Marvel's "Black Panther" Shatters Box-Office Records

Marvel's Black Panther racked up an enormous $192 million for its three-day debut in North America this weekend becoming the fifth biggest opening of all time.

From CNN:

The opening for the film starring Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan did not just shatter expectations, it broke multiple box office records too.

It blew away the record for the largest opening for an African-American director. That belonged to F. Gary Gray and "The Fate of the Furious," which opened to $98 million last April.

Disney estimates that the film will bring in $218 million domestically for the four day holiday weekend. The film brought in an opening of $361 million around the world.

"Black Panther" also shattered the record for an opening in February, which belonged to "Deadpool," the R-rated superhero film from 20th Century Fox that brought in $132 million when it opened in 2016.

It is the second biggest opening for a Marvel Studios film, behind 2012's "The Avengers."

The super-hero/action flick is Marvel's first film directed by an African-American.

Watch the trailer below.

Squee!!! Watch The Trailer for Upcoming "Avengers: Infinity War"

Squee!!!

Excuse me as I, and the entertainment world, totally geek out over the newly-released trailer for Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War.

Bringing together just about everyone in the current Marvel cinematic universe, it's pretty awesome.

We don't really get to know much about plot points other than the story centers on galactic bad-guy Thanos.

“An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.”

According to the press release, the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff, Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Brolin, and many, many more.

Avengers: Infinity War opens in theaters on May 4, 2018. Check out the trailer below.

Trailer: "Spider-Man - Homecoming"

Via Rolling Stone:

Homecoming brings Peter Parker back to high school. The early Spidey suit he wears features web wings, a design only seen in the earliest of Spider-Man comic book appearances. Spider-Man, played by British actor Tom Holland, is shown scaling the Washington Monument, holding a sliced-in-half ferry boat together with his webbing and dealing with basic high school stuff like staring too long at a crush, zoning out in Science class and preparing for homecoming prom.

Robert Downey Jr. is also in the preview, with Tony Stark serving as a mentor for the fledgling superhero. “Don’t do anything I would do. And definitely don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Stark tells Parker. “There’s a little gray area in there and that’s where you operate.”

New From Netflix - Marvel's LUKE CAGE

So, the plan is to eventually combine the stars of Netflix's Daredevil, Jessica Jones and the upcoming Iron Fist with Luke Cage to become "The Defenders" in a series down the line.

With Daredevil and Jessica Jones already launched, Luke Cage gets his big premiere come September 30th.

Squeee!!!!

Trailer: "Dr. Strange" Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

Squeee! Marvel's first tease of the upcoming Dr. Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Via USA Today:

While a lot of the Marvel movies just jump right in (there have been 12 so far — 13 when Captain America: Civil War hits theaters), Doctor Strange is going to take its time introducing you to the Sorcerer Supreme. Stephen starts out as a surgeon, who, after a very bad car accident that we see in the opening of the trailer, has nerve damage in his hands and thus loses his whole life. He heads for some soul searching in the Himalayas where he meets a mystical figure called The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton).

Speaking of which ...

The Hulk had gamma radiation. Captain America had a serum. Iron Man has his tech toys. Doctor Strange, though, has straight-up magic on his side. You saw that bit where Swinton pushed Cumberbatch out of himself? Yeah, that was pretty cool. And it was pure magic. Not all heroes are the results of science experiments gone wrong. But, hey, he definitely wears a cape.

The visual effects look amazing - just as they should for a Dr. Strange movie. I'm definitely looking forward to this :)

 In theaters November 4th.

Viacom, Disney, NFL Speak Out On Georgia's Anti-LGBT Law

As Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal comtemplates whether or not to sign into law a divisive bill which formally legalizes anti-gay discrimination, major businesses like Viacom and Disney are saying they will take their businesses elsewhere should the legislation become law.

Additionally, the NFL has categorically told Georgia the law will deeply affect the state's chances to host the 2019 or 2020 Super Bowls.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Disney and its Marvel Studios film unit will not shoot future movies in Georgia if a controversial bill that critics contend would legalize anti-gay discrimination is signed by that state's governor. Viacom as well as the AMC Networks, which films The Walking Dead in the state, has called on Gov. Nathan Deal to veto the legislation.

"Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law," a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Marvel has filmed such movies as Ant-Man and the upcoming Captain America: Civil War and Guardians of the Galaxy 2 in Atlanta, taking advantage of Georgia's attractive tax incentives. While Disney's statement specifically mentioned Marvel, other Disney units like ABC Studios and Disney Studios would also take part in the boycott.

Trailer: Fantastic Four

First look at the upcoming reboot of Marvel's The Fantastic Four.

Squeee!!!

From the clip description: The FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways.

Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.

In theaters Summer 2015.

New Trailer: "Avengers - Age Of Ultron"

The second trailer for the upcoming Marvel flick Avengers - Age of Ultron dropped yesterday and we get a look at how artificial intelligence bad guy Ultron (voiced by James Spader) plans to take our down favorite super-hero team.

Starring Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth - in theaters May 1st.

Trailer: Ant-Man

First full trailer for the upcoming "Ant-Man" starring Paul Rudd.

Description: Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Coming from Marvel July 2015.

Marvel Announces "Phase 3" Films in Development

Carol Danvers - Captain Marvel

Pardon me as I geek out for just a second... :)

July 6th, 2018, will be the release date of the first Marvel superhero movie starring a female super hero - Captain Marvel.

The news comes via announcement today of Marvel's Phase 3 movies which will include Black Panther, the Inhumans, Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity Wars and more sequels in the Captain America & Guardians of the Galaxy franchises.

• Captain America 3: Civil War on May 6th, 2016

• Doctor Strange on November 4th, 2016

• Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on May 5th, 2017

• Thor 3: Ragnarok on July 28th, 2017

• Black Panther on November 3rd, 2017

• Captain Marvel on July 6th, 2018

• Inhumans on November 2nd, 2018

• Avengers: Infinity War Part One in May 2018

• Avengers: Infinity War Part Two in May 2019

It's almost strange to note that so far there has not been a Marvel super heroine with her own film. Even Wonder Woman has gotten the nod from DC Comics for a 2017 film by now.

Also of interest is the character - having gone through several incarnations - began comic book life as a male, but the title was recently handed over to Carol Danvers in the comic book series and that's the version Marvel's going with for the film.

For those not familiar, Danvers powers include flight, super strength, and the ability to shoot energy bursts from her hands.

See you at the movies!

Concept art for Black Panther film coming in November 2017 from Marvel

Trailer: Avengers "Age Of Ultron"

I hear this is leaked early.

Lucky us!

Cam't wait for May 1, 2015

Marvel's new "Thor" will be a woman

Marvel announced today that come this fall, the character of "Thor" will be a woman.

Via press release:

This October, Marvel Comics evolves once again in one of the most shocking and exciting changes ever to shake one of Marvel’s "big three" – Captain American, Iron Man and Thor – Marvel Comics will be introducing an all-new THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. No longer is the classic male hero able to hold the mighty hammer, Mjölnir, a brand new female hero will emerge will who will be worthy of the name THOR. Who is she? Where did she come from and what is her connection to Asgard and the Marvel Universe?

"The inscription on Thor’s hammer reads ‘Whosoever holds this hammer, if HE be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.’ Well it’s time to update that inscription," says Marvel editor Wil Moss. "The new Thor continues Marvel’s proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this new Thor isn’t a temporary female substitute – she’s now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!"

Series writer Jason Aaron emphasizes, "This is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve ever seen before."

Of course, in my mind, Chris Hemsworth will forever be Thor.

Marvel shared this illustration of the new "Thor:"

(via The Verge)

Tom Hardy on "wish list" for Marvel Comics upcoming "Dr. Strange"

Tom Hard (L), and Benedict Cumberbatch (R)

Tom Hardy (!!!) and Benedict Cumberbatch seem to be at the top of Marvel's wish list to star in an upcoming film adaptation of "Doctor Strange."

From Deadline:

Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created the character in 1963 as a neurosurgeon who serves as the Sorcerer Supreme, protecting Earth against magical and mystical threats with powers of sorcery, mysticism, and martial arts.

Hardy, by way of playing "Bane" in The Dark Knight Rises, is closer. He just starred in the superb Steven Knight-directed drama Locke, and he wrapped Child 44 and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Cumberbatch, coming off August: Osage County and 12 Years A Slave, next will be seen starring in the Morten Tyldum-directed Imitation Game, which The Weinstein Company opens on November 21 during Oscar season.

Both are super-busy these days, but I'm down for a hunky "Doc Strange" via Tom Hardy. Where do I buy the tickets?

Don't forget, Tom is also in the middle of prepping/shooting the upcoming Elton John biopic.  There's a reason why we like Mr. Hardy so much here at The Randy Report :)

Just a little reminder of Mr. Tom Hardy shirtless.  Need I say anything more?

(h/t Advocate)

Trailer: "X-men - Days of Future Past"

Lots of new footage in this just released trailer for the upcoming May 23rd release of "X-men: Days of Future Past."

From the clip description: The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.

The beloved characters from the original "X-Men" film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from "X-Men: First Class," in an epic battle that must change the past -- to save our future.

Starring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Anna Paquin, Peter Dinklage, Shawn Ashmore, Ellen Page, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Fassbender, and Halle Berry.

AVENGERS in prime-time and more news

Some news stories you may have missed:

• ABC to air prime-time "behind the scenes" special for upcoming Marvel movies

• Michigan "expert witness" says gays are going to hell, but he's not biased against them

• This gay Marine made the long journey from homeless teen to Ivy League graduate

• Isaiah Washington returns to Grey's Anatomy seven years after gay slur scandal

• Four couples file lawsuit to overturn Indiana's ban on marriage equality

• GOP Rep. Josh Miller opposes Medicaid for others after it saved his life

World Premiere Trailer: "Guardians of the Galaxy"

The first full trailer for the upcoming Marvel "Guardians of the Galaxy" premiered tonight on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Can't wait.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. given full season pick up after strong premiere numbers

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ABC’s new hit show, has just been given a back 9 order of episodes, giving it a full season pickup!

ABC’s new show will now have twenty-two full episodes for the entire season.

The Joss Whedon show stars Chloe Bennet (Skye), Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson), Brett Dalton (Agent Grant Ward), Ming-Na Wen (Agent Melinda May), Iain De Caestecker (Agent Leo Fitz), and Elizabeth Henstridge (Agent Jemma Simmons).

The show originally premiered to big ratings for the network.