With The Avengers set to hit Blu-Ray (and DVD too… but why would you want that?) next month, Disney has been invading the web with a bevy of bonus materials, from deleted scenes to gag reels. The latest extra to make its way online courtesy of the marketing dynamos at Disney is an Alternate Opening sequence.
Featuring Agent Maria Hill (Cobi Smulders), the scene is quite the contrast to the energetic “Uncle Tom!” optimism of the rest of the movie. You could say there’s almost a Christopher Nolan-esque seriousness to it – which in this case, isn’t good! It’s one thing to have a dark and serious Batman, but a dead serious movie featuring a green rage monster, Iron-clad billionaires and hammer-waving Gods just doesn’t compute. Not helping matters is Smulders’ DOA delivery.
Watch the video on the left and don’t forget (as if) to grab the Blu-Ray when it hits shelves on September 25.
Speaking of The Avengers, ABC has revealed that it has given pilot orders to Joss Whedon to develop S.H.I.E.L.D., a television series that would focus on the Marvel law-enforcement agency. No word on whether Nick Fury or Hottie Smulders will make appearances but knowing Disney’s penchant for milking moola, I’ll say don’t count it out. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Here’s one way DC may not be following in Marvel path: Batman On Film is reporting that the new Batman may make his debut in the Justice League movie instead of his own film. If this rumor, like the Wachowski one from earlier this week, turns out to be true, then it means that WB really, really, really (did I mention “really”?) need to nail Justice League or else it’s game over, man! [Batman On Film]
Another day, another obnoxious Shia LeBeouf story. TheBeef tells USA Today that he went all method and did LSD before filming his upcoming crime comedy The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman. Says Sir Shia… “There’s a way to do an acid trip like Harold & Kumar, and there’s a way to be on acid,” his highness said. “What I know of acting, Sean Penn actually strapped up to that (electric) chair in Dead Man Walking. These are the guys that I look up to.” Yea, okay Shia, we get it… you’re a serious actor. Just stop trying to remind us of it or else we’ll think you’re a little insecure. [USA Today]
In honor of the Shia-featuring crime drama Lawless opening in theaters this weekend, the crew at CinemaBlend put together a list of 12 generically-titled movies that started off as something better. [CinemaBlend]
Oh Terrence Malick, you raconteur you! In an interview, Rachel Weisz reveals that her role has been completely cut out of Malick’s To the Wonder, which will be making its premiere at Venice next week. She joins Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen, Amanda Peet,Adrian Brody, Billy Bob Thornton and Sean Penn among others on the long list of actors who’ve had their performances chopped or in this case, completely excised from Malick’s films. The man may be a genius, but from the looks of it, is obvious not someone who gives a crap about actors. [Slash Film]
Some good (or bad) news for Kubrick fans! Production house Entertainment One has partnered with a couple of producers to produce a TV movie and min-series based on a few of Kubrick unproduced scripts. [Deadline]
Is the sequel to Before Sunset, entitled Before Midnight already filming in Greece? The eagle-eyed folks at ThePlaylist seem to think so. [ThePlaylist]
Michael Douglas will play Ronald Reagan in the sure-to-be-retitled drama Reykjavik which will be directed by Mike Newell. [The Hollywood Reporter]
CinemaBlend unearths some very disturbing details about the upcoming Michael Bay-produced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. Warning… this is some truly shocking and disturbing stuff. You have been warned. [CinemaBlend]
Seth McFarlane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Daniel Craig will the first three hosts on the new season of SNL next month. Expect Stewie jokes, Robin jokes and James Bond jokes. [ComingSoon.net]
Speaking of Bond, Sony Pictures have announced that October 5 will be World James Bond Day – meaning that for 24 hours we’re all legally allowed to dress up in our finest tuxedos, sip martinis, be chauvinists, and make lousy puns. [Sony Pictures]
