FIRST LOOK: James Franco As Skylark In THE INTERVIEW

Seth Rogen has tweeted the first image of James Franco in character for The Interview. In the film a TV personality played by Franco along with his producer (played by Seth) go to North Korea to interview their leader. Apparently, the pair are mixed up in an assassination plot and comedy ensues.

Cap Delivers A Serious Beat-Down In First Official Stills From CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Kevin Feige Reaffirms Plans For BLACK PANTHER Film And Comments On LOKI Spin-Off

Marvel's Black Panther was in the running for Phase Two but sadly didn't make the cut. Kevin Feige finally gives an update on the film's current status. Feige has been dishing a lot concerning his excitement for the rest the Phase Two lineup during press interviews for Thor: The Dark World. He's even teased at great length what's in store for Phase Three. However, one project Kevin has been quite mum about. That being the current status of Black Panther. He gave a brief statement to BlackTreeTV about the possibility of a Loki spin-off and if Black Panther is still happening.

"Ah, a lot of people are asking about Loki's own movie. That's pretty good and you know my favorite thing about being asked a question about Loki. Is that it means, it's worked. People respond to Loki they respond to Hiddleston. You know one might say he gives Thor a run for his money in this film. Wether he'll spin-off in his own story or not, I don't know we don't have immediate plans for that. I think there are a lot more stories to tell in the Thor universe first."

"And in terms of The Black Panther, it's absolutely in development. When you have something as rich as Wakanda and his backstory. Certainly vibranium has been introduced in the universe already. I don't know when that'll be exactly but certainly we have plans to bring him to life someday."

His statement seems a bit safe and still a bit coy. Feige isn't gushing about Panther here, like he has previously with Ant-Man and Doc Strange (a solid contender for Phase Three). Yet, Kevin does give the impression he's still being considered for release. We know that a script by Mark Bailey exists. Along with a steady group of seasoned/young actors being linked or rumored for the role of T'Challa. Wakanda made a small cameo in Iron Man 2 and since then Black Panther has gathered a large amount of fan support. The fictional Marvel country could very well make an appearance The Avengers: Age of Ultron, as the film is said to have location shots in South Africa. I speculate that Ultron could upgrade his body by heading to Wakanda for some vibranium. The same indestructible metal that Cap's shield is made from. LatinoReview has been confident in that Panther will make Phase Three. 

Chris Hemsworth Confirms More Marvel Sequels, Kevin Feige Talks THOR 3, PHASE THREE, DAREDEVIL And X-MEN Crossover

AccessHollywood was able to speak with Thor: The Dark World's Chris Hemsworth. The actor confirms his contract includes returning for Thor 3 and Avengers 3. Marvel hasn't announcement plans at the moment to include a third Thor film. So, it's possible if Thor: The Dark World reaches similar numbers to Iron Man 3 (unlikely but could break $800m) the studio will likely fast track a sequel for Phase Three. We already know big numbers don't equal sequels as Iron Man 4 doesn't seem to be the aim currently. Even with Shane Black game for more installments and the last film earning $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. However, it led to Robert Downey Jr. signing up for Avengers: Age of Ultron and a yet untitled Avengers 3.

"I’ve got three left in my contract – from here on, I have two more Avengers and one more Thor and if people wanted to see more, I’d be happy to keep going. I love these stories and I love this character. The opportunity has opened up everything for me."

We've heard Loki actor Tom Hiddleston previously mention that he'd love to see Amora The Enchantress in a future film. Along with Hemsworth warming up to the idea of casting his Snow White And The Huntsman co-star Charlize Theron in that villainous role. Besides chatter from the actors nothing is officially slated for release. However, Kevin Feige briefly spoke to SlashFilm about the chances of seeing Loki before Thor 3, giving the impression they have at least an idea of what Thor 3 might look like. Also, stating we could be seeing two films in the Phase Two lineup focusing on existing MCU characters. A model which is seeming being put into practice starting in April 2014 with the Captain America sequel and leading to August's release of new franchise Guardians of The Galaxy.

"Yeah, I don’t think it would be before Thor 3 if there is a Thor 3 and while we certainly have ideas of where we would like that to go, there are no specifics. We have to see how this one does and then go from there."

"I think it’s important, in an ideal world, that we have an additional story on a pre-existing character and then introduce a new character. So next year is The Winter Solider, Guardians…Year after that, Age of Ultron, Ant-Man. That’s a nice rhythm. It might not always be like that. I mean [this year was] Iron Man 3 and The Dark World, so it won’t always be like that necessarily, but that’s certainly something to aim for. So we have additional stories of the existing characters in development and the new ones, all of which you’ve heard before."

While speaking on an Empire video chat (via CBM), Kevin Feige also dished on development plans for Daredevil and commented on an X-Men crossover. After previously talking about working X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner and getting his Marvel feet wet with the original X-Men film.

"Daredevil is back at Marvel, and there are lots of talented people figuring out what to do with him next. We love Daredevil, there are amazing stories -- the Bendis run over 5 or 6 years, running into a Brubaker run was amazing. All sorts of things before that era we could use -- so I think you can bet on seeing SOMETHING from Daredevil in the not to distant future." 

"In terms of an X-Men crossover, there are certainly no plans now -- I never say never to things like that, but I don't think it'll be anytime soon", Feige says, before joking that it'll be "Phase 27" before we see that happen."

New Poster For CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, First Trailer Coming Thursday

Marvel's Kevin Feige Talks DAREDEVIL, PUNISHER, ANT-MAN, AGE OF ULTRON, DOCTOR STRANGE And Hints At PHASE THREE Announcement At SDCC14

Marvel's Kevin Feige is the face of Marvel Studios. So, when he drops hints and talks about future films we should take notice. He recently made the press rounds during the London premiere of Thor: The Dark World. Kevin gives his thoughts on the recent Ant-Man casting rumors (via HuffingtonPost) and the fate of Daredevil and The Punisher (via BleedingCool). What James Spader's performance as Ultron will entail for Avengers: Age of Ultron (via HuffingtonPost). When we can expect Doctor Strange (via Movies), a female heroine getting a film and the rest of the Phase Three lineup to be announced.

"Well, sometimes it's because we are legitimately talking, and sometimes it's just because he's a prominent actor out there now. And lots of rumors surround prominent actors..."Well, nothing is true yet. I like Paul Rudd, too." 

“We’re trying to figure out what to do with Daredevil now. Punisher could show up at one point. You know, once we get characters back into the Marvel fold we don’t want to do something right away, we want to do the smart thing at the smart time.”

"Well, I think it will be more than a voice role -- we'll be capturing his face and his body to create a whole performance. He's a very unique and incredibly exciting and unpredictable actor. And Ultron in the comics is a robot, but what's cool about him in the comics -- and certainly how Joss Whedon is interpreting him for the movie -- is that he is much more than just a robot. That he's infused with much character. And I don't want to say too much, but you can imagine James Spader will be very dynamic in his portrayal of this character....[Laughs] We did not hire James Spader to do a robot voice."

“Doc Strange, as I’ve been saying for years, is a movie I believe we should make — we’re just figuring out how to make it a great movie. It is in active development right now,” Feige told us. “Whether that’s one of the movies we announce for 2016 or 2017, we have to see. I think it’ll be the middle of next year before we announce officially what the post Ant-Man films will be."

"I know we have numerous exciting female heroes, whether none of them are currently slated, some of them are in development -- frankly, you can look at what Jane Foster does in [Thor: The Dark World], look at Pepper Potts literally saving the day and defeating the bad guy in Iron Man 3, and I'd say we already have great female heroes that are showcased and play major roles in our universe now. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as you will see, features Black Widow in her biggest role yet in any of our films. In terms of a solo standalone female hero, I'm not sure when that will be. We make two movies a year, we've planned through 2015 and we have some ideas of what we're doing in 2016 and 2017, so we'll see what happens."

At the moment Marvel hasn't made any official announcements concerning the rest of the Phase Three releases besides Ant-Man in July 2015. However, there are a few new characters they've been trying to put together for their own films such as Doctor Strange, Inhumans, Black Panther, Heroes For Hire (or solo films for Luke Cage/Iron First), Ms. Marvel, Black Widow and possibly a new Hulk installment.

Strange and Black Panther have scripts in place which led to lots of casting rumors concerning both projects. Names like Viggo Mortenson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Javier Bardem, Benedict Cumberbatch and Joel Edgerton have been linked over the last couple of years/months. I personally like the idea of having Tom Hanks (recently is campaigning for any superhero role) take the role which is expected to become the Tony Stark of Phase Three. Since Marvel has a tendency to consider Disney alumni and Oscar caliber actors, Hanks seems like a solid candidate. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to give some age to the character. Panther on the other hand has had a overwhelming amount of actors interested in the role. Two of them have been apart the MCU,  The Dark World's Idris Elba and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Not to mention Guardians of The Galaxy's Djimon Hounsou who is among many favorites for the role. Along with others being linked or fan favorites such as Chadwick Boseman (42), Nate Parker (Non-Stop, Red Tails), Chitwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men, Serenity, 12 Years A Slave, American Gangster), David Oyelowo (The Butler, Planet of The Apes, Reacher), Aldis Hodge (Leverage) and Morris Chestnut (Kick-Ass 2, Nurse Jackie). It seems likely that both films are strong contenders for Phase Three.

The trades previously reported that Ms. Marvel has a script in development over at Marvel. Along with rumblings that Emily Blunt (Looper, Escape From Tomorrow) and Ruth Wilson (Luther, Lone Ranger) were in the running for the role. Even Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, Riddick) tossed her hat in the ring for the part a few weeks back. We've heard Joss Whedon talk disliking the Carol Danvers incarnation of the character. So it's possible the studio could be going another route with her instead. Marvel recently bought Spawn's Angela and added her to books Age of Ultron and Guardians of The Galaxy. This combined with a new Ms. Marvel comic book on the way led BleedingCool to speculate that Angela could be the new Ms. Marvel. Allowing the character to exist without connections to The Kree and having defined/limited powers. While still having cosmic connections to The Guardians and even possibly Ultron. It's quite possible that Marvel could even move forward with Nicole Perlman's (Guardians of The Galaxy) script for the Black Widow film. Since Johansson's character will be getting a lot more screen time thanks to Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron.

Inhumans has been gathering steam for sometime and at one point was competing with Guardians of The Galaxy as the second last release in Phase Two, before Avengers: Age of Ultron. There is talk the film is going to be the MCU's version of the X-Men with Inhumans possibly replacing mutants. There is also talk of taking influence from Game of Thrones having warring factions within the world of Ihumans. Some speculation that Vin Diesel's real Marvel role could be that of Black Bolt and taking Groot in Guardians was just to get his foot in the door. Besides a script there isn't else much in place with the film but there is chatter it's further along in development than most suspect.

The Hulk was obviously the breakout character in The Avengers and around it's release there was talk that a new film could be on it's way. Joss Whedon and Mark Ruffalo talked about putting it together, with Joss considering writing it. Since then there had been rumblings that stories such as Planet Hulk (Hulk is banished to a warring planet which is populated with aliens as strong as he is) and Indestructible Hulk (Hulk is apart of S.H.I.E.L.D and is s hero rather than a fugitive) could be source material for a new string of movies. There's even a new cartoon Hulk And The Agents of S.M.A.S.H. which could be easily help influence a film. Instead of having Banner on the run making him the primary hero.

RUMOR: Rashida Jones Wanted For ANT-MAN?

I'm putting this out there before I even mention this rumor. The source doesn't even have a standing track record, as I've never heard of them. However, they're not CosmicBookNews, so there is a bit of curiosity on my part. SuperheroMovieNews say that Marvel and Edgar Wright are looking at comedic actress Rashida Jones to play Janet in Ant-Man. She would be the first actress linked since the casting process has actually started.

There are more than just a few reasons to think she's a possibility. Jones has previously worked with Ant-Man candidate Paul Rudd on I Love You Man and Our Idiot Brother. Rashida also has roles in The Office and Parks And Rec. In Parks she works with Guardians of The Galaxy's Chris Pratt. She also has links to Edgar Wright working with two of the Cornetto Trilogy actors Nick Frost and Olivia Colman (Hot Fuzz) in the dance comedy Cuban Fury. Oddly enough, Chris O'Dowd who is also in Cuban Fury has a small cameo in Thor: The Dark World.

Guillermo Del Toro Says PACIFIC RIM 2 Is Being Written But Legendary Hasn't Given The Green Light

IGN (via HitFix) caught up with writer/director Guillermo del Toro on the status of the possible sequel to Pacific Rim. The film made around $100 million domestically but worldwide made over $400 million. Giving Legendary enough profits to consider making another installment. Along with expectations to make a decent chunk of change in BR/DVD/VOD sales. Writers Travis Beacham and del Toro have been spending the last couple of months putting together a script for Pacific Rim 2. Guillermo reaffirms the script is being written but the studio hasn't green lit the sequel at this point.

Michael B. Jordan Confirmed As The New Human Torch In FANTASTIC FOUR?

SchomesKnow are claiming to have exclusive confirmation that Chronicle and Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan has signed on to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot. Jordan had been originally been linked for the project by TheWrap's Jeff Snider and the actor would go on to deny involvement. He had also been linked to testing for role in Star Wars: Episode VII. Michael is the first actor confirmed for the project and sounds like Fox is looking towards a more diverse cast than the previous films. While actors such as Kit Harington and Saoirse Ronan have been recently linked for other leads. The studio is still waiting for final script rewrites from Simon Kinberg.

Gentle Giant's Black Widow Statue From CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER Gives Us The First Look At The New Costume

Junkie XL Will Score MAD MAX FURY ROAD

ThePlaylist has caught wind that Tom Holkenborg better known as Junkie XL has been hired to score George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road. The film has been delayed for years and will finally get released in 2014. It stars Tom Hardy as the new Max, along with Charlize Theron and Patrick Stewart taking key roles. Tom isn't new to the film scoring scene collaborating with Hanz Zimmer on the scores for Man of Steel, Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. He also recently composed the score for 300: Rise of An Empire. It's an interesting turn around seeing respected musicians take turns in their careers to score full length films, so I'll be interested to hear what he comes up with.

Craig Roberts Takes A Supporting Role In 22 JUMP STREET, Plus Set Photos

THR reports that Welsh actor Craig Roberts has joined the growing cast of 22 Jump Street which is currently in production. Roberts is best known for his leading role in the coming-of-age film Submarine. He recently joined the alumni by working with Seth Rogen on Neighbors, which could mean we'll see more of Roberts in the Rogen/Hill films. Craig will be playing a supporting character named Spencer.

Trailer For Wes Anderson's THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Looks Stellar

Joseph Gordon-Levitt And Paul Rudd Named Front-Runners For ANT-MAN

Variety reports that the two front-runners currently for Edgar Wright's Ant-Man are Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Don Jon, Looper, Dark Knight Rises, Inception) and Paul Rudd. Joseph has been on Marvel's radar for quite sometime being linked for both Star-Lord (Guardians of The Galaxy) and Doctor Strange. Rudd's comedic resume is worth noting but hasn't really made any action flicks, so his name being attached is a bit odd. However, I wouldn't have imagined Chris Pratt for Star-Lord before James Gunn placed him in that role. It's possible the two could be going up for the same role of Hank Pym but Wright has mentioned using both Pym and Scott Lang in the film. Two characters that shared the title Ant-Man in the comics. I wouldn't rule out both actors taking lead roles.

First Poster For Wes Anderson's THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL