Sunday, February 22

Shout cover for Gotham "Red Hood"

Think Up Anger featuring Malia J. covers the Depche Mode song "Shout" for the upcoming episode of Gotham "Red Hood" (February 23rd).
 
 


Wednesday, February 11

Marvel Comics: Where were all the movie rights before?

[Above from TheVerge.com]
It has been announced today that Sony will work together with Disney/Marvel Studios to work on new Spider-Man films as Sony had the rights to Spider-Man. Marvel wants to bring Spider-man "In-Universe" with the other Marvel films. The new Spider-Man film is set to premiere in 2017. X-Men, Deadpool and other related characters belong to Fox, but where did all these characters belong to before?
 
Spider-Man
Movie Studio: Sony Pictures (1999-Now)
Films: 5 (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2)
Characters: Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Harry Osborn, Dr. Curt Connors, Sandman, Venom, Eddie Brock Jr., Vulture, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Black Cat, Silver Sable, Electro, Rhino, Carnage, Sinister Six, Shocker, Chameleon, The Gentleman, Dr. Ashley Kafka, Beetle, Betty Brant, Dennis Carradine (Buglar), J. Jonah Jameson, Ben Parker, May Parker, John Jameson, Joseph “Robbie” Robertson, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Mendel Stromm, Flash Thompson, Allistair Smythe, Spider-Slayers, Jackal
Explanation: After being stuck in development hell for nearly 25 years, the film was licensed for a worldwide release by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1999 after it acquired options from MGM on all previous scripts developed by Cannon Films, Carolco and New Cannon. The first film Spider-man premiered in 2002 with Tobey Maguire, it had 2 sequels and was rebooted in 2012 with Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man.
 
X-Men
Movie Studio: 20th Century Fox (1994 - Now)
Films: 9 (X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine 3)
Characters: [Agent Zero/Maverick/David North], Angel, Arclight, Beast, [Blob/Frederick J. Dukes], [Bolt/Christopher Bradley], Callisto, Colossus, Cyclops, [Deadpool/Wade Wilson], Emma (Grace) Frost, Jean Grey, Juggernaut, Gambit, Iceman, Jubilee, Kitty Pryde, [Kestrel/John Wraith], Lady Deathstrike, Leech, Magneto, Mastermind (Wyngarde), Multiple Man, Mystique, Nightcrawler, Phat, Professor Charles Xavier, Psylocke, Pyro, Quill, Rogue, Sabretooth, Sebastian Hiram Shaw, [Silver Fox], Siryn, (The) Spike, Storm, Wolverine
Explanation: In 1994, 20th Century Fox and producer Prawan Singh bought the film rights to the X-Men. Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write and James Cameron expressed interest in directing.Eventually, Bryan Singer signed on to direct in July 1996. The film started to film in 1999 and premiered in 2000.


Deadpool
Movie Studio: Artisan (2000), New Line Cinema (2004), 20th Century Fox (2009-Now)
Films: 2 (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Deadpool)
Explanation: In May 2000, Marvel Studios attempted to produce a Deadpool film as part of a long-term distribution agreement with Artisan Entertainment. However, by 2004, Marvel was developing the film with New Line Cinema. David S. Goyer was set to write and direct and courted actor Ryan Reynolds for the lead role, but lost interest within months in favor of other projects. 20th Century Fox acquired Deadpool the following year after New Line placed it in turnaround, and was still considering the spin-off early in the development of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, with Reynolds being cast for the role. In April 2011, visual effects specialist Tim Miller was hired as director. Principal photography is scheduled to commence in March 2015 in Vancouver, Canada, for a February 12, 2016 release.
 
 
Punisher
Movie Studios: New World Pictures (1989), Artisan/Lionsgate (2004), Marvel Knights/Lionsgate (2008), Marvel Studios (2010-Now)
Films: The Punisher (1989), The Punisher (2004), Punisher: War Zone (2008)
Explanation: At the San Diego Comic Con in 2010, Marvel Studios confirmed they now have the rights back for Punisher and they "hope to bring him into the fray shortly." In an interview with Bleeding Cool, Feige has talked about seeing the character appearing in a Daredevil reboot.
 
Daredevil
Movie Studios: 20th Century Fox (1997-2003), New Regency (2003-2005), Marvel Studios (2013-Now)
Films: Daredevil (2003), Elektra (2005)
Explanation: In 1997, 20th Century Fox optioned the rights from Marvel Enterprises, and Chris Columbus was chosen to direct the film. In 1998, Marvel was facing bankruptcy. During this time 20th Century Fox allowed the option to expire, so Disney began negotiations in order to acquire the rights. In 1999, the negotiations failed to work out so Marvel set the project up with Sony's Columbia Pictures. New Regency entered negotiations with a more satisfying offer, attaining the character rights from Marvel in 2000 to produce the film, with 20th Century Fox handling the distribution.
Reboot TV Series: Avi Arad has also said that a sequel will begin development once the rights go from 20th Century Fox to Marvel Studios. On April 23, 2013, Kevin Feige confirmed that the rights for Daredevil returned to Marvel Studios and Disney, opening the possibility of including the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That speculation was confirmed with the announcement of an original Netflix Daredevil television series for 2015.

Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch
Movie Studio: 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios
Films: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Explanations: Because the characters both belong to X-Men and Avengers, they are both owned by 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios. But Marvel films can not say Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are children of Magento nor mention Mutants. Kevin Feige says, "20th Century Fox owns The X-Men and the X-men mutant universe, Dardevil and his world and The Fantastic Four and that comic book's millieu. Columbia/Sony owns Spider-Man and Ghost-Rider and for the most part Marvel Studios owns everything else ("The Avengers" and all the characters within are obviously their biggest brand)."
 
Fantastic Four
Movie Studios: 20 Century Fox (2005-Now)
Films: Fantastic Four (2005), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), Fantastic Four (2015)
Characters: Doctor Doom/Victor von Doom, Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Invisible Woman/Susan Storm, Mr. Fantastic/Dr. Reed Richards, The Thing/Ben Grimm, Nova/Frankie Raye, Alicia Masters, Willie Lumpkin
Explanation: In 1983, German producer Bernd Eichinger met with Stan Lee at his home in Los Angeles to explore obtaining an option for a movie based on the Fantastic Four. The option was not available until three years later, when Eichinger's Constantin Film company obtained it from Marvel Comics for a price the producer called "not enormous" and which has been estimated to be $250,000.Warner Bros and Columbia Pictures showed interest, but were cautious of Eichinger's $40–45 million budget. With the option scheduled to expire on December 31, 1992, Eichinger asked Marvel for an extension. With none forthcoming, Eichinger planned to retain his option by producing a low-budget Fantastic Four film, reasoning, he said in 2005, "They didn't say I had to make a big movie." In 1992 he approached B-movie specialist Roger Corman on the idea of producing the film on a $5 million budget in order to keep the rights, which he eventually decided to bring down to $1 million. In 1994, the adaptation, titled The Fantastic Four, had its trailer released to theaters, and its cast and director went on a promotional tour, however the film was not officially released. Marvel Comics paid in exchange for the film's negative, so 20th Century Fox could go ahead with the big-budget adaptation,[10] as well as a possible spin-off film starring the Silver Surfer for summer 1998. Tim Story was hired to write in April 2004, after Fox was impressed with his early cut of Taxi. Fantastic Four was greenlighted after final rewrites from Simon Kinberg, who went unaccredited for his work.
Reboot: In August 2009, the development for the reboot of the Fantastic Four film franchise was announced by 20th Century Fox. Based on the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic-books, the film is scheduled to be released on August 7, 2015.

Silver Surfer
Movie Studios: 20 Century Fox (2007-Now)
Films: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Explanation: The Silver Surfer film rights are actually controlled by 20th Century Fox. No film has yet to be planned.
 
 
Blade
Movie Studios: New Line Cinema (1996-2013), Marvel Studios (2013-Now)
Films: 3 (Blade, Blade 2, Blade Trinity)
Explanation: Marvel Studios had developed the film as early as 1992, when rapper/actor LL Cool J was interested in playing the lead role. Blade was eventually set up at New Line Cinema, with David S. Goyer writing the script. According to Goyer, New Line originally wanted to do Blade as "something that was almost a spoof" before the writer convinced them otherwise. By 1996 Wesley Snipes was attached to star. Blade was Marvel's first film success, and set the stage for further comic film adaptations. Blade followed Howard the Duck as the second Marvel property to get a wide theatrical release in the United States. The Punisher and Captain America both had films made previously, but neither saw a theatrical release in the United States.
Marvel has Rights Back: At San Diego Comic Con 2011, Marvel's Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada stated that Marvel Studios had regained the film rights to Blade. With this, it is now unknown whether Marvel will make a 4th film or a reboot or will it be part of Marvel Cinematic Universe. As of May 7, 2013, Marvel had a film script for a new Blade film.

 

 Hulk
Film Studios: Universal Pictures (2003), Marvel Studios (2008-Now)
Films: 4 (Hulk (2003), The Incredible Hulk, Avengers, Avengers 2: Age of Ultron)
Explanation: Universal Pictures failed with 2003 film directed by Ang Lee, Marvel got it back, had Edward Norton did it, it had moderate success and now Hulk is doing great in Avengers.

Thor/Iron-Man/Captain America
 Film Studios: Marvel Studios (2008-Now)
Iron Man Films: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Avengers, Avengers 2: Age of Ultron
Iron Man: The film had been in development since 1990 at Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, or New Line Cinema at various times, before Marvel Studios reacquired the rights in 2006. Marvel put the project in production as its first self-financed film, with Paramount Pictures as its distributor. Favreau signed on as director, aiming for a naturalistic feel, and he chose to shoot the film primarily in California, rejecting the East Coast setting of the comics to differentiate the film from numerous superhero films set in New York City-esque environments. During filming, the actors were free to create their own dialogue because pre-production was focused on the story and action. Rubber and metal versions of the armors, created by Stan Winston's company, were mixed with computer-generated imagery to create the title character.
Captain America Films: Captain America (2011), Winter Soldier (2014), Civil War (2016),Avengers, Avengers 2: Age of Ultron
Captain America: Captain America: The First Avenger began as a concept in 1997 and was scheduled for distribution by Artisan Entertainment. However, a lawsuit, not settled until September 2003, disrupted the project. In 2005, Marvel Studios received a loan from Merrill Lynch, and planned to finance and release it through Paramount Pictures. Directors Jon Favreau and Louis Leterrier were interested in directing the project before Johnston was approached in 2008. The principal characters were cast between March and June 2010.
Thor Films: Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Thor: Ragnorak (2017), Avengers, Avengers 2: Age of Ultron
Thor: Sam Raimi first developed the concept of a film adaptation of Thor in 1991, but soon abandoned the project, leaving it in "development hell" for several years. During this time, the rights were picked up by various film studios until Marvel Studios signed Mark Protosevich to develop the project in 2006, and planned to finance it and release it through Paramount Pictures. Matthew Vaughn was originally assigned to direct the film for a tentative 2010 release. However, after Vaughn was released from his holding deal in 2008, Branagh was approached and the film's release was rescheduled into 2011.
 
Namor the Submariner
Film Studio: Universal Studios, Marvel Studios
Films: None
Explanation: It was speculated that perhaps the movie rights to Namor had reverted back to Marvel, but Feige answered definitively: “That’s at Universal.” "Yes, but it’s slightly more complicated than that. Let’s put it this way – there are entanglements that make it less easy. There are older contracts that still involve other parties that mean we need to work things out before we move forward on it. As opposed to an Iron Man or any of the Avengers or any of the other Marvel characters where we could just put them in."

Upcoming Marvel Superhero films (not including sequels):
Ant-Man July 17, 2015
Doctor Strange November 4, 2016
Black Panther July 6, 2018
Captain Marvel November 2, 2018
Inhumans July 12, 2019

Upcoming Sony superhero films:
Sinister Six November 11, 2016
Venom - Coming Soon


CHARACTERS:


20th Century Fox     
AngelArclight Beast Blink Blob Bolt 
 Bishop Callisto Colossus Cyclops  Deadpool  Doctor Doom
Emma FrostGambit  Havok Human Torch IcemanInvisible Woman 
Jean Grey Juggernaut
 
 JubileeKitty PrydeLady DeathstrikeLeech 
Magento Mastermind (Wyngarde)Multiple Man MystiqueNightcrawlerPhat
Professor Charles Xavier PsylockePyroQuillRogueStorm 
Spike SirynSabertoothSebastian Hiram ShawSilver FoxSilver Surfer

Sunspot
 Mr. Fantastic   Nova/Frankie Raye 
The Thing
  ToadWarpath
Willie Lumpkin Wolverine Banshee Angel Salvatore AzazelQuicksilver
Sony     
Ben ParkerBetty BrantBlack CatBeetleDr. Curt ConnorsChameleon
CarnageDoctor OctopusDr. Ashley KafkaDennis  CarradineElectroFlash Thompson
Green GolbinThe GentlemanGwen StacyHarry Osborne Eddie Brock  Allistair Smythe
 J. Jonah JamesonJohn JamesonJoseph "Robbie" Robert Jackal Kraven the HunterMay Parker
Mary Jane WatsonMendel StrommMysterio Rhino SandmanShocker 
Silver SableSinister SixSpider-Man/Peter Spider-Slayers VenomVulture
Marvel     
Ant ManThe AvengersBlack WidowBlade Bucky Captain America 
 Captain Marvel/Carol ConnorsDoctor StrangeDaredevilDrax the DestroyerElektra Falcon 
FandralGamoraGuardians of the GalaxyGhost RiderGroot Hogun 
 HawkeyeHulkInhumans Iron Man LokiLuke Cage 
 NebulaNick FuryPepper PottsPunisher Quicksilver  Rocket
Ronan the AccuserScarlet WitchSifStarlord Taneleer Tivan Thanos
ThorUltronWinter Soldier Howard the Duck Everyone Else!  
 
 
Related:


Tuesday, February 10

Where are they now?: Top Ten Late 90's and Early 00's Teen Idols

Thad Luckinbill
Teen Idol Status: He got his start on MTV's "Undressed" as Kyle in 1999 and JT on the "Young and the Restless" from 1999-2010. 
Now: He played Nathan in Nikita, but that was canceled. He has been in The Good Lie and Rizzoli & Isles. He has been married to Amelia Heinle since 2007.

 Ryan Merriman
Teen Idol Status: Even though he was a kid actor (Young Jarod in The Pretender), he became a teen idol with Disney Channel movie Luck of the Irish, Nikko in Veritas: The Quest and Final Destination 3
Now: He recently married Kristen McMullen, his first marriage lasted seven years. He recently played Ian on "Pretty Little Liars." He is now 31 years old.

 Erik Von Detten
Teen Idol Status: He played the voice of Sid in Toy Story and Toy Story 3. He played Karl in Dinotopia, Chris in Complete Savages and Josh in The Princess Dairies.
Now: He has kids. But hasn't done much acting gigs, his recent were Toy Story 3, Family Guy and Bones in 2008.

 Riley Smith
Teen Idol Status: Disney Channel film Motocrossed and Not Another Teen Movie. He played Jared on Bob Saget's WB sitcom "Raising Dad," Kyle Singer in "24" and Andy in "Joan of Arcadia."
Now: Mark on "The Messengers", Keith on "True Blood" and "True Detective." He was also on "90210."
 Devon Sawa
Teen Idol Status: Played Human Casper in Casper, Mark in Wild America, and has been in Now and Then, SLC Punk!, Idle Hands and Little Giants.
Now: He is married to Dawni Shanaovitch and has a daughter. He played Sam in "Nikita." Next up for him is Punk's Dead and Life on The Line.

 Shane West
Teen Idol Status: Rocker Eli in "Once and Again," Bentley in "Get Over It," Ryan in "Whatever It Takes" with James Franco and Landon in "A Walk to Remember."
Now: He was on ER, Nikita and now John Alden on Salem.
 Sean Faris
Teen Idol Status: He got his start as Darren on MTV's "Undressed" in 2001 He was in "Brotherhood 2: Young Warlocks," Dino in "Life As We Know It" and Craig in "Reunion."
Now: He has been on "Supernatural," "Vampire Dairies" and Gabriel in "Pretty Little Liars." He was in Never Back Down with Cam Gigandet.
 Jason Behr
Teen Idol Status: As Max on "Roswell." He also played Chris in "Dawson's Creek" and Dempsey in the canceled ABC drama "Push."
Now: Unfortunately he hasn't gotten a lot of gigs. In the years after Roswell, he was in plenty of films (like Tattoo and Skinwalkers) but they never took off. Recently in 2012 he played Damien in "Breakout Kings"
 Bryce Johnson
Teen Idol Status: He also got his start as Cliff in "Undressed" in 1999. Since he played Josh in Ryan Murphy's "Popular," Ryan had him on his other shows like "Nip/Tuck" and "Glee."
Now: Bryce has been in the gay brothers flick Max + Harry and he has been on Dating Rules from My Future Self, Death Valley and played Darren on "Pretty Little Liars."

 Kevin Zegers
Teen Idol Status: As a kid, he got fame for the Air Bud movies but he got in teen idol status with a gig on "So Weird" and "Smallville" and also the NBC soap "Titans." He is Canadian.
Now: In 2005, he played gay hustler Toby traveling his father who has transitioned into a woman (Felicity Huffman) in Transamerica and played Damian in "Gossip Girl." He is married and has a kid. Recently he was in "Gracepoint."


Sunday, February 1

Could Skating Arena attendance be increasing by Disney's Frozen?

My nephew went to a little girl's birthday party at a skating rink yesterday and all the girl parties were Frozen related. Frozen was released in 2013, most little girl parties have been Frozen.
 
I didn't find an article about Frozen influencing increase but attendance is up:
 
Ice Skating Rinks with Frozen themes or contests:
 
Birthday themes most popular: