Robert Downey Jr Weighs-In On BLACK WIDOW, HAWKEYE And HULK Movies

Robert Downey Jr. is in a cool position, as he's signed-on to reprise the role of Tony Stark one more time in Avengers 3. The third installment isn't due until 2018-2019. Meaning, the elder statesman of the Marvel cinematic universe isn't going anywhere for some time. Allowing him to be outspoken about Marvel chatter concerning rumors and future projects. Speaking to USAToday, Robert did just that addressing Marvel's delay in announcing a Black Widow spin-off film.

The delay has sparked a bit of criticism, not having a female superhero officially announced as part of Marvel's future releases. Even more so, in the wake of the female Spider-Man spin-off at Sony and unofficially Warner Bros. solo Wonder Woman movie. Robert simply states the obvious and rational question, "doesn't Scarlett deserve a break?"

“Look, I think that the interesting thing particularly after [Guardians of the Galaxy] with Zoe [Saldana], even from the first Iron Man where Pepper was kind of this really – to me the Iron Man franchise would never have taken off without [Gwyneth] Paltrow. There’s something about her that grounded the story. She’s not your typical lady in a superhero movie, and then by Iron Man 3 she’s swallowing serums and putting on suits and kicking [butt] and all that stuff. It would be kind of more appropriate for a character that already was like a Black Widow [to lead a movie]. It just seems like whatever Scarlett does people want to go see it.” 

He makes some valid-points. Scarlett has played Black Widow in four movies, and could be expected to be apart of future projects. We all understand the demand for her own solo adventure. But it's really up to her when she wants to go back to making films, as a new mother. I think we can all respect that, even if it might delay production on a solo outing for a couple of years.

Oddly enough, Robert continues the discussion by pondering solo movies for both Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). The latter we've been hearing for sometime development on a new Hulk film, going back to 2012. Indestructible Hulk and Planet Hulk story theories have been circling for a couple of years. Ruffalo and Joss Whedon teased in Avengers press tour, that two could work together on developing a new film (Whedon possibly writing the script).

“The funny thing is honestly at this point everyone deserves a franchise. I think Jeremy Renner is — when folks see the Avengers: Age of Ultron he’s just a rockstar, a badass. And Ruffalo is pumped. He does great (work). I’d like to hear them talk even more seriously about a Hulk franchise, because that’s been one of the toughest ones to get right. But I’m sure that my parent company is feeling expansive and and bold after the summer they’ve had.”

Again, we hear from RDJ how impressive Jeremy's role in Avengers: Age of Ultron will be, hyping-up the character even more. It's possible Clint Barton could have an equally strong role in Captain America 3 as well. Originally, filmmakers wanted and wrote Barton into The Winter Soldier. Renner had to decline due to other projects. I've been under the impression that Renner could lead a West Coast Avengers film. That's if Marvel indeed plans on splinting the main group into two teams. Which is already rumored for Age of Ultron, leading up to the events of Civil War. Finally, giving Hawkeye more of a main character role than previous movies.


SOURCE: USATODAY

RUMOR: Next HULK Film Taking Cues From INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK And Coming 2016-2017?

While rumblings of a new Hulk film have been going on since Mark Ruffalo's breakout performance in Avengers. Joss Whedon and Mark talked about collaborating on it's script a while back. Talk of it's direction is seemingly going in a different direction than previously reported. Apparently, CBM is hearing from Marvel sources that Planet Hulk/World War Hulk isn't Marvel's current plan for the big green guy. Instead they might be looking at Marvel Now's run of Indestructible Hulk where Bruce Banner joins S.H.I.E.L.D. in exchange to help fund worthwhile science projects that will benefit society making up for his destructive ways. Having Banner/Hulk as the hero rather than the man on the run seems unique enough that the studio could really make a unique installment.

This may be the reason Banner shows up in the end credits scene in Iron Man 3. Since Marvel's button scenes tend to lead into the next big thing ala Fury-Avengers/Thanos-Guardians. While Doctor Strange is on the horizon for Phase Three an official release date hasn't been given. Along with the fact the studio has slotted two unnamed films for 2016 and one unknown for 2017. It's expected that Avengers 3 won't be happening until 2018. It's possible Marvel will announce three-four films that could be released between Ant-Man and Avengers 3. The fate of Strange, Black Panther and Inhumans hasn't been made public by the studio just yet. A new Hulk film taking over slot that would have been for Iron Man 4 makes some sense as well.

SPECULATION: Does Marvel Want Vin Diesel To Play A Villainous Namor The Sub-Mariner, Making Way For PLANET HULK And THE DEFENDERS?

It was revealed that Vin Diesel could meet with Marvel about a possible role. At that point yesterday there wasn't much to go on besides an old posting of a picture of Vision. A few years back Vin Diesel told MTV his dream Marvel roles would include a villain naming Dr. Doom or Namor The Sub-Mariner. Namor is considered the first mutant but is exempt from Fox's X-Men deal and his film rights are with Marvel. While Doom is securely still with Fox for their Fantastic Four reboot which is about to start production. So it sounds like Marvel might be looking to cast him as Namor McKenzie better known as The Sub-Mariner. He also posted this image as well.

“I would be [more] apt to play a villain,” Diesel revealed to MTV News. “[I'd like to play] the protagonist of a story that is also like a Marvel villain – like Doctor Doom or something.”

“I have some superhero favorites,” Diesel admitted. “I talked to ['The Surrogates' director] Jonathan Mostow about ‘Sub-Mariner,’ which could be interesting because of its World War II-New York connection.”

The sometimes villain and hero has been hinted to in Iron Man 2 with the Meta Human map at a possible location for Namor's kingdom Atlantis along with Black Panther's country Wakanda. Another possible hint to Namor includes his company Oracle with the sprinkling of ads for Sun Oracle Systems in Avengers and Iron Man 3. At one point there were rumblings that both Captain America: The First Avenger and Iron Man 3 would feature him.

Namor could make excellent villain or hero for Avengers 2 or beyond, depending on the plans of Phase Two and Phase Three. Since it's very possible the new threat on Earth could come from the Atlantis. Since Namor did team-up with the Hulk to take on the Avengers in issue three. It's possible that Marvel might be trying to put together a Defenders lineup for the MCU which included Hulk, Doctor Strange Namor and Asgardian heroine Brunhilde The Valkyrie which might setup Civil War for Avengers 3. If Strange is going to be the new Iron Man for Phase Three then he's going to need to lead his own team of superheroes. The Defenders could end up a solid successor to The Avengers if handled properly by the studio. LatinoReview has mentioned The Illuminati being involved with an Avengers sequel leading to a Planet Hulk film which could all fit together nicely if Namor is introduced into the MCU.

Marvel Sets Second 2016 Release Date For July 8th, Could This Mean We'll Be Seeing INHUMANS, BLACK PANTHER Or INCREDIBLE HULK 2 In 2016?

Marvel has announced a second unnamed film will be released in 2016. This one is set for July 8th and it's anyone's guess which of the many in development projects will be chosen for the slot. It was recently revealed that Doctor Strange could be Marvel's Iron Man for Phase Three. Given that comparison it's possible that Strange will end up being release in May 2016. I have to assume that either Black Panther or Inhumans will take the July release date. Since both projects have completed scripts and Kevin Feige has mentioned them as contending releases. Unless Marvel fast-tracks scripts for Captain America 3 or Thor 3. Currently, there hasn't been talk of scripts being in place for either of those possibilities. Another possibility is the rumored Incredible Hulk 2 (Planet Hulk?) film that LatinoReview has been talking about for months.

SPOILERS: Marvel Plans To Use HULK In Phase Three Films, Including A New Solo Film

LatinoReview has finally dropped their big Marvel scoop and it's a big spoiler. Marvel is moving forward with plans for the Hulk to play a giant role in Phase Three. We've assumed this previously as Marvel has teased Hulk being a bigger piece of their future plans. After stealing a majority of the scenes in Avengers. Talk had already begun about a new Hulk movie during the promotion of The Avengers last Summer.



The big reveal/spoiler is that at the end of Avengers 2 Hulk will be deemed too dangerous for Earth and will be cast into space. This will lead to a new solo adventure based on the Planet Hulk saga. Banner is placed on a space shuttle to be marooned on a peaceful planet were he and others can be safe. Only one problem, his ship crashes onto a violent alien planet where he is turned into gladiator. Fighting alien creatures to the death for the amusement of spectators he ends breaking loose and leads a rebellion against an oppressive leadership. Which ends up with Hulk becoming the new ruler of the planet, Spartacus/Gladiator anyone? While Avengers 2 leading into Planet Hulk rumor has been around for a while it's the first time an outlet has spent this much effort to confirm it. It should be noted they would be treading familiar ground as they released an animated movie focusing on The Planet Hulk comic.

The biggest addition is that he'll end up becoming the villain of Avengers 3, taking cues from World War Hulk. Hulk feeling betrayed by Earth decides on conquering it with his new loyal alien followers and army. An invasion that could only be stopped with the help of the Guardians of The Galaxy and maybe even the Inhumans (sounds plausible with a film in development). Gamora and Drax being able go toe-to-toe with Hulk without being smashed into pieces. This plot point would overshadows talk of Civil War or even the Skrulls being the main storyline for a third installment.

Like I said before this isn't Earth shattering news because Marvel has been tip-toeing over a new Hulk movie for a couple of months now. A while back someone from Marvel accidentally let slip they had plans for a movie along with the television series they developing for ABC. Marvel's Kevin Feige went one step forward by actually naming Planet Hulk and World War Hulk as possible avenues for the Hulk post-Avengers 2 while speaking with MTV.

I don’t think there’s a lot that we couldn’t do someday, as the cinematic universe continues to grow and expand and get as big as the comic book universe. ”Planet Hulk’ is a cool story, ‘World War Hulk’ is a cool story. I think there’s pitfalls of continuity-overload, and mythology getting so dense that it almost collapses in on itself [with those cosmic projects]. It happens every few decades or so in the comics. Apart from that, I’d say everything is on the table.


The Hulk show has suddenly gone into limbo since Whedon has jumped the line taking his S.H.I.E.L.D. series to pilot. Guillermo del Toro had been producing the project and was going to direct the Hulk pilot episode. It's possible it could still happen but with Hulk getting his own franchise it's doubtful they would rehash old material with a TV series. When this is officially announced by Marvel I expect that plans for the series will be canceled. Whedon has already mentioned a desire to write a new Hulk film and this seems right up is alley.

 I wouldn't count out del Toro also being asked to direct the feature. He's already interested in the character committing to the TV series, already making a successful film starring a Marvel character with Blade 2 along with being attached to direct Dr. Strange years ago. While he turned down Star Wars (also a Disney production), a Planet Hulk film could be a way for Guillermo to make his own type of Star Wars film within the cosmic-side of the MCU. The idea of del Toro directing a Joss Whedon scripted cosmic Hulk film is too amazing not to consider. Del Toro is about to release Pacific Rim this summer and will begin production on Crimson Peak next Winter.  He wouldn't need to release Planet Hulk until at least 2016 giving him tons of time to work with Whedon and production designers.

This is speculation on my part but I had mentioned Alison Brie should be cast as the new Betty Ross when the first talk of a new Hulk film was being rumored. This was months before her linked involvement with Marvel for Captain America 2. A majority of the lovely ladies linked for the lead in Cap sequel were brunettes and if Sharon was really the lead character, why look at so many non-blonds?

It's possible that she and other actresses were being looked at for a different female role other than Sharon Carter. Betty Ross could be this other part (or Jennifer Walters) in Winter Soldier as she did work for S.H.I.E.L.D. in the Ultimates. It could also see her transformed into the Red She Hulk (or She Hulk) while trying to find a cure for Banner maybe in Avengers 2. Making her a more viable candidate to join the Avengers roster than say Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) as she has already been introduced in the MCU via The Incredible Hulk. It would be simpler to include a female heroine like She Hulk or Red She Hulk because they wouldn't need to include Skrulls or Kree like with Danvers.

I wouldn't be shocked if a sub-plot of Banner's DNA becoming a viable piece of weapons technology could be introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier then played out in Avengers 2. Perhaps with a little help from The Leader (introduced in Incredible Hulk) the Masters of Evil/Hydra could amass their own group of power super-hulks with a sample of Banner's blood. You might remember that Banner wanted all his blood samples destroyed because he feared it would become a weapon "they couldn't get back". This could be played out within Phase Two, as in Avengers that phrase was attributed to the next evolution of weapons. Incredible Hulk is canon as Marvel has said it's indeed apart of the MCU along with using clips from it during Iron Man 2 and Avengers.

RUMOR: Iron Man Appearing In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?

This Marvel rumor is coming from a blog I've haven't really read before, so this news isn't the most reliable. ComicBook state they have a source tells them that Robert Downey Jr. will have a role in Marvel's upcoming sci-fi epic adventure film Guardians of The Galaxy. This new information is stemming from original speculation from a recent comic book (Iron Man is asked to join the Guardians) Iron Man would join the film. The site also points out another recent rumor that Iron Man 3 will have a mid-credits and post-credits bonus scenes (linked to Guardians?). However, JoBlo got word from writer/director James Gunn who killed the rumor. While a recent Tweet from a Variety reporter gives the impression it's possible and depends on Robert.

RDJ made a deal with Marvel Studios that he'd get a percentage of every Marvel film he agrees to be apart of. He earned around an estimated $100 million plus for Avengers, it's anyone's guess how much he'll make on Iron Man 3. So if Marvel wants Tony Stark/Iron Man in a Marvel film they just have to pay him later instead of a rather large upfront fee that would cut into the budget.

With Whedon handling the creative side things for the Marvel universe we have no idea what direction the film will go. I'd imagine if he wants to expand the Marvel cosmic universe they'd need someone from the Avengers world to bridge the two worlds (Earth/cosmic). Marvel has stated they want Guardians to be their Star Wars franchise so seeing some of the Avengers in the film isn't hard to believe. We've already heard rumblings that Nova Corps and Thanos could play major roles in film. To see Iron Man in a space epic could open the doors to other large possibilities for Iron Man 4 and even a new Hulk film (Planet Hulk/World War Hulk). He's already been in space during the missile scene in Avengers so maybe he tries out a new suit made for the harsh elements of space travel.

HULK 2 Taking Cues From PLANET HULK, Leading To WORLD WAR HULK In AVENGERS 3?

There seems to be a bit of speculation via SlashFilm concerning new quotes that Marvel's Kevin Feige gave to MTV. Kevin has answered the question if Marvel will take into consideration Planet Hulk with Incredible Hulk 2. He doesn't rule it out but confirms we won't see him in a solo adventure until Avengers 2 is released. We already know the studio plans on making another Hulk film and brining in the cosmic world gives more avenues for the character to explore. Joss Whedon has mentioned wanting to give writing the sequel a shot.

I don’t think there’s a lot that we couldn’t do someday, as the cinematic universe continues to grow and expand and get as big as the comic book universe. ”Planet Hulk’ is a cool story, ‘World War Hulk’ is a cool story. I think there’s pitfalls of continuity-overload, and mythology getting so dense that it almost collapses in on itself [with those cosmic projects]. It happens every few decades or so in the comics. Apart from that, I’d say everything is on the table.

Considering, Guardians of The Galaxy will be opening the door to the cosmic world it's safe to say that seeing Hulk shot into space by the Avengers/Guardians at the end of Avengers 2 could be a decent way to end the sequel. Planet Hulk centers on Hulk being shot into a wormhole landing on a violent planet where he leads an uprising, resulting in him becoming it's King. He finds his way back to Earth with his followers/army to get revenge in World War Hulk. Seeing Hulk the main villain in Avengers 3 could be an interesting way to end the trilogy if that's the way they go. There is still speculation that the Skrulls will somehow get involved in the franchise if they're not used as Thanos' new army.