Marvel's Captain America: Civil War Teaser Movie Posters

To kick off the long Thanksgiving weekend Marvel released a ton of Captain America: Civil War goodness upon the world! Not only did we get the epic first trailer for Marvel’s next film, we also go these beautiful new Captain America: Civil War theatrical one sheet teaser movie posters. As if there were any doubt, this film will be all about Captain America vs Iron Man and everyone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have to choose sides. But honestly, after Age of Ultron how in the world could anyone side with Tony Stark? Wasn’t he the creator of the android that almost destroyed an entire country!?!

The Captain America franchise has been without a doubt Marvel’s most consistently great, and continues to set the tone for each phase coming after it. Expect huge ramifications to the MCU coming from the Civil War storyline, including the world cinematic debut of the Black Panther (and Spider-Man in the MCU)! Captain America: Civil War is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and is set to premiere in theaters on May 6th, 2016. The film stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, Daniel Brühl, and William Hurt.

The Avengers Black Background Character Movie Posters

We’re just a few days away from the US premier of Marvel’s The Avengers and The Blot is getting antsy! It feels like the entire world has already seen this film already. I guess it’s payback for all the films that open in the United States first. To help get all you North American readers excited for the premier of The Avengers, check out this set of black background character movie posters. It includes a team one sheet, two banners and eight character movie posters. They’re all pretty great…simple and yet bold.

The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Mark Ruffalo as the Incredible Hulk, Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson and Tom Hiddleston as Loki.

The Avengers assemble in theaters on May 4, 2012.

The Avengers Teaser Character One Sheet Movie Posters

Click on the photo above for a more detailed look

Last week Marvel finally updated the website for its upcoming live action movie The Avengers, which included releasing these awesome teaser character movie posters! The Avengers has one of the largest, star studded casts of any comic book film ever produced, which means its marketing department is going to need to create at least eight different one sheets for every character movie poster sets it releases. Thankfully they went for a pretty simple, yet effective design for these teaser movie posters, combining each hero and villain with the film’s trademark “A” logo.

Click on the photo above for a more detailed look

The Avengers is sure to be one of the biggest hits of the summer of 2012, and it’s bringing some serious fire power with it (as you can tell from the movie posters in this set). The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Mark Ruffalo as the Incredible Hulk, Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson and Tom Hiddleston as Loki.

The Avengers assemble in theaters on May 4, 2012.

The Avengers Teaser Movie Poster - SDCC 2011

San Diego Comic-Con 2011 has officially begun and the leaks are already hitting the internet. Take, for example, the first one sheet movie poster for 2012’s The Avengers seen above. What is sure to be Marvel’s next summer blockbuster, The Avengers is going to be huge! The Blot can just feel it. How can you go wrong with a movie directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk).

The Avengers is scheduled to premiere in theaters on Friday, May 4, 2012.

Iron Man 2 International Teaser Movie Poster

Following up last week’s release of the first Iron Man 2 US teaser movie poster, which featured our first look at the new War Machine armor, comes the first official Iron Man 2 international teaser one sheet movie poster. The Blot’s not sure why Paramount/Marvel chose not to include Don Cheadle’s War Machine in this poster, but it’s pretty obviously they’re playing up Robert Downey, Jr.’s international stardom to really push this film. I think I speak for all comic book fans when I say I’m really looking forward to Iron Man 2!


Marvel Comics’ second live action Iron Man adaptation is scheduled to hit theaters May 7, 2010.

Sherlock Holmes Character Movie Posters

For the most part, The Blot is really excited to see Guy Ritchie’s take on Britain’s legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Since I love Ritchie’s films and adore Robert Downey, Jr., you’re probably wondering why am I not 100% sold on what may turn out to be the 2009 holiday season’s biggest film? I chalk it up to the "Law of Law."


What is the Law of Law? Well I’m glad you asked. The Law of Law states quite clearly that any film starring Jude Law must be and will be a flop. I used to think Jude Law could act, and in the latter part of the 20th century you might have made a strong argument that the guy could act. But since the turn of the century that notion no longer holds true. For some reason every movie he touches self-implodes. Yes, some get made and others do “respectable” at the box office, but IMHO films starring Jude Law just never quite reach their potential.


It honestly baffles me that any producer and/or director would even put Jude Law in their movies anymore. Seriously, when was the last time the guy made anything good!?! It’s the kiss of death just casting him in your film. And so, even with the greatness that is the teaming of Ritchie, Downey, Jr., and Rachel McAdams, I fear Sherlock Holmes is doomed at the box office. I hope that’s not the case, in fact I want to like Sherlock Holmes. But even The Blot is not powerful enough to fight off the Law of Law.


If you don’t believe me, just take a look at these new one sheet Sherlock Holmes character movie posters. Yes they’re nice to look at, but do they really bring anything to the table? If you think about it, they’re kind of like Jude Law in that way…the Law of Law strikes again!


Sherlock Holmes premieres in theaters on Christmas Day (December 25, 2009).

Iron Man 2 - First Look at Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow

This week in Entertainment Weekly’s annual San Diego Comic-Con issue the weekly pop culture magazine unveiled the world’s first look at Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. the Black Widow from Iron Man 2. (link) While I prefer the character’s look from the 80’s (short hair and grey jumpsuit), I think the film has done a fantastic job transforming Johansson into the famed Soviet spy. While they didn’t get the hair exactly right, at least they included Black Widow’s trademark wrist-thingies.


Filming of Iron Man 2 wrapped on Saturday, but fans will have to wait until May 7, 2010 to see the Marvel Comics sequel in theaters. (link) IM2 will once again be directed by Jon Favreau and stars Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle (taking over the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes originated by Terrence Howard), along with Johansson and Mickey Rourke (as Whiplash).

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.)

Terrence Howard Out, Don Cheadle In As War Machine For Iron Man 2

The Blot is really bummed by this latest development. I thought Howard was awesome as Tony Stark’s best friend Jim Rhodes and was really looking forward to his eventual dawning of the War Machine armor in Iron Man 2. But alas that is to be no more. Not many details are known but the Hollywood Reporter is reporting the split was over “financial differences.” (link) Evidently Marvel Studios had wanted to work with Cheadle all along, and when a rift started to form between the studio and Howard they jumped at the chance to take the role of War Machine away from one Academy Award nominee and give it to another. (link)


Don’t get me wrong, Cheadle is an amazing actor but in my opinion Howard is a better fit for the role of Tony Stark’s hot headed partner-in-armor, especially when you have to act opposite the great Robert Downey, Jr. Regardless, I am positive director Jon Favreau will make sure Iron Man 2 is just as good, if not better, than the original. Nevertheless, The Blot is still hoping this is just a negotiating ploy (ala Toby Maguire and Spider-Man 3) to get Terrence Howard signed on for the sequel but at a lower asking price.

Marvel Announces Schedule of Future Movie Releases

Multiple sources are reporting that yesterday at its annual stockholders meeting Marvel announced its lineup of future comic book related, super hero movies and when they would be released in theaters. This coincides nicely with The Blot’s Iron Man post yesterday, since Marvel confirmed that Iron Man 2 is going to be produced and would hit theaters April 30, 2010. While “no casting decisions were made at the announcement, Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. has said he’s interested in reprising his role and co-star Gwyneth Paltrow has said she is signed on for two more installments.” (link)

Also in the works is Thor, a movie based on the Norse god and directed by Matthew Vaughn, which is scheduled for released on June 4th, 2010. Following that, “Marvel is planting its feature film stakes for summer 2011 with an Avengers-themed summer – a two-picture project which will debut on May 6, 2011 with The First Avenger: Captain America (working title), followed by The Avengers in July 2011.” (link)


The Avengers movie was hinted at by a Samuel L. Jackson cameo (as Nick Fury), which appeared at the end of Iron Man’s closing credits. If you haven’t already seen Iron Man I strongly urge you to sit through the movie’s closing credits for this bonus scene between Jackson’s Fury and Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. I didn’t wait around and got stuck watching the scene from a blurry YouTube clip, which I can promise you is not the same as watching it in the theater.

Iron Man Exceeds Expectations With $100.8 Million Opening Weekend

While I typically shy away from seeing a movie on opening weekend, I just couldn’t resist heading down to my local theater knowing Iron Man was playing twelve times a day. So Sunday morning Aly headed down to our local multiplex to see Robert Downey Jr. portray Tony Stark in one of the most accurate live action characterizations of a comic book character I have ever seen. I read Iron Man for years as a kid, but once I hit college I became disenfranchised with the character and for the most part stopped following him completely.


With that being said, Iron Man the movie was amazing. Usually I hate the first movie in a new comic book franchise because I can’t stand having to sit through the first half of a movie learning about how the hero gained his powers. Since I am a comic book reader and already know the back stories of these characters I am looking for action and to see how the movie interprets the characters I’ve known for years in comics onto the silver screen. In recent years the only first movie I’ve enjoyed was Batman Begins…until yesterday.

I found myself actually interested in watching billionaire Tony Stark create his first version of the Iron Man armor. Maybe there is some connection between Stark and Batman/Bruce Wayne in that they both had to find ways to turn themselves into heroes as opposed to Superman, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four who had things happen to them which gave them these incredible powers.

Not only did I enjoy the first half of the movie but I actually liked the supporting cast, something I can’t say about most super hero movies. I take back any of the reservations I had about Jeff Bridges being the movie’s primary villain. His portrayal of Obadiah Stane was awesome and watching his transformation during the course of the movie into a true villain was remarkable. I couldn’t believe this was the same actor who played The Dude in The Big Lebowsky, but he pulled it off effortlessly and I never once viewed him as anything else but Stane.


With reports that Iron Man made $100.8 million over the weekend, it seems like Marvel has another hit franchise on their hands. According to an article on USAToday.com, Iron Man’s opening weekend box office is “the ninth-highest debut of all time and second-largest for a movie that wasn’t a sequel.” (link) Iron Man’s “tally far exceeded expectations of an opening in the $70 million to $80 million range for the three-day period beginning Friday.” (link) It’s interesting to note that “of Marvel’s dozen PG-13 movies, which include the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises, 11 have opened at No. 1 (Elektra being the exception) and taken in an average of $200 million domestically and $400 million world wide.” (link) The USAToday.com Iron Man article is pretty interesting, especially the way it compares Marvel’s blockbuster success to Pixar’s history of successful feature films, and I definitely recommend taking a few minutes to read it here.

Iron Man’s huge opening weekend is exciting news because it means at least two sequels are sure be coming over the next few years. Jon Favreau did a great job directing the movie and I’m interested in seeing his ideas for future sequels, which hopefully will include Terrence Howard’s Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes donning the War Machine armor. If you haven’t seen Iron Man yet I wouldn’t wait around for this one to come out on DVD, it’s the kind of entertaining fun action movie that needs to be seen on the big screen.

New Tropic Thunder Character Movie Posters

You know, I really can’t tell if this movie is going to be hilarious or another Ben Stiller/Jack Black bomb. Their careers have been so up and down. For every one or two classic comedies they make there is sure to be a complete disaster of a film coming soon after. The premise for Tropic Thunder sounds promising, but would it surprise anyone if the movie was just plain not funny?


Here’s hoping the movie, which debuts August 15th, 2008, is as funny as these movie posters look. Check out Tropic Thunder’s character movie posters below. I’m really interested in seeing how they handle Robert Downey, Jr.’s character who is a white character actor playing an African American soldier in the movie within the movie that is Tropic Thunder.