Marvel planning War Machine spin-off

Marvel Studios are gearing up for a massive couple of years, with Thor and Captain America scheduled for 2011, and The Avengers arriving in 2012.

The studio has already announced plans for Iron Man 3 for 2013, and if reports circling Hollywood are to be believed, they are also planning a spin-off for Iron Man sidekick War Machine.

In the comics, the War Machine is the nickname of a heavily weaponised suit of armour created by Tony Stark, but used by his colleague, Air Force Colonel James 'Rhodey' Rhodes.

Don Cheadle wore the War Machine suit in Iron Man 2 and is expected to reprise his role in The Avengers, so with news of a spin-off it would seem Marvel have the star locked in to a multi-picture deal.
Expect more single character spin-off news as Marvel look to fill their post-Avengers schedule.

So War Machine? Or war, what is it good for? Leave a comment!

Tron Legacy gets a new trailer

Tron Legacy is mere weeks away, and if the recent preview screening and Daft Punk music videos haven't convinced you to get excited, then this final trailer might just do the trick.


By now you should be familiar with the story, as Kevin Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) enters the virtual world his father created in order to bring him back, and finds himself in a fight for survival during a series of deadly games.


The final trailer features more backstory, and more of a sense of scale for the epic virtual world where the film is set, including a look at some new, winged charcaters, and a glimpse at what could be an action-defining aerial battle.


You can see the trailer below;

Excited yet? The only thing raising some concern is the digitally de-aged Jeff Bridges, whose face doesn't quite look or move naturally, but beyond that the effects are jaw dropping.

Let's hope the plot can match them.

Tron Legacy is in UK cinemas 17 December 2010

Tron? Or you're having us on? Let me know!

Morgan Freeman playing Colonel in live-action Akira?

Akira, the apocalyptic, super-slick manga series by Katsuhiro Otomo, is being turned into a live-action movie.

That much we already know. We also know that Zac Efron is rumoured to be playing the role of motorcycle gang leader Kaneda.

However, it’s only today that we’re actually interested in seeing a live-action Akira come to life. Why? Because Morgan Freeman’s name has just been chucked into the mix.

The Red star is currently being linked to the role of Colonel Shikishima, the head of a top secret government experiment that is testing the psychic abilities of various subjects.
Now, while Freeman has admittedly starred in his fair share of both modern classics and bargain bin films, he’s never any less than awesome. We're hoping his presence would slot Akira firmly into the former category.

Otomo’s manga series was already turned into an adored animated movie in 1988, which means Freeman would have a lot to live up to. But we know he’s got it in him.
Akira is currently being set up by director Albert Hughes.

Want Freeman for Akira? Tell me below.

Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer star in New Year’s Eve

Romantic comedies are naff at the best of times. But New Year’s Eve could be earning itself a touch of class with the casting of Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.

The duo is currently in talks to join the Valentine’s Day spin-off, which will begin shooting this December with Garry Pretty Woman Marshall at the helm.

Following Valentine’s Day’s blueprint, New Year’s Eve intertwines the stories of a group of New Yorkers as their New Year festivities throw up all sorts of romantic entanglements.

If cast, De Niro would play a bitter man at death’s door, while Pfeiffer would be a frustrated secretary who resolves to sort out her life (though we don't think she's related to Selina Kyle).

Meanwhile, Hilary Swank is also in talks to play the producer of the Times Square celebration, while Ashton Kutcher would be a New Year-hater – who no doubt expresses his distaste through a series of annoying, over-exuberant rants.

Though the prospect of De Niro and Pfeiffer joining the cast warms us to the film, we can’t help remembering that Valentine’s Day also featured a name/talent-heavy cast, and was still as much fun as a colonic irrigation.

Kung Fu Panda 2 teaser

Kung Fu Panda 2, the CGI animated follow-up to DreamWorks’ hit, has had its first teaser trailer released online.


Coming in at barely a graze over 60 seconds, it tells us nothing about the movie, but simultaneously makes us a little bit excited for its 2011 release.


Featuring Po (Jack Black) alone training, it ends with, well, just watch…

So did you blink? Kung Fu Panda 2 opens on 17 June – time will tell if it can beat the first flick’s global haul of $631m.

Looking forward to the return of Po and the gang? Or think it looks like a load of Kung fooey? Tell me below...