todd Lincoln about The Apparition. The talented director (who began his career as a visual effects assistant on Robert Rodriguez’s From Duck Till Dawn) discussed his new film, how he came up with the concept, developing the screenplay, working with super-producer Joel Silver, and casting up-and-coming actors Greene, Stan, and Felton in the film.
Here is what he had to say:
Opening in theaters on May 4th is the highly anticipated and soon-to-be summer blockbuster The Avengers, which was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film marks the culmination of a promise that began in 2008 with Iron Man and continued in the years to follow with Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, introducing new Marvel characters that all exist in one unifying cinematic Marvel universe. Marvel Studios has succeeded in the impossible, bridging together several different film franchises to create one world where all of Marvel Studio's on-screen characters can coexist and form the popular superhero-team The Avengers, based on the classic comic book co-created by the legendary Stan "The Man" Lee.
The Avengers was written and directed by fanboy favorite Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Cabin in the Woods) and truly stars an all-star cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2) as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger) as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Mark Ruffalo (Shutter Island) as Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) as Thor, Scarlett Johansson (Iron Man 2) as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Jeremy Renner (Thor) as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Samuel L. Jackson (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger) as Nick Fury, Tom Hiddleston (Thor) as Loki, Cobie Smulders (TV's How I Met Your Mother) as Maria Hill, Clark Gregg (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor) as Phil Coulson, Stellan Skarsgard (Thor) as Erik Slevig, and Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) as Pepper Potts.
IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with actor Clark Gregg to discuss his work on The Avengers. The actor talked about the new film, being a central part of the Marvel on-screen universe, having doubts early on that The Avengers would even get made, the emotional depth of the film, watching the original character her created become part of the Marvel comic book world and the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon, his character's fear, working with writer/director Joss Whedon; his terrific script, and whether or not we will see Agent Phil Coulson in future Marvel Studio films.
The childhood dreams of millions of fanboys will finally come true on May 4th when Disney and Marvel Studios releases the highly anticipated soon-to-be summer blockbuster The Avengers. The film marks the culmination of a promise that began when Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) first appeared in Iron Man, thus creating the cinematic Marvel universe, bridging together several different film franchises to create one world where all of Marvel’s on-screen characters would exist. This trend continued with Iron Man 2, which introduced Black Widow (Scralett Johansson), followed by Thor, which introduced the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and inevitably Captain America: The Fist Avenger, introducing Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).
In honor of The Avengers finally assembling on the big screen, Epix is sponsoring an event called Marvel Heroes Weekend April 27th – 29th, which will be hosted by none other than comic book legend and Marvel Comics godfather Stan “The Man” Lee. The three day marathon will feature Iron Man 2, Thor, the television premiere of Captain America: The First Avenger, as well as the world premiere of With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story, a documentary about the man behind the “House of Ideas.” As all “true believers” know, Lee is responsible for creating some of the most beloved comic book characters of all time including Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Silver Surfer, Daredevil, and The Avengers, as well as changing the comic book landscape and impacting the industry he practically invented.
I must be on a roll because I recently spoke to the great Adam West (Batman), and to follow that up just a few weeks later by meeting the legendary Stan Lee … well, I think I’ve died and gone to geek heaven! I caught up with the iconic Lee earlier this week in Los Angeles at a luncheon thrown by the Epix Network to promote their upcoming Marvel Heroes Weekend. I had the rare pleasure and complete honor of sitting down with Stan Lee and chatting with him for a few minutes about comic books, movies, his new documentary, Marvel Heroes Weekend, Epix, The Avengers, what heroes he’d like to see appear in the sequel, what Marvel characters he thinks should have their own film, what Marvel characters should get film reboots, The Amazing Spider-Man, his famous movie cameos, the success of the Marvel films, and his all-time favorite character that he created.
Opening in theaters on November 25th is a new film based on the life of screen legend Marilyn Monroe called My Week with Marilyn, which is already receiving early Oscar-buzz. The movie marks the feature film debut of director Simon Curtis and also includes a career-changing performance by two time Oscar-nominee Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine) in the title role as the doomed starlet. My Week with Marilyn is based on two books by Colin Clark and depicts the making on the 1957 film The Prince and the Showgirl, which starred Marilyn Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier. The movie focuses on the week in which Monroe spent time being escorted around Britain by Clark, after her husband, Arthur Miller, left the country.
In addition to Williams, the film boasts an impressive group of contemporary actors portraying famous historical figures such as Kenneth Branagh (Thor) as Sir Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench (Quantum of Solace) as Dame Sybil Thorndike, Dougray Scott (There Be Dragons) as Arthur Miller, Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Devil's Double) as Milton H. Green, and Julia Ormond (Legends of the Fall) as Vivien Leigh, as well as Eddie Redmayne (The Good Shepherd), Emma Watson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2), and Derek Jacobi (Anonymous).
IAR's managing editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down and speak with actor Dominic Cooper about his role in My Week with Marilyn. The actor spoke candidly about the new film, his character, researching the life of Milton H. Green; his secret love for Marilyn and how he felt about Colin's relationship with the actress, and Michelle Williams amazing performance.
Actor Neal McDonough is absolutely no stranger to playing a superhero. The actor’s first comic book
connection came in the mid-‘90s when he voiced the Marvel villain Firebrand on
the Iron Man cartoon. This eventually led to a larger Marvel role as the voice
of Dr. Bruce Banner on The Incredible Hulk cartoon series in 1996. McDonough jumped the Marvel ship in 2010 and went over to the other side with his
brilliant portrayal of DC Comics’ emerald archer, in the short film DC
Showcase: Green Arrow. But the actor has now comeback to the “House of Ideas”
for his first ever live-action role as a comic book hero in Captain America:
The First Avenger, which is available on Blu-ray and DVD beginning October 25th.
In the film, McDonough plays the beloved Marvel character Dum Dum Dugan who was a valuable member of the Howling Commandoes, an elite group of soldiers who aided Captain America in his fight against Hitler, the Nazis, HDYRA and the Red Skull during World War II. Dugan is a former circus strongman, and best recognized by comic book fans for his trademark bowler hat and handlebar mustache. When Captain America (Chris Evans) must recruit a team of soldier’s to help him defeat the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) he chooses the Howling Commandoes, which consists of Dugan, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Gabe Jones (Derek Luke), Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi), James “Union Jack” Montgomery (J.J. Feild), and Jacques Dernier (Bruno Ricci). Under Captain America’s leadership they are able to defeat their enemies together and bring an end to WWII.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor Neal McDonough about his work on Captain America: The First Avenger, as well as a few of his other projects. In part two of our conversation, McDonough discusses the research he did in order to play Dum Dum Dugan, growing the character’s signature mustache, shooting his favorite sequence in the film, bonding on location with his fellow actors, and returning to the role for Cap 2, Nick Fury, and beyond.
Marvel Studios second superhero film of the summer, Captain America: The First Avenger not only introduced the world to Steve Rogers and his heroic alter ego but it also gave us our first look at another fan-favorite group of heroes from “The House of Ideas” … the Howling Commandoes.
The Howling Commandoes first appeared in the comics as an elite special unit formed in World War II by Nick Fury and the team consisted of Corporal Timothy Aloysius Cadwallander “Dum Dum” Dugan, Private Gabriel Jones, Private Robert “Rebel” Ralston, Private Dino Manelli, Private Isadore “Izzy” Cohen, and Private Jonathan “Junior” Juniper. However, in the film the team closer resembled The Invaders, which was essentially a WWII era version of The Avengers that first appeared in the comics in 1969. Captain America, Bucky Barnes, and Montgomery Falsworth (better known as Union Jack) are all Invaders members who were included as Hollowing Commandoes in the film, while Dugan, Jones, Jim Morita, and Jacques Dernier were actual Howlers from the comics who rounded out the movie’s team.
One of the most beloved members of the Howling Commandoes by far is the bowler hat wearing Dum Dum Dugan, who was played by actor Neal McDonough (Minority Report) in Captain America: The First Avenger. In the comics, Dugan survived WWII and would eventually go on to become Nick Fury’s second in command at S.H.I.E.L.D. It should also be mentioned that McDonough is no stranger to playing superheroes having recently voiced DC Comics’ popular character Green Arrow in the 2010 animated short film, DC Showcase: Green Arrow. On Friday, I had a chance to speak with actor Neal McDonough about playing Dum Dum Dugan in Captain America: The First Avenger, which will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 25th.
While talking about the film, McDonough said this about playing the role of Dum Dum Dugan. “It was a blast to play him and I still look forward to Cap 2, Nick Fury or any other films in the future.” This comment peaked my interest and I decided to follow up asking McDonough specifically about his involvement in those two upcoming projects. While we won’t be running my conversation with the actor about shooting Captain America: The First Avenger until closer to the films home media release, I wanted to let you know what he had to say about Captain America 2 and Nick Fury. I also took the opportunity to ask the actor about the recent announcement that he will be playing the villain in season 3 of the hit FX series Justified, as well as the possibility of reprising his role as Green Arrow in a live action feature film based on the emerald archer.
