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."

'Rock of Ages,' 'That's My Boy' no match for holdovers

This weekend's two wide releases both tanked, failing to unseat either of last week's debuts.

"Rock of Ages" had to settle for third.

"Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" remained at the top, dropping only 41 percent from its opening tally with $35.5 million. It's 10 days total now sits at $120 million.

Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" also held onto its number two position, picking up $20 million (a drop of 60 percent) for a total of $88 million.

The musical adaptation of "Rock of Ages," featuring an ensemble cast led by Tom Cruise, had to settle for third place with $15 million. The musical was made for $75 million.

"Snow White and the Huntsman" fell one spot from last week, grossing $13.8 million for a three week total of $122 million.

Adam Sandler's latest comedy "That's My Boy" rounded out the top five in its debut, picking up $13 million on a budget of $70 million.

Meanwhile, Marvel's "The Avengers" continues to close in on $600 million, grossing $8.8 million in its seveth weekend for a domestic total of $586 million.

The only film to see a week-to-week increase in its returns was Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom," which is continuing its slow expansion, adding 82 theaters this weekend and taking home $2.1 million for a total of $6.7 million.


The complete list of the weekend's top 10 grossing films is:

1. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," $60.3 million (Total: $120.4 million)
2. "Prometheus," $50 million (Total: $88.8 million)
3. "Rock of Ages," $15 million (New)
4. "Snow White and the Huntsman," $13.8 million (Total: $122.6 million)
5. "That's My Boy," $13 million (New) 
6. "MIB 3," $10 million (Total: $152.6 million)
7. "Marvel's The Avengers," $8.8 million (Total: $586.7 million)
8. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," $2.2 million (Total: $35.1 million)
9. "Moonrise Kingdom," $2.1 million (Total: $6.7 million)
10. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," $1.3 million (Total: $38.7 million)

'Madagascar' ecapes from 'Prometheus' to earn top spot at weekend box office

Two new movies left their mark at the domestic box office this weekend with the animated "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" topping Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" $60 million to $50 million.

The film grossed $60 million.

For the former, the receipts were down slightly from 2009's "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," which earned $63 million on a much less crowded February weekend. That film went on to gross $180 million domestically and $423 million worldwide.

As for "Prometheus," the sci-fi thriller's $50 million was the fourth highest opening weekend ever to not land in the top spot behind "The Day After Tomorrow," "Sherlock Holmes" and "Wanted." Compared to the "Alien" films, it is by far the highest opening weekend, but since the last film hit theaters 15 years ago, it's not exactly a fair comparison (that's leaving out the "AVP" films, but "Prometheus" dominated them as well).

Last week's number one, "Snow White and the Huntsman," fell to third with $23 million, a 59 percent drop from its debut. It has held up solidly overseas, and the film has grossed $182 million worldwide to date on a reported budget of $170 million (excluding marketing). That should make Universal feel better about its decision to pursue a sequel to the fairy tale film.

"MIB 3" earned $13.5 million for a total of $135 million in domestic markets, but it's done much better overseas, grossing $352 million for a worldwide total of $487 million. The film reported cost $225 million.

Rounding out the top five was Marvel's "The Avengers," which continued to pad its position as third on the all-time domestic and worldwide lists with another $10.8 million over the weekend. It's totals now stand at $571 million domestically and $1.39 billion worldwide. It trails only "Titanic" and "Avatar" on both lists.

Also worth noting is director Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom," which has been turning heads by grossing massive amounts of money in only a handful of screens. It expanded slightly this weekend to 96 theaters, where it grossed $1.5 million, good enough to crack the top 10.

The complete list of the weekend's top 10 grossing films is:

1. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," $60.3 million (New)
2. "Prometheus," $50 million (New)
3. "Snow White and the Huntsman," $23 million (Total: $98.5 million)
4. "MIB 3," $13.5 million (Total: $135.5 million)
5. "Marvel's The Avengers," $10.8 million (Total: $571.8 million)
6. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," $3.2 million (Total: $31 million)
7. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," $2.7 million (Total: $35.7 million)
8. "Battleship," $2.2 million (Total: $59.8 million) 
9. "The Dictator," $2.1 million (Total: $55.1 million)
10. "Moonrise Kingdom," $1.5 million (Total: $3.7 million)

Super Bowl Comercials: 'The Avengers' trailer

Hollywood had quite a night during tonight's Super Bowl, with a bevy of films showing new footage in commercials.

Up first is Marvel's "The Avengers," which debuted a 30 second spot packed quite a lot of action in a small package.



Like in the full trailer, the spot begins with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) talking about dire the situation is, necessitating the formation of the Avengers team.

From there we get some quick cuts to the various team members, including apparently the first meeting between Captain American (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).

"I still believe in heroes," Fury says as we watch a panning shot of the entire team, which also includes Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson).

Directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity"), "The Avengers" is one of the biggest can't-miss blockbusters of this summer.

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.

Open casting call for 'The Avengers'

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is advertising an open casting call for the Marvel Comics' "The Avengers."

Those wishing to try out for a part in the film tying together all of Marvel's recent theatrical offerings--"Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk" and "Thor," along with the forthcoming "Captain America"--are asked to come to the Holiday Inn Independance on July 15 or 16.

The full notice reads:

MARVEL FEATURE FILM ‘THE AVENGERS’ OPEN CASTING CALL
ABSOLUTELY NO PHONE CALLS! !

WHEN:	Friday, July 15 Noon – 4 pm Saturday, July 16 10 am to 4 pm
WHERE:	Holiday Inn – Independence 6001 Rockside Road Independence, OH 44131 (map)
NOTES:	Must be 18 years or older Parents can submit current pictures of children under 18 Please come well-groomed and wearing your best business executive outfit Your photo will be taken at no charge Please bring a pen for application Know your clothing sizes!

Note: Hat tip to Comingsoon.net for the link.