Tom Holland cast as the newest Spider-Man!

(Photo: Marvel / Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North America)

For the third time in the past 13 years, we will see yet another young actor take on the mantle of the iconic character Spider-Man onscreen. After Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, 19-year-old Tom Holland (The Impossible) has been cast by Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios to play young Peter Parker in the next stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Captain America: Civil War and an additional stand-alone film.

A new director, Jon Watts (Cop Car), has been named for the next Spider-Man film releasing on June 28, 2017. This is a new direction for the web-slinger who will receive the cinematic reboot for the third time. The Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man trilogy with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst grossed nearly $2.5 billion worldwide.  The 2012 reboot directed by Marc Webb and its 2014 sequel took Parker back to high school with British actor Andrew Garfield and a new/old flame Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). While the pairing of Garfield-Stone worked mainly due their on and off screen chemistry, the films made half of what the first trilogy grossed.

Sony Pictures abandoned any further sequels planned and instead the character is now set to step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and fight alongside the Avengers. This new move also means a new backstory for Peter Parker after he will be reintroduced in Captain America: Civil War. There's no doubt that Tom Holland is a fine young actor, but I'm hoping he will be able to stand out in the overly crowded Captain America sequel. As for the new Spider-Man film, I don't know how many times they can spin the same story over and over again, but I'm sure Hollywood will find a way to bring us to Peter Parker's journey into Spider-Man in theaters one more time. 

Spider-Man joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Now What?

The big news to reverberate among Hollywood and movie fans across the globe was the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, namely an old friend called Spider-Man.  It was announced today that Sony Pictures and Marvel reached a deal that would introduce Spider-Man next in a Marvel film, rumored to be the next installment of the Captain America films.  The web slinger would then appear in his own film on July 28, 2017 co-produced by the two studios.   

This indicates that Sony Pictures' Sinister Six plans have been scrapped and Andrew Garfield who played Spider-Man in the current reboots would no longer be a part of the upcoming films. This shakeup also means that Marvel's lineup of films gets pushed back a bit to accommodate Spidey. Thor: Ragnarok which was supposed to release on July 28, 2017, moves now to November 3, 2017.  We will have to wait until 2018 to see Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther which moves from November 3, 2017 to July 6, 2018.  And finally Captain Marvel moves from July 6, 2018 to November 2, 2018 and Inhumans from November 2, 2018 to July 12, 2019.

This agreement was reached after Sony Pictures' many troubles (the hacking scandal, The Interview's release hullabaloo and studio head Amy Pascal's recent exit) and points towards a regrouping within. Pairing up with Marvel (and in effect, Disney) is wise as each of their superhero films has proven itself at the box office. Even Guardians of the Galaxy, essentially a non-popular franchise, was the top grosser last summer and scored on all pop culture fronts (clever lines, '80s nostalgia and a rocking soundtrack). Spider-Man is one of the most beloved, and relatable, comic book superheros in the world and allowing the character to join the world, nay the galaxy's biggest, superheroes in the Avengers is eventually going to pay off.

As long as Spidey gets his own film (and baddies to fight against!), I'm happy. He's been left a very dark place at the end of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. What do you guys think? Is it a yay or a nay on Spider-Man finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 trailer!

How time flies! Last year, the Spider-Man franchise got a reboot with a new director, new cast and a whole new world to play in.  While the film's success wasn't entirely earth-shattering, it did warrant a sequel which will release in theatres next May.  Today, the first teaser trailer was unveiled showing the next saga in the story of Peter Parker as played by Andrew Garfield.  This time around, he's up against villains Electro (Jamie Foxx) and Rhino (Paul Giamatti) while igniting the friendly rivalry with frenemy Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan).  And yes, Gwen Stacy as played by Garfield's real-life girlfriend is also back as Parker's love and confidante.  As the trailer shows, Peter starts to uncover some of his family's secrets as linked to Oscorp.  What does it all mean?  We'll find out soon enough in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.   

10 films still in the race for Best Visual Effects

10 movies are still in the hunt for the Best Visual Effects Academy Award nomination and the list is down below.  The superhero films (Batman, Spiderman, The Avengers) all made the cut as did four book adaptations including Life of Pi and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Cloud Atlas
• The Dark Knight Rises
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• John Carter
• Life of Pi
• Marvel's The Avengers
• Prometheus
• Skyfall
• Snow White and the Huntsman

But only five films can be nominated and it's very likely going to be Life of Pi, The Avengers, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and possibly a surprise nominee in either John Carter and Prometheus. Sadly, the praise for Cloud Altas and The Dark Knight Rises in the technical categories seems a bit muted now but I hope to see it recognized in some way or the other.

New website: The Amazing Spiderman

For my 300th post (whoa, already!), I thought it would be interesting to take a look at next summer's big blockbuster, The Amazing Spider-man which has released its new website with has lots of new photos and information including more Spider-man movies.

The official summary on the website says:

The Story
Like most teenagers his age, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he to be the person he is today. In his journey to put the pieces of his past together he uncovers a secret that his father held... a secret that will ultimately shape his destiny as Spider-Man. This is the first in a series of movies that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story. On July 3rd, 2012, the untold story begins.

(Photos: The Amazing Spider-man website)

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), camera in hand. A nod to his future career?

Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field)

Spiderman in action.

Talking with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) in the hallway.

New logo on back of the costume.

Gwen Stacy

Captain Stacy (Denis Leary), Gwen's father.

What is the photograph in the corner? I spy Dr. Connors (Rhys Ifans).  

Be sure to check out the official website at http://theamazingspiderman.com/ for more goodies and photographs and "like" it on Facebook!

New Spiderman poster

(Poster: Superhero Hype)

Lest we forget about The Amazing Spider-Man releasing next summer amidst all those Avengers (on my birthday weekend too!), here comes this amazing new poster about the young Peter Parker.  This could easily be a horror movie poster but us comic book fans know, it is none other Spiderman.  Who else has penchant for climbing walls?

It's all about the release dates!

This blog post is all about release dates.  Why? Because so many studios have gone ahead and confidently announced release dates for sequels for movies yet to be released and certain studios (yes, we're looking at you, Disney) have announced mysterious projects that I'm too curious to know what it's about.

• After the encouraging buzz at Comic-Con, Sony went ahead and announced May 2, 2014 for the sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man.  Sony seems to have a lot of faith in this franchise. 
• The Hunger Games is filming their first film in the trilogy but that doesn't stop them from announcing that Catching Fire, the second in the series, will be out on November 22, 2013.  Obviously, a lot of hope on this movie, mine included.  
• Walt Disney studios announced that yet another new Pixar film will be out on May 30, 2014.  Okay, that's like 2 and half years away but this comes on the heels of the other original Pixar film releasing on November 27, 2013.  Could it be that Pixar is releasing two back to back original features?  This is too much, it's like Christmas and my birthday combined.  I truly hope this is true.  Supposedly, Disney will be revealing a bit more info come August 20th at the D23 Expo.  Watch this space.

So, what do we think? Too much hype or a clever new marketing technique?

First Trailer for The Amazing Spider-man

The summer of superheroes will continue on until next year too when Batman, Spider-man and the Avengers will all compete for your theater-going affections.  Meanwhile, take a look at the first trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.  The film also stars Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Fields, Rhys Ifans, and Dennis Leary.



I wonder if it is too soon for a reboot.  I can still picture Tobey Maguire as Spiderman.  No knock on Andrew Garfield, who's amassing quite an impressive resume.  Yet some of the shots in the trailer are awfully similar to the first Spiderman where Peter Parker learned to crawl up a wall, spidey style, and leaps across building with unabandoned joy.  I'm not saying I won't see this film, in fact, it's pretty much releasing on my birthday next year.  This will be my default film to watch.  It feels too soon but let's all reserve judgement until the film releases. 

Entertainment Weekly's First Look at the Amazing Spider-Man

The Harry Potter saga may just ended.  (My review's coming up soon!)  But another franchise is raring to go.  EW has just released exclusive first photographs of Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy.  The Amazing Spider-Man will open in theaters summer of 2012.

First look at the new Spider-Man costume

Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) with Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield)

Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Fields) with Peter

Rhys Ifans as Dr. Connors aka The Lizard

Gotta say this about this Peter Parker, at least he's tall!  And they do make a cute couple, Peter and Gwen.  Mary Jane who now?

The Spiderman Prequel finally gets a title!

I don't have to call or type Spiderman Prequel/Reboot anymore.  The film finally has a title! Thank God!  On July 3, 2012, (a day before my birthday), I'm finally going to see The Amazing Spider-man.  What do we think about the title? Very comic bookish, an apparent nod to the early days of Peter Parker.  I like it and I now have a name to type.  We also get an official still of the Amazing Spider-man in action.  I see you've been working on those muscles, Andrew!

First Look: Andrew Garfield as Spiderman

Summer 2012 is a long way from today but here's a first look at Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker aka Spiderman.  I'll admit I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about Garfield being cast as Parker but after watching The Social Network, I'm more than convinced the kid's got the right stuff.  This is the way to reboot a franchise.  

In the News: Emma Stone's new look and Will and Zach Team Up

• You may think that the Spiderman prequel is ages away and it is.  But that doesn't stop the actors from getting into character.  Emma Stone has been spotted with her actual hair color, blonde, and that somehow makes it all the more real.  It may not have a name yet but this movie is happening.  What do we think about the hair? Yay or nay?
• Speaking of the Spiderman prequel, the newest addition to the cast, Irrfan Khan is having a stellar week.  As if being named to Spiderman wasn't enough, Khan is also in talks with Ang Lee for The Life of Pi.  Reports are sort of conflicted as to which role he's up for, either Pi's father or the adult Pi.  Either way, it's win win.
• Last year, no film impressed me as much as District 9.  Truly spectacular.  That's why I'm delighted to see that directer Neil Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley are reuniting for Elysium.  I love it when directors-actors find a good working relationship and pair up again to produce great movies. 
• A few days ago, I posted that Hans Zimmer was the new composer on Superman: Man of Steel.  That, my friends, is a big fat rumor.  We should wish it were true.  But it's not happening yet.  Zimmer is composing for Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises so, uhm, silver lining.  
• Somewhere in the world, two guys had a conversation that went a little like this, "Dude, wouldn't it be cool if Will Ferrell and Zach Galifiniakis were in a movie together?" "Yeah, totally awesome!".  That conversation is now a reality.  Warner Bros. will be producing a new political comedy that pits Will and Zach against each other.  I don't know what to say except I'm going to talk about a film in which Leo finally shares the screen with Meryl Streep.  Make it happen, Hollywood, make it happen.  
• And finally, the two actors who show a lot of promise, Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy) are joining Albert Nobbs which is being directed by Rodrigo Garcia.  Michael Gambon, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Janet McTeer and Gleen Close will be starring in the film as well.  In fact, Close will be reprising her award-winning role from the original Broadway play.  

Mega Post of Movie News: Spiderman, The Hobbit, Lincoln, and The Dark Knight Rises

I've been a bit behind lately with the news posting mainly because real life has been catching up and since it's the end of the year there are many things to finish up.  Here's a massive news post of all the goings-on of note in the last month.

• Lots of news to report from the Spiderman reboot/prequel but sadly, still no title.  You're killing me here.  Decide already!  

-Dennis Leary will play the father of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

-Campbell Scott and Julianne Nicholson are in talks for the parents of Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield).\

-Irfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire, Namesake) is being considered for a 2nd villain.  Hmm, I wonder who he'll play.

• The Hobbit has its music composer: Howard Shore
• It's confirmed.  The voice cast for the new Cars 2 movie  I'm so excited that Michael Caine is voicing a character and it's an Aston Martin.  Pixar brilliance!
• My favorite director, Christopher Nolan, is set to receive the first ever Visionary Award from the Visual Effects Society (VES).
• Both Christian Bale and Chris Nolan say that the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises would be "it" for the Batman Saga.  Never say never!
• Daniel Day-Lewis will star as Lincoln in the long in the making biopic to be directed by Steven Spielberg. This coming as the same time as the other Lincoln movie, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  Coincidence, I think not.
• Were you amazed by the gorgeous animation of "The Tale of the Three Brothers" in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1?  It was an outstanding little short film within a film and the director, Ben Hibon, is getting the recognition he deserves.  Hibon will direct Pan, a very dark take on the Peter Pan tale.  Kudos!
• This past March, Tom Hanks presented Kathryn Bigelow with Best Film Oscar for The Hurt Locker.  I'm sure he must have whispered to her backstage, Hey, Congratulations and keep in mind for your next film!" What do you know? He's in her next film.  The good stuff goes down only at the Oscars. 
• Hans Zimmer will be the composer for the new Superman: Man of Steel reboot.  It's going to be tough to top John Williams iconic score but I'm sure that Zimmer is up to the the task.  I'm actually curious as to how he'll tackle it.  
• Ricky Gervais and Emily Blunt are the newest names to cameo in the Muppets Movie.  Does anyone remember when Ricky visited Sesame Street?  Keeping my fingers crossed for a repeat.  
• The newest show to get a movie update? That would be 21 Jump Street, and the undercover cops posing as high-schoolers will be Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.  When did this become a comedy?  
• J.J. Abrams Star Trek was a big hit and everyone is keen to find out what is the next one going to be about.  The writers reveal that they are looking to get inspiration from some old Star Trek episodes for the sequel.  

Finally, the awards update of the week, the Golden Globe nominations are already in the mail and will be announced on December 14th.  What movies and actors do you think will be named?

Article of the Day: A must-read Vanity Fair article on Johnny Depp by Patti Smith.  He discusses Jack Sparrow and how Disney executives were all nervous by his take on the character.  

Casting Updates: Spiderman, Hangover 2 and Brad Pitt's next role

• Abigail Breslin will be celebrating New Year's Eve, the next film after Valentine's Day for director Gary Marshall.  Joining her with be Lea Michele from Glee.  
• Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch) joins the Hangover 2 party as Ed Helms' fiancee.  Now we know why Heather Graham isn't coming back.  
• Brad Pitt's next film could be a comedy, Cogan's Trade, with director Andrew Dominick who he's worked with before on Jesse James.  It's been a long time since he's done a comedy and it'll be a welcome change. 
• Tom Hardy is quite possibly up for every role in Hollywood these days.  You could see him in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in a supporting role.   Wanted's Timur Bekmambetov will be directing the movie.  
• Scarlett Johansson next two roles are vastly different, that's a good thing.  She's in final talks to play Matt Damon's wife in Cameron Crowe's We Bought a Zoo and will also play an alien who preys on humans in Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin.  Guess which film has the fanboys salivating already?  
• And finally, big news for the Spiderman prequel which has yet to name itself.  Please do it soon.  I hate typing Spiderman prequel all the time!!!  So, the casting reads so, Martin Sheen is Uncle Ben and Sally Fields is in talks to play Aunt May.  And as for Mary Jane, there will be no Mary Jane in the prequel.  No love triangle this time, folks.  

This post contains a whole lotta news!

Onwards and let's begin!

• The first Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides teaser trailer will debut alongside the Tron: Legacy movie.
• Not only has the How To Train Your Dragon sequel been sanctioned, a TV series is also set to air on the Cartoon Network.
• Tarsem Singh is going to direct a live-action feature on Snow White.  I'm really excited about this, his last film, The Fall, was completely underrated.  I wish more people had seen it, each frame was an astonishing visual and I was so moved by young Cantinca Untaru's performance in the film.  Please see it if you ever get a chance.
• Ok, so I was all been that, seen that with the news that Men in Black 3 was announced.  But now they might bring on board Alec Baldwin, Sharlto Copley (District 9), Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia) to join Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.  Emma Thompson and Jermaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) are already in the cast.  What am I to do?  Fine, I'm in. Please release it around the Fourth of July.  Doesn't Will Smith have it in his contract that he must release a movie on the Fourth of July?  
• From Harry Potter to Spiderman, Rhys Ifans is will play the new villain in the new Spiderman prequel.  No official confirmation on the character though many are guessing the Lizard.  Whatever happened to Venom? And how about a title?  Let's work on that.  I can't keep typing Spiderman prequel each time.
• Another superhero franchise is also abuzz with casting rumors.  Christopher Nolan is re-teaming with Tom Hardy (Eames the Forger from Inception) on the next Batman.  No word whatsoever on what role he'll play but that hasn't stopped the Internet from its wild speculations.  It's fun, no?
• After Brad Bird and Pete Docter, John Lasseter will now use Michael Giacchino (Oscar winner for Best Score for last year's Up) for Cars 2.  Giacchino and Newman are both becoming the go-to music directors for Pixar and I wholly approve.   Their soundtracks always fits so perfectly and are sublime.
• As I had suspected, Warner's Brothers isn't completely abandoning the idea of 3D for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.  Never fear, it'll be waiting for you when the Blu-Ray discs come out.

Finally, I'm going to end this long post with the link of the day!!!  Zach G poses in his swimsuit for Vanity Fair.  Warning: You will collapse with laughter and oh yeah, these are not safe for small kids and pets.  You have been warned!

Whew, that was exhausting.  I might take tomorrow off.