Capes on Film

The Avengers - Prop Replicas Go on Sale This Summer

More high quality, limited edition superhero movie collectibles are on the way! We've learned that eFx Inc. has purchased the rights to make replicas of props used in Marvel's The Avengers, and oh man, they look cool.

Of course, these babies will set you back a few dollars, with prices ranging from $49 to $1500. Examples of items that will be available include Iron Man's helmet, Thor's hammer and Captain America's shield. Samples of these prop replicas will go on display at Anaheim, California's Wonder Con from March 16 to 18.

Here's how eFx described their Marvel collectibles in a press release -

"The Marvel universe is extraordinary, diverse and exciting -- just like Marvel’s fans around the world, and we are really eager for them to see what we are creating with guidance and input from the Marvel team. Marvel’s comics and movies offer virtually endless possibilities for absolutely incredible prop replicas." - Bryan Ono, president of eFX Inc.

Thanks to CBR for the heads up.

'The Amazing Spider-Man' Synopsis Revealed

The tagline for The Amazing Spider-Man is "The untold story", and a lot of people (including myself) assumed that phrase referred to the mystery surrounding Peter Parker's parents. Where did they go? How did Peter wind up an orphan living with his aunt and uncle? The trailer released a few months ago hinted at the story surrounding Mr. and Mrs. Parker, but now Columbia Pictures has released the official synopsis of the film that fills in some gaps.

From Columbia Pictures:

"The Amazing Spider-Man" is the story of Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero."

I really like the idea of exploring the backstory concerning the Parkers' past, and I love how they're going to weave Dr. Connors/The Lizard into the intrigue surrounding their disappearance. Yeah, I dug Sam Raimi's take on Spidey, but I think this version might make for a more intense, less comicbooky feel. Bring it on!

The Amazing Spider-Man opens on July 3, 2012 in the USA. Click here for other countries.

Thanks to MTV for the heads up.

Have an Early Look at Cool Collectibles from 'The Dark Knight Rises'

Aw yeah, Batman, Bane, and Catwoman 12 inch statues and six inch action figures from The Dark Knight Rises? Yes please, I'll take one of each. Thanks to the toy collector site, Idle Hands, we have a sneak peek at some of the ultra cool TDKR collectibles headed our way in June. Apparently, there's a big toy fair taking place in the UK, and somebody did us all a favor a scanned some early promo material from a catalog. Check out the Idle Hands site for all the info on these items that are sure to be in your comic shop this summer.

Thanks to ComingSoon.net for the heads up.

The Dark Knight Rises - As a Cartoon?

Are you tired of mash-ups that use the soundtrack or images from The Dark Knight Rises trailer? Of course you're not, because anything having to do with The Dark Knight Rises is cool. Case in point, this sick animated version of the official trailer that's almost a shot for shot remake of the original - only it uses scenes from Batman: The Animated Series. A big thank you to the Daily Blam for the heads up.

Remembering Heath Ledger, 4/4/79 - 1/22/08

Today (Jan. 22) is the fourth anniversary of Heath Ledger's death and we can't let it pass without some sort of tribute. While he had several critically acclaimed roles, his Oscar-winning turn as The Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight will always be remembered as a triumph. It's not an overstatement to say his work in that film raised the standard for acting for an entire movie genre and it's one from which other actors will constantly draw inspiration. Controversy surrounded his death, but nothing can tarnish this jewel of a performance. Rest in Peace, Heath.

New York Times Obituary, Heath Ledger, January 22, 2008

Nic Cage Says New 'Ghost Rider' Is No Sequel

We haven't talked much about Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance here lately, so let's get caught up on what ol' flame skull has in store when he hits the screen on February 17 (USA, UK). I saw where Nicolas Cage had a sit down with Total Film last week and apparently wanted to distance this movie from 2007's Ghost Rider. I thought the first movie did a decent job of introducing the character and wasn't as awful as some thought, even though Cage's hair was a bit distracting. Anyway, I think Nic wants you to put that movie out of your head when you see this latest offering.

“I don’t see this as a sequel at all,” he told us (Total Film). “I see this as Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance. The other movie was Ghost Rider. This movie is Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance.”

"Johnny Blaze is in a much different place in this movie,” explains Cage. “It’s a much edgier, almost cynical interpretation compared to the first Ghost Rider. Because in that movie, Johnny was trying to keep everything at bay, to keep things from erupting.”

Read more at Total Film

The impressive trailer for the new Ghost Rider raised expectations from fans who wanted to see a more intense, edgier film than the first outing. I have to admit, from the looks of it, Spirit of Vengeance might actually kick some major ass this time around. The chase scenes almost have a Road Warrior vibe going on and the supporting cast that Cage has around him is top notch, including Thor's Idris Elba. Not only that, David S. Goyer wrote the screenplay, and he was involved in the writing of all three of Christopher Nolan's Batman movies.

Here's my last bit of Ghost Rider info to pass along today - there's some speculation that this movie will be sort of a passing of the torch - pun intended. We know that the plot involves Johnny Blaze (Cage) trying to save a boy named Danny Ketch from being sacrificed in some sort of Satanic ritual. Now, it just so happens that in the comic book source material, there was a second Ghost Rider after Blaze - and his name? Daniel Ketch. The film makers might have just used that name as an Easter egg for long-time fans or it might be a hint that the next Ghost Rider movie will begin a new chapter with a new Rider. For a detailed article on the whole Danny Ketch angle, checkout ScreenRant. While you're waiting for the flick to open next month, have a look at the trailer again and let me know what you think.

'Chronicle' - New Movie Has Super Powers, but No Capes

Okay I admit it, sometimes I really wish I had a super power. Most of the time, I wish for X-ray vision, but I don't want to digress too much, so I'll save that topic for another time. Anyway, if I had some type of super power, I hope I act a little better than the characters in the new movie, Chronicle.

Last week, I mentioned Chronicle because its director, Josh Trank is close to being given the reins of the huge Fantastic Four re-boot. So all of a sudden, Chronicle is generating a lot of buzz because Trank is about to get the FF job. What's Chronicle about? First of all, it's filmed in the "found footage" style, like The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield. One of the main characters is recording everything that happens on his phone camera. It's also in the genre of other "realistic" superhero movies and TV shows like Heroes and Hancock. You know, the type of shows that try to portray how people with superhuman abilities would really act.

Chronicle is the story of three high school students who develop super powers after they go wandering inside a weird crater of some sort that they find in the woods. Let's just say, when they discover they have a power, they don't follow Peter Parker's do-gooder example. I've collected all of the preview clips and the official trailer below, so you can decide if it's worthy of all the pre-release hype. Personally, I think it looks pretty cool. Who hasn't wondered what it would feel like to have a superpower and what they would use it for? The way these characters abuse their power in the clips has me thinking about what separates a superhero from a supervillain. Hmm, food for thought. How about it? Are you planning to see Chronicle when it opens, or is it a "wait for Netflix" type of movie?

Chronicle stars Michael B. Jordan, Dane Dehaan, and Alex Russell.
It opens in the USA on February 3.

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It's Batman vs. Bane in a Lucha Libre Brawl!

Gotham Luche Libre by Timothy Lim

Just wanted to share this awesome poster I found on the deviantArt page of illustrator, Timothy Lim - AKA ninjaink. Think they could sell a few tickets to this? Maybe Christopher Nolan could go back in the studio and film one more scene for The Dark Knight Rises. Please?

Check out ninjaink's page. He has tons of images like this posted.

"“Mucha Lucha: El Caballero de la Noche III” is a Hispanoamerican sporting event set to take place on July 20. It will pit two of the world’s most formidable intellectual and physical rivals in a no-holds barred Rage-in-the-Cave match to the finish. Tickets have already been sold out months ahead of its anticipated date. The event will be broadcast in IMAX and internationally."- Timothy Lim (ninjaink)