Avengers to face 'Age of Ultron' in 2015

Marvel announced the new title Saturday at Comic-Con.

Marvel's Avengers will be facing the super-villain Ultron in the forthcoming sequel to the 2012's blockbuster superhero team-up film.

Marvel made the announced Saturday during its film panel at San Diego Comic-Con Saturday, revealing the 2015 feature has the title, "The Avengers: Age of Ultron."

According The Hollywood Report, actor Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki in "Thor," "The Avengers" and the upcoming "Thor: The Dark World," started Marvel's panel by arriving in character.

Later, "Avengers" director Joss Whedon introduced a video that revealed Ultron's head, followed by the new title.

Ultron first appeared in 1968 in "Avengers" #54, although his identity was not revealed until the next issue. A robot with artificial intelligence, Ultron has sparred with the Avengers and others off and on for the past 45 years in multiple versions. He most recently appeared in the crossover series "Age of Ultron," in which he enslaves the world and sets out to exterminate the planet's heroes. It is unclear at this time how much this storyline, if any, will be used in the film.

"Iron Man 3" was the first film in Marvel's Phase II series of films leading up to "The Avengers: Age of Ultron," and will be followed by this fall's "Thor: The Dark World" and next year's "Captain America: The Winter Solider."

'Fantastic Four' reboot has director, screenwriter

With news streaming out of the San Diego Comic Con, it has been revealed this week that Fox's reboot of the "Fantastic Four" film series now has a director and a writer on board.

Fantastic Four debuted in 1961.

Deadline first reported Wednesday that "Chronicle" director Josh Tank has been signed to direct the reboot, which is set to feature a new cast and will follow "The Wolverine" and the "X-Men: First Class" sequel in the studio's production schedule.

On the heels of that report, Heat Vision announced today (Friday) that writer Jeremy Slater is finalizing a deal to join the project as well. Slater has several projects in the pipeline, including the H.P. Lovecraft-inspired "Tape 4" and the teen spy comedy "My Spy."

"Fantastic Four" was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, debuting in 1961. The superhero team consisting of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (the Thing), gained their powers after being exposed to cosmic rays.

The "Fantastic Four" film was released in 2005 with Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm. The film grossed $330 million and was followed in 2007 by "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."

Like the "Spider-Man," "X-Men" and "Daredevil" franchises, the "Fantastic Four" film rights are not held by Marvel or its parent company Disney, so if Fox and others do not continue to make use of those rights, they will revert.

Evans subsequently starred in Marvel's "Captain American," reprising the role in this summer's "The Avengers."

Stellan Skarsgard confirms return for 'Thor 2'

Actor Stellan Skarsgard will return for "Thor 2."

Stellan Skarsgard

In an interview with Hey U Guys (found via Comingsoon.net), the actor confirmed he will be back as Dr. Erik Salvig, a role he also reprised in this summer's "The Avengers."

"I will try to combine 'Thor 2' which starts in August and goes to the end of December with the new Lars Von Trier film," Skarsgard said in the interview.

"Thor 2" will be directed by Alan Taylor ("Game of Thrones") and is set for a Nov. 8, 2013, release date. Actors Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins are returning to reprise their roles from the first film.

Last month is was reported that actor Josh Dallas had to pull out the project due to his commitments to ABC's "Once Upon a Time." Dallas, who plays Prince Charming on the fairy tale series, portrayed Fandral, one of the Warriors Three, in the superhero film. In a separate report, it was revealed that the studio is looking at "Chuck" star Zachary Levi to replace him.

Skarsgard's other upcoming work includes roles in "Romeo and Juliet," "Vivaldi" and "The Nymphomaniac."

Disney planning two Marvel film releases during summer of 2014

Apparently in response to Columbia Picture's announcement last Friday that the sequel to next summer's "The Amazing Spider-Man" will open the 2014 blockbuster season, Disney, parent company of Marvel Comics, has laid claim to two other summer 2014 dates.

According to Deadline, Disney has set release dates for as-yet-unannounced Marvel films on May 16, 2014, and June 27, 2014.

Disney is making plans for 2014.

The film rights to "Spider-Man," like the "X-Men," were not included in Disney's purchase of Marvel and are under the control of Columbia and Fox respectively. Paramount has been releasing the Marvel self-produced films which began with 2008's "Iron Man," but Disney bought the rights to future projects, beginning with next year's "The Avengers."

Disney already has their 2013 arsenal planned, with "Iron Man 3" set for May 3, 2013, and "Thor 2" on July 26, 2013.

The only other film set for the summer of 2014 had been Dreamworks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon 2" on June 20, but included in today's announcement was that Pixar will release a film on May 16, although what that might be is unknown.