J.K. Simmons Has Joined Tom Hiddleston In KONG: SKULL ISLAND

Deadline reports that J.K. Simmons (Juno, Thank You For Smoking, Spider-Man Trilogy, Oz) hot off his widely praised performance in Whiplash has joined the cast of Legendary Picture's Kong: Skull Island. The prequel to the original events of King Kong would explore the origins of the map that was used to find the island. Tom "Loki" Hiddleston will star as the lead of the film, which we hope branches him out to more lead roles in the future.

Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kings of Summer, Metal Gear Solid) the film will be released on March 10th, 2017.


SOURCE: DEADLINE

Tom Hiddleston Starring In Legendary's KING KONG Origin Film SKULL ISLAND

Variety reports that Tom "Loki' Hiddleston will star in Legendary Picture's King Kong origin film titled Skull Island. Godzilla and Seventh Son writer Max penned the first draft of the script. Joe Cornish (Attack The Block) and Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones, Centurion) had been pursued for the director's chair, but Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kings of Summer) has taken the gig instead. Jordan was actually in the mix to direct Marvel's Doctor Strange and is rumored to be considered for Sony's Metal Gear Solid adaptation.

Details aren't known about the film, but events would take place before the original film. The island is home to some exotic things including dinosaurs, giant bugs, ancient tribes and other dangerous creatures. Basically, everyone and everything is trying to end your life on Skull Island. Hiddleston's character is also a bit of a mystery.

What we do know is that the film is being headed-up by the same production studio that gave us Godzilla and Pacific Rim, so we're expecting this to be a bit more cohesive than Peter Jackson's take. Hiddleston's involvement isn't too much of a shock. Considering he recently finished shooting Guillermo del Toro's haunted house picture Crimson Peak, another project setup at Legendary. Skull Island is set for release on November 4th, 2016.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Should Marvel Consider Casting Eva Green As Amora The Enchantress In THOR 3?

Marvel Studios is starting to get better with their sequels. Looking ahead, Winter Soldier looks to be the best of the bunch. The same couldn't be said of Thor: The Dark World, something I blame on a very dull and ill-explained villain (Malekith). A majority of the best comic book villains have at least an once of personality to them, giving them depth. Loki and The Winter Soldier are the types of villains that Marvel should be trying to replicate. A strong backstory with our heroes, and personal struggles/arcs along their way.

One character that has been looming around the Thor franchise since day-one is Amora The Enchantress. Easily, the second most recognizable Thor villain (next to Loki) and one of the more complex ones as well. Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth have been pushing for the characters to be included, so it's likely they'll get their wish. Amora has played friend and foe, to both Thor and Loki. Her intentions are always questionable along with her feelings, having affections for both brothers. While mostly interested in her own personal gain and power status. She is someone that Marvel needs to put into play in Phase Three, and could be a valuable character in MCU.

We have had one "main" female villain in the entire run of these movies (Nebula in Guardians), it's a very odd and uneven track record. Considering that we've seen Marvel "talk-up" a Black Widow film, and a Ms Marvel one being developed behind-the-scenes. We're living in the era of Game of Thrones, when every female villain is more devilish and evil than their male counterparts. It comes down to good writing and treating your female characters like actual people, within the world you are creating.

Moving past the need to include Amora, who should eventually play her?

That answer might be more on-the-nose than you think. We've heard names like Charlize Theron and Alice Eve mentioned for the role, which are excellent suggestions. They might be too busy with their respected franchises, Eve with Star Trek 3 and Theron with future Mad Mad sequels/spin-offs. One actress has been making it her mission to tackle comic book films. That lady would be French actress Eva Green, who at the moment hasn't signed-up for a million projects. It's at least possible for her to be open to the idea of signing one of Marvel's lengthly contracts.

North American audiences were first introduced to this talented lady, in Martin Campbell's Bond reboot Casino Royale (while taking a rather large role in the mostly panned Kingdom of Heaven). Oddly enough, Eva played a character that seeming had a few characteristics of Amora in the film. Winning over Bond's confidence and trust, only to stab him in the back. It sort of reminded me of her back-and-forth with Thor and Loki.

She'll also be taking on another similar part in Robert Rodriguez's Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. While that performance's quality is currently unknown to us, another upcoming one is. Green plays the main villain in 300: Rise of An Empire. There was a recently press screening, which seemed to have everyone buzzing about one performance. That would be Eva as the battle hardened and blood thirsty Artemisia. A dark streak that does run within Amora at times, similar to Loki.

Another similarity to Tom Hiddleston is that the two actors are currently the same age. Having them paired up wouldn't be much of a stretch, something that could be an issue if Amora candidates are too young for the role. Plus, Green has played witches (Enchantress just happens to also dapple in magic) before in Dark Shadows and the series Camelot, it's also alluded to in trailers that Artemisia could be a witch as well. It's hard to imagine the pair not perfectly working-off each other.

 It doesn't hurt this lady can do comedy, drama, love stories and action roles, as good if not better than her peers (male or female). I believe that Green should at least be considered for the role of The Enchantress, and she clearly at this point is the strongest name suggested. Having an excellent history of playing villains, being the right age, having an open schedule for the foreseeable future and will likely gain the traction Marvel zeroes-in on post-Rise of An Empire.

Tom Hiddleston Pitching Amora The Enchantress For THOR 3?

Thor: The Dark World is about to be released in the next couple of weeks and we already have hints to where the third film could go. Actor Tom Hiddleston talked to TotalFilm revealing he's pitched Amora The Enchantress to Marvel for future films. Amora has been rumored since the first film as a villain and was linked for Dark World during it's early development. Enchantress just happens to be a villain of both Thor and The Avengers (alongside The Masters of Evil). The Asgardian sorceress is a conflicted character, playing friend and foe to both Thor/Loki.

"When I was first reading the comics, the relationship with the Enchantress was one of the really fun things I thought would be good to explore and may have even pitched it to [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige at some point. Because she is as sneaky and as untrustworthy as he was. ... They basically had a really fantastic and twisted relationship until they both say, ‘You know what? I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you. It’s over.’ Because they keep betraying each other, in a way. So it could be good."

Plans for a third Thor movie haven't been made public and will likely be determined by the box office numbers for The Dark World. However, since Loki won't be making an appearance in Age of Ultron and wants to see the Loki/Amora dynamic explored, it will likely be saved for Thor solo adventures. Chris Hemsworth mentioned to MTV he would love to see Charlize Theron in the role of Amora, if the actress was able to find the time to do it.

"I don't know much at all but it sounds interesting," Chris Hemsworth told MTV when asked for his thoughts on the recent Enchantress rumours. "I'm not playing the usual, sidestepping that we normally have to do, I haven't read a script. They have a bunch of different ideas, but that sounds interesting." After being told that his Snow White and the Huntsman co-star Charlize Theron is a fan favourite for the role, he said: "Oh right. Well she certainly plays a pretty intimidating villain, I think she'd be awesome but I think she's tied up in 20 other films. I think she's going on to 'Mad Max' next. [But] you never know. Fingers crossed!"

12,000 Fans Petition Marvel For A LOKI Solo Film

Well I didn't see this coming. THR reports a large group of fans (over 12,000) have signed a petition to get Marvel to make a solo Loki film. Their aim is to get 20,000 signatures from Loki supporters. We'll see Tom Hiddleston this November in Thor: The Dark World but he won't be making the rounds in Avengers: Age of Ultron. There have been rumblings that Dark World might be the last film that will include Loki. However, Marvel knows that Loki is the second most popular character. Who is second only to Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark.

This could give the studio the message fans want more Loki in the MCU but I doubt they'll make a Loki solo film. Marvel's slate of Phase Three is likely all but cemented at this point, expected to be revealed in full next July at Comic-Con 2014. If a Loki film did happen it might not even happen until Phase Four. By the sounds of things Phase Three is expected to rollout a majority of fresh characters. Ant-Man is confirmed post-Avengers: Age of Ultron in July along with possible candidates Doctor Strange, Inhumans, Black Panther and Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel in the mix.

Loki And Thor Grace Empire Covers Along With New THOR: THE DARK WORLD Posters

New THOR THE DARK WORLD Poster

Joss Whedon Hints Loki Won't Be In AVENGERS 2 And Brian Tyler Hired To Compose Score For THOR THE DARK WORLD

Joss Whedon has revealed to Empire that our favorite Marvel conflicted villain Loki played by Tom Hiddleston won't be showing up in Avengers 2. Loki is still playing a rather large role in Thor: The Dark World. As he has to join forces with his brother Thor to save the nine realms from a bigger threat.

“First of all, imitating what I did before is the surest way to do it not as well. Second of all, Loki’s not there to say those terrible things. Although I do think we should bring the word back. Not as an insult. It’s just a nice word.”

Also, composer Brian Tyler (Expendables 1-2, Rambo) has been hired to score the Thor sequel according to FilmMusicReporter. Tyler recently did the score for Iron Man 3 which has seemingly impressed the folks over at Marvel. He'll be replacing previous composer Carter Burwell (True Grit) who left over creative differences.

Tom Hiddleston In Early Talks To Play Eric Draven In THE CROW

We've heard names such as Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper and James McAvoy linked for the role of Eric Draven in The Crow reboot. However, a new name has been revealed via The Wrap as Tom Hiddleston (Deep Blue See, War Horse) best known for playing Avengers and Thor villain Loki might take the lead part. The British actor is currently in early talks to play Draven.

Tom Hiddleston On Whether He'd Take A Role In STAR WARS EPISODE VII

DigitalSpy was able to ask actor Tom Hiddleston if he'd be interested in a role in the new Star Wars film. While he doesn't come out and say yes, Tom would take any offer "very seriously". It would depend on the story and the character he would be playing. Hiddleston also praises LucasFilm head Kathleen Kennedy who had been a producer on War Horse which he co-starred.

"Absolutely, yeah. It would depend on the story and the character and things...But I don't know, maybe people would associate me too closely with Loki - I hope not." 

"[She's] a filmmaker of such extraordinary experience and wisdom - she's one of the best producers I've ever worked for," he explained. "She just knows her way around the medium and the art form and the industry, so I think I'd take it very seriously if they asked me."

Tom is among a group of actors who I'd love to see enter the franchise. The other names include Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Richard Artimage, Michael Fassbender and Joel Kinnaman. Here's hoping that LucasFilm seriously considers approaching names like these.

Fantastic New Avengers Poster Finally Puts The Team Together

New Avengers Image Shows Loki In SHIELD Custody

Thor 2 Production Moved Up To This Spring

Marvel has a slew of projects about to go into production in 2012. Reportedly Iron Man 3, Thor 2 and Captain America 2 are all shooting within the year. The production start for Thor 2 has been sort of a mystery since it's gone from fall to early/late summer. Tom Hiddleston now tells the BelfastTelegraph that it will begin shooting in London this spring. It's going to be an interesting experiment for both Iron Man and Thor sequels to be shooting at the same time. 

Marvel's Kevin Feige Axes Skrull Rumors

While speaking to Empire (via ComicBookMovie) Marvel's Kevin Feige again puts to rest the rumors of the Skrulls being the alien race that makes up Loki's secret army in The Avengers. He gives the impression that they could either be from the nine realms or something else entirely. When the Leviathan was revealed it had been rumored we very well could be seeing Atlantians make up Loki's army. I believe Marvel would be smart to save for the Skrulls for something like Guardians of the Galaxy or even an Avengers sequel.

  "Who said they were aliens?" he teases. Beings from the Nine Realms, then, ventures Empire? "Closer...It's not Skrulls, I've been clear about that. Beyond that, we want to hide it. The identity of the alien race is not imapctful. It exists in the comic books, but we're not setting up the Kree-Skrull war or anything like that." 


 "Was Skull vaporised at the end of the movie, or thrust into another realm?" asks Feige. "That remains to be seen. It would be fun to see Skull in future, but he's not in this one." Whedon though is a little more circumspect when Empire confronts him. "I do have a comment on that," he says, before pulling a move worthy of Loki himself. "It's...oh, you're breaking up!"

Tom Hiddleston Confirms Thor 2 Shooting This Summer

While doing a web chat with Empire, Tom Hiddleston who plays Loki confirmed a production start for Thor 2. He also again confirms that Alan Taylor will be directing. Here's hoping that new casting announcements start rolling out in the next couple of months. The sequel is set for a November 17th 2013 release date. I'm curious if we'll be seeing any on location shooting in the UK since the production is headed to London.

"And all I know about Thor 2 is that we're supposed to film it in London in the summer and that it's being directed by Alan Taylor."

RUMOR: Fin Fang Foom In Avengers?

One of the most interesting things about the Avengers trailer is that we don't ever see what is causing all the destruction in New York City. During the Avengers' Cleavland shoot there was a mystery scene code named Leviathan. Could it refer to the space ship of Loki's army or an actual giant monster the reeks havoc on the city? We've been hearing lots of rumors that the Skrulls are in fact Loki's army in question but it has yet to be confirmed by the studio, director or the cast. There is also the possibility that the Atlantians (Namor the Sub-Mariner) could be involved as the Leviathan is a sea monster. A Leviathan monster doesn't sound out of the question considering the cosmic and magic themes used in previous films. Fin Fang Foom has been brought up by ComicBookMovie as the possible identity of the monstrous creature.

Foom is best known as the giant dragon-like villain of Iron Man. Hulk and Thor have also gone up against him in the comics. He was briefly spotted in Iron Man 2 on a billboard as an Easter egg. It's unlikely that we would see the character in Iron Man 3 since there's been talk that future films will be more grounded. Avengers on the other hand is a perfect place to bring in creatures like Foom into the picture. Since he could be called out of the other realms, outer space or with magic pulled out of the billboard into reality by Loki. While I think Avengers is a great film to use Foom Marvel Studios' isn't known for overloading their movies with villains. I also don't think Whedon is looking to have his own "Release The Kraken!" moment.

FIRST LOOK: Loki & Nick Fury In Avengers From EW

Tom Hiddleston & Jaimie Alexander Talk Thor 2

Jaimie Alexander, who plays Sif has been making the rounds during the promotion of Thor hitting DVD/Blu Ray. She talked to MovieWeb mentioning a few things she'd like to see in the sequel. Which includes a romance between Sif and Thor along with the addition of Beta Ray Bill.

 "Yes. I would love for that (romance) to happen. I don't know what the story is going to be just yet, and nothing has been made official, but the hope is that it will be made official, and I would love to explore more of that. And, in future endeavors, I would love to see Beta Ray Bill, or something like that. I think that would be really cool. Like you said, there are so many avenues to go down, so many endless possibilities."

Personally I'd love to see more Sif in the sequel as much as I enjoyed Jane Foster (Portman), I believe she could be sidelined for the sequel and it wouldn't hurt the film. Beta Ray Bill is a cool character but his design is terrible. He's a horse-faced Thor doppelganger so if they're able to redesign him for film I'd all for his inclusion.

Also, Tom Hiddleston talked to Collider about Thor 2 and he gives the impression Marvel could be expanding the cosmic world and exploring the other realms. I've been hoping the second film would be entirely set off-Earth and this seems like another possible step in that direction. Previously, Hiddleston teased that Loki could end up fighting alongside Thor in the sequel. That angle has been hinted at for Avengers as well. I think Loki is an excellent character but he needs a limited role in Thor 2 if only because he's been featured in two Marvel films within the year.

Hiddleston Confirms Loki Will Be In Thor 2, Shooting This Spring?

One of the greatest casting choices by Marvel Studios has been Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Tom was originally testing to play Thor but was better suited for the conflicted villain. It's pretty much paid off for the actor as he's been a major part of two Marvel films and now there is possibility he'll return for Thor 2. He gives some insight to MTV about the sequel and says that a director hasn't been chosen yet. Giving the impression that Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire) isn't a sure thing.

"I haven’t. I also don’t know that that’s actually confirmed. That’s not me being coy. I spoke to Kevin Feige last week on ["The Avengers"] set and he said, 'Oh no, we haven’t got anyone yet. We’re thinking about people. I think probably next spring is the idea because the release date is locked down," he said, adding that the storyline for the film will still likely pick-up from where "The Avengers" leaves off."

"In 'The Avengers' he’s really dark and kind of sociopathic, or maybe even psychopathic is the word, in a deluded way. Obviously I haven’t let go of the spiritual damage at the heart of him, it still comes from that lost place, but he’s just incredibly nasty. I think that probably in 'Thor 2' his previous actions will, he’ll have to take responsibility for what he’s done. The great thing about Loki is there is potential in him for greatness and awfulness, for great heroism and great villainy. There are still, even within 'The Avengers,' there are moments where you see within Loki a glimmer of hope and that possibility of redemption. It makes it fun to play and it makes it fun for the audience. Nobody is black and white, there are shades of grey in all of us. We all have potential for greatness and we all have flaws. I for one am championing the redemption," he added hopefully, along with a wish for a future Thor and Loki action scene: "This isn’t definitely going to happen, but I think there would be nothing more awesome than seeing Loki and Thor fight somebody side by side."

Screengrabs From Avengers Teaser Trailer