Originally published October 29, 2016. Updated November 30, 2022.
In this edition of The Week in Spandex, we look at Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok, Captain America, Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Defenders, Jessica Jones, The Punisher, Deadpool 2, Logan, Suicide Squad, The Batman, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman, Dark Universe, The LEGO Batman Movie, Gotham, Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and more…
While our friends across the Pond have to wait until this coming Friday, Marvel began the worldwide roll out of its latest superhero blockbuster this week as Doctor Strange opened here in the UK this past Tuesday. Be sure to check out Luke Owen’s ★★★ review of the film here, listen to the thoughts of Luke and Oli Davis on the latest Flickering Myth Podcast here, and check out Luke’s theory about where Doctor Strange might fall in the MCU timeline here. Meanwhile, Oli was also lucky enough to speak with director Scott Derrickson about the movie, during which they talked about the possibility of Doctor Strange 2 and who the villain might be [see here], as well as who directed the film’s mid-credits scene [see here]. If you want to read the full interview you can find it here, and moving into heavy spoiler territory, we’ve also got details on the mid-credits scene [see here], the end-credits scene [see here], and a second major character portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film [see here]…
…In terms of the marketing campaign, Marvel unveiled a critics spot for Doctor Strange [watch it here] along with a promo featuring Benedict Cumberbatch alongside a pack of cosplaying canines [watch it here], while The LEGO Group released a LEGO version of the film’s teaser poster [see here]…
…Director Taika Waititi took to Facebook this week to announce that production has wrapped on Thor: Ragnarok, with the filmmaker sharing a set video featuring Chris Hemsworth and his new co-star Tessa Thompson, who is portraying the character of Valkyrie. Meanwhile, Hemsworth also shared a set photo of himself and Waititi, which gives us our first official look at Thor’s redesigned costume for the Phase Three threequel, while some set photos also emerged giving us a glimpse of Thompson’s Valkyrie in full costume…
…With Marvel finishing up filming on all three of its 2017 releases, the studio is gearing up to start filming Avengers: Infinity War in January, and it seems it’s going to be a busy start to the year for Marvel as Ryan Coogler will also reportedly start shooting Black Panther that same month in Atlanta, Georgia…
…With Steve Rogers laying down the shield in Captain America: Civil War (and Chris Evans’ contract up after Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has been asked whether we could see another character taking on the mantle of the Sentinel of Liberty within the MCU: “It’s a good question and if we look back at the comic books as our inspiration and as the well from which this all springs, then the answer is ‘no’ [we don’t need to have Steve Rogers as Captain America]. I’m not saying we’ll do it in the movie but I’ve read Captain America comics that don’t have Steve Rogers in them…”
…Before The Amazing Spider-Man 2 brought the franchise to its knees, Andrew Garfield was set to reprise the role of the wall-crawler for two Sony sequels; of course, that all fell apart, but the actor doesn’t seem to have any hard feelings, with Garfield stating this week that he’s pleased Spidey is back under the control of Marvel: “To be honest, I would not have been able to work with Mel Gibson and Martin Scorsese if I had done Spider-Man 3. I’m incredibly grateful that I get to now go and watch another man play Spider-Man who I think is a fantastic actor in Tom Holland. You know what, it’s sliding doors, right? There are so many possible outcomes; so many positives and potential downsides to that situation. If I am being totally honest, I am so excited Spider-Man is back in the hands of Marvel. I think that’s a really awesome move. It was a move that I’ve been advocating since I was offered the Spider-Man gig five or six years ago. I’m also excited for Tom Holland. I think he’s a very emotional, truthful, funny, physical actor, and I love the filmmaker — it all really couldn’t be in any better hands. I’m really stoked for it…”
…Back in August it was announced that Marvel legend Stan Lee had shot his next four Marvel Cinematic Universe cameos in a single day, and Scott Derrickson has revealed that the task of directing said scenes fell to Guardians of the Galaxy helmer James Gunn: ““It’s a big deal for a 93-year-old man to go to a movie set and spend a day shooting. James shot four cameos with Stan in one day. James was texting me the frame. ‘Does this look right? Does this look good..?”
…Hot Toys has released a batch of promotional images for its upcoming Rocket Raccoon and Groot 1/6th scale collectible figures from 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy; take a look at the images here…
…Over at ABC, be sure to check out Danny Hale’s review of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode five ‘Lockup’ here, and take a look at a promo, batch of images and a clip from this Tuesday’s next episode ‘The Good Samaritan’ here, here and here…
…As Marvel and Netflix prepare to assemble The Defenders, it’s been announced that Jessica Jones helmer S.J. Clarkson will direct the first two episodes of the team-up series “S.J.’s take on the material is outstanding,” said Marvel’s Head of Television and Executive Producer, Jeph Loeb. “We loved her work on Marvel’s Jessica Jones and couldn’t think of a more talented and accomplished person to helm the first two episodes of Marvel’s The Defenders.” The news was accompanied by a brief new synopsis for the series, which you can read here…
…Clarkson will also be eligible for a return for Jessica Jones season two, seeing as Marvel and showrunner Melissa Rosenberg have decided that the entire second season will be directed solely by women. Rosenberg also revealed that they are midway through the scripts for the new season, and will begin production once The Defenders wraps…
…As filming continues on The Punisher, Marvel has announced six new cast members for the Jon Bernthal-headlined Daredevil spinoff in Michael Nathanson (The Wolf of Wall Street), Daniel Webb (11.22.63), Jason R. Moore (A Lonely Place for Dying), Paul Shulze (Nurse Jackie) and Jaime Ray Newman (Bates Motel). You can read details of their characters here…
…Click below to continue on for Deadpool 2, Logan, Suicide Squad, The Batman, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman, Dark Universe, The LEGO Batman Movie, Gotham, Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and more…
