Animatronic Rocket Raccoon Helps Promote Guardians Of The Galaxy As It Opens In Japan

To help promote the theatrical opening of Guardians Of The Galaxy in Japan, Marvel sent over an animatronic Rocket Raccoon to answer questions from the Japanese press. The animatronics are impressive but I have no idea what he is saying. Guardians Of The Galaxy opened in Japan on September 12th.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGX0ASNpqMY]

A new poster was also released in Japan seeming to put Rocket front in center:

Official Synopsis Released For Avengers: Age Of Ultron

This week Disney and Marvel released an official synopsis for the upcoming movie, Avengers: Age Of Ultron. The also released brief character profiles. The synopsis does point out that Tony Stark (Iron Man) is to blame for the creation of Ultron. In the comics, Ultron was created by Hank Pym (Ant-Man), but I think it was difficult to introduce the character of Ant-Man into the sequel to Avengers as well as Ultron, so it is probably for the best that the origin was changed. They also mention that Vision is an old friend in new form. This has been rumored for a while but it now seems confirmed that JARVIS will become Vision. Originally in the comics, Jarvis was Tony’s butler, Edwin Jarvis,  similar to Alfred Pennyworth and Bruce Wayne/Batman. But as time went on Marvel decided to change the story and have JARVIS be and advanced computer AI that assisted Tony in his day to day life as well as be a link between Tony and the Iron Man suit. JARVIS stands for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. Just typing this out, I noticed that the last 3 letters of JARVIS’ name are VIS. Could see that some how playing into the introduction of Vision in the movie.

Here is the official synopsis:

Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.

 The Doctor Strange Movie Will Be Released On July 8, 2016

Disney and Marvel have announced that The Doctor Strange movie will start filming next year at Pinewood Studios, UK and will officially open in theaters on July 8th, 2016. The movie will be directed by Scott Derrikson, who is mostly known for directing horror movies like The Exorcism Of Emily Rose, Sinister and Deliver Us From Evil. Although not officially announced, Jaoquin Phoenix is said to be in final negotiations to play the title role of Doctor Strange.

Doctor Strange was created in 1963 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in the comic book, Strange Tales #110. Dr. Stephen Strange is a brilliant neurosurgeon who cared very little about people and was mostly concerned about wealth. After a car accident leaves him unable to perform surgery, he looks for a way to restore his abilities and purpose. He comes across an ancient mystic who sees good in the Doctor and he teaches him to become Sorcerer Supreme, who protects Earth against magical and mystical threats.

Scott Glenn Joins The Cast Of Netflix’s Daredevil As Daredevil’s Mentor

Scott Glenn has joined the cast of Netflix’s Daredevil and will play the character Stick, who is a martial arts expert and mentor of Matt Murdock/ Daredevil. Scott Glenn is known for such movies as Silence Of The Lambs, The Right Stuff and Urban Cowboy.

“Marvel’s Daredevil” follows the journey of Matt Murdock, who was blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, now fighting against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero Daredevil in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.

When I was a kid, Daredevil was my favorite super hero, next to Spider-man. He definitely shared allot of similarities with Spider-man. Daredevil received his powers as a child from an accident involving a radioactive chemical, that although resulted in him losing his sight, it also greatly enhanced his other senses. Daredevil was created in 1964 by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Bill Evert. As odd as it sounds, that with the name Daredevil, and his devil like costume and him living in Hell’s Kitchen, I believe he is comics first Catholic super hero. Back in 2003, Fox released a theatrical movie of Daredevil staring Ben Aflfeck, which was a well done adaptation of the comic book series.

From the set photos that I have seen so far, all of the characters look spot on to their comic book counterparts and I am really looking forward to seeing this.

Marvel’s Daredevil will debut on Netflix in May of 2015.

Denzel Washington Talks Of Interest In Playing A Marvel Character

Recently Cinemablend.com had the chance to talk with Denzel Washington during his press conference for his upcoming movie, The Equalizer. One of the questions that was asked is if he was ever approached by Marvel to play a hero and Denzel said no, but he said he would be interested. The only thing that concerned him was his age. “I’m probably getting too old. They didn’t make the Black Panther yet, though, did they? I heard that they have been talking about it. That’s cool.” Denzel is one of my favorite actors and would have loved to have seen him play Black Panther but at age 59, like Denzel said, he probably is at the point where he may be to old to play the character. The movie is getting some buzz recently so hopefully Denzel will be cast in a role that suits him. He could play the Black Panther’s father who was the Black Panther before him.

Captain Citrus Gets A Marvel Makeover

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Captain Citrus has received a $1 million dollar makeover courtesy of Marvel comics. Originally, Captain Citrus was a giant orange with a cape from the Planet Orange, now he is John Polk, empowered by mysterious solar pods found growing in his family’s Central Florida citrus grove. In a debut issue of a digital comic, Polk joins members of the Avengers to battle a “gamma enhanced evil genius” known as the Leader whose minions have attacked Orlando. Clad in a muscle-skimming, citrus-hued suit, Captain Citrus is still spreading the message of the nutritional value of orange juice. In the inaugural issue, just before Polk answers the call to help the Avengers, he advises his sister on the need to drink her orange juice to prepare for a cheer leading tryout.

Lord help us all.

That’s it for this week!

Joe Hogarty