MondoCon 2018 Exclusive Eyes Without A Face Logan & Evil Dead 2 Prints by Jason Edmiston

This weekend, Jason Edmiston will be releasing two new Eyes Without A Face prints exclusively at MondoCon 2019! Check out the Logan (aka Wolverine) “SNIKT!” EWAF and the Evil Dead 2 Ash “HAHAHAHA” EWAF. Both of these are seriously epic! Each 9”x5” fine art giclee print will retail for just $20. Along with print runs of both EWAF paintings, Edmiston will also be selling the originals and pencils for both pieces, which will be sold via a lottery at MondoCon 5.

SDCC 09 Exclusive Wolverine Mighty Muggs with Retractable Claws Photo

We finally have a legitimate photograph of Hasbro’s upcoming San Diego Comic Con 2009 exclusive Wolverine with retractable claws Mighty Mugg thanks to ActionFigurePictures.com. (link) The Blot had some serious reservations about this year’s Marvel Comics SDCC exclusive Mighty Mugg when it was first announced, but I think it looks pretty cool! It’s obviously a homage to this summer’s quasi-blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and it actually resembles Hugh Jackman (at least it does slightly if you squint while looking at the figure). I do wish they hadn’t tried to copy everything about Jackman’s movie version of Wolverine because I could have done without his big shiny belt buckle.


There has been no official announcement yet on the SDCC 2009 exclusive Wolverine Mighty Muggs’ run size or price, but I’d be willing to wager it will retail for somewhere between $15 and $25. For those of you unwilling to wait until the figure’s release at San Diego Comic Con, there might be one available already on eBay (and a SDCC exclusive Optimus Prime Mighty Mugg as well).

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Got Milk? Ad

X Marks The Spot

The Blot’s been wanting to blog about Hugh Jackman’s Body by Milk Wolverine ad ever since it started showing up in comic books and magazines a few weeks ago. As a Got Milk? advertisement it turned out really nicely, but I still hate how fake Wolverine’s claws look. I think the problem is that he’s never wearing gloves, so you always see the claws popping out of Jackman’s bare hands and the film’s special effects just aren’t good enough to pull that off. Maybe if they added a little fake blood every time his claws go “snikt” it would look more realistic. I guess that’s the downfall to a movie featuring a costume-less Wolverine.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is in theaters now, but probably not for that much longer.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Slashes Its Way To An $87 Million Opening Weekend

Despite concerns by 20th Century Fox over the leaking of an unfinished copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine just a few weeks ago, the prequel to Fox’s hugely successful X-Men franchise came up smelling like roses with a solid opening weekend. Not only did the Hugh Jackman starring film bring in $87 million domestically, it also made an additional $73 million internationally for a grand total $160 million worldwide gross. (link) Wolverine now boasts 20th Century Fox’s highest grossing opening weekend for a film released on a non-holiday weekend. When you take into consideration that the potential new franchise was “best by cyber-pirates, cranky critics and even the threat of a global pandemic,” the weekend tally ended up being quite remarkable. (link)


It’s amazing how quickly a movie can go from being considered one of the surefire blockbusters of the summer to a colossal flop. Less than a year ago fans were ecstatic to hear Jackman would be reprising his role as “the best there is at what he does,” but once the film leaked and the first reviews started coming in Wolverine became persona non grada. Even with the mildly negative press The Blot still wanted to see Wolverine this past weekend, but everyone else seemed uninterested in the film anymore. In fact, it was hard finding anyone excited about Wolverine’s impending opening. I think this lowering of expectations actually helped the movie, because by the time I saw Wolverine on Sunday afternoon the theater was packed and everyone seemed to have really enjoyed it.


I did have a few problems with the liberties the film took with Logan’s back story and the handling of one of comicdom’s favorite mutants, the merc with a mouth Deadpool, but the film did prove to be thoroughly entertaining. Even my girlfriend Aly (who doesn’t like comic books or their live action adaptations) liked Wolverine. In some ways it helps not knowing these characters “true” back stories. The worst part of film for me came at the very end, but I don’t want to spoil anything for those of you haven’t seen it yet.


If you want a humorous take on the ridiculous way X-Men Origins: Wolverine tied up one of its many loose ends to close the movie, head over to Matt Moylan’s Lil Formers for a great movie Wolverine webcomic. Moylan’s views of the film are very similar to my own, but he says much more succinctly. Whether you love or hate Fox’s take on Marvel’s merry mutant, after this past weekend it looks like we can expect many more X-Men and Wolverine films in the very near future. Next up, if all goes according to plan, is X-Men Origins: Magneto.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth

Even after watching Hugh Jackman completely bomb as the host of the 81st Annual Academy Awards last Sunday, I’m still anxious to see how X-Men Origins: Wolverine turns out. Will it be another comic book themed movie disappointment, or it will it be the start of an all new movie franchise like 20th Century Fox is banking it will be? I hoping it turns out to be a huge success, but who knows. Wolverine definitely has one thing going for it: Liev Schreiber as Victor Creed a.k.a. Sabretooth.


Just check out these latest movie stills of Schreiber as Sabretooth released last week! How much better does Schreiber’s Sabretooth look than the Tyler Mane version we got in 2000’s X-Men? Yes, there were aspects of Mane’s Sabretooth that more closely resembled the Sabretooth we’ve all come to know and love, but at the end of the day he was nothing more than one of Magneto’s low level henchman who looked more like a WWE wrestler than one of the most feared mutants on the planet.


What’s really great about Liev taking on the role of Victor Creed is that he can actually act! I never imagined a movie studio casting a real thespian in the role of the muscle-bound killer. This brings a new dynamic to Sabretooth’s adaptation to the silver screen because while we all know ‘tooth is a cold blooded killer, he is also a master manipulator who is much smarter than he looks. I expect great things from Schreiber and hope he is given the opportunity to explore on screen what makes this feral assassin tick.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine opens in theaters across the US on Friday, May 1, 2009.

New X-Men Origins: Wolverine Teaser Movie Poster

While The Blot is more of a DC guy, I can still appreciate what Wolverine has done for the comic book industry. I’ve long followed the exploits of everyone’s favorite member of the X-Men, and it really amazes me what a great job Hugh Jackman has done adapting such a diverse character to the silver screen. Jackman has proven throughout the X-Men trilogy to be able to perfectly channel Logan’s emotions and intensity, which has me really excited for the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine.


While we’re still 84 days away from the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Jackman will be front and center for the world to see as the host of the 81st Annual Academy Awards very soon (on Sunday, on February 22nd to be exact). I am interested in seeing if his hosting duties will help or hurt the X-Men prequel movie’s opening.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine slashes into theaters on May 1, 2009.

The Blot Reviews The 81st Annual Academy Awards Nominations

Yesterday, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences unveiled the nominees for their 81st Annual Academy Awards show and The Blot is more than a little disappointed in who was left off the ballot. Neither The Dark Knight nor its director Christopher Nolan were shown any love from Oscar! This is just another example of why the Academy Awards have take such a huge ratings hit over the past few years. It’s like they are trying to push viewers away from their telecast.


Too often the Academy gets wrapped up in art films no one sees and refuses to acknowledge the artistic majesty of films embraced by the masses. Yes, The Dark Knight was a superhero movie, but once you look past its comic book origins the film truly is an artistic masterpiece. The truth is, very few films in recent memory have resonated with the American people like The Dark Knight did this past summer, and I really believe that grossing as much money as The Dark Knight did says something about the quality of the film.

Thankfully the real star of that movie, the amazing Heath Ledger who was taken from his friends and family too soon, received the Best Supporting Actor nomination he so richly deserved. I will be tuning in to the Oscar telecast next month if for no other reason than to see Mr. Ledger win this award. I have no idea who will be accepting the award on his behalf, but I expect a rousing tribute to an amazing talent.

I was also unbelievably shocked to find out that Bruce Springsteen was not nominated for his song “The Wrestler” from the movie of the same name considering he just won a Golden Globe for the very same song a few weeks ago. Not only that, but the Academy only nominated three songs this year for its Best Song category. Something about that just doesn’t sit well with The Blot!


Regardless, I was really happy to see a Best Actor nomination go to Mickey Rourke for his performance in The Wrestler and a surprising nomination in that very same category go to Richard Jenkins for his role in The Visitor. I also thought Robert Downey Jr.’s Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in Tropic Thunder was the perfect way to cap off his 2008 comeback. The other interesting storyline brewing is if Kate Winslet will finally win an Oscar this year after having lost 5 times before. All in all, it should be a very interested awards ceremony to say the least!

The 81st Annual Academy Awards will be hosted by Hugh Jackman and air on February 22nd at 8/7c on ABC.

The 2009 Oscar Nominations
Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Actor
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Actress
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Director
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Song
“Down to Earth” from WALL-E (Peter Gabriel and
Thomas Newman)
“Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman and Gulzar)
“O Saya” from Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman and M.I.A.)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Cast Photo

This awesome promo photo of the cast of X-Men Origins: Wolverine comes directly from the main man himself, Wolverine (a.k.a. Hugh Jackman), and is a real who’s who of the mutant Marvel Universe. Harry Knowles of Ain’t It Cool News had it emailed to him by Jackman to help hype the movie and put fans minds at ease about the rumors of onset issues and the need for potential reshoots. I don’t know about you guys, but seeing the photo below of what could be the movie's Weapon X team really has me stoked for the upcoming mutant movie.

Click Above Picture To Enlarge

The photo above would definitely be a bad ass X-Men team if you ask me. It features Ryan Reynolds as the merc with a mouth Deadpool, Taylor Kitsch as the Cajun Gambit, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine the best there is at what he does, Live Schreiber as the murderous Sabretooth and Lynn Collins as the not too long for this world Silver Fox.

Hopefully we’ll get a better look at some of the other mutants making a planned appearance in this film such Dominic Monaghan’s Beak, Daniel Henney’s Agent Zero, Kevin Durand’s The Blob and Will.I.Am’s Wraith.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine, directed by Gavin Hood, opens on May 1, 2009.

Official X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer

The Blot has been waiting awhile to finally watch the new X-Men Origins: Wolverine trailer that debuted in theaters a few weeks ago before The Day the Earth Stood Still. There had been some grainy bootlegged versions on YouTube, but I wanted to wait to watch a good copy of it. Thankfully 2oth Century Fox officially released X-Men Origins: Wolverine's trailer online today so I wouldn’t have to subject myself to sitting through The Day the Earth Stood Still. You can check the new trailer out at the movie’s official MySpace page or watch it here at The Blot Says… below:



To be honest, I had some reservations about how this movie would turn out. After hearing about all of the characters and different storylines they were going to include, it sounded like director Gavin Hood and star Hugh Jackman were trying to do too much. But after seeing this trailer all my reservations are gone. X-Men Origins: Wolverine looks freaking awesome.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine debuts on May 1, 2009.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Teaser Trailer and Movie Poster

One of the biggest surprises at San Diego Comic-Con 2008 was an appearance by the star of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, and he didn’t come empty handed. Fans in attendance were treated with a never before seen trailer for the upcoming X-Men prequel.


There are two trailers in the YouTube clip below, the first shows Wolverine’s bones being fitted with his adamantium exoskeleton. The second trailer, a bootleg version from the Wolverine SDCC panel, sets up the plot of the movie and gives us a first look at many of the characters in the film including Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth, Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, Will.I.Am as Wraith, Kevin Durand as The Blob and Taylor Kitsch as Gambit.



X-Men Origins: Wolverine will premiere in theaters on May 1st, 2009.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Cast and Characters Leaking Out

Before The Blot starts compiling his thoughts and theories concerning this week’s Lost episode I just had to share the ever increasing leaks and rumors involving the upcoming Hugh Jackman potential franchise (or is it a franchise already with this being his fourth film staring as Wolverine) X-Men Origins: Wolverine. People have been wondering since the movie was announced just who would be popping up in this Wolverine prequel. According to comic book lore Wolverine has been alive an incredibly long time so there is a list of hundreds of X-Men favorites who could and should be popping up. Well finally this week Variety has the scoop and a low down of roles cast for the 2009 movie that is sure to be a summer blockbuster.


Mutant fans can rejoice in knowing one of Marvel’s all time favorite X-Men, the Cajun card wielding mutant Gambit, will finally be making his movie debut. Cast as the shady character is Taylor Kitsch from NBC’s Friday Night Lights. (link) It has also been reviled that Deadpool, the Merc with a Mouth, will also be showing up in Wolverine and be played by Ryan Reynolds (Blade: Trinity, Waiting). (link) Rounding out the latest bit of casting news is Lost’s Dominic Monaghan as Barnell Bohusk (Beak), Daniel Henney as Agent Zero (a.k.a. Maverick) and the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am as John Wraith. (link)

It seems with the Will.I.Am joining the cast as Wraith we now have almost a full squad of Team X, a black ops squad for the mysterious Weapon X program. Included on that team are Agent Zero/Maverick, Live Schreiber’s Victor Creed/Sabretooth and Lynn Collins’ Silver Fox. The presumed main villain of the movie, along with Weapon X and Sabretooth, is Danny Huston as William Stryker. More details to come as they leak out onto the net!