In this edition of The Week in Spandex, we look at Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Silver & Black, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Defenders, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Inhumans, Runaways, Cloak & Dagger, Deadpool 2, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Fantastic Four, The Gifted, Justice League, The Batman, Wonder Woman 2, Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Gotham, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batman and Harley Quinn, Batman vs. Two-Face, Hellboy, Quantum and Woody and more…
We’ll start things off in the Marvel Cinematic Universe this week, seeing as we’ve had a new international trailer for Marvel’s third superhero movie release of the year, Thor: Ragnarok, which also gave us our first look at Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange in the cosmic threequel [watch it here]. On top of that, Marvel also unveiled new images featuring the likes of Thor Chris Hemsworth), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), The Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Skurge (Karl Urban), and Heimdall (Idris Elba) [see here and here], while Hemsworth spoke about his “hugely liberating” new haircut, and director Taika Waititi shared his influences for the visual style of the film…
…A new piece of promotional art for Avengers: Infinity War hit the web this week, giving us a look at Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man (complete with his Iron Spider suit), Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon and Adolescent Groot [see here], while Paul Bettany described his experience on the movie and bigged up its epic scope [read his comments here], Karen Gillan said that the film will see Nebula confronting her dark past head on [read her comments here], and Samuel L. Jackson said that he won’t be appearing as Nick Fury in Infinity War or Avengers 4, and he’s also yet to sign on for Captain Marvel [read his comments here]…
…After revealing that Marvel is already working on several scripts for future cosmic instalments in the Cinematic Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn (who is working with Kevin Feige to steer the cosmic side of the MCU) was asked whether we can expect these movies to have a similar tone to his Guardians films: “No, I don’t think so. I would hope that [with] the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole, every movie has its own unique feel and tone. And so, if it’s a James Gunn movie, it’s different from a Ryan Coogler movie, which is different from a Taika movie, which is different from a Peyton Reed movie. I think all the movies can be their own genre, they can be their own thing in the same way that if you grew up reading Marvel Comics, all the writers and the artist of the comic books brought very different tones to each of those…”
…Marvel and Sony’s Spider-Man: Homecoming arrived in Japan last weekend, sharing top spot at the box office with Despicable Me 3, and helping to push the wall-crawler’s reboot beyond the $700 million mark worldwide. Meanwhile, Marvel illustrator Ryan Meinerding shared three pieces of concept art from Spider-Man: Homecoming featuring the scene where Spidey becomes entangled in his web parachute after being dropped above a lake by The Vulture [check them out here], and Tom Holland revealed the opportunistic origin of the poster of Spider-Man lying down in his yellow Midtown jacket: “Interesting story about that poster is that is actually me asleep. That’s not part of the movie, that’s me in-between takes asleep. We were shooting this scene and I was just really tired that day, and I was just asleep on the floor, and the photographer took a picture. So when they made that the poster, I was like ‘What! What the hell, guys..!'”
…The Silver & Black rumours seem to be showing no signs of slowing down, with a report this week claiming that Riz Ahmed’s mystery Venom character could also appear in the female-led spinoff (assuming he’s actually playing Chameleon rather than Carnage). Meanwhile, it’s also been said – again – that the movie will feature appearances from the Spidey villains Tombstone and Tarantula…
…Captain Marvel has found a new screenwriter this week, with Geneva Robertson-Dworet (writer on the upcoming Tomb Raider and Warner Bros.’ Gotham City Sirens) has signed on to pen a new draft of the 2019 release. Outgoing screenwriter Nicole Perlman spoke about the change-up, revealing that the movie will still retain the elements revealed at Comic-Con – i.e. an early 90s setting, and Carol Danvers battling the Skrulls: “Happy to confirm my pal Geneva Robertson-Dworet will be the next writer to help guide Captain Marvel’s journey to the screen. She’s stellar! Geneva is taking it from here and I’m sure she’ll knock it out of the park. It’s been a great 2.5 years though. All the ideas the SDCC Marvel panel shared this year were pre-Geneva’s involvement. Others will stay too. Can’t say more. Which is all to say – it’s going to be fine, and the project is in excellent hands…”
…As well as giving his seal of approval to Chadwick Boseman for the role of T’Challa in Black Panther, Marvel legend Stan Lee has revealed that he’d like to see the Silver Surfer getting his own solo movie, as well as discussing his favourite Marvel cameo: “Oh yeah, my favorite is when I’m drinking with Thor in [Avengers: Age of Ultron]. When I was with him at the bar and he was drinking a strong drink from Asgard. And I told him, ‘Hey, let me have a sip. And he says, ‘No, it’s too strong for you.’ I’m like, ‘C’mon!’ So I take a sip, and the next scene, they’re carrying me out. The reason that one is my favorite of the ones I’ve done is that it’s the one cameo I’ve done that has two scenes. I figure that’s making me more of an actor. Pretty soon I’ll have three scenes then I’ll have four, and before you know it, I’ll be starring in a movie…”
…Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 enjoyed Marvel’s biggest ever digital release this past week ahead of its arrival on DVD/Blu-ray/4K Ultra HD. You can read our review of the Blu-ray here, and be sure to check out an alternative end credit scene featuring Star-Lord and Adolescent Groot here, as well as the film’s Honest Trailer here…
…Click below to continue on for The Defenders, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Inhumans, Runaways, Cloak & Dagger, Deadpool 2, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Fantastic Four, The Gifted, Justice League, The Batman, Wonder Woman 2, Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Gotham, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batman and Harley Quinn, Batman vs. Two-Face, Hellboy, Quantum and Woody and more…
Originally published August 19, 2017. Updated April 17, 2018.
